Ever been in a situation where tech and IT guys were in an argument about software development and you felt out of place? Are you a business owner or project manager looking to launch an application or in need of technical support but do not have the necessary information to go about it? Have you considered outsourcing offshore software developers?
Apart from being cost-friendly and having a whole lot of advantages, offshore software development may pose certain challenges related to communication, quality control, and time zone differences, which we will discuss extensively as we proceed.
What Does Offshore Mean in Software Development?
As the word “offshore” implies, it simply means outsourcing software developers from a different country or overseas at lower costs to work on long-term tasks or projects such as web development, UI/UX design, mobile app development, quality assurance and so on.
Companies either hire a team of developers through an offshore software development company or freelance developers, depending on the type of project they are working on. This is a very efficient way to go about your tasks without having to train or hire employees.
In offshore outsourcing, you would want to consider the following locations due to their favorable business environments, highly skilled workforce and popularity: South America, Poland, India, Vietnam, Ukraine, China, etc. When choosing a country, factors like budget, time zone compatibility, and your project requirements should be considered before making decisions. Also, due to their English language proficiency, many businesses usually opt for offshoring to Eastern Europe, as it allows for faster and more efficient work because the language barrier is not really an issue.
Why Offshore Software Development?
1. It saves or reduces cost
When you hire the services of skilled developers from a different country, you do not need an office space; there is no need for equipment, IT infrastructure or even staff recruitment. Plus, most offshore software companies are located in countries with lower costs of living and favorable currency exchange rates, which helps them save money.
2. Direct access to international and best developers
When you outsource your talents globally, it gives you access to the best developers, depending on the project you are working on. You also get to hire skilled and competent talents that may not be available locally.
3. You get access to latest technologies
Most offshore software development companies are always up to date with emerging technologies and advancements, which may not be the same for local developers. Hiring an offshore team provides your business with access to the latest technologies and innovations.
Focus on core business activities: when you hire the services of an offshore software development company, you have time to focus on your core business activities, thereby improving productivity and efficiency.
4. Scalability
In the process of software development, you can’t be too sure of the time and resources that will be needed to complete a project. Instead of hiring or training new staff, offshore development companies can easily scale up or down based on project requirements, which can also speed up delivery times.
Offshore vs. Onshore Software Development
The major difference between offshore and onshore software development is the location of the development company or team, the associated costs, the time zone difference and so on.
Here is a breakdown of their differences:
- The offshore development team is located in a different country, while the onshore team is located within the same country as the client.
- For offshore development, costs are low, while onshore development involves high costs due to the high labor rates at the location.
- In offshore development, communication may be challenging due to time zone differences and language barriers, while in onshore development, communication is easier due to shared time zones and language fluency.
Challenges of Offshore Software Development
It is an undeniable fact that offshore software development has been of great benefit to businesses, including startups and already existing ones but it also comes with some challenges of its own, which I am sure you should be familiar with at this point. These challenges are summarized as follows:
1. Communication and time zone difference
When working with an offshore company that is usually located outside your home country, a difference in time zone becomes a challenge, which makes communication difficult and most often leads to delays in project or task fulfillment. This challenge can be worked on; some offshore software companies usually reach out to their clients to arrange a schedule for what time zone is convenient for them, thereby putting them on the same page.
2. Quality control
Working with an offshore software company and maintaining quality standards can be quite a task due to the differences in location and the different processes involved. This can be worked on by ensuring proper monitoring of each process on the side of the client, which can be done by ensuring the company keeps the clients up to date through a schedule on how the project is coming up.
3. Security challenges
Before partnering with an offshore software development company, ensure they are properly verified and take security measures like signing a non-disclosure agreement document and several other contracts to ensure your data and project idea are in safe hands and not distributed to external parties.
4. External factors
Unforeseen situations may arise during the course of your partnership with an offshore software development company. Factors like inflation, economic instability, and natural disasters may occur in the offshore location and these factors cannot be controlled. It may lead to a delay in the project deadline or even extra costs.
In spite of these challenges, some companies have been able to work with offshore software development companies to achieve maximum and desirable results; there is no reason why you cannot do the same too.
Who Should Consider Offshore Software Development?
Before considering offshore software development, you need to evaluate the objectives and specific needs of your project to know if offshoring is what is needed at the moment. Let’s take a brief look at who should consider offshoring:
- Startups with a strict/tight budget.
- Businesses lacking in tech expertise
- Seasonal or project-based needs
- Businesses that want to expand globally
- Businesses with tight deadlines and many more.
Conclusion
Offshore software development has numerous advantages, especially in terms of saving costs. Although it comes with its own challenges, many businesses and projects have been greatly benefiting from it, particularly startups. Finally, offshore software development is a good choice for companies whose values include staying competitive in the global market.