When faced with the decision of how to get software projects, multiple sourcing options available. Depending on your preferences, you could be looking at inhouse vs. onshore vs. offshore vs. nearshore. In deciding which sourcing option is the best fit for your project and company, it’s essential to compare a wide variety of factors.
Offshore relies on communication and planning with companies outside of your own country. On the other end of the spectrum, however, is inhouse development which relies on software developers inside your own organization utilizing current staff. The following is a break down between the different development styles. In recent years, offshore software development has been becoming a popular choice among business owners for supplementing their existing IT teams. And, many organizations are choosing to outsource their software projects altogether.
Working with Your In-House Software Development Team
As mentioned previously, inhouse relies on software development teams within the organization initiating the project. With inhouse developers, businesses can rely on consistent communication as well as quick turnover rates. Other similarities within inhouse developer teams include:
- Cultural similarities—workers hired by the same organization often have similar personalities and ambitions.
- Efficient communication—inhouse workers operate in the same time-zone and geographic location, making communication simple and affordable.
- Higher Cost—Inhouse software development teams often come with a higher price tag, especially when you consider health and benefits packages.
But Inhouse teams are costly, difficult to scale and having limited expertise also so one should think these cons as well.
Nearshore Development from Neighboring Countries
Nearshore development teams consist of teams in neighboring countries. This would include for example, the United States and Canada. One of the main reasons for using nearshore development teams includes a balance of lower cost while maintaining a closer geographic location, possibly even the same time zone.
Some other characteristics include:
- Talent Pool—searching for locally qualified developers can be both expensive and frustrating, especially if you’re working in Silicon Valley.
- Time Zone—nearshore workers, as opposed to offshore, have the potential to operate in the same time-zone and geographic location, making communication simple and affordable.
- Budget Savings—With nearshore development, you get a lower price point while maintaining quality of an inhouse development team.
How Onshore development Team Works
Onshore software development = comfortable, but pricey
Onshore development teams consist of teams within the same country or geopolitical location. One of the main benefits of onshore development is the power to outsource your software development team while adhering to the same laws and taxation practices. Some other qualities include:
- Opportunities for Direct Hire—Since onshore development teams are in the same geopolitical boundaries, the chances to hire are more likely.
- Familiarity—Teams working in the same geopolitical boundaries have a higher rate of cultural similarities.
- Increased rate of interaction—Unlike offshore development, onshore teams are typically in similar time zones and therefore have greater opportunities for team-to-team interaction.
This model is best for software development companies that prefer the convenience of the local industry network and are not intimidated by the hefty hourly rates of $100 and higher. So if you’re looking to maximize your budget, onshore outsourcing is definitely not your best option.
Choosing to Outsource Your Software Development/Affordable
Offshore development teams involve teams that are in completely different geopolitical locations. For example, a team of developers in India would be an offshore team for a business in Canada.
A rise of remote development teams
Thanks to more and more advanced technology for developers working remotely or a huge need to develop high quality software instead of hiring teams for in-house development, the new trend is rising over the past few years.
Lots of benefits are available while outsourcing, including lower cost. Other characteristics include:
- Competitive Rates—Offshore development teams often cost a fraction of what inhouse development teams offer, with the same quality assurance.
- Focus on Core Business Activities—While your developers are working overseas, you have more opportunities to work on activities like marketing, client communications, and finances.
- Time Zone Differences—Because offshore teams work overseas, it’s likely that you’ll have about an 8-12-hour time difference. This can work out in your favor, however, as offshore workers can implement patches and upgrades when customers are not using your product.
- Dispersed Workload—Since offshore development teams are mostly contractual, you can hire multiple offshore development teams.
Remote work seems to be the wave of the future. A recent survey of business leaders at the Global Leadership Summit in London found that 34% said more than half their company’s full-time workforce would be working remotely by 2020. A full 25% said more than three-quarters would not work in a traditional office by 2020, which is not some far off, futuristic era. It’s six years from now.
–Laura Vanderkam, Journalist at Fast Company
5. Larger pool of expertise– With your in-house team, you’re limited to the skills your team has. On the other hand, when working with an offshore software development company, the agency often has a wide variety of software talent on staff.
Most important question: What about the quality?
If you decide to outsource your software development but still wonder about quality, you should know that in most of the cases, quality depends on the provider you hire. With that said, if you choose the right provider – the quality will absolutely show.
Positive thing is that even if you make a mistake on your first try, outsourcing allows you to immediately change decisions and plans and eventually come to the perfect solution for your needs.
Now that you’ve understood all types of sourcing option so it’s up to you to decide the best way to tackle your next software project. If you’re leaning toward outsourcing, you’ll want to ensure that your team can save you money, as well as provide you with the services that you’re looking for.
Here at BorderlessMind we offer these offshore services at competitive pricing coupled with standout quality. Our team of highly skilled developers offer expertise in the latest and greatest programming languages such as Angular, ASP.NET, PHP 7, Python, and more. With a fully qualified team of developers at rates as low as $20 / hour, there’s no reason you can’t bring your next idea to life.
Visit our website and hire your first team of offshore developers for your next application. We offer flexible, risk-free consultations for your development needs. Not convinced? Feel free to visit our blog and learn more about what we have to offer your company.
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I can say that remote work became so well – spread and convenient in terms of COVID – 19 in spite it could be a bit difficult to switch.