Go to:

1. 1. Typical usage of Front-End technology
2. 2. Why Front-End?
3. 3. The most popular Front-End frameworks
4. 4. When is it worth considering Front-End development outsourcing?
5. 5. Summary

Typical usage of Front-End technology

Currently, the most popular technologies developers use are JavaScript, TypeScript, HTML5, CSS3, RWD, Rest API, GraphQL Websockets and AJAX. Depending on the type and requirements of the project, developers select frameworks that would be the most suitable and efficient.

Why Front-End?

Swiftness in completing projects

Front-End technologies enable developers to activate the UI interface within a couple of days, which means that, when starting the project, they have a vision of its final effect.

Huge capabilities of functions and systems

Up-to-date frameworks used in Front-End technology have complex functionalities that allow for the creation of stable elements and functions of websites and applications in an extraordinarily flexible manner.

Security

Front-End technology is advantageous thanks to its advanced security functionalities which guarantee that the system is safe and compatible with other web browsers.

Real-time changes

A relevant Front-End feature thanks to which developers can apply changes to a project in real-time. In addition, there is a function allowing developers to preview the applied changes and effects and reverse them, if required.

Microservices, Java, Python and MongoDB in a project for an e-commerce giant Find out how Inetum's specialists supported the project. Read the client's story!

The most popular Front-End frameworks

When is it worth considering Front-End development outsourcing?

When should you consider taking advantage of an offer Front-End development outsourcing services provided by experienced developers and entire development team who will help you to complete your project? The answer is: whenever you need to to create either a responsive website or a mobile application. For example, Front-End specialists from Inetum create modern graphic interfaces and will help you achieve your goals within a short period of time.

Also read: Reactive programming in JavaScript – RxJS pros and cons

Summary

Developers and Front-End teams at Inetum manage complex projects in the context of development of web, desktop and mobile applications. Our Front-End development outsourcing services are highly competitive on the market, while at the same time maintaining the high level of competences of a dedicated team. Thanks to this, we are a leader on the Front-End specialists outsourcing market and can take up even the most complex projects. Take advantage of consultations with our experts and find out more about Front-End development services.

Go to:

1. 1. Define Your Technology & Application Objectives
2. 2. In-House vs. Outsourced – How to Hire a .NET Engineer?
3. 3. Collaborate With Us On Your .NET Development Team Requirement
4. 4. We Build an Awesome .NET Programming Capability Together
5. 5. Our technical skills
6. 6. Learn, Grow, and Build Expertise Together
7. 7. Looking to Hire .NET Developers for Your Team?
8. 8. Frequently Asked Questions

The .NET application framework is a super popular tech stack from Microsoft that’s perfect for those looking for a competitive edge. That’s because .NET is a programming language that’s stable, versatile, and scales seamlessly, especially in the cloud. But like all software development languages, you need highly skilled software developers to help you unlock the power of .NET.

At Inetum, we partner with organizations across the globe to build expert .NET programmer teams. Our solutions are flexible and scalable and can be tailored to help you achieve your business and project objectives. So, if you’re thinking of using .NET to take your business to the next level, here are the steps you need to take with us as your external customer partner.

#1 – Define Your Technology & Application Objectives

Before thinking about how to build a .NET team, you need to be clear on your goals and milestones. Setting this foundation helps to scope out exactly what needs to be done by when and gives you a clear picture of the long-term benefits your project will deliver.

Consider these questions to help you clearly understand your software development objectives.

• Is this a new or existing software requirement?
• What is this application designed to do? What value does it bring to your business?
• Will it be a locally-hosted or cloud-hosted web application solution?
• What’s your budget for this application?
• When will this development need to be completed?
• Is this a simple or complex development? What level of software engineer / software developer will you need? What are your expectations in terms of team composition?
• Will the application only use .NET, or will there be another programming language or tech stack too?

Answering these questions will help you clearly understand what you need from a software solution and set the foundation as you begin to plan your team.

#2 – In-House vs. Outsourced – How to Hire a .NET Engineer?

With your application development requirements set, it’s time to think about how you will source the team required to deliver them. There’s a chance you may have some internal .NET or ASP.NET skills already. If so, that’s great, and you can begin planning how to deliver your project. But the chances are that if you’re reading this article, you don’t have that knowledge in-house.

If this is the case, you’re in the perfect position to take advantage of an external partner’s support. With the .NET and ASP.NET such specialist, cross-platform skillsets, organizations see a range of benefits by engaging with an expert outsourcing partner to deliver their end-to-end .NET software team.

If your software project is a short to medium-term endeavor, outsourcing becomes even more attractive, as you benefit from fast onboarding of expert resources while still maintaining flexibility on cost – something you won’t achieve with internal recruitment!

#3 – Collaborate With Us On Your .NET Development Team Requirement

Once you’re sure that an external resourcing partner is the way to go, we’ll work collaboratively with you to discuss your requirement and plan the best solution. To do this, we’ll ask you a range of questions to determine:

• The right size and structure for your .NET application development team
• The typical responsibilities you need a .NET developer to perform
• Any .NET specialties required such as Cloud, Mobile, SQL, API, ASP.NET web, or Cross-Platform Integration.
• The right blend of senior .NET developers, mid-career engineers, and .NET Technical Solution Managers
• Any technical pre-requisites such as .NET code best practices, the need for a .NET PowerShell, or a development environment
• Latest insights and trends from the .NET community.

