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28
May, 2024

Slitigenz: Leading the Pack in IT Outsourcing

We are delighted to announce that Slitigenz  has been recognized as the top IT outsourcing firm by the esteemed SoftwareOutsourcing Journal. This prestigious accolade highlights our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and client satisfaction in the realm of IT outsourcing.

A Tradition of Excellence

With a rich history of delivering top-notch IT solutions, Slitigenz  has established itself as a leader in the industry. Our team of highly skilled professionals is dedicated to providing customized outsourcing services tailored to meet the unique needs of each client. This recognition is a testament to our dedication to maintaining the highest standards of quality and reliability in every project we undertake.

 

Comprehensive IT Services by Slitigenz 

Slitigenz  offers a wide range of services designed to address the diverse needs of our clients. Below is an overview of the services we provide, ensuring that businesses can rely on us for their complete IT outsourcing requirements.

1. Custom Software Development

At Slitigenz, we specialize in developing custom software solutions that are tailored to the specific requirements of our clients. From initial concept to final deployment, our team works closely with clients to deliver innovative and scalable software solutions that drive business growth.

2. Web Development and Design

We offer professional web development and design services aimed at creating engaging and user-friendly websites. Our team leverages the latest technologies and industry best practices to deliver visually stunning and fully functional websites that help businesses stand out in the digital landscape.

3. Mobile App Development

In today’s mobile-centric world, having a mobile app is essential for businesses to stay competitive. At Slitigenz, we specialize in developing custom mobile applications for both iOS and Android platforms. Our mobile apps are designed to enhance user engagement, streamline business processes, and drive revenue growth.

4. Cloud Computing Solutions

We provide comprehensive cloud computing solutions that enable businesses to leverage the power of the cloud. From cloud migration and deployment to ongoing management and support, we help businesses harness the scalability, flexibility, and cost-efficiency of cloud technology.

5. Data Analytics and Business Intelligence

Our data analytics and business intelligence services empower businesses to make data-driven decisions and gain valuable insights into their operations. We offer advanced analytics solutions, including data visualization, predictive analytics, and machine learning, to help businesses unlock the full potential of their data.

6. IT Consulting and Strategy**

We offer strategic IT consulting services aimed at helping businesses align their IT initiatives with their overall business objectives. Our team of experienced consultants works closely with clients to develop customized IT strategies that drive innovation, improve efficiency, and maximize ROI.

Looking Ahead

Being named the top IT outsourcing company by the SoftwareOutsourcing Journal is a significant honor and serves as a motivation for us to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible. We are committed to sustaining our legacy of excellence and are excited about the future opportunities that lie ahead. Slitigenz  will continue to innovate, adapt, and deliver outstanding IT outsourcing services that help our clients achieve their business objectives.

 

Conclusion

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the SoftwareOutsourcing Journal for this significant recognition. We also thank our dedicated team and valued clients, whose trust and collaboration have been instrumental in our success. As we celebrate this achievement, we remain focused on our mission to provide unparalleled IT outsourcing solutions and to be a trusted partner in our clients’ journey towards digital transformation.

For more information about Slitigenz  and our services, please visit our website or contact us directly. Together, let’s continue to achieve great things in the world of IT outsourcing.

14
Nov, 2023

How to choose the right software development partner for your project?

Are you facing challenges in finding the ideal software development partner for your project? The abundance of options can make the selection process daunting. However, fear not, as this article will delve into the crucial factors that distinguish an outstanding software development company.

When choosing a software development partner, it’s essential to address key questions: What sets top-performing software companies apart? How can you ensure the delivery of your project with the highest quality and security standards? What advantages come with collaborating with a development team based in a specific location? This article is designed to provide you with the insights needed to make well-informed decisions.

Before commencing your search, clearly define your project requirements and expectations. Consider factors such as the type of app you intend to build, whether it’s a new project or an extension, your existing roles and tech stack, and your budget constraints.

