According to Coursera’s Global Skills Index (GSI) 2019, Argentina ranks as the number one country in the world for technological skills. And it’s not alone as a world-class technology provider outside the US.
Today, South America software development is being recognized as some of the best in the world, and more and more businesses are turning to services in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, and others to help them bring their projects to life.
Why are organizations around the world, particularly in the United States, using South America software outsourcing services? Here are some of the key benefits.
1. A well-educated and talented workforce
At public universities in several South American countries, students can earn their degrees for free. Tuition is available at no cost to students in Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay, among other countries, enabling more people to enroll in higher education institutions and producing a more skilled workforce.
Students are enrolling in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and medicine) programs at a higher rate than previously in South America, too. Many organizations have stepped in to support the cultivation of STEM talent, such as the Pan American Development Foundation, which launched the STEM in the Americas program. The initiative establishes partnerships with businesses to foster STEM education in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico.
This and other initiatives have lead to the creation of a stronger technological workforce, which in turn produces skilled and talented South America software development providers.
2. Culture and language match
When you think of technology outsourcing, offshore hubs such as India may come to mind. While it’s true that India was previously seen as a go-to spot for software development in the past, it presents some obstacles. For instance, there are language and cultural barriers, that don’t exist or are reduced with many South America software outsourcing services.
Miscommunication can greatly impact and hinder the software development process, and this can be a frequent issue with offshore companies. When you outsource software to South America, however, you’re usually dealing with professionals who speak conversational, if not fluent, English.
Moreover, North and South America generally have similar cultures and working styles, which can mean a stronger partnership and better fit.
3. Cost-effectiveness
Another key feature of South America outsourcing — often a crucial one for startups and small businesses especially — is the price. Businesses receive services that are just as and sometimes higher in quality than onshore alternatives at a much lower cost.
The cost will vary based on the individual provider and project, of course. Generally speaking, using nearshore or offshore services over onshore options can save U.S. businesses as much as 40%, according to a report by Accelerance.
In fact, outsourcing, in general, can often save businesses a significant amount of money, because they won’t be required to pay hiring, onboarding, overhead, and full-time salary costs.
4. Location
One difficulty with working with offshore companies is dealing with time zone differences. If you need to get ahold of your provider urgently, you may not be able to do so at a moment’s notice, given that your work hours don’t align. However, when you outsource software to South America, you’ll be operating in the same or similar time zones, meaning you’ll be able to communicate in real-time and have your outsourcing partner address emergencies quickly and efficiently.
Additionally, if you want to meet with your partner, location makes it easier to do so when you choose South America Software development services over a company halfway across the world. Flights are shorter and cheaper between Latin America and the United States — often only a few hours, depending on the cities in question.
Using South America software outsourcing has plenty of benefits: you’ll be relying on a team of talented developers, you’ll eliminate barriers like language and cultural incompatibility, you’ll save money, and you’ll be able to communicate in real-time.
Of course, as with anyone you hire, you do need to spend some time researching candidates, because not all South America development services bring the same level and quality to the table.
Make sure to vet candidates based on references, reviews, and portfolios, as well as interview prospective developers and establish project goals, timelines, benchmarks, and other important measures of assessment. The strength of the service you receive generally depends on these variables — so do your homework.
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Interesting relevant article: “Here’s what you should know about the future of web development.”