Our aim here is to ensure understand every aspect of your project so that our .NET web development team can integrate seamlessly into your business. To do this, we consider everything from how many .NET developers you’ll need through to ways of working, what additional roles are necessary for your project (e.g. Business Analysts, Software Tester, DevOps), and software tools.

#4 – We Build an Awesome .NET Programming Capability Together

With everything agreed, the Inetum end-to-end .NET model fully kicks in. Upon your confirmation, we’ll provide you with a bespoke, fully dedicated team of .NET experts within 6 weeks – that’s the Inetum partner guarantee.

We do all the heavy lifting from here, giving you peace of mind while taking away the burden. Specifically, this delivers the following benefits for you:

• No need to recruit any .NET developers as we act as the recruiter to help you hire dedicated resources for your business.
• We manage every aspect of the .NET developer’s roles and responsibilities.
• We manage all the developer’s administration, including salary, personal development, and performance.
• We help developers through the onboarding process, helping them integrate into your business straight away.
• We equip all .NET engineers with the required hardware (HP workstations, two monitors, and software licenses.)

Our technical skills

By default, we build a 6-person .NET team, made up of 1 Team Leader, 2 Senior .NET Engineers, and 3 regular .NET Developers. Unique to our .NET offering, all our developers, also receive support and guidance from our two experts .NET Technical Solution Managers, each with enterprise-level experience in implementing world-class solutions using .NET.

This structure gives you an optimal blend of professional .NET expertise while balancing cost and performance. During our recruitment and onboarding process, all developers, no matter their level, must complete a live coding assessment written in .NET, so you know you’re getting a team with the technical skills required to deliver your solution.

Our developers build .NET solutions under the supervision of an Inetum Project Manager, who’s also responsible for coaching, personal development, and issues management. Our Project Managers interface directly with our customers ensuring the best results from the first moment of our collaboration.

To complete our expert .NET team, all we ask from the partner side is for someone to assume the role of Product Owner to provide details of the project and set milestones for tasks and workload. This ensures you’re always in control of the project, providing us with must-know information to deliver the best results.

All of this is billed on a T&M basis with prices fixed for 12 months. Of course, if you need a larger or more bespoke resourcing solution, this can be discussed separately.

And remember, at Inetum, we aren’t just .NET experts, we also offer services across a range of platforms, including:

• Javascript,
• Python (BI),
• node.js,
• Angular,
• React.

So if your project is multi-faceted, we have an external partner solution for you there as well.

#5 – Learn, Grow, and Build Expertise Together

Once everyone is onboarded, we manage your dedicated .NET team day-to-day, ensuring the quality of the .NET programming and the delivery of your project against our agreed milestones. This is a collaborative way of working at all times, designed to maximize productivity, teamwork, and return on investment.

As we partner together, we’ll always work to enhance your application’s performance, delivering improvements to the development process while leveraging all parts of the wider web-based .NET framework where required. The skills and experience of our experts at Inetum will give you the comfort that you’re in the best hands from day one.

In the rare instance you’re unhappy with a member of the .NET team, both you as the partner and Inetum have the right to exchange an engineer with a 1-month notice period.

Looking to Hire .NET Developers for Your Team? Partner with Inetum!

The Microsoft .NET technology framework is one of the best platforms for building stable, versatile, and scalable digital solutions. Especially popular for those looking to migrate their technology into the cloud,.NET’s scalability makes it a great option for everything from mobile app development to backend and desktop server hosting.

But, expert .NET developers are hard to come by, especially if you’re seeking specialist knowledge. That’s why we created the Inetum partner solution, helping you deliver your .NET projects with an expert team of developers that are managed remotely by a leading software organization.

Our 6-week end-to-end offer means you can build an entire .NET team with ease, leaning on us to provide the world’s best remote developers exactly when you need them.

Bonus – Frequently Asked Questions

#1 – Is it dot net or .NET?

Many people confuse .NET with the full spelling of dot net, referring to a dot net developer or simply net development. While most people will understand what you mean, it’s worth knowing that .NET is the correct term. You can learn about .NET on Microsoft’s website here.

#2 – What is .NET typically used for?

If you jump to the Microsoft website, you’ll see many different use cases for the .NET developer framework. Businesses use NET developers to create anything from web apps, mobile apps, and desktop apps through to microservices, and even back-end platforms on the cloud.

To achieve this, businesses hire developers with a range of .NET experience, including net core, asp.net core, vb.net, Azure, and WPF. If you’re on the hunt to hire a .NET programmer, make sure you know exactly what you plan to use the framework for, so you can hire the correct skill sets for your development project.

#3 – What makes a great .NET developer?

Tech companies are always looking for developers who know how to use .NET. But a truly great .NET developer has a range of other skills too. They need to be able to code efficiently in other languages such as C, as well as have a broad knowledge of how application run, both in the web-based services world and for everyday desktop software.

But one of the most important things actually lies on the non-technical side, as the best developers must have excellent communication skills to prove they can work well with team members to get the job done.

Elevate Your Application Development

Our tailored Application Development services meet your unique business needs. Consult with Marek Czachorowski, Head of Data and AI Solutions, for expert guidance.

Schedule a meeting

The Java application stack is the go-to solution for backend development for many businesses. Java is a programming language that’s stable, incredibly easy to use, and effortlessly scalable for growing businesses. But like most things in software development, Java technology is only successful if you have the right application development teams to build it.  

