Things to Know Before Selecting Offshore Development Center

By Rania Feb 16, 2021, 2:18:22 PM , In Advice
Things to Know Before Selecting Offshore Development Center

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Nowadays, there is no doubt that you are facing more intense competitiveness than ever. The best solution is to employ the best local developers to keep up with the increasing demands and expectations of clients in your field.

Offshoring your development needs is an alternative. It is an ideal choice for cost savings, growing to the speed of light, and focusing your attention on your main strengths. When you hire offshore developers, you’re not only leveraging cheaper talent but also building an extremely skilled software team that’s an effective extension of your company.

An Offshore development center is an advanced facility center with modern infrastructure offering end-to-end IT and software development services. Read the blog to learn more.

Hey friends, let us start with numbers before we dig deep about the offshore development center (ODC). The global IT outsourcing market is expected to grow by over $98 billion by 2025, claimed by technavio market industry reports.

Especially in the pandemic or post pandemic era of COVID 19, the first thing on the priority list for every business is to save money. But there is always one thing that shall not be compromised while doing that. Quality, and if businesses shall opt to offshore software development services simply if they do not have that readiness to put every piece of the jigsaw into the right place.

Offshoring vs Outsourcing

There is a common thing between the two, to handover the requirements to a specialist. Back in the 90’s when outsourcing began in a prolific manner, the businesses were quite happy. As the time passed, demands got increased and businesses felt that the authority was the missing thing. Hence, came the offshoring, which gives the businesses a sense of ownership who wanted to be in charge of whatever is outsourced.

Mainly this whole outsourcing and offshoring ecosystem came to life due to following reasons:

  • Lack of in-house talents
  • Globalisation
  • Need of rapid innovations
  • To break the barrier of traditional process

However, despite the success of outsourcing, there are some cons associated. They are failures in sustainability over the long term, reliability and trust issues, lack of focus and control over the development process. The best service providers will always prefer the offshore software development Centre model since it also helps them build longevity in the relationship they seek.

The ODC model is a business-driven process where clients are looking to get websites, web apps or mobile apps developed from a top offshore software development company. The engagement of the clients with software development companies include end-to-end IT services like project discovery, UI/UX designing with wireframes or prototyping, development, and delivery known as launch. Now, let us have a look at things to put into consideration before you hire services from an offshore development company.

Read more: Top 5 Offshore Development Companies in India

Read more: Top 7 Offshore Development Companies in USA

Checklist for Hiring Offshore Development Services

If you have decided to hire an offshore development center, here are the primary things that you should be looking for:

1. Confidentiality Check of The ODC

Confidentiality check is the first thing on your offshore development center checklist while hiring an ODC for any of your software development projects. It is always vital to ensure the privacy policies of any company in terms of general contractual agreement, Non-disclosure (NDA) agreement, and employee confidentiality agreement.

2. Hiring Process

It shall be critically reviewed and approved by your end if you feel you are familiar to it based upon your collaboration comfort. A vetted hiring process will impact directly on the overall product or software development process. This ensures to avoid clashes and misunderstandings regarding cultural aspects, values, professionalism. and integrity.

3. Track record / History

Reviewing and evaluating the portfolio and previous work the ODC has done is extremely crucial. Check how many projects they have done that relate to your industry. If not industry, check whether they have done anything specific that matches your software development requirements. What were the challenges and how the ODC resolved those challenges to overcome. This will help you have an idea of their resilience, project management experience, and technical expertise.

4. Flexibility & Ability to Scale Up / Scale Down Teams for Long Term

It may be the case where you are seeking long term partnership with the ODC. Check if  the ODC has a system in place for long-term partnerships, contracts, and employment. Moreover, check and confirm if they can scale up or scale down the hired team of developers according to your requirements and how soon they can implement the change of resources. Of course, a prior notice is necessary to be given to the ODCs for that to be implemented. This is important to maintain the consistency of the development or post development era.

