Programming Outsourcing [Guide]: Everything You Need to Know

To outsource programming has become a strategic move for companies looking to scale quickly, optimize costs, and access global talent. 

In fact, 92% of G2000 companies are using IT outsourcing to improve their business operations and access specialized skills.

Not only this, but many businesses choose to outsource their IT services, with programming outsourcing as one of the most common services outsourced in software development projects. As per the Deloitte Global Outsourcing survey, 54% of companies choose to hire developers this way.

Whether you're a startup looking to speed up development or an established enterprise trying to streamline operations, aligning with outsourcing companies gives you flexibility and expertise. 

But with so many options available, how do you navigate this landscape effectively?

In this comprehensive guide, we'll explain everything you need to know about programming outsourcing, helping you make informed decisions on a coding project idea that drives business success.

What Is Programming Outsourcing?

Programming outsourcing refers to the practice of hiring developers or working with outsourcing agencies to meet businesses' software development needs. Outsourcing programming can involve having the entire project completed by the outsourced software developers or just a few lines of code, with expertise of working on various digital solutions. 

According to a Global Outsourcing Survey by Deloitte, over three-quarters of the surveyed executives said they outsource their IT functions.

8 Key Benefits Of Outsourcing

Outsourcing is a key driver for smart startups and multi-scale businesses. Many businesses choose to outsource some of their operations full-time, while some do it for rapid custom software development. In fact, at least 57% of G2000 companies have an outsourcing contract.  

Source: Link

According to a survey by Deloitte, 76 percent of executives surveyed used IT outsourcing services to speed up their organizational processes.

This indicates that outsourcing will likely continue to grow in the near future. Businesses often choose to outsource because it offers cost-effective solutions, access to specialized skills, and faster time to market. All of these factors contribute to the importance of outsourcing.

Let’s explore some reasons why companies choose to outsource programming.

1. Cost Efficient Custom Software Development

Many companies choose to outsource software development in order to save money. Outsourcing can help them avoid the costs of hiring full-time, in-house developers and save on salaries, benefits, and office space.

In fact, 59% of companies outsource mainly to cut costs, especially by hiring workers in countries like India, where labor is cheaper.

2. Access to a Wider Range of Talent

50% of corporate executives have identified talent acquisition as their primary internal concern, thus generating a demand for outsourced solutions to address skill deficiencies and sustain expansion. 

Outsourcing provides companies with access to proficient programmers globally, including specialized talents that may not be locally available.

Outsourcing gives you access to a vast pool of skilled developers specializing in various technologies. Whether you need expertise in a niche area or require a full-stack development team, you can find the right talent to match your project requirements. 

Must read: How To Hire Offshore Developers [Complete Guide & Checklist]

3. Data Security Risks

Data security is a significant concern and a vital technical aspect of digital solutions. According to a study by PwC, 69% of organizations see data security as a challenge in outsourcing.

To reduce risks, it's important to choose vendors carefully, negotiate contracts, and make sure that your programming outsourcing team meets high data security standards.

4. Scalability and Flexibility

Flexibility and scalability are crucial for businesses in today's fast-changing business world. Companies that can adjust their operations to meet changing demands gain a competitive advantage. For example, a retail company faces ups and downs in demand throughout the year.

By outsourcing software development to develop progressive web app, any startup with budget constraints can outsource coding, quality assurance, and other tasks, saving expenses of hiring an in house team.

According to a survey by Deloitte, 59% of businesses named flexibility as a major reason for outsourcing. Thus, outsourcing programming tasks could help companies to stay flexible and adjust quickly to the changing markets.

5. Faster Time-to-Market

Outsourcing helps companies grow quickly and meet market demands faster. By having teams in different time zones, companies can work around the clock and meet tight deadlines without sacrificing quality.

6. Focus on Core Business Functions

By outsourcing programming tasks, companies can focus on driving strategic growth and utilizing their resources more effectively. Also, outsourcing services brings you the liberty to streamline the whole process of building software or app development, saving time for other potential tasks.