1 – Understand Your Software Development Goals 

Before thinking about how you’ll build your Java team, the first thing to do is fully understand your software development goals, milestones, and objectives. Taking this step back helps you plan out exactly what needs to be done, by when, and what you ultimately hope to achieve. 

Consider some of these questions to help you define your goals and requirements:

• Is this a new or existing software requirement? 
• What is this application designed to do? What value does it bring to your business?  
• What’s your budget for this application? 
• When will this development need to be completed?  
• Is this a simple or complex development? What level of software engineer / software developers will you need? What are your expectations in terms of team composition?
• Will the application only based on Java, or will there be another programming language too? 

Answering these questions will help you set the foundation as you begin to plan your team

2 – In-House vs. Outsourced – How to Hire Java Developers? 

Now that you know your software development requirements, it’s time to think about how you will deliver them. If you have the expertise, you may already know the Java skills and knowledge you need to get the job done. But the likelihood is you won’t have this knowledge in-house, and it’s even more likely you won’t have the right resources.  

If this is the case, hiring ready-to-go external team is an excellent solution for you. Given Java specialists are in high demand right now, organizations see a range of benefits by engaging with an expert partner to deliver their end-to-end Java software team.  

If your software project is a short to medium-term endeavor, a development team delivery option becomes even more attractive, as you benefit from fast onboarding of expert resources while still maintaining flexibility on cost – something you won’t achieve with an internal team! 

Project team building. Get to know the practical tips for Scrum Teams.

Read the article

3 – Let us Know Your Java Development Team Requirement 

Once you’ve decided an IT partnership is the way to go, it’s time to contact us at Inetum to discuss your requirement. We’ll work collaboratively with you to advise on:  

• The best shape and size for your Java software development team 
• The typical responsibilities of a Java developer 
• The right blend of Java architects, senior Java developers, mid-career engineers, and team leaders 
• The technical pre-requisites such as Java code best practices, the need for a Java virtual machine, or a development environment 
• Latest insights and trends from the Java community 

We’ll ensure we fully understand your project and what you need from a Java development team to succeed. To do this, we consider everything from how many Java developers you’ll need through to any Java tools that support your wider software environment (e.g. IDEs, build tools, Continuous Integration tools, and version control systems). 

4 – We Deliver a High-Performing Java Team  

It’s at this stage that the Inetum end-to-end Java team model delivers you the most value. Upon your confirmation, we’ll provide you with a fully dedicated team of Java experts within 6 weeks – that’s the Inetum guarantee. 

Here are some of the benefits of using the Inetum offer to build your Java team:

• There’s no need to hire a Java developer as we hire dedicated resources for your team. 
• We manage every aspect of the Java developer’s roles and responsibilities. 
• We manage all the developer’s personal administration, including salary, personal development, and performance. 
• We help developers through the project onboarding process. 
• We equip all Java engineers with the required hardware (WP workstations, two monitors, and software licenses.) 

An on-demand software development team in 6 weeks  

By default, we build 6-person Java development teams of: 

• 1 Team Leader,  
• 2 Senior Java Engineers,  
• 3 Regular Java Developers.  

This gives you the perfect blend of professional Java expertise while balancing cost and performance. Our developers must complete a rigorous round of assessments, including live coding assessments written in Java, so you know you’re getting the very best talent on the market. 

All of our developers build Java solutions under the supervision of an Inetum Project Manager, who’s also responsible for team coaching, personal development, and issues management. Our Project Managers interface directly with our customers ensuring the best results from the first moment of collaboration.  

To complete our expert Java team, all we ask from the partner side is for someone to assume the role of Product Owner to provide details of the project and set milestones for tasks and workload. This ensures you’re always in control of the project, providing us with must know information to deliver the best results.  

All of this is billed on a T&M basis with prices fixed for 12 months. Of course, if you need a larger or more bespoke team, this can be discussed separately.  

5 – Get Started, Learn, and Grow Together 

Under your direction, we manage your dedicated Java team day-to-day, ensuring the quality of the Java programming, the ongoing development of the Java developer skill sets, and the delivery of your project against our agreed milestones.  

As we learn and grow together, we’ll continually work to enhance your application’s performance, looking for ways to improve the development process, leverage the power of Java enterprise, and help you towards Java certification if required. The skills and experience of our team will give you the comfort that you’re in the best hands from day one.  In the rare instance you’re unhappy with a Java developer we have provided, both you as the partner and Inetum have the right to exchange an engineer with a 1-month notice period. 

If You Need to Hire a Java Development Team for Your Software Development Project, Come to Inetum 

Java technology is one of the best solutions for building reliable, high-quality, and fast business platforms. Whether it’s app development, a new piece of software, or a backend service, Java offers something for every organization. 

But, in a world where the demand for Java skills is so high, we recommend using an outsourcing partner to find Java developers for your business. At Inetum, we’ve got expertise in standard Java projects, corporate Java transformations, and Java app developments, meaning you can trust us to deliver any type of project that your business needs. 

Our 6-week end-to-end offer means you can get an entire Java team with ease, leaning on us to provide the world’s best expertise exactly when you need it.

Elevate Your Application Development

Our tailored Application Development services meet your unique business needs. Consult with Marek Czachorowski, Head of Data and AI Solutions, for expert guidance.

