Software outsourcing markets across South and South East Asia continue to gain much demand, thanks to a combination of advantages provided both in terms of competency, as well as financially. The software and IT outsourcing industry in Sri Lanka has also been one of the most stable, with companies consistently showing progress on projects, both historically and in the present.
In this article, we focus on the benefits of outsourcing software development operations to Asia (particularly to Sri Lanka). Additionally, we offer a quick guide and some tips on what to look out for, when selecting a software outsourcing partner for your project. Read on to know more!
Looking for a reliable software outsourcing partner? At EFutures, our team of software developers, designers, testers and architects have long-standing experience in serving clients across the globe.
Contact us today for a custom assessment of your software or application’s unique needs, and to know how we can provide the leverage your business needs to thrive in today’s digital landscape.
Cost savings is why many companies chose to adopt software offshoring, back when the concept of working with remote and distributed teams was still in its infancy. This driving factor still rings true to this day, as IT and software outsourcing companies can help companies shave off significant costs both in the short and long term.
With team members in Asia now employable for a fraction of the cost in comparison to hiring developers, designers and testers in Europe or North America, outsourcing to Asia almost feels like a no-brainer today. Additionally, not having to maintain office space and equipment for in-house employees further increases cost savings, as most software outsourcing companies function and liaise with their clientele remotely.
Asian software outsourcing companies do not compromise on skilled talent, when offering significant cost savings. In fact, clients have the ability to avail some of the world’s best talent for their projects, thanks to numerous top Asian software outsourcing companies being at the forefront of trending technologies such as AI and blockchain.
What’s more, clients are now freed from the geographical restrictions that are conducive to conventional in-house teams; they can now hire developers for startup or enterprise needs with prime focus on talent, and not based on whether a team member can commute to work conveniently enough everyday.
Software development teams based in Asia also present a strong command of the English language, thereby providing clientele from English-speaking nations to communicate comfortably. English language skills are particularly proficient in Sri Lanka, as neutral accents enable easier understanding and coordination.
Although most clientele served by Asian software outsourcing companies are based in opposite time zones, this doesn’t end up being a hindrance. Thanks to the high level of versatility that the typical software outsourcing partner offers, this is how opposing time zones are addressed:
Top Sri Lankan IT and software outsourcing companies stand out due to the high level of flexibility they provide to their clientele for building their own teams. This means that clients don’t need to always settle for a preset team of developers, architects, designers and testers; they are free to recruit as many team members as they need. This applies to any existing teams that a client may have with another software outsourcing company, or to augment an existing in-house software development team.
Alternatively, Sri Lankan software outsourcing companies can also deliver a single service, if that is what a client needs. For example, if a client in Europe only needs a quality assurance team to inspect the software they have already built to serve as ‘a second set of eyes’, this can be arranged without any hassle.
Before embarking on meetings with prospective software outsourcing providers, it is necessary to understand what your business is lacking, and what objectives need to be achieved. In order to thoroughly assess your business’s software needs, gather relevant team members to ask them about the problems and bottlenecks they face when it comes to their day-to-day duties.
Considering customer feedback at this stage will also be helpful, as it shall contribute to a comprehensive business assessment that can serve as a primary point of reference for all parties, during the next stages.
When liaising with prospective software outsourcing companies that are located anywhere in Asia, the following set of basic questions shall always serve as a good starting point, and help break the ice for probing into deeper project-related discussions:
Answers to these and any questions that branch out from the above can be good indicators of whether a software outsourcing prospect will be a suitable match, or not. Suitability can also be gauged from non-verbal cues, so being extra observant during video meetings shall help provide better clarity as well.
It is advisable to start your first project with any new software outsourcing partner, as a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). This would entail only the most essential of functionalities being released in preliminary versions, with later upgrades being done based on user feedback. This way, only valuable features make it into your software or app, as opposed to a wide list of capabilities that are initially included based on assumption.
Additionally, an MVP shall also enable your business teams to gauge how responsive, productive and overall competent your new software outsourcing partner is. If any problems are detected, these can be tackled at the earliest possible; from communication gaps to meeting schedules, anything could end up being a hindrance, so ‘nipping these in the bud’ is crucial to maintaining a productive working partnership between your business and your software outsourcing partner.
Asia is a hotspot for software and IT outsourcing, with Sri Lanka being one out of many Asian countries that is renowned for its highly skilled pool of subject matter experts, cost-effective pricing models as well as a strong command of the English language.
As a software development outsourcing agency in Sri Lanka, EFutures has long since been at the forefront of delivering quality software and application development services to clients across the globe, thereby enabling us to prominently position Sri Lanka as a reliable Asian destination for software and IT outsourcing services.
Whether your business chooses a software outsourcing company in Sri Lanka or elsewhere in Asia, it is imperative to assess needs first – both in terms of the software capabilities required as well as overarching KPIs. From this point onwards, building an MVP and then making iterations based on customer feedback is small yet consistent progress. Simultaneously, your business teams can also observe whether any problems exist in due course of developing the MVP, so these can be addressed immediately.
Stay updated with our tech articles – your go-to source for the latest insights, trends, and innovations in technology.