Conduct thorough research by exploring platforms like Clutch, Techreviewer, and Google for reliable client reviews. Analyze both positive and negative feedback to gain a comprehensive understanding of each company.

Next, evaluate the business aspect. Does the software development company comprehend your business needs and the context of your tech project? Alignment on these aspects is crucial before committing.

Assess the company’s expertise by reviewing their previous work showcased in their portfolio. Visit their website to gauge their capabilities and expertise in various technologies. Consider the organization skills of the company, ensuring they align with your project needs.

When making your decision, insist on a clear contract that specifies ownership of the source code with intellectual property rights transferred to you. Verify that the company implements robust security measures to safeguard your intellectual property and user data.

The chemistry between you and your software development partner is paramount. Pay attention to their professionalism, commitment, and mutual understanding during interactions.

Additionally, be cautious of the following pitfalls:

  • Avoid partnering with companies significantly larger than yours.
  • Steer clear of overly budget-friendly options.
  • Exercise caution when working with experts claiming to know everything and utilizing extreme tech stacks.
  • Be wary of companies with poor-quality websites, generic testimonials, and vague portfolios.

In summary, finding the right software development partner involves careful consideration of project requirements, thorough research, assessing business alignment, evaluating expertise, ensuring organizational compatibility, and establishing clear contractual terms. By avoiding common pitfalls, you can make a well-informed decision for a successful collaboration.

How to choose a software development partner?

Choosing the right software development company is a critical decision for the success of your project. Here are 11 crucial aspects to consider during your selection process:

Measure Expertise:

  • Review the company’s previous work and portfolio.
  • Look for case studies similar to your project and test applications in their portfolio.
  • Check reviews on platforms like Clutch and seek opinions from your network.

Tech Stack:

  • Focus on companies with expertise in specific technologies rather than a broad array.
  • Be cautious of companies displaying numerous technology logos on their landing page.

Process and Communication:

  • Evaluate the company’s development process, emphasizing transparency and agile methodologies.
  • Check communication tools used, such as Slack or Jira, to ensure effective collaboration.

Similar-sized Company:

  • Consider partnering with a company of similar size to ensure personalized attention.
  • Avoid being overshadowed in a large company or facing potential inexperience in a smaller one.

Beyond Project Price:

  • Consider long-term repercussions along with project cost.
  • Choosing solely based on pricing may lead to technical debt and additional future costs.

Partner Chemistry:

  • Establish strong relationships through transparent and open communication.
  • Ensure alignment on project goals and values for a successful collaboration.

Frequent Deployment:

  • Regular demos and updates keep partners informed and engaged in the development process.
  • Collaboration and information provided by partners contribute to high-quality work.

Understanding the Business:

  • A successful partnership involves a development team that understands both technology and business.
  • Collaboration between business and tech, supported by cross-functional teams, is crucial.

Geography:

  • Confirm the actual location of the development team to avoid communication barriers.
  • Be cautious of companies misrepresenting their location, as it can impact project security and efficiency.

Flexibility vs Inflexibility:

  • Choose pricing models based on project needs.
  • Time and Materials contracts offer flexibility, while Fixed Price contracts may suit well-documented projects.

Avoid Demonetization:

  • Ensure the protection of intellectual property (IP) through proper security measures.
  • Use Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA), Non-Compete Agreements (NCA), and other legal measures to safeguard your interests.
  • Remember, thorough research, transparent communication, and legal safeguards contribute to a successful and lasting partnership with your chosen software development company.

Other factors to consider

Red Flags:

When evaluating a potential software development partner, watch out for these red flags:

  • Ownership of Source Code: Ensure clarity on source code ownership and intellectual property rights.
  • Poor Website or Content Quality: A company’s online presence reflects its professionalism and capabilities.
  • Vague Portfolio Descriptions: Lack of specificity in the portfolio may indicate a lack of expertise or transparency.
  • Generic Endorsements: Generic testimonials may not provide genuine insights into a company’s performance.
  • Negative Reviews: Pay attention to consistent negative feedback, as it may indicate potential issues.