Schedule a meeting

1. 1. What is Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)
2. 2. Types of IT outsourcing
3. 3. Why do companies outsource? 
4. 4. Advantages of IT outsourcing
5. 5. 7 steps to establishing IT outsourcing cooperation 
6. 6. Software development outsourcing models and pricing
7. 7. Best practices in cooperation with a support provider
8. 8. Outsourcing service providers – summary

What is Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)? 

Companies are most often familiar with the definition of outsourcing and the process itself holds no secrets for them. Let me just briefly remind you that BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) is a process whereby a company transfers different segments or services of their business to another company. BPO is often associated with front office customer care workers, but the term is much broader and includes all back office business functions too.

Types of IT outsourcing

Sometimes the operating activities are relocated to another country – if the other country is far away, this kind of outsourcing is called offshoring (offshore outsourcing); if in a nearby country it is known as nearshoring (nearshore outsourcing); and if inside national borders – onshoring. 

Read also: Nearshore vs. offshore software development 

Why do companies outsource? 

There are many reasons behind the relocation of business processes, and these reasons have evolved over time. For example, in the past, the main reasons for outsourcing services were reduced costs and saved time.

Nowadays lower costs of services are not the key decisive factor anymore. Many companies often lack highly qualified employees and hence decide to take advantage of outsourcing benefits. In the IT industry in which we operate, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) allows companies to acquire specific, usually rare competences.

Advantages of IT outsourcing

As a consequence, a company using outsourcing services can gain a competitive advantage and improve its market position on both strategic and functional levels. For example, a number of companies have decided to hire software developers as they need to augment their staff in order to carry out innovative projects. Furthermore, Business Process Outsourcing improves the cost structure considerably and allows great flexibility within an organization, especially when implementing the Agile model of cooperation. But what path leads to collaboration?

Nearshoring services

Entrust your project to nearshore software development experts Get started now!

7 steps to establishing IT outsourcing cooperation 

Every Business Process Outsourcing starts with assessing the company needs and planning the sourcing process. Next comes the selection of service providers, negotiation of the contract, executing service transition, monitoring and controlling. Let’s have a closer look at the seven steps of the IT outsourcing process. 

Key phases of the outsourcing process 

The key phases of the outsourcing process (especially in IT outsourcing relations where projects are often critical for digital transformation) are as follows:

1. Assessment (and development of strategy)  

The first stage of outsourcing, and very often the most difficult. The buying company conducts a thorough assessment of their sourcing needs. We described it in detail earlier on in the text: Custom software development companies – how to find the best?

2. Proposal (and selection of a service provider) 

To get information from providers, the buying company will create and send at least one of the following documents to the external market:  

• Request for Information (RFI) – its purpose is to determine which of the providers is able to deliver the required services. The document includes details related to providers’ capabilities. 
• Request for Proposal (RFP) – it is helpful in determining the bidding process and the terms of the contract. 
• Request for Quotes (RFQ) – it enables a company to gain insight into the cost of services. 

3. Due Diligence

This is the process of gathering and evaluating information about each other’s capabilities to form a structured relationship. 

4. Contract procurement 

Both parties formalize their business relationship by means of a written agreement. The companies will negotiate the specific terms of their relationship and will then sign a contract, typically one of the following: 

• Master Services Agreement (MSA) – one of the most typical types of contractual agreements, used in relationships where one company has to work on a project or projects with another company. It usually covers areas such as intellectual property, confidentiality, terms of payment, responsibilities, warranties and work standards. 
• Service Level Agreement (SLA) – a critical component of any outsourcing and technology vendor contract. It lists and clarifies expectations pertaining to service type and quality.  
• Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA), also known as a Confidentiality Agreement (CA) – in general, these are agreements that protect sensitive information. Cases in which confidential information might be protected through an NDA can include business models, plans for a new tool or software product, information about clients etc. 

Read more: Discover added value and unexpected benefits of IT outsourcing!

5. Implementation

After the contract is signed, the two companies will begin transitioning resources and responsibilities from the business to the outsourcing company. This represents the official launch of the project.

6. Managing / delivery 

This stage is typically the longest because it involves managing the business and maintaining a working relationship throughout the contract.

7. End of the contract / transfer 

At the last stage of outsourcing, repatriation involves the transfer of resources and responsibilities back to the original companies. Usually, cooperation between companies in the area of outsourcing lasts longer than one project. After the first project is completed, the outsourced teams start the next projects, sometimes to do with maintenance, but often the development of new software products or functionalities. Once finalized, the relationship lasts for years at a time.

Elevate Your Application Development

Our tailored Application Development services meet your unique business needs. Consult with Marek Czachorowski, Head of Data and AI Solutions, for expert guidance.

Schedule a meeting

Software development outsourcing models and pricing

Most of the contracts for Information Technology outsourcing services are billed based either on Time and Material or Fixed Price (small IT tasks) model. Nowadays, IT outsourcing services are developing and even more complex partnerships are possible. In such a case, a service provider and a client share risks, rewards and core competencies. Even setting up an operational subsidiary of the client’s company in a remote location can be outsourced to a local service provider.

Best practices in cooperation with a support provider

Before signing the contract 

• Make sure that the outsourcing company’s cultural values correspond with yours. This way you will minimize the impact of potential differences. 
• Identify potential risks, and sign an NDA (non-disclosure agreement) to verify whether the software development company will be able to deliver the required product.
• Select an engagement model. Discuss it with your IT partner to choose what fits best (consider whether you need, for example, the support of several developers, a separate team, or programmers who will complement your in-house team). 
• Choose and get to know the specialists who will be working with you. Take into account not only their expertise and seniority but also soft skills and suggestions made by an external service provider. 

