What is Outsourcing?
Outsourcing has been a fundamental part of business strategies and active since the '90s. Defined as the practise of hiring a third party to perform services and produce goods on behalf of the company that hired them. In this technological context, external IT resources would be the ones handling the tasks meant for internal resources and staff.
Among the goods commonly outsourced are software and applications. That includes the several processes of its development: from programming, testing, maintenance after deployment. What proprietors are aiming for in this market dominated by technology, is custom software/application.
What is it, and why should I care?
Custom software and/or application pertains to the creation of programs to accommodate the specific needs or demands of a client. Primary tool for organisations to manage data and resources. If you've just started delving into the world of business, investing in these tools may prove profitable for you in the long run.
Call it a necessity if you will, for numerous industries and businesses, if not all, are at this level of dependency where software and application is needed to perform a range of functions. Prevalent, even in everyday life, from supermarkets to banks. Now that we’ve established the use and relevance of software and application, why is it important to outsource software and application development, and what can be benefited from it?
Why Outsource Software and Application Development?
Save time and operational costs
For small to medium enterprises operating on a budget, outsourcing is a great way to cut costs. Applicable to both overhead and labor expenses. To make your outsourcing venture a cost-effective one, seek reliable companies. The quality of detail and attention put into outsourcing has a definitive impact on a company's capital expenditures, and if executed correctly, can produce significant savings. These savings may be passed to consumers in the form of lower prices or more quantity at the same rate; creating more demand for software/application and products.
Now, reducing costs does not mean sacrificing the standard of output or services rendered. If you decide to outsource software and application development, consider talking over the benefits of reducing marginal costs for purchases above the minimum. Doing so guarantees the company outsourcing software/application development a certain amount of revenue. Both parties profit from this arrangement.
Time waits for no one, particularly in this fast-paced environment, even more so if the business spans across the globe. Time zones are a new challenge to encroach; so is the gap between communications of both parties involved. What is needed, therefore? Versatility.
The flexibility of working through time-zone business operations is a welcome advantage. By allowing the clients to dictate the timelines following their schedule, it will be easier for the work to run smoothly with little to no problems.
Not to mention, with the development team operating around the clock, rest assured the software or application will have shorter time-to-market delivery. Such a factor presents a good head start against competitors in the same niche as your business.
Global Talent Pool and Cutting-edge Technology
Outsourcing gives access to capable IT professionals without the hassle of legal compliance from hiring employees. This range of talent ascertains projects will be optimised professionally, leading to better product stability and overall user experience.
Consider bringing diversity into your products and staff. Having people from different aspects of life be acquainted is sure to broaden horizons and promote goodwill. The variation in cultures bring alternative ways of thinking and tackling problems. This global talent pool may solve the linearity of work within the company and yield better products and services.
In saying that, it's best to choose an outsourcing firm that has a high-quality project management approach and is fully transparent with the client in their process for developing applications. They should be up-to-date and with cutting-edge technology.
Have you ever heard that term before? Cutting-edge technology is key to the business frontier. The world is evolving every day, with it brings new changes in hardware and software/application. To stay at the top of the game, where competition is great, companies need to employ modern IT developments: gadgets, techniques, strategies, anything that concerns technology. It’s always a plus when transactions and other processes are made faster through automation.
Which brings us to the next point.
Increase Efficiency and Productivity
In shaping your business to be an effective one, the goal is to make operations more efficient. Always. Efficiency does not stop at employees, contributing to lessen the load within a stipulated time frame. It's making sure the quality of products marketed does not get compromised, with minimum waste and expenditure. Software was created to innovate after all.
Employees who aren't frustrated with their work promises productivity.
It's a given that productivity prevents the repercussions of a poorly-managed environment. Boosting morale and confidence aside, software/applications can improve the output of the employees. Before spending for one, evaluate scenarios and outcomes, then determine the extent of what functionalities the software/application should encompass. Have the outsourcing team design it in such a way that makes it straightforward, simple to understand, and use by the employees.
Outsourcing encourages productivity since tasks can be delegated accordingly— ample time to focus on money and other valuable resources on different aspects of the business. With the additional helping hand, it's more manageable for the company's employees as they don't have to shoulder all the burdens of project management. If an efficient workspace is what you seek, seize productivity and efficiency.
Mitigating risks
Outsourcing software and application development means convenience in calculating and mitigating risks, for that extra security and quality of the outsourced project. Risks can be of various kinds, such as technical risks, financial risks, and schedule-based. Now, this is where outsourcing comes in to combat these threats.
As a client, you can discuss identified risks, probability of occurrence, potential impact, and propose actions with the company developing your software/application. The client must be hands-on at all times, in tracking and taking control of progress towards your vision.
How to Outsource Software and Application Development?
Yes, there are pros and cons to outsourcing software and applications. Hence the need to carefully research and weigh your options before making significant decisions. Check out this comprehensive guide on Software Outsourcing for an in-depth explanation. What are the key points in making sure you get the most out of your outsourcing experience?
1. Define Goals,Set Expectations
Before starting, be open with the development team on what your vision of the software/application is. Define goals, set expectations in regards to design and functionality. Having a set marker for your partners to follow assures that there won't be any unwarranted features implemented when you weren't looking. It's easy to go overboard or achieve less than what was promised.
Hence the importance for clients to be hands-on and communicative with the outsourcing firm they are working with in a certain project. The customer is always right, but with direction from the experts. Do not hesitate to voice out opinions, take time to catalog progress and offer suggestions before spending any resources.
2. Select a credible outsourcing firm
It goes without saying that clients should seek capable teams that are wholly aligned with their objectives. The best software outsourcing companies will have a set of processes and frameworks clearly outlined from the get-go, so clients can determine if their outsourcing model meets their criteria. Trustworthy company aside, partner up with individuals who offer unwavering support and genuinely want their clients to succeed. Communicate effectively with them and foster long-lasting partnerships, should you ever require their services for future projects again.
3. Avail Post-development Services
Making it to the finish line is great and all, but what comes after? The goal of successful software and application is to operate consistently. Development does not stop simply after the product is delivered to the client; the outsourcing company should guarantee that the quality of their product stays that way with maintenance and improvements upon the version.
Where to Outsource Software Development
Thousands of companies worldwide outsource software and application development. With this much variation on the market, finding the right one for you will prove a challenge. There is so much to consider: time difference, language barriers, and qualification requirements. These factors barely scratch the surface of crucial features in choosing the best outsourcing software development service company.
BPO Technology offers years of development expertise and intrinsically low prices in exchange for the best quality products. We have a dedicated, accommodating team, willing to guide you every step of the way. It doesn't take much to experience an innovative standard for offshore software and application development.
Consider RPN Technology for IT Support, and expect the same level of output in services.