How to partner with a software development firm for optimized success
Software development and IT are currently the leading outsourced services today, and it’s not hard to see why.
These fast-paced industries require highly skilled and experienced teams to develop and maintain excellence, as sometimes your in-house team does not have the bandwidth or needed specialized expertise. That’s where a software development firm comes into play – outsourcing to a highly skilled and pre-vetted team of professionals can often be the best option for many reasons.
The decision to outsource software development can lead to optimized success by leveraging specialized expertise, improving operational efficiency, and aligning with strategic business goals. In this blog post, we’ll share the various benefits of partnering with a software development firm. But first, let’s briefly discuss the process of outsourcing software development.
Understanding outsourcing in software development
Outsourcing software development involves hiring external teams or firms to handle your software development projects. This strategy allows companies to focus on their core competencies while benefiting from the specialized skills and experience of external experts. Various types of developers are contracted to complete specialized projects, including full-stack, mobile, DevOps, test automation, and more.
Benefits of outsourcing software development
Cost Reduction
A study from Indeed found that it costs anywhere from $5,000 to $20,000 on average to hire a new employee, not counting salary. Because of the high costs associated with hiring, it’s not hard to see why cutting costs is the number-one reason why businesses choose outsourcing software development. By partnering with a software development firm, you can avoid the high expenses associated with recruiting, training, and maintaining an in-house development team (by lowering overhead costs).
Outsourcing allows you to pay for what you need when you need it, converting fixed costs into variable ones. It’s also a great way to utilize saved funds for other business areas.
Better optimizing resources
While your in-house team of developers is highly capable of completing a range of tasks, assigning them every single challenge that may come up isn’t necessarily the best solution. Outsourcing allows you to hand off certain tasks while saving only the most vital tasks for your in-house team. This not only enables you to utilize your resources to their full potential but also work more efficiently and make the most of your budget.
Quick access to top talent
Hiring specialists for a specific project can be time-consuming and costly, with the average length of a company’s job interview process being 23.7 days, according to Glassdoor. The process, which, at a minimum, consists of posting a role, sifting through a long list of potential candidates, setting up and conducting a series of interviews, extending an offer, and, of course, hiring and onboarding, which is an entirely separate process.
Outsourcing allows you to bypass the lengthy hiring process and gain immediate access to a team of experienced professionals who can start working on your project immediately. Finding top talent for a particular project is also beneficial, as you won’t have to worry about hiring an employee with a broad range of skills – only those that are required for the project at hand. This can significantly speed up your development timelines and time-to-market.
Additionally, for smaller or local businesses that may not require long-term development, outsourcing top talent for a shorter period will be the best option. With short-term business needs, it doesn’t make sense to hire highly skilled developers as full-time employees. Outsourcing gives much easier access to highly skilled professionals and enables smaller businesses to achieve the same level of quality as larger corporations.
Flexibility & scalability
As a business grows, scaling effectively is vital to success. However, linear, incremental scaling is uncommon for most businesses. Outsourcing enables you to scale your development team up or down based on project requirements without the long-term commitments associated with in-house teams. Whether you need to handle a sudden surge in traffic or support new business initiatives, a cloud-based development approach offers the flexibility and scalability needed to adapt quickly. This scalability is particularly valuable for businesses experiencing fluctuating workloads or seasonal demands.
Data security
Outsourcing to a reputable software development firm can even enhance your data security. These firms often have robust security protocols and compliance measures, mitigating risks related to data breaches and ensuring that your sensitive information is protected. By outsourcing, you gain access to these advanced security measures without investing heavily in your infrastructure.
Faster turnaround time
Software development firms possess a vast amount of resources and are constantly ready to take on new projects. And because their job is to focus on your specifically assigned project, they’re able to maximize productivity levels and work more effiecently than your in-house team. With outsourcing, you’ll be able to get your product to market faster, as you won’t have to take your key team members away from other important tasks or reallocate resources. If you happen to be on a tight deadline, then the decision to outsource should be a no-brainer.
FAQ’s
As a decision-maker, you likely have specific concerns and objectives regarding outsourcing software development. Here are some common questions and how outsourcing can address them:
How will outsourcing affect control over a project?
With a managed team, you maintain strategic oversight while the development firm handles day-to-day operations, ensuring alignment with your vision and goals. But if this isn’t an area of your expertise, consulting firms are also able to fully lead the charge.
Can outsourcing provide the expertise I need?
Outsourcing firms specialize in various technologies and industries, offering access to a pool of experts with the skills required for your project.
What about long-term partnerships and reliability?
Building a long-term relationship with a trusted development firm can provide consistency and reliability, fostering a deeper understanding of your business needs over time.
How do I select a firm?
There are different types of software development firms, including onshore, offshore, and nearshore teams, and it can be tough to choose which one is best for your company. Read more about it in 7Factor’s blog post here.
How 7Factor can help
Partnering with a software development firm offers numerous benefits, from cost savings and resource optimization to enhanced flexibility and data security. By aligning your outsourcing strategy with your business goals, especially through cloud computing, you can drive efficiency and innovation.
Making the strategic decision to outsource can lead to optimized success and a competitive edge in the market. If you feel that outsourcing is what’s best for your business, then consider partnering with 7Factor – our teams of highly skilled developers are ready to assist you. Learn more here.