7. Access to tech stack

When you outsource programming, you get access to a large talent pool and new technologies. Outsourcing firms stay updated with cutting-edge tech stack like Angular, Flutter, etc. Thus, to outsource coding helpful for startups and small companies that can't afford modern technology and tools.

8. Improved Security

According to the Computer Economics Report, 94% of businesses use software development outsourcing to improve their security measures. By having a dedicated team of programmers, companies can access experts who can use industry best practices and the latest technologies to secure their software products.

9. Machine Learning, AI, & More

When you need to work on advanced tech-stack that need integration of AI, ML, or Large Language Models, hiring a full-time team could hamper cost efficiency. However, when you outsource coding process for advanced tech stack to offshore outsourcing, it helps you foster reliable technology within a defined budget.

4 Main Steps To Outsource Programming 

Although outsourcing programming services brings a myriad of advantages to businesses, there are a few essential factors that need to be considered to ensure that you have chosen the right partner for you. Below, we have compiled a list of essential things that you must consider.

1. Choose the right outsourcing company

When searching for an IT outsourcing company, it's essential to verify that they possess the necessary skills and experience for your project. Choosing the right IT outsourcing partner involves following a systematic process. However, when making your selection, be sure to consider the following:

1. Check if they have relevant experience in delivering similar projects.

2. Looking at their previously successfully delivered projects.

3. Considering word of mouth for a brand's programming services.

4. Verifying their testimonials and reviews.

5. Checking the quality of their work for their past programming outsourcing solutions. 

Would you like to learn more about how to select one? You can find comprehensive information about IT outsourcing partners in this blog post. 

2. Consider their methodology

Every outsourcing partner works on different methodologies to pursue the necessary tech tasks vital to executing the project. 

Agile methodology is one of the most common and efficient approach to development as it enables iterative feedback for each phase of the process. Be it coding or the UI UX design of the application developed through code, it runs thorough checks and assures quality. This way, the client and the developer can be assured that the project is ongoing and has the same goal and intention. 

And if any improvement is required, it can be made beforehand. You can choose outsourcing vendors by following the right methodology for project development, ensuring the project doesn't cost you more. 

3. Set clear expectations

Ensure that you state your expectations precisely when collaborating with programming outsourcing companies. Clearly communicate to project managers what you want from the project, the tech tasks, and their necessary deadlines. Include all details in the outsourcing contract to avoid any misunderstandings.

These may involve a focus on core technology selection or integration of advanced machine learning techniques, with a check on quality assurance benchmarks. Therefore, everything you need from UI UX design to software testing to other IT-related services must be clearly described by your company representative to the offshore development company.

4. Outsourcing Contract

Once you have found a reputable outsourcing partner, the next step is to sign the programmer outsourcing contract.

Just like any other agreement, the software outsourcing contract needs to include some essentials, such as general terms, conditions, dispute resolution, and more; below are some of the essential pointers that are must-haves for a contract.

• The services: The services section must describe the services in detail. For instance, web development, app development, frontend or backend development, quality control, etc. must be separately specified. This also includes the project scope that you expect your IT Outsourcing company to deliver.

• Project cost and time: This section clearly states hourly rates, milestones, development phases, and deadlines. It also includes who will be responsible for delays, the payment schedule, and more.

• Intellectual Property Rights: The IP rights clearly state that the code and project will be handed over to the client upon completion. It may need signing NDAs and defining infrastructure management guidelines while clearly stating that the product belongs to the customer and not the programming outsourcing vendors.

• Acceptance Testing: This includes the tests to be conducted to determine whether the contract requirements are met. It also states which party is responsible for testing, how the results are communicated by project managers, and if in house team and outsourced developers work together.

• Confidentiality: This section includes information about the non-disclosure agreement, and the information needs to remain confidential throughout.

Must Read: Best Practices for Software Development Outsourcing

Most Common Models of Outsourcing Programming

There are three main types of models that you can use to outsource programming. Let's take a look at them. 

1. Fixed-price outsourcing programming

If you have a small or medium project and need short-term help from experienced developers, like some basic mobile app development, this model could work for you to gain speed. Professionals have a specific set of tasks and processes, and the cost is fixed for the project.