Other Factors to Consider:

Geography Models:

  • Onshoring: Collaboration with companies in your home country. Advantages include language alignment, but costs are typically higher.
  • Offshoring: Hiring a team from outside the country for cost efficiency. Remote work but may face communication challenges.
  • Nearshoring: Middle ground with companies in similar time zones. Balances efficient communication with cost savings.
  • Hybrid: Combines onsite management with offshore development. Allows communication in the native language with time zone flexibility.

Pricing Models:

  • Fixed Price: Scope and requirements defined before development. Best for well-documented projects with minimal changes.
  • Time and Materials: Cost based on actual time spent, adaptable scope. Suitable for projects with evolving requirements and agile methodologies.

Comparison:

  • Scope Flexibility:
    • Fixed Price: Low flexibility, well-defined scope.
    • Time and Materials: High flexibility, adaptable to changing requirements.
  • Speed of Launch:
    • Fixed Price: Speed determined by project scope and specifications.
    • Time and Materials: Variable speed, adaptable to changes during development.
  • Product-to-Market Compatibility:
    • Fixed Price: Relies on well-verified project scope.
    • Time and Materials: Allows for the discovery of new value during the development process.
  • Cost:
    • Fixed Price: Upfront defined cost, negotiable in some cases.
    • Time and Materials: Challenging to estimate, adapt costs based on project evolution.

Choosing the Best Option:

  • Minor Feature or Clear Requirements: Both pricing models may work.
  • Complete Product with Stable Requirements: Both models may be suitable.
  • Changing Requirements or Rapidly Changing Market: Time and Materials is preferable for adaptability.
  • Critical Time-to-Market or Uncertain Project Scope: Fixed Price may require contract renegotiations; Time and Materials offer flexibility.

Understanding your project’s nature, requirements, and level of certainty will guide the choice between fixed-price and time-and-materials pricing models.

Conclusion

Selecting the right software development company is crucial for the success of your project. Pay attention to key factors such as expertise, tech stack, process, communication, and alignment with your business goals. By avoiding common pitfalls like partnering with companies significantly larger than yours or opting for the cheapest option, you can confidently make a decision that aligns with your needs and expectations.

Ensure the chosen company understands your project’s requirements, evaluates the tech stack effectively, and has a streamlined process with clear communication routines. Building a strong connection with the company, considering factors like partner chemistry and frequent deployment updates, contributes to a successful collaboration.

Avoiding common traps, such as working with partners much bigger than your business or opting for the cheapest option, is essential. By partnering with a software development company that prioritizes your needs and is invested in your success, you can bring your vision to life and achieve your business goals. Choose wisely, and your software development journey will be on the path to success.

28
Jun, 2023

How Much Does Software Development Cost?

Determining the cost of software development is an essential preliminary step prior to embarking on its construction. It is imperative for businesses to ensure profitability, and thus it becomes crucial to ascertain that the expenses associated with developing a software or application are justifiable and reasonable.

Average Cost Of Software Development

When inquiring about the cost of software development from IT firms, it is common to receive the ambiguous response of “it depends.” However, for startup owners, this vague answer proves unhelpful for effective budget planning. Nevertheless, it is possible to establish a solid estimate without engaging in extensive discussions.

Several factors influence the cost of developing software, necessitating a thorough examination of project requirements by the development agency before providing a precise cost estimation. Notably, a straightforward application with minimal user interaction and backend processing will generally incur lower development expenses. Conversely, a complex application involving intricate financial transactions, extensive user engagement, and integration with external systems will typically entail a considerably higher cost.

The cost of software development is not solely dictated by the scale or complexity of the application. For instance, even a seemingly simple application with numerous distinct screens may incur costs comparable to more intricate applications.

