Most business owners in tech experience changes in business dynamics. Aside from the rapidly growing technologies, systems, software, and cyberspace, they also need to manage their workforce and often find professionals with certain skill sets to work on specific projects.
Scalability can help you adapt to increased workloads without long-term commitments to hiring full-time employees. Offshore development services offer a strategic solution to help companies address these concerns.
In this article, we offer a comprehensive guide on how offshore software development works, its benefits, and how Strategic Systems can help.
What is Offshore Development?
Offshore development is a business practice where a company or organization outsources the development of software, IT services, or other projects to a third-party service provider located in a different country, typically one with lower labor costs. This approach is often chosen to reduce costs, access a larger talent pool, and utilize specialized skills and expertise available in offshore locations.
Related article: Focus on What Matters: How Managed Services Free Up Your Resources for Value Delivery
How Does it Work?
First, identify the need for software development or IT services that may be beyond its in-house capabilities or resources. This could be anything from mobile app development to maintaining a complex enterprise system.
Once the need has been identified, select a reputable and reliable offshore partner like Strategic Systems. Both parties will work together to plan the project—which involves defining project goals, scope, budget, timelines, and deliverables.
The offshore software development teams, often called the “remote team,” start working on the project following the specifications and guidelines provided by the company. With a partner like Strategic Systems, the process goes on to include:
- Quality Assurance and Testing to identify and rectify any defects, bugs, or issues in the software or service being developed.
- Regular Updates and Reporting to ensure that necessary adjustments are made following the project plan.
- Product or service integration into the company’s existing systems or deployment for public use.
- Ongoing Maintenance and Support to address user issues, update the software to meet changing requirements, and ensure its continued functionality and security.
When to Engage the Service of an Offshore Development Provider
Partnering with an offshore development company can be a critical decision for any organization. The timing of this application can significantly impact the success of your software development projects, cost-effectiveness, and overall business objectives. Here are key indicators that suggest it’s time to partner with an Offshore Development Provider:
1. Project Complexity
If your project is complex, requires specialized skills, or exceeds your in-house capacity, it may signal that it’s time to seek a partnership with an offshore software development company. Projects with extensive scope and a need for rapid development can benefit significantly from offshore services.
2. Hard-To-Fill Positions
Tech talent shortage is still a thing. You’re not alone if you’re experiencing difficulty hiring professionals with tech skills. According to the 2023 State of the CIO survey, IT leaders have reported finding data science and analytics, cybersecurity, and AI-related positions most difficult to fill.¹
3. Budget Constraint
If you’re on a budget or cost optimization ranks high on your priority list, it may be the right juncture to invest in offshore services instead. Partnering with Strategic Systems enables you to access offshore developers without straining your financial resources.
4. Quick Deployment of Deliverables
Projects often have strict deadlines, or you’re trying to introduce new products or services to the market on time. Delegating your tasks to an offshore development service provider can help you achieve project completion on time.
5. Global Expansion
If your company wants to expand globally, working with a partner offering a better connection to your market can provide essential insights and cultural understanding. This helps ensure that your software meets the expectations of local customers and that your product attracts the right market.
6. Meeting Latest Technological Demands
When your organization uses new and advanced technologies like AI, blockchain, or IoT, offshore providers with expertise in these areas can make it easier by providing special skills and knowledge.
Strategic Systems Offshore Services offers a comprehensive suite of solutions designed to maximize the benefits of your offshore investments. These services encompass a wide range, including but not limited to Business Analytics, NOC support, domestic talent acquisition, Java Development, outsourcing, and more.
How Offshore Development Services Facilitate Scalability
One of the main reasons why companies partner with offshore development services is to expand their businesses. Here are six ways offshore development services can support business scalability:
1. Cost Efficiency
One of the main reasons companies choose offshore software development is because it’s more affordable. Offshore companies in countries with lower labor costs can do the same work at a lower price. This cost-saving helps companies use their fund allocation wisely and invest it in other vital parts of the business, like research, training and development, and product promotion.
2. Access to a Global Talent Pool
When a business wants to grow, it needs talented people. Offshore development services give access to skilled workers from all over the world. These workers are highly trained to accomplish the tasks that you require. Access to these experts means a company can quickly assemble a team for different jobs that may take time if done internally.
Whether a company needs to grow fast for a short time or has a long-term plan, offshore services can find and send the right people quickly. This agility is pivotal in responding adeptly to fluctuating market demands and emerging opportunities.
3. Gets Things Done Faster
In today’s business world, being adaptable is crucial. Offshore software development services are fast at making and using new things. With an exceptional team working just for them, businesses can finish their projects faster and get their products and services to customers sooner.
This accelerated development cycle proves invaluable when companies need to seize time-sensitive market opportunities or adapt promptly to evolving customer preferences. It positions you favorably in outpacing competition and remaining attuned to shifting market dynamics.
4. Focus on What’s Important
Growing isn’t just about getting bigger; it’s also about getting better. Entrusting non-core responsibilities, such as software development, to offshore teams empowers businesses to concentrate on their core competencies, like innovating products and services, creating plans for the company, and reaching new customers.
Shifting the focus like this can give your company a competitive edge, enabling you to channel energy into areas that directly influence growth and profitability.
5. Flexibility and Adaptability
When a business is growing, it sometimes needs more help, and sometimes it needs less. Offshore development services help you scale your teams up or down as needed. Whether it’s the seasonal fluctuations of workload, a quick turnaround of special projects, a sudden surge in demand, or a strategic expansion, offshore software development companies can adapt to changing requirements.
This ability to change allows companies to have the flexibility to increase or decrease workforce capacity whenever needed.
6. Risk Mitigation
Growing a business can be risky. Offshore software development services safeguard business functions and operations by spreading the work to different places. If something unexpected happens, like a natural disaster or economic downturn, it won’t hurt the business as much.
Moreover, offshore providers often have experience working with international clients and adhering to global quality and security standards, reducing the risk associated with software development projects.
ACHIEVE SCALABILITY THROUGH OFFSHORE DEVELOPMENT WITH STRATEGIC SYSTEMS
When choosing an offshore partner, reliability is vital. Strategic Systems is an ISO 27001-certified offshore service provider that ensures your IT needs are met and assures you that you can focus on other business activities.
Our expert Offshore team will oversee and manage your Service Level Agreements (SLAs), ensure that your project goals and commitments are achieved, and keep your Customer Satisfaction (CSAT) scores consistently high by applying industry-standard techniques and approaches.
By partnering with us, you can expect the delivery of enterprise technology services through solutions across Cybersecurity, Data Management, Cloud Advancement, and Business Applications. Contact us today to start a conversation.
References
1. Overby, Stephanie. “10 most difficult-to-fill IT roles — and how to address the gap” CIO, 18 July 2023, https://www.cio.com/article/221772/10-most-difficult-it-jobs-for-employers-to-fill.html#:~:text=CIO.com’s%202023%20State%20of,and%20AI%20topping%20the%20list