5. Up for the Extras

Many times it happens that there may be extra iterations you will want to make during any software product and its design. That depends on many factors regarding the product or software design, functionality, data, etc. And for not compromising the deadline to launch the software product, you may want the hired development team to work extra to implement. You need to confirm before the contract agreement that the ODC is ready to do that over the short notice and discuss the charges beforehand.

6. Get Familiar with the Billing Process

The mismatch for the billing process can result in a complete chaos causing delayed work and development inconsistencies. When everyone is paid on time and valued, you have a happy staff with increased productivity. Please go through the various business models of engagement offered by the ODC and select the one which suits your billing cycle to maintain the process efficiently.

7. Communication and Turn Around Times

Communication is definitely the KEY, even for software development projects. And it has even more importance when the project is outsourced to an offshore development company. A wrong communication can trigger mistrust, poor work quality, and create difficulties to deteriorate the software product and relations. It must be a shared responsibility for the ODCs as well as the companies who hire them. You have to be quick while answering the queries from the hired team of developers. When using an offshore development team, you want weekly meetings held, be in contact with a project manager, have a trusted and vetted method of knowledge transfer.

8. Understand the QA Process

To ensure the reliability of the software product developed, you must understand the QA services and process of the offshore development center you have hired. It is important to determine and evaluate whether the product meets your expectations, business requirements, and market requirements. The functionality testing and UI/UX design usability testing will ensure the overall app experience and bugs, if there are any, could be identified and resolved prior to the market launch.

To summarize..

An offshore development company can help businesses in the following ways:

  • Businesses make huge savings on IT infrastructure, recruitment, etc.
  • Complete control, authority, and transparency over the project.
  • Business owners & management can focus on the key objectives only.
  • Saves time and effort by giving the responsibility to the IT specialists.
  • Barriers of the time zones can be overcome by 24/7 tech support.
  • Get quality delivered in time by hiring dedicated software developers.

Why IndiaNIC is a Preferred ODC Globally?

Since 1997, IndiaNIC has been a leading offshore software app development company in the USA. With a team of 500+ web & mobile app developers, project managers and leaders, we excel in providing award-winning digital solutions globally through result-driven and top offshore software development services. Our software engineers craft client ideas into engaging web and mobile app solutions with unparalleled expertise in UI/UX design services.

Our core services include web app development, all the mobile app domains like native Android app development, iOS app development, cross-platform app development, etc. We also provide innovative solutions based on technologies like IoT, AR-VR, AI-ML, DevOps, etc. to enterprises, mid size businesses and startups. Hire software developers from IndiaNIC at affordable prices for guaranteed delivery, uncompromised quality and customer satisfaction.

FAQs on Offshore Development Center

What is the purpose of ODC?

An ODC aims to offer technological resources that can be scaled, allowing users to cut out unnecessary expenses. The client usually oversees the ODC services by working with team members responsible for the operation through the project manager.

What is the meaning of offshore development?

Offshore software development happens when a business hires an entire team of software developers and then opens an office in a different country, also known as an offshore development center. They're employees permanently similar to your local team, but with the difference that they're located elsewhere.

How can I find an offshore developer?

  • Make clear your requirements.
  • Make sure you follow a formal interview process.
  • Conduct rigorous technical tests.
  • Check for cultural compatibility.
  • Establish a time-efficient hiring process.
  • Give your candidates the motivation to join you.

Which is better, outsourcing or offshore?

The advantages of outsourcing are typically lower costs, greater availability of highly skilled workers, and the ability to finish work quickly, thanks to an international talent pool. Companies outsource to benefit from specific skills, cost savings, and labor flexibility.

What are the limitations of outsourcing?

  • Delivery of services - which could delay or be below expectations.
  • Security and confidentiality - both of which are at risk.
  • Inflexibility - contract may be too rigid to handle changes.
  • Management issues - changes at the outsourcing company may result in tension.