Ultimately, the total cost is determined by the number of person-hours invested and the technology stack employed in the development process. Drawing from our experience, the approximate range for software development costs falls between $50,000 and $250,000. The lower end of the spectrum corresponds to the development of a straightforward app requiring fewer than 700 hours of work. On the other hand, if you are constructing a multi-platform app with a server-side application, the cost is likely to reach six figures.

To provide concrete examples, the development of a basic social media app for a single platform may amount to $50,000. However, expanding the same app to include web, Android, and iOS platforms would increase the cost to approximately $137,000, requiring around 2,750 hours of development. For more complex applications like UberEats, one can anticipate costs of approximately $150,000, entailing approximately 3,000 hours of work.

Software Cost Factors

The cost of software development exhibits significant variation across a broad range. While the technical intricacies and characteristics of the application undoubtedly contribute to the determination of development costs, it is important to note that additional non-technical factors can also impact your budgetary considerations.

App Type And Complexity

The choice between developing an Uber-like app or a simpler app without backend processing significantly impacts the overall cost of the development process. Constructing a basic app is relatively straightforward and requires minimal effort to complete. In contrast, developing an app similar to Uber entails the utilization of complex algorithms, a sophisticated technology stack, and intensive backend processing.

Naturally, the cost of building an Uber-like app exceeds that of creating a simple app designed solely to display a business’s latest catalog. As a general guideline, the level of user interaction required corresponds to the expansiveness of the app. An Uber-like app, for instance, incorporates distinct user categories, each with varying rights for profile editing.

Moreover, the complexity of the app necessitates a greater degree of customization. Customization entails the development of new code by software engineers to deliver the required functionalities within the app. Additionally, the custom modules undergo thorough testing, which further contributes to the higher costs associated with such projects.

Platforms

It is highly likely that your target audiences are distributed across different platforms, necessitating the development of distinct versions of your app for web, Android, and iOS. Creating multiple platform-specific versions of an app incurs additional expenses in terms of development fees, as it requires the engagement of separate teams of developers to work on each version.

In certain cases, cost savings in development fees can be achieved by opting for a cross-platform app. Cross-platform apps can be deployed on both iOS and Android using a shared codebase. However, the extent of time saved through cross-platform development relies on the expertise of the development team and may not be applicable to all types of products. For instance, developing financial software with graphs and dashboards, or streaming functionalities, may not yield significant time savings through cross-platform development.

This leaves the option of building native apps for each platform, which tends to be more costly. A native app developed for iOS cannot be directly reused for Android, and vice versa. Some startups choose to focus on a single platform initially, concentrating their efforts on achieving a certain level of success before expanding to other platforms. An exemplary illustration of this approach is Clubhouse, which initially launched as an exclusive app for Apple users.

Complexity Of UX/UI Design

It is a common occurrence for users to disengage from an app after initial usage, often due to poor user interface (UI) or navigation. User experience (UX) plays a pivotal role in fostering user satisfaction and promoting a high retention rate once the app is launched. Consequently, it is unsurprising that startups prioritize the incorporation of custom UX/UI design within their apps.

UX/UI design encompasses the integration of various graphic elements, such as buttons, fonts, icons, and colors, across all interfaces. Additionally, it encompasses the seamless execution of specific tasks by users within the app. Developing visually appealing interfaces and ensuring a satisfactory user experience demands significant efforts from the development team.

These endeavors translate into costs for startup owners, as they are responsible for covering expenses associated with custom artwork, animations, testing, and potential redesigns. These investments are made to ensure that the app is equipped with the most optimal UX features, thereby enhancing its overall usability and appeal.

Back-End Infrastructure And Connected APIs

Apps that deliver substantial value to users rarely operate in isolation. They often rely on connections to external systems and necessitate extensive backend processing. A prime example is Uber, where intricate background processes remain hidden behind a user-friendly client interface.

