Pros and Cons of Outsourcing Software Development

Software development is a complex process that requires making numerous choices. Many companies put it off for various reasons, from incurring high costs to failing to understand the benefits.

The majority of business owners eventually decide that custom software development is an integral part of their success. When the time comes to make choices, you have to consider the pros and cons of outsourcing software development.

Pros of Outsourcing Software Development

Let’s take a close look at the advantages of outsourcing the development process.

1. Experience

Software development companies tend to have experience with projects similar to yours. Thus, you can receive valuable advice about the process and avoid common mistakes.

2. Responsibility

Software development companies take full responsibility for developing your product. In case something goes wrong in the process, they’ll have to take care of it. The contract contains all the necessary points to protect both parties.

3. A wide choice of experts

When you choose a company or an individual to help you with the development process, you have an impressive choice. From renowned local development firms to offshore freelancers, you can find a person or team to suit your needs perfectly.

4. Lower costs

When you consider virtual staffing options, you can pay the team by the hour. Unlike having an in-house software development team, outsourcing saves you money on salaries and benefits. When signing a contract, you can discuss all development costs and plan your budget accordingly.

5. Relevant skills

Custom software development companies usually implies putting together a team of experts with different sets of skills. Hiring specialists with the right skill set for software development may be costly and time-consuming.

Cons of Outsourcing Software Development

Outsourcing software development comes with a number of disadvantages.

1. Communication

If you outsource the job to an offshore or remote company to save money, you may face communication problems. It’s always easier to work on software when the team is located in the same time zone and speaks the same language as the client.

2. Security issues

Even though you are protected by the contract, another company may take the opportunity to steal your data. When software development is in process, the developer has access to sensitive data you usually work with.

It’s worth noting that security can also be an issue if the software is developed in-house.

3. Hidden costs

When you are working with another company, there is always a chance you may extra costs. Unless the contract is clear on this matter, you may be facing unexpected expenses throughout the project.

4. Quality

Even if you spend sufficient time and effort searching for the right software developer, you have to work with a team you don’t know much about. That’s why there’s always a chance of not getting what you want. With an in-house team, you know all about their abilities, so the result shouldn’t come as a surprise.

Software Development Outsourcing: Final thoughts

Outsourcing software development is a serious decision. If you believe that it’s the right move for your company, make sure to conduct thorough research when choosing a development team. Doing that can minimize the risks of outsourcing substantially.