When it comes to running a business, the vast amount of technology and software solutions available can be overwhelming. Outsourcing these services has a plethora of benefits, with the most prominent being to save money and getting guaranteed expert knowledge.
Whether you are looking to introduce software to cut back on man power, or are rolling out a completely new way of working, finding a reliable provider with a high quality offering that is closely aligned to your business needs, is vital.
Here, software development provider, Linaro, recommends a strategy for choosing a suitable company for your business.
1. Match your needs to their expertise
Picking a company with relevant experience or knowledge that is inline with your business needs will work in your favour when it comes to selecting an external partner. Take time to consider exactly what your expectations are, what functions you require and what timings you are working towards.
In addition, review the company’s portfolio of previous work to confirm they have experience in what you are asking of them. By spending time defining your exact objectives, it will help you better gauge their capabilities against your criteria.
2. Offshore vs onshore
When outsourcing a provider, you should consider casting your net slightly further afield as this can be a great way to get value for money. Many software developers are freelance, so can complete the work from anywhere once they’ve been briefed. Countries in Eastern Europe are renowned for delivering high-quality services for a reasonably low cost, however make sure to carefully select a reputable company or individual before making a decision.
On the other hand, whilst offshore providers may be more cost efficient, they may not be as accessible. It is therefore important to weigh up your priorities, as to decide whether you opt for a local or international company.
3. Look out for referrals and reviews
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, search the internet for referrals and reviews to help confirm your final decision. In addition, do some face-to-face research, ask clients, friend and colleagues which software companies they have used before and if they would recommend them. Word of mouth is a powerful way to source a reliable provider, especially if the people in your network are trustworthy and work in a similar field.
4. Get to know the team
It’s important to know exactly who will be working on your project and if possible, meet them beforehand. Ask them how the process will work and what is required from you as well as a calendar of deliverables and a team structure document. Ask what their preferred method of communication will be as this will be essential when you start working with them. With clear communication and efficiency, there should be little room for confusion and error along the way.
5. Consider security
Whether you are working with sensitive data or not, it is essential that your chosen technology and development company is experienced in vulnerability testing and sophisticated encryption algorithm.
You should therefore check that the companies in question are experienced with working with high security systems as this could throw up major violation and compliance issues if not. Security features that you should request should include; encryption, firewall, intrusion detection system, mobile secure gateway, computer access control and authentication, to name a few.
When selecting a software provider, it can be tempting to make a decision based on cost and ease alone, however using the wrong team can in fact have a detrimental impact on your business. Trusting somebody else with your custom software is a huge responsibility and the selection process may take months, but with these tips, there should be little room for error.
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