During the cooperation 

• Allocate time for a kick-off workshop. It usually takes a couple of days and its goal is to introduce team members, discuss the project’s goal and roadmap, as well as define roles and rules of communication, reporting, etc. This is also the right time to set up the infrastructure. 
• Focus on communication. Use project management tools to facilitate communication with the external company, give feedback, and be open to receiving it. Agile project management methods should make dialogue easier. 

Outsourcing service providers – summary

While looking for new IT providers, companies often struggle with the process of selecting the best candidates, whether due to inexperience, lack of industry knowledge or research, or poor planning. But luckily, there are multiple recognized outsourcing veterans, e.g. Polish software development companies, which play an important role in the worldwide outsourcing market thanks to qualified and experienced professionals. While searching for the best service provider, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the 7 phases of cooperation which I have described above. This will allow you to establish relationships that can bring benefits to both parties for many years to come. 

Read more: The best practices in IT Nearshoring

Hybrid work and safety first

Compared to 2010, the number of remote workers has increased by 400% in 2020. According to studies, nowadays 72% of employees prefer the hybrid model over full-time office work. The importance of the remote workforce has a significant impact on IT project implementation in two areas.

1. Firstly, we can predict that the majority of the projects will still be carried out by distributed or dispersed development teams. The year 2020 proved that this strategy helps companies to remain operational and at the same time adapt to new digital, business and pandemic circumstances.
2. Secondly, for safety reasons, more than just the IT provider’s teams will “stay home” and solutions and technologies based on the assumptions of the Distance Economy will gain momentum. Therefore, we believe that companies will search for IT partners to implement solutions that foster digital innovation.

TECHNOLOGY

Read on to discover how Banking-as-a-Platform, Open Banking, RegTech, Artificial Intelligence and Big Data are revolutionizing the FinTech sector.

Read article

Technology outsourcing over ad hoc outsourcing

Nowadays companies struggle to get access to in-demand technical skills and recruiting the right talent has become a real challenge. The role of outsourcing companies has changed significantly over the years; nowadays we think of it as technology outsourcing rather than “last minute body leasing”. 2020 brought a shift towards digital transformation-oriented outsourcing, especially in areas enabling digital change allowing companies to obtain digital advantage on the market, such as:

• Cloud services
• Cybersecurity services
• DevOps and DevSecOps
• Data Analytics
• RPA and automation services
• Machine Learning and Deep Learning
• Artificial Intelligence

Trusted vendors over random providers

How about the trends in vendor management? In its “Top Priorities for IT leadership in 2021” report, Gartner predicts that IT leaders will have to focus on developing talent rather than hiring it and that risk management will be of high importance (especially in terms of data security and cybersecurity). We predict that in times of uncertainty, reducing third-party risk in IT outsourcing will be front and center. It is worth considering cooperation with trusted vendors and being open to collaboration with proven and trustworthy IT providers. We believe that focus on effective vendor management will become one of the most important outsourcing trends also once the COVID-19 pandemic is over.

Read more:

• Best practices in vendor management in a time of crisis
• Main trends in BioTech
  
  
  

  PROJECT MANAGEMENT

    How to work effectively with Agile nearshore teams? Get to know the benefits of Agile Nearshore Software development Read the text to find out more!

Agile outsourcing over strict planning

In 2020 many businesses learned that observing and reacting flexibly is a better strategy than planning and scheduling. We have been using this approach in the IT sector – our software developers successfully use Agile project management improving time to market. According to a Deloitte report, the future of outsourcing will be built on 3 pillars in the post-pandemic reality:

1) flexibility

2) responsiveness

3) digital adoption

Summary: main outsourcing trends in software development

One of the lessons learned in 2020 is that planning and predicting aren’t always possible. Many global companies were forced to reimagine their model of cooperation with external providers. We believe that the remote implementation of IT projects and Agile Software Development will be highly important in 2021 and beyond and the understanding of IT providers will further evolve in favor of Digital Transformation partners.

Why Warsaw?

Warsaw is one of the biggest locations of IT services, attracting new investments and fostering business development. For many years now, Warsaw has been aiming to bring the concept of the smart city to life. The capital of Poland follows its digital strategy by fulfilling the Smart City Plan: raising awareness of smart and environmental-friendly solutions, building an environmentally aware community, fostering new business models, and at the same time attracting global investments.

The city is well-known for its extensive conference facilities and hotel infrastructure, including Global Expo, Expo XXI, and the most famous building: the Warsaw Palace of Culture. In terms of the quality of transportation, in 2019 Warsaw was considered the best location to do business in, according to the ABSL Business Services Sector in Poland Report.

The capital of Poland has also won multiple awards and was ranked the 3^rd most business-friendly city in the world in the “European cities and regions of the future 2018/19” contest, and came 1st in the 2019/20 edition of the “Polish cities of the future” rakings. Not without reason is Warsaw – with 238 centers (in 2019) – a leader in terms of the number of IT, BPO, SCC and R&D centers in Poland.

Why Poland

Why to outsource software development to Poland

• Skilled programmers
• Remarkable English proficiency among Polish developers
• Low hiring prices

Read the text to find out more!