Features such as geolocation, mapping, and various payment options serve as key attractions for users on ride-hailing platforms. Additionally, developers prioritize the implementation of robust backend measures to ensure the protection of user data. These features require significant investments of time and resources, contributing to the overall development cost of the app.

If the app involves intensive data processing on the server side, the development of corresponding modules becomes more expensive. Moreover, the server-side application may require interactions with external systems. While utilizing off-the-shelf APIs can help mitigate development costs, the creation of a custom data-exchange API would entail additional expenses that must be accounted for.

Geographic Location

The cost of hiring software developers can vary significantly depending on your geographical location. This is particularly evident in regions such as the United States and Western European countries, where developers’ average hourly rates hover around $100. The higher hourly rate directly translates to increased software development costs for your project.

Nevertheless, there are alternative regions where software development can be accomplished at a considerably lower rate without compromising quality. Eastern European countries, in particular, have emerged as popular destinations for IT outsourcing, boasting a substantial pool of skilled and proven developers. Among these countries, Ukraine stands out by offering an affordable hourly rate of $45.

For even more cost savings, countries like China and India offer even lower rates. However, it is important to consider and navigate the cultural differences and time zone disparities when collaborating with developers from these regions. Working with developers who speak the same language and being able to engage in real-time conversations can significantly facilitate the development process.

By making a well-informed decision about the location of your software development team, you have the potential to achieve substantial cost savings without compromising the quality of your app.

Hiring Model

It is important to recognize that the choice of collaboration model can significantly impact the overall development cost. Once you have selected a developer, you are typically presented with three hiring options: fixed-rate, hourly rate, or dedicated team.

The fixed-rate model entails paying a predetermined sum based on clearly defined requirements. While this approach provides clarity regarding the cost for developers, it allows limited room for changes during the development process.

Conversely, the hourly-rate model offers greater flexibility to accommodate evolving requirements. Payment is based on the number of hours worked and the resources utilized during development. However, the total cost may be less predictable, and the client may have limited control over the development team. This model often suits fledgling startups seeking adaptability.

Established startups have found the dedicated team model to be an appealing collaboration approach. In this model, the IT agency assigns developers to the startup, with the latter covering the developers’ salaries during their service. This arrangement provides the startup with exclusive access to the developers, which can result in shorter development times and enhanced collaboration.

Choosing the appropriate collaboration model is crucial in managing development costs and aligning with the specific needs and stage of your startup.

Conclusion

Accurately determining the cost of software development necessitates extensive discussions and considerations between the developer and the client. In addition, it is essential to acknowledge the influence of non-technical factors on the overall cost of app or software development. The key is to have a well-defined vision of the app and engage with the appropriate developer.

Our team is fully prepared to delve into your app concept and provide you with a competitive cost estimate. We encourage you to contact us without delay to initiate the process.

20
Jun, 2023

PROS AND CONS OF OFFSHORE SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT

Offshore software development is a form of outsourcing where companies engage third-party software providers located in distant countries to handle complex programming tasks for their projects. For instance, a US-based company may choose to hire a software development company in Vietnam to manage their project.

Advantages of Offshore Software Development:

Lower Costs

One of the primary reasons companies opt for offshore software outsourcing is the cost advantage provided by lower labor rates. This approach allows significant savings in terms of both time and money while maintaining project quality.

When embarking on a software development project, cost reduction becomes a paramount consideration. For US-based companies, offshore countries such as India, China, Ukraine, and Vietnam offer labor at lower rates compared to their domestic developers.

Consequently, offshore software companies can provide services at a reduced cost compared to what would be charged in the client’s home country. By opting for offshore software development, companies can achieve cost savings without compromising the quality of their projects or the level of expertise involved.

Cost-effectiveness in the era of COVID-19 has become even more crucial and practical for businesses. The pandemic has profoundly impacted the market and its operations, leading to increased demand for businesses and brand companies to leverage technology. This enables them to effectively manage and maintain their operations while staying competitive in the market.

