It’s no longer uncommon for companies to outsource certain aspects of their business. Even big names in any industry rely on third-party companies to accelerate certain aspects of their operations.
Whether to save money or get competitive, there are many benefits to software engineering outsourcing, but there are also some risks that should be considered.
Do you think that outsourcing is the best option for you? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of outsourcing software development that can help you make a decision:
The Pros of Outsourcing Software Development
1. Focus on your core business
While some businesses choose to keep software development in-house, outsourcing projects can often be a more productive option. Your in-house staff is limited by time or quality, while outsourcing allows you both flexibility and expertise that will improve any project outcome.
In-house teams are great, but they can be spread thin. This is especially true for software projects where quality should never be compromised. To save you time and stress, avoid DIY-ing your mobile or web development project.
It’s also the best option if you have another project in the working process because then there will be no distractions from either side of this deal, making everything run smoother for everyone involved!
2. Cost savings
Outsourcing your SaaS application development project overseas might be your best idea if your main goal is to reduce the cost of that project. Besides, you’re not the first business owner to do it anyway.
According to the 2020 study by Deloitte, 70% of companies who choose to outsource their software development projects do so to save money. It’s no wonder why many software development outsourcing companies are booming!
Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia are the locations you should consider when looking for affordable rates. Take advantage of economies of scale, as outsourced teams from these areas often have access to lower-cost resources.
3. Access to talented developers
Do you have preferred programming languages that you want to use for your project? If so, you should know that one of the advantages of outsourcing software development is access to a global pool of talent.
More often than not, offshore teams have a wealth of skills and experience that may not be available in your local market. You can find developers with the expertise you need to get the job done right.
Developer outsourcing through hiring dedicated teams from Southeast Asian countries is easy because they’re fluent in English, so there is no need to worry about communication barriers.
4. You don’t have to worry about managing a team of developers
It may not be the most obvious among the outsourcing software development advantages, but you may find it convenient that you don’t need to manage another team. You can avoid those headaches because the outsourcing company takes care of everything.
The recruitment process, management, and quality control for a team of developers are no longer your problem. Likened to hiring an in-house development team, you still get to see the skills and experience of the outsourcing team that will be working for you.
Not only will you save time by avoiding all the processes of hiring and training, but you will also get your web or mobile app development dream team!
5. Application of innovative technologies
Aside from talented developers, getting access to the technology stack is definitely a pro in outsourced software development. Artificial Intelligence, automation, and machine learning technologies are only some of the most used in IT projects, and using them in yours would attract more customers to your business.
You can’t fully rely on your in-house development team to keep up with the technologies today, let alone upskill in such a short time. Since software development changes at a rapid pace, it’s better to save your internal resources for your core business operations.
With outsourced software developers, you can be confident that you are working with experienced professionals. They are always up-to-date on the most innovative technologies in the industry, giving you a competitive edge in your industry!
6. Faster time to market your software product
One important aspect of marketing your software product is the time it takes to reach your target audience. However, you can save a lot of time when you outsource software development.
By teaming up with professionals with technical expertise to work on your product, you can get your product to market faster and make sure it meets the latest standards. They can handle all aspects of development, from design to coding to testing.
As a result, you can focus on other aspects of marketing, such as promotion and sales. That’s why more and more companies are software development outsourcing. It’s definitely a smart choice if you want to stay competitive in the market.
The Cons of Outsourcing Software Development
1. Hidden costs
Although cost-efficiency is one of the outsourcing software development pros, many businesses have fallen victim to additional costs. Be careful of outsourcing companies that charge hidden fees for project management, administrative support, and electricity.
These hidden costs can quickly add up, eating into any savings that were achieved by outsourcing in the first place. All of these can lead to project delays and added expenses.
Before you outsource any project, be sure to have a clear understanding of all the costs involved at the very beginning. This includes getting predictable billing to ensure you’re not going to spend beyond your budget.
2. Difficult to find the right outsourcing company
These days, it seems like there’s a software development outsourcing company on every corner. The last thing you want is to end up with a company that doesn’t understand your requirements or isn’t able to deliver on its promises.
With so many options, it can be tough to know where to start. Expect to spend plenty of time sifting outsourcing firms in other parts of the world. Not to mention the significant time zone difference.
To avoid this, look into websites that review offshore software development companies. Remember that this step is a significant investment for the growth of your company. These efforts will pay off when you find the right one!
3. Lack of control of the project
Compared to working with an in-house team, outsourcing development services requires you to give up some control over the project. This can be difficult for those who like to be in charge and have a lot of input into every aspect of a project.