Global tycoons invest in Warsaw

Microsoft

In May 2020, Microsoft announced a huge investment of $1 billion in Poland, aiming to build a technological hub for the entire Eastern Europe region. In doing so, in cooperation with a domestic public cloud provider, Microsoft aims to build a “Polish Digital Valley”, envisioned as a digital hub for cloud data processing.

Google

The Google Campus is a dedicated space for startups, where entrepreneurs can exchange their ideas and knowledge, taking advantage of co-working areas and several events. By setting up campuses throughout Europe, Google aims to support entrepreneurs who are just beginning to spread their wings. The Polish hub on Konesera St in Warsaw is a place where tradition meets innovation – and not simply in name only. 

Facebook

When it comes to global tycoons investing in Warsaw, another example is Facebook, which opened its European headquarters here in 2012. The office is dedicated to Central and Eastern Europe, which had previously been served by Facebook’s European headquarters in Dublin. 

Education and business potential

Warsaw has huge academic potential: there are 15 public universities and 55 private ones, of which the most renowned are the University of Warsaw, Warsaw University of Technology and Warsaw School of Economics. The city is also a good supply base of skilled specialists. There are 10,208 people studying foreign languages, 62,413 students of administration, business and law and 17,558 students of engineering and technical faculties. It is worth bearing in mind that Warsaw attracts IT talents from other Polish cities and from abroad. The vast majority of Warsaw’s citizens are university graduates and 40% of them speak English. When it comes to business potential, there are 200,000 enterprise entities in the capital of Poland, mostly Shared Services Centers (46%) and IT centers (27%). Some of the companies that have decided to invest in Warsaw are:

• Huawei
• Johnson & Johnson
• Oerlikon Business Services Europe
• Sage
• EY

Important facts about Warsaw

• The capital is well-connected to other Polish cities, such as Lodz and Silesian Region (290 km, about 3 hours by train).  
• There is a vast amount of modern office space available: 5,589,400 sq.m. of total existing A/B Class office space, and 766,600 sq.m. under construction.
• 2 airports, Chopin and Modlin Airport, offer a wide range of domestic and international flights.
• There are a number of hubs and institutions that support entrepreneurship: the Google Campus, the Smolna Center of Entrepreneurship, the Targowa Center of Creativity, Startup Hub Warsaw, and The City of Warsaw – Economic Development Department.
• Warsaw offers almost 600 km of bicycle routes and 20,000 hectares of green areas and parks, including Lazienki Krolewskie historical park and Saski Garden, the oldest in Warsaw.
  
  
  

  PROJECT MANAGEMENT

    How to work effectively with Agile nearshore teams? Get to know the benefits of Agile Nearshore Software development Read the text to find out more!
  
  

Inetum’s office in Warsaw

JCommerce’s office in the capital of Poland was set up in 2012. It is characterized by a unique atmosphere created by 40 of our employees who specialize in software development and Quality Assurance.

Most importantly, Warsaw is our center of IT services in:

• Business Intelligence (Qlik and Microsoft Power BI solutions),
• Enterprise Resource Planning (Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central),
• Microsoft Azure.

Our major clients in Warsaw are: Roche, Konica Minolta, Apator, Getin Bank, CORE and Bystronic.

Summary

Warsaw is the right choice for companies which appreciate the maturity of the market and are looking for a suitable location for their IT projects which ensures access to highly qualified specialists who speak foreign languages. During the pandemic, many companies started to search for cloud solutions and destinations to outsource Business Intelligence and ERP implementations. Over the years, Warsaw has proven to be the right destination for these IT services.

Sources:

• Business and investments in Warsaw
• Focus on Warsaw, Pro Progressio report
• Business Services Sector in Poland 2019, ABSL report

1. Looking for the Cheapest Price

Everyone loves a good bargain and saving money on outsourcing costs may seem a good move. However, hiring a team of unskilled developers will end up costing you more in the long run and the end result of your project will be nowhere near the quality you would have expected. We highly advise taking your time to research all the companies and looking through their case studies. We have already covered the cost of software development outsourcing for those looking for more guidance within this area.

2. Poor Planning

Rushing into the hands of the first outsourcing company is a huge mistake because you will have no idea what they specialize in. Before you even begin to search for an outsourcing company, you need to decide which sector of development the project is i.e. BioTech Software Development. Next, you will need to find the technologies used within the project, this could be PHP Development and/or Java Development and a whole load more. You need to be specific on how you want your project to be made and what it needs to do. Without planning, you could end up wasting a lot of time as well as money.

3. No Security

Approaching multiple companies regarding your software project is highly recommended but so many companies will discuss the complete project without any legal agreements. Non-Disclosure should be the bare minimum before talking about the plans and the requirements of your project.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

  How to work effectively with Agile nearshore teams? Get to know the benefits of Agile Nearshore Software development Read the text to find out more!

4. Not Managing the Project

If the project was developed in-house, you would be managing it throughout the development lifecycle and this is no different to outsourced projects. You cannot expect the vendor to completely manage the project from start to finish. Frequent contact and task checklists are vital to maintaining a good relationship and keeping track of the project.

5. No Technical Instructions

Some companies will provide a brief description of work they want and the result will be completely different to what they were expecting. Before providing details of the project to vendors, have an in-house technical colleague read over the plan and ensure all aspects are outlined. For example, discussing the technologies that should be used in order for the in-house software developers to be able to maintain it. For example, if you have an in-house developer that specializes in Java but the project has been built in C++, it will be very hard to maintain the project in the future.