On Demand Access to Knowledge and Expertise workforce

The field of technology is constantly advancing, driving the demand for IT experts. Various technology domains, including data science, Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, DevOps engineering, and emerging programming languages, are experiencing a shortage of skilled IT specialists.

When faced with challenges in hiring IT specialists locally, turning to offshore development teams can be an excellent solution. Offshore teams can help address the scarcity of IT professionals and alleviate the burden of maintaining and staffing in-house development teams once projects are completed.

These offshore development teams possess world-class expertise and extensive experience in these specialized fields, enabling them to deliver knowledge-intensive services through offshore outsourcing contracts.

Concerns regarding the quality of offshore software developers are understandable, but the reality is far from disappointing. Each year, numerous highly educated software developers graduate from renowned institutions. Prominent offshore software development countries such as Vietnam, Ukraine, India, and China have made significant investments in education, particularly in the IT industry. Many schools and educational institutions offer specialized courses tailored to develop a larger pool of skilled software developers.

These investments aim to increase the quantity and quality of IT professionals within these countries, effectively addressing the shortage of talent domestically while also providing high-quality resources to the international market.

Time Savings

Meeting project deadlines is crucial in a competitive market, as delays can lead to significant losses in market share. Additionally, protracted project timelines can result in increased costs, making timely delivery essential for financial efficiency.

Undertaking a project from scratch entails numerous challenges, including the time required for hiring personnel, development, and deployment. This process can be stressful, particularly when faced with time constraints and limited resources.

Engaging offshore software companies with extensive project experience can expedite development processes and ensure adherence to project schedules. These companies possess valuable insights into development methodologies such as Agile and employ various software development tools. By leveraging these approaches, offshore teams facilitate timely project delivery while maintaining flexibility to accommodate changes and continuously improve.

Furthermore, one notable advantage of collaborating with an offshore software development company is the opportunity to work with a team in a different time zone. This time zone difference can offer a distinct advantage, enabling your project to reduce its time-to-market by leveraging overlapping working hours and maximizing productivity.

Shared responsibility

Entering into a contractual agreement with offshore software companies establishes a mutually beneficial partnership, fostering a win-win relationship. In this collaborative arrangement, shared responsibility ensures the optimal quality of your product while offering your business opportunities for continuous transformation and growth.

Within the vast landscape of offshore software companies, each strives to deliver the highest quality services to their clients. When it comes to offshore software development, these companies prioritize the quality of software projects as a fundamental objective.

It is important to recognize that your concern for the end-results of the projects is shared by the offshore team. They are committed to mitigating risks, identifying and addressing bugs, and proactively managing potential project pitfalls. By diligently addressing these challenges, the offshore team aims to deliver work of superior quality, meeting or exceeding your expectations.

Experience

Reputable offshore software development companies have established extensive collaborations with numerous clients and partners, enabling them to work on diverse projects spanning various industries. This exposure has equipped offshore software companies with robust experience and a deep understanding of the field, allowing them to refine their technical expertise.

Their accumulated experience enables them to proficiently leverage suitable, adaptable, and emerging technologies for each project. Additionally, offshore software companies prioritize the ongoing training and skill enhancement of their software developers, ensuring a continuous pool of highly proficient experts available for your project. This commitment to skill development allows them to stay at the forefront of cutting-edge technology and deliver exceptional quality, setting you apart from competitors in the fiercely competitive business landscape.

Scaling the IT development team

In the course of a business’s development journey, there arises a need to scale resources up or down accordingly. The resource requirements for a business or software project may vary throughout different stages. At times, there may be a demand for a larger number of IT specialists to work on and develop the project. However, as the project progresses and reaches certain milestones, there may arise a need to reduce the size of the development team.

Managing the process of scaling up or down the development team can be complex and costly. It involves various considerations and challenges that may not be as straightforward as initially assumed.