Advantages

• Budget certainty
• Clearly defined expectations
• Focus on meeting deadlines

Cons

• Inflexibility
• Potential for overestimation

2. Time & Material Model of programming outsourcing

This model is more flexible than the fixed-price model. It allows for adjustments in cooperation, team composition, tech stack, and project requirements.

It is best suited for small and medium-sized projects that need a skilled programming workforce.

Advantages

• Flexibility
• Transparency
• A focus on quality

Cons

• Budget uncertainty
• Need for Involvement

3. Dedicated Team Model of programming outsourcing

This model is great for outsourcing to a development company. It offers flexibility, allowing you to hire a team of professionals and manage them directly for your web or app development goals.

It is ideal for large, complex projects, and the team can adapt quickly to changes. The cost is determined monthly for each professional, making the budget flexible.

Advantages

• Full control and integration
• Consistency and long-term commitment
• High flexibility

Cons

• Higher costs
• Resource management

Popular Examples Leveraging Programming Outsourcing

When it comes to embracing the capabilities of outsourcing programming services, many well-known brands have also been seen taking advantage. Let's take a look at some of them:

1. Google

Even though Google is the biggest search engine in the world, did you know that it still uses outsourcing programming services? That's right. Google takes advantage of third-party services and still outsources some of its development tasks to reduce costs.

2. Alibaba

Alibaba has also benefited from using outsourced talent. The rapid growth of China's e-commerce giant demonstrates how it has taken advantage of outsourcing to fuel its business growth, rather than sticking to tedious hiring process.

Wrapping Up

Outsourcing programmers is a convenient way for businesses seeking access to specialized expertise in mobile or web development without deploying an in-house setup.

However, finding the right outsource programmer can be complicated as the one you partner with must be reliable. That is where Your Team in India comes into the picture!

We bridge the gap by making it easy for you to access the top talents and hire Indian developers for everything from project development to project management. We leverage cutting-edge technologies to deliver outstanding software solutions.

Get in touch to discuss your programming outsourcing requirements today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can outsourcing be a long-term solution for my business?

Yes, outsourcing programming can be a long-term solution for your business. By partnering with reliable outsourced programming service providers, you can access specialized talent, reduce operational costs, and maintain flexibility as your business scales. It also allows you to focus on core business activities while outsourcing non-core tasks to experts.

What types of projects are best suited for programming outsourcing?

Outsourcing programming is best for projects with clear requirements and specific goals. This includes tasks like web and mobile app development, creating custom software, and UI/UX design. It's also suitable for tasks that need specialized skills or can be completed on a project basis.

What are the benefits of outsourcing programming tasks?

Outsourcing programming offers a myriad of benefits. It can save you money, give you access to skilled developers from around the world, provide more flexibility in managing projects, and allow you to focus on your main business activities while experts take care of the technical aspects of your project.

What are the potential risks associated with programming outsourcing?

Software development outsourcing can involve risks like communication challenges due to language barriers or different time zones, potential quality control issues, and concerns over data security. Additionally, managing external teams may require increased oversight to ensure alignment with project goals. However, by following the best practices and risk mitigation strategies, businesses can overcome these challenges efficiently.

How can I choose the right outsourcing vendor for my programming needs?

To choose the right outsourcing vendor,

• Evaluate their technical expertise
• Check their proven track record
• Ability to align with your business goals
• Look for strong communication skills
• Transparency in pricing
• Scalability options
• Reviewing case studies
• Client testimonials
• Considering time zone compatibility

Is programming outsourcing suitable for small businesses/startups?

Yes! Programming outsourcing allows small businesses and startups to access top-tier development talent at lower costs, scale quickly, and focus on core business growth. By outsourcing, SMEs can avoid the overhead of hiring in-house teams and gain flexibility to adapt to changing needs.

How much does outsourcing programming cost?

The hourly price for outsourcing IT services ranges from $20 to $70. However, the price may vary depending on different factors. These include the complexity of the project, the size of the software, the design intricacy, the number of integrations, the team size, expertise, and location. The delivery timeline also significantly impacts the cost of custom software development.