IT is one of the most outsourced areas of industry, simply because of the overwhelming presence of technology in business. Hiring and keeping your own in-house team of IT professionals can easily get expensive, and outsourcing allows you to save resources while improving quality.
But what’s the secret of working with outsourcing companies? How to increase your product quality while ensuring your deadlines are met and resources aren’t wasted?
Working with an outsourcing company isn’t the same as working with your own team. If you want your IT outsourcing to be successful, you need to know a thing or two about it first. With these handy tips, you’ll get a better understanding of how to work with an outsourcing company.
What is outsourcing in custom software development?
Outsourcing in custom software development is the practice of hiring independent specialists or companies to work on custom development projects instead of completing the project in-house.
This allows businesses to take advantage of cost savings and specialized skills while still ensuring that the project is completed on time and with the highest quality.
TIP 1: Set realistic goals for your outsourcing company
The most common mistake that companies make when hiring an outsourcing company is treating their cooperation as they would with an in-house team. Your contractor won’t immediately know the values of your company, your objectives as a brand, and the aim of the project you want to realize.
Before you contact any outsourcing company, make sure you sit down and think about why exactly you want to hire them. Are you hiring IT professionals to finish a specific project or to get extra support for your own team? Make sure you communicate your goals properly to your outsourcing company – it’ll bolster your cooperation.
Tip 2: Find the right outsourcing company
How to choose the right software house? The choice of outsourcing company you’re going to work with is fundamental. You can’t exactly go back on this decision in the middle of a project, so think carefully before signing a contract. Consider whether you’re seeking short-term services or long-term cooperation, and which one would be the most effective for your company.
Some companies prefer to outsource each of their services to a different contractor, while others cooperate with a single agency to do all their work. The choice is up to you, but remember that the more a software development company knows about your inner workings, the better they’ll do their job.
What to look for when choosing a software house for your project?
When choosing a software house for project outsourcing, consider not only factors such as cost and security, but also the aspect of customer service, reputation and portfolio of the company.
In addition, make sure that the software house is well suited to your specific project and the type of services you need. At SOFTIQ, I know how important it is to feel comfortable with team members and have a sense of how well they communicate.
Among the issues that are worth considering when choosing a software house for project outsourcing are:
- software house experience and portfolio,
- the cost of a project, such as an application or system,
- project completion date,
- quality assurance under Quality Assurance and Quality Control, as well as appropriate testing procedures,
- communication quality,
- availability of resources – personnel and technology,
- competencies in the field of integration with existing systems.
You will learn more about how to choose the best software house for your project in the first and second part of our article “How to choose the best software house for your project? Complete guide, important criteria and useful tips“.
If you have additional questions, please contact our experts.
Tip 3: Do some research about software houses providing IT outsourcing
Every time you find a company that seems like they’ll fit your job description, read carefully all the information available on their website. See whether they have experience i n working with projects similar to yours – most outsourcing companies keep a portfolio on their website to show off their work to potential clients. It’s a great source of information about your business partner – don’t skip it!
You should also do some Googling on your own to look for customer and employee reviews of the company you’re looking at. Some companies might look amazing on the cover but have deep-set problems you won’t find out about on their website.
Tip 4: Keep a consistent and efficient communication channel with your outsourcing company
Communication is everything when it comes to outsourcing. Having your IT services outsourced can mean saving time and money, but you need to nurture this cooperation properly. Make sure you frequently communicate with your outsourcing company using a comfortable communication channel.
If you want to change something in the tasks you have set up, you need to let your contractors know. Companies that keep poor communication with their partners will eventually clash in how each side interprets the required services – better to clear up any misunderstandings while there is still time.
Summary – outsource or not to outsource?
In the end, choosing whether you should outsource your services is your decision to make – one based on the details of your services and the project you need to finish.
Through outsourcing, you can reduce your operational costs, skip the recruitment process, and save time – especially important if you’ve got strict deadlines to keep. Outsourcing gives you access to a highly trained workforce, with skills that won’t be easy to find on the local job market. If you’ve got the means to manage such a service properly, it’ll definitely pay off.