Offshore Development Centers are gaining more and more popularity these days. With the increased demand for outsourcing development projects, there are more and more offshore development centers in India, Brazil, the Philippines, and other developing economies.
However, with so many establishments being set up and promoting their services, finding the right offshore development center for your business requirements cannot be easy. Also, it can be difficult to distinguish the genuine ones from the rest.
If you don’t want to set up your in-house development team or are looking to build your offshore development team, we are going to help you figure out everything you need to know about ODC services, how to choose the right ODC partner and different engagement models you can choose to engage with them. Let’s get started
What is Offshore Development Center?
An offshore development center is an office setup with a dedicated team of software engineers, product managers, designers, QA experts, and other such profiles that operates in a country other than the hiring company’s location.
This allows companies looking for dedicated IT teams to access expert talents with a diverse range of skills and knowledge at 1/3rd price of their local developer’s hourly rates. This is due to the lower labor costs in these offshore development countries such as Ukraine, the Philippines, and India.
Why is ODC beneficial for my business?
Offshore Development Centers bring many benefits to the table. From getting cost-efficient access to global talents to the freedom of scaling and descaling your team as and when needed, there are many reasons you should opt for offshore development services to build your remote dedicated development team. Let’s discuss them in greater detail –
Cost-Efficiency
One of the base and primary reasons companies prefer to work with ODCs is the cost-benefit. Offshore locations like India offer lower labor costs leading to lower hourly rates for developers than developed countries.
When you set up your ODC in India, you get access to some of the top talents with proper skills and framework knowledge at a fraction of the cost, which allows you to allocate your budget more efficiently.
Access to top talents
Offshore Development Centers have a vast team of skilled, certified, and experienced professionals with work experience using different platforms and serving various industries worldwide.
These top talents can handle multiple requirements, such as quality assurance, software development, project management, and other technical fields. Access to such skills and expertise can boost your project timelines and improve its overall quality and productivity.
Time-Zone Benefit
What most people think of as a challenge to deal with while outsourcing to ODCs is an advantage. If you choose an offshore development center situated in a country with a considerable time difference, you get all-time productivity.
When your on-site team rests, the offshore development team can pick up the work, giving you more working hours daily and drastically reducing project time and deliveries.
Flexibility and Scalability
Offshore development centers are flexible hiring modules that allow you to scale up your team when the requirements arise and scale down your team when you don’t need additional talents.
This gives you complete control and access over the talents you need for each phase of your software SDLC and the ability to better adapt to changing markets.
What Talents Can I Get Through ODC: Build My Offshore Development Team
Offshore Development Centers offer some of the best-in-their line dedicated developers for hire. They have the right skills and industry experience to deliver the most innovative, scalable, cost-effective IT solutions that match your project requirements. Here are some of the top profiles you get access to when you outsource your project to a reliable ODC center –
Project Managers
ODCs generally have experienced project managers who can help you oversee and manage your project development process. They act as the bridge between all talents of your team and overlook crucial aspects like timeline management, task allocation, and bridging the communication between your on-site team and remote developer team.
Software Engineers
They are the crux of your software development team. Generally, looking for ODCs with a wide profile of software developers with expertise in different programming languages, technologies, and frameworks is ideal. You can hire them to build mobile applications, web apps, desktop apps, software solutions, and other IT solutions.
DevOps Engineers
DevOps Engineers must establish a link between development and operation processes to ensure seamless deployment, implementation of CI/CD pipelines, and software efficiency.
UI/UX Designers
UI/UX designers focus on building intuitive and user-friendly interfaces for your mobile apps, web apps, and other software solutions. Access to top UI/UX experts from a reliable ODC can help you maintain your brand aesthetics and implement the right design principles in adherence to market standards and suitable environments.
ODC Selection Checklist: Things to Look for When Selecting the Right Offshore Development Center
As we know, are many ODCs available and set up as we speak. Choosing the ideal ODC for your project from this exhaustive list can take time and effort. Here are some best practices to follow when looking for your next ODC partner –
Reputation and Experience
One of the most important aspects to look for is how reputed and experienced the ODC is in delivering quality results. Check their website, portfolio, previous client references (if available), case studies, and other important materials.
Technical Expertise
Check all the talents and resources they have access to, ask for developer profiles, review their technical skills and knowledge, see their previously completed projects, and also look for relevant experience in your industry or preferred technology choice if you have any.
Cultural Fit
Cultural fit is an essential aspect that is often overlooked, which causes conflicts, mismanagement, and other issues in the team dynamics and work environment. Ensure the ODC’s work culture, values, and communication channels match your organization’s culture, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
Communication Skills
Ensure the developers and other talents in the ODC have proper communication skills, fluency in English, and the ability to participate in team discussions and provide valuable insights for project decisions. There are English courses, designed to enhance your language proficiency and open doors to endless opportunities.
Data Security and Intellectual Property Rights
Ensure the chosen ODC follows proper data security protocols and has robust security features for overlooking and ensuring the safety of your sensitive business data and intellectual property. Assess their adherence to international and local security and data regulation policies.
Time-Zone Flexibility
Not all ODCs are flexible to work per the client’s time zone or requirements. Make sure they have developers available to work as per your preferred timings and also get assurance for their availability and provide real-time feedback on the project.
Hidden Costs and Pricing Transparency
Always inquire about hidden costs or additional charges the ODC may levy after the project’s completion. Ask for transparent pricing models and outline all associated fees to avoid conflict or unexpected financial expenses.
Final Words
This is your ultimate guide to understanding, finding, and selecting the right offshore development center for your project. Make sure to follow all the tips & tricks mentioned here before finalizing your ODC partner.