Conclusion

Mistakes are fairly common but the majority of software development companies will help you along the way. At Nearshore IT, we will ensure you have everything you need to take your project to the next step and provide a clear outline of work that we carry out. Get in touch with our team to discuss your project with a signed non-disclosure agreement and completely free of charge.

Read also: The best practices in IT Nearshoring

Build-Operate-Transfer – more than outsourcing?

Companies decide on IT outsourcing to expedite software development, lower their costs and complement their internal teams with unique competences, as well as expand their operations onto new markets. So far, many providers have delivered the services of single specialists or entire teams in either Agile, fixed or hybrid methodology. Nowadays there are more client engagement models which address companies’ strategies for developing their own scalable IT centers. The BOT model allows clients to set up an operational subsidiary of their company in a remote location with the support of a local provider. The estimated time taken to set up such an office of course depends on mutual agreements in the contract. Once the project reaches a satisfactory level of maturity within a specified time, the service provider transfers ownership to the client.

Read also:

• Agile methodologies
• Agile Nearshore software development

What is the BOT model?

According to Gartner:

“Build-operate-transfer (BOT) is a contractual relationship in which an organization hires a service provider to set up, optimize and run an IT or business process service delivery operation with the contractually stipulated intent of transferring the operation to the organization as a captive center. BOT, as a hybrid model, combines elements of the “build” option (i.e. “insourcing” or captive center) and the “buy” option (i.e. outsourcing; see also “captive centers”).

Before deciding on the BOT model:

If you are considering setting up a subsidiary of your organization elsewhere, you should consider the important factors listed below. This will help you to determine whether the BOT model will be a good option, as it addresses the following issues:

• Do you have access to competences and the necessary IT talents for your project?
• What is the size and complexity of the project?
• How important is risk sharing for your organization?
• What is your desired location? Do you prefer an offshoring or a nearshoring model?
• Which outsourcing model will ensure better data security and GDPR compliance? 
• What about intellectual property protection in the desired location?
• What is your expected set-up time?
• Does flexibility matter to your organization?
• What are the estimated initial and final costs of your project?
• Would you like to maintain your corporate culture in the remote location?

Elevate Your Application Development

Our tailored Application Development services meet your unique business needs. Consult with Marek Czachorowski, Head of Data and AI Solutions, for expert guidance.

Schedule a meeting

Read also: Location strategy in operations management

Phases of Build-Operate-Transfer services 

1) Build – the service provider sets up your office in a remote location. They equip the office and take care of IT infrastructure in accordance with security standards. Also, they recruit developers and establish the project team. At this stage, the knowledge transfer process takes place. This is also the right time to establish the legal regulations of contracts, take care of HR-related processes and aspects related to risk management. 

2) Operate – this stage includes operational management of your project. While you develop the core of your business, your IT partner takes care of issues related to project delivery (KPI & SLA, reporting, software development, quality checking and so on). This is the right time to introduce best practices and optimize project management processes. 

3) Transfer – at the final stage, the client takes over the project. At this stage, the provider hands over the management of the office and processes to the client’s company. The client can still take advantage of the support of the provider, and the cooperation can be continued under a new engagement model, if necessary. 

Advantages of the Build-Operate-Transfer model 

• Know-how – you gain access to the technological stack of the service provider and take advantage of the newest technologies in your project. 
• Shared risk – the contractual agreement determines the extent to which each side takes responsibility for particular aspects of the project.  
• Time to market – the BOT model expedites product delivery and thereby has an impact on time to market. The operational subsidiary of your company can even be set up in less than a year with minimal effort from your side. 
• Minimizing initial costs – thanks to BOT, you can lower the initial costs of the project related to the recruitment process and setting up the office. 
• Scalability –you can easily scale up teams and specialists at each stage and therefore significantly minimize costs. 
• Sense of bond with a company – employees feel a stronger bond with the company and identify more with its core values, as in BOT the project is carried out under the company’s brand. 
• Corporate culture – employees hired in your remote center follow processes you are familiar with and work in the same corporate culture. 
• New market – the BOT model is the right choice if you plan to enter new markets, and it is easier to do so if you start with a software development center. 
  

Summary

With BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) model, clients are able to develop faster, deliver their products quicker and benefit from outsourcing possibilities at the same time. As we can see, risk sharing and time to market are becoming increasingly important. The BOT model addresses the needs of companies which are willing to develop operational centers within a reasonable time and budget. 

Throwback to the past

At the beginning of the year 2020, we published a report in which we recommended the adoption of a multisource strategy. At the time, no one could have expected massive supply chain disruption and the economic crisis that we are faced with nowadays. Companies today see the value of having jobs either onshore or in nearby locations.

 Here are the major insights from the report:

• Companies should take measures to minimize risk and create failsafe contingency plans.
• Outsourcing will be innovation-driven.
• There will be more emphasis on partnerships and agility.
• A multisource strategy effectively addresses risk management issues.

These predictions have gained new context in the pandemic, which has forced companies to seek reliable business partners operating in a more flexible model. Offshoring has failed to address operational needs, and companies clearly see that the golden era of outsourcing jobs overseas to China and India is coming to an end. According to the Kerney report, companies will now tend to spread risk rather than entrust all services to one provider.  

Offshoring to APAC – lessons learned

Over recent decades, dozens of manufacturing, programming and consulting jobs have been outsourced to low-cost distant countries. China and India have become major outsourcing destinations for US and European companies. Here are some of the most important “lessons learned” for clients who outsourced their services overseas.