Entrusting the responsibility of managing the development team to an offshore development center can provide significant time, cost, and energy savings in building and managing the team. How does this work? Upon establishing a partnership with an offshore company, the development team essentially becomes an extension of your own team. However, the offshore company assumes the responsibility of managing the development team on your behalf. This means that they can readily accommodate your requests to add or reduce staff based on your specific demands and requirements. By delegating this responsibility to the offshore development center, you can efficiently adapt your team size without the burden of navigating the complexities and expenses associated with resource scaling.

Reliability

The aspect of reliability, which may raise concerns for some, is in fact a defining characteristic of a trustworthy offshore software company. In the context of project execution, the reliance on legal contracts, such as agreements and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), serves as a robust guarantee that your project is safeguarded and will be delivered within the agreed-upon timelines. These contractual documents provide a solid foundation for the protection of your project and contribute to fostering a strong sense of trust and confidence between your business and the offshore software company.

Disadvantages of Offshore Software Outsourcing

Language Barrier

In the realm of business transactions, English has emerged as the global language, facilitating effective communication and the exchange of ideas. However, despite a shared language, miscommunication can still occur, presenting a potential challenge during the working process. Such miscommunication can impede project progress, leading to increased time and cost expenditures, as well as other significant issues.

While various communication channels exist, including email, instant messaging, video calls, and virtual meetings, vital instructions and requirements can sometimes be overlooked or misunderstood. This can result in confusion and hinder the accurate interpretation of your intended meaning.

Therefore, it is essential to allocate ample time to develop a comprehensive plan and establish effective communication methods that ensure your development team fully understands the requirements and associated documents. By investing in a clear and robust communication strategy, you can minimize the risk of miscommunication and facilitate smoother project execution.

Different mindset

Cultural differences can give rise to challenging situations that require careful consideration. Recognizing and acknowledging these differences is instrumental in devising effective strategies for developing your project in alignment with the specified requirements.

These cultural differences can manifest in various aspects, such as gender, religion, culture, traditions, and more. Furthermore, they can also influence mindset and work ethics. While experienced companies with a substantial presence in the international market may have navigated these differences adeptly, it is advisable to conduct due diligence by reviewing their portfolios and seeking feedback from previous collaborators. This will help bridge the gap and provide a better understanding of how these cultural nuances may impact project dynamics.

Data Security

Offshore outsourcing presents a viable avenue for companies to achieve their business goals. However, when the need arises to share sensitive data with an external partner, it is crucial to establish a legally binding agreement that safeguards your data. Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), Security Protocols, and other security documents serve as essential references in this regard.

Despite the existence of such security measures, unforeseen incidents can still occur. Even with the signing of legal security documentation, there is a risk of confidential data leakage resulting from cyberattacks. Such incidents are unexpected and can impact both parties involved.

Therefore, prior to finalizing a contract with a software outsourcing provider, whether onshore, offshore, or nearshore, it is imperative to engage in thorough discussions with your business team. Together, you can develop a comprehensive plan that includes clear guidelines and milestones for safeguarding your data. This approach enables you to delineate what information can be shared with the software provider and what data must remain strictly confidential.

13
Mar, 2023

Mobile App Development Process In 2023

The proliferation of mobile applications in the market continues to surge, with an increasing number of releases each day. Furthermore, the number of mobile devices globally has surpassed the world’s population. Consequently, it is not surprising that by 2026, mobile applications are estimated to generate a remarkable revenue of $233 billion. Given such promising projections, numerous companies are keen on exploring mobile app development opportunities. Some companies prioritize consumer-facing projects, aiming to generate revenue, whereas others opt for enterprise solutions that streamline internal processes and boost operational efficiency.

If your organization is interested in developing a mobile app, it is crucial to understand the app development process. In this regard, we will provide a comprehensive mobile app creation guide based on our experience to help you get started.

Strategy Development

The initial and crucial step in