If you are concerned about a lack of control, try a partner company with a similar management style to yours. This way, you can be assured that your vision for the project will be understood and executed properly.
You should also have regular check-ins and updates from the team to ensure that everything is on track. A development team has a project manager who will serve as a contact person to relay information between you and the developers.
4. Security risks and confidentiality issues
Involving strangers in your development project is one of the disadvantages of outsourcing software, even if they say that they are the best team in the industry. There is always the potential for security risks when outsourcing.
Although the same risks apply to in-house employees, your communication with an offshore team relies heavily on the internet. Your outsourcing partner can easily stop any contact in an instant. This can be scary for companies worried about security breaches and data theft.
If security measures are not in place, your confidential information could be at risk of being leaked. Your company’s confidential information, such as your trade secrets, could be leaked to your competitors.
It’s imperative that you only work with a reputable third-party vendor. When you’re considering offshore software developers, be sure to ask about their security protocols and what they do to protect client information.
5. Costs can pile up
One of the most significant disadvantages of outsourcing software is that it can be hard to keep track of spending. While working with an outsourced team can help save on costs in the short term, there can be difficulties recovering from these costs down the road.
Monitoring the team’s working hours and ensuring the project’s internal processes are on schedule can be a lot of work. In addition, outsourced teams can sometimes be less responsive to your needs and less flexible due to time zone differences.
You may not have as much visibility into how your money is being spent, which can make it hard to manage your costs long-term. When considering software development outsourcing, be sure to weigh the short-term cost savings against the potential long-term costs.
6. The language barrier
Software development outsourcing firms are usually based in other countries. This can lead to a language barrier, which can be frustrating when communicating your company’s vision for digital transformation.
Outsourcing teams that can speak English is ideal. One of the key benefits of outsourcing in Asia is their skills in speaking English. Although some companies may not be using the latest technologies that could cause your project to lag behind.
Otherwise, you run the risk of miscommunication and misunderstandings. Remember, personal communication is essential. Be sure to have regular video calls or in-person meetings if you want a smooth process in when you enter the SaaS development outsource arena.
5 Tips for Successfully Outsourcing Software Development
Now that you’ve weighed the offshoring software development pros cons, you’re probably thinking of starting right away. When done right, software outsourcing can save you time and money while providing you with a high-quality product. But when done wrong, it can be a costly mistake.
Here are 5 tips for acquiring the huge benefits of software outsourcing:
1. Define your business goals
Before you start reaching out to a potential offshore outsourcing partner, take some time to think about what you want to achieve with your project. What problem are you trying to solve? What features do you need? What is your budget? Answering these questions will help you find the right vendor for your specific needs.
2. Thoroughly check their company profile
Once you know what you’re looking for, it’s time to do your homework. Talk to your network of business owners and see if they have any recommendations.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, take some time to read online reviews and check out the website and portfolio of your prospective external vendor. This will give you a good sense of their work style and whether or not they’re a good fit for your project.
3. Have a plan
Many business owners make the mistake of not having a clear plan for software dev or business process outsourcing. Before signing any contracts for outsourcing services, make sure you have a detailed project plan that outlines your objectives, milestones, and deliverables. This will help ensure that both you and your remote team are on the same page from day one.
4. Be present in every step
Just because you’re outsourcing doesn’t mean you can wash your hands of the project altogether—you still need to be involved to ensure that everything is going according to plan. Schedule meetings or virtual check-ins with your service provider so that you can track progress and give feedback as needed. Don’t hesitate to speak up if something isn’t going how you want it to—after all, it’s your project!
5. Manage expectations
Last but not least, it’s important to manage expectations on both the advantages and disadvantages of outsourcing. Make sure your service provider knows what they’re getting into and that they’re realistic about what they can accomplish within your budget and timeframe.
Similarly, don’t expect miracles—understand that there will always be some risk involved in software dev outsourcing and even in knowledge process outsourcing and that delays are inevitable from time to time. If both parties go into the project with their eyes open, everyone will be able to weather any bumps in the road that come up along the way.
Let’s Team Up for Your Project!
When it comes to outsourcing your software development, StarTechUP is a clear choice. Our team of experienced developers are experts in a range of programming languages and have years of experience working with clients worldwide.
We understand the importance of meeting deadlines and producing high-quality work, which is why we guarantee both on-time delivery and 100% satisfaction with every project we undertake.
So if you’re looking for a reliable, affordable, outsourced development team that can help take your business to the next level, book a free consultation with us today!