• Low-cost services don’t pay off in the long run.
• Offshoring is associated with long supply chains and dependence on far-off providers.
• Complex supply chains are risky and put business resilience at stake.
• Companies tend to repatriate jobs and projects to ensure business continuity.

Outsourcing services overseas might look like a handy solution at first glance for companies that focus on having products created and implemented quicker and cheaper. In the long term, however, companies which outsource their IT services to distant locations often struggle with issues like intellectual property protection, unfair competition or unclear legal regulations in a vendor’s country. 

It is much easier to maintain control over these issues while cooperating in a similar time zone and corporate culture. In the EU you are protected by European intellectual property law and can easily get legal advice on how to defend your rights.

The value of the nearshoring model – EMEA is back in the game!

Nearshoring services address issues which offshoring is not designed for. European countries such as Poland, Estonia and Ukraine are becoming increasingly important as more and more companies bring their services home.

Read also: Poland rules in IT reports

As we all strive to get rid of geographical dependencies, outsourcing services to a nearby location will be the best strategy. European providers like Poland have always been strong competitors on the outsourcing market. Now they are among the top players with strong arguments in their favor:

• Quality of services is the center of attention.
• Flexibility in providing services – nearshoring partners.
• Innovative contract models based on risk sharing and with project outcome in mind.
• The nearshoring model brings added value in the form of a true partnership based on trust.
• The focus is on a strong ecosystem and business resilience.

Poland – where centers of excellence are born

Let’s focus on Poland, as over recent years this country has been recognized as a valuable player on the IT outsourcing market. Here’s why:

• It is one of the most favorable destinations in Europe for IT outsourcing services thanks to the maturity of the market.
• The Polish cities of Katowice and Krakow are listed among the fastest growing IT sectors (EMEA Tech Cities Report).
• Its pool of IT professionals numbers 240,000 and is continuing to increase.
• Polish software developers are recognized as highly competent (as confirmed by Hacker Rank and Raconteur reports) and they have an outstanding command of foreign languages.
• Strong and stable economic growth makes Poland a safe harbor for business.
• An innovative economy with reasonable prices, attracting valuable investors – Microsoft is investing $1m in a new data center here.

Summary

Issues related to offshoring force companies to search for partners located nearby and the pandemic crisis has only heightened the need to move business to convenient locations. Nowadays more than ever, European companies recognize the value of locality and proximity. Nearshoring of IT services to fast growing countries like Poland will be a suitable strategy for minimizing risk, while maintaining control over projects and cutting expenses at the same time.

Read more: The best practices in IT Nearshoring

Up until this point in 2020, as a CEO, CTO, project manager, or tech leader, you’ve probably realized first-hand how the technologies, as mentioned above, have impacted the software development process in your company.  

The Impact of the Coronavirus on Software Development Services 

As businesses continue to adopt various technology trends in 2020, a new issue, the coronavirus is changing operational dynamics in ways that have never been imagined. Among others, this pandemic has impacted software development services in the following ways: 

• Raised interests on custom software development: For vendors to avoid the possibility of an economic fallout amid the coronavirus pandemic, there is a need to increase interest rates on custom software development.  
• Software for remote collaboration: IT outsourcing service providers and hiring businesses have been forced to embrace various solutions to ensure remote cooperation, especially in light of the curfews, quarantines, and lockdowns enforced by governments. Some useful tools in this regard include Slack, Skype, Zoom, Trello, Asana, and InVision.  
• Cloud solutions: In light of the coronavirus, businesses are turning to cloud solutions to reap the benefits of on-demand resources such as storage and computing power.  
• Machine learning-based solutions: Software development services providers are embracing machine learning and automation. This way, they can accommodate existing workflows, foster scalability, and make future operational predictions in light of this pandemic.   

Key Benefits of Software Development Outsourcing 

Outsourcing providers have, in recent years, created a wide range of IT services, going on to show why they beat in-house teams. Often, it’s cheaper, faster, and easier to outsource software development. Here are some concrete benefits of outsourcing software development, especially in this COVID-19 outbreak that you probably should consider: 

• Software development companies keep pace with the latest trends in tech. To stay competitive, software outsourcing providers keep updating themselves on the newest trends, innovations, and techs.  
• Software outsourcing companies bring years of experience to the table. Software development vendors come with ample experience, which means they don’t require training as new in-house recruits would.   
• Outsourcing vendors have ready remote employees and teams who make their best to complete the project within your timeline.  
• Custom development companies possess in-demand competencies and skills of DevOps specialists, machine learning engineers, Big Data developers, Cloud engineers, cybersecurity engineers, etc.  
• Outsourcing software adds value to a company by increasing productivity, lowering staffing costs, and giving you time to concentrate on core business areas.  

Software Market Going Forward in Light of COVID-19 

Undoubtedly, many companies are considering shelving software development investments as part of cost-saving in this time of economic recession. But B2B software investment is set to continue happening even with the outbreak as the demand for remote collaboration, security, CRM systems, and cloud storage solutions grows.  

Final Words  

The effects of COVID-19 can be felt in every industry. In software development, there has been increased interest in particular services, with many businesses spending more on software solutions to adapt to the changing environment. Outsourcing these software needs stands as one of the most viable solutions to dealing with current challenges in the business environment.  

Read also: The best practices in IT nearshoring