Software outsourcing happens to be quite the talk of the town nowadays, especially due to the myriads of benefits that have arisen from it. Software outsourcing is basically letting another entity do the product development for you in return for a certain cost. With three available options- Offshore, Nearshore, and Onshore- they build the product for your firm and are much better than hiring developers for your company. Due to their vast database, outsourcing software development teams seem to have a better understanding of the trends and the market than your in-house developers. However, out of the three available outsourcing methods- which one is the best for you? Keep reading to know the detailed differences all!
Difference between Offshore, Nearshore, and Onshore
Offshore
First and foremost, let’s address what offshore actually means or does. As the name suggests, the offshore software development team is basically teams that are located ‘off the shore’. In other words, these software development teams are located in other countries; the teams work from separate parts of the globe to build your product for you. While it may seem like another case of remote working, offshore software outsourcing has a wide array of advantages.
Advantages
To start the plethora of benefits offshore outsourcing showers you with, let’s address the most definite advantage that comes with the location. Due to being located in another part of the world, the offshore outsourcing development teams are global. The global feature of this outsourcing method brings in a greater talent pool than other platforms. The ideas and technology that may arrive from a diverse group of employees shall most definitely serve you better in the global market.
Next up, you can opt for offshore outsourcing teams that are located in areas where the cost of hiring individuals is lower than in your own country. This way, you’re getting a great service at a lower price. The ability to cut down costs while obtaining quality technology is what makes outsourcing so highly searched for. In addition to this, the allotted IT team for your software can operate through a wider base of technology to be at your service. You’re getting the best of both worlds.
Moreover, offshore teams are known to have maintained strict deadlines. If you’re a person stern on rules and deadlines as a whole, these are the ideal options for you.
Disadvantages
Along with the array of benefits listed above, there might be a few details that you might have to look through before committing to an offshore outsourcing team. First off, there might be a huge time zone difference; this means you need to place your orders beforehand and no quick changes can be ‘quick’ for real. Any tiny tweaks necessary shall need at least a few business days, making the time difference a bottleneck in your business.
Following this, the working culture difference might affect the work procedure as well. moreover, you won’t be able to visit the production team as well, which is a definite barrier.
Nearshore
Serving as the balance between offshore and onshore, nearshore software outsourcing teams are located not too close and not too far either. They border your country but are not too close to your workplace. This cuts down quite some disadvantages that come with the other two options.
Advantages
The time zone differences are decreased and reduced to an extent for nearshore outsourcing. This indicates that you won’t have to way for weeks before making any tiny changes, the teams can get to you within a few business days or so. Moreover, the cultural difference problem is also reduced as the team isn’t far away from you. In addition to these, you may visit the development team once in a while without having to travel almost half the world.
Disadvantages
Even though most of the disadvantages that come with offshore are reduced on nearshore, they aren’t eliminated fully. Even within the border, cultural differences may exist- you have to keep that in mind. Moreover, language barriers may exist as well. For smaller firms, where cost reduction is a primary motive, the nearshore outsourcing method may seem costly for no reason.
Onshore
Let’s come to the closest outsourcing team you can have around you. The onshore software outsourcing development teams are your local teams that focus on the core abilities of your firm. Due to being local, they have the feeling of belongingness with your company; something you might not share with the other two.
Advantages
The language barriers and time zone differences are completely eliminated, due to the teams literally being your neighbors. This makes communication faster and easier and enables the operations to run smoothly and efficiently. Any mistakes or changes can be made within a day or two, without having to wait for it. Moreover, you can visit them whenever you wish as well!
Disadvantages
This option costs the most out of the three. If you were planning on outsourcing, what’s the point of hiring onshore when you can hire in-house developers? The onshore developers are locals as well, and they charge high too. This is a major reason why people avoid this option.
Thus, the main difference between the three outsourcing teams happens to be the location. Due to the location, advantages and disadvantages arise.
Which one to choose?
Each company has its own set of objectives to fulfill. While some go for cost reduction, others go for optimal services. In addition to that, some companies even value their comfort and communication over anything else. Keeping that in mind, it depends on the nature of the company which outsourcing is the best for you.
Bottom Line
Software outsourcing is an area that’s been increasingly popular currently, especially among newer firms. With the offshore, nearshore, and onshore outsourcing methods available, make your pick by aligning them to your company’s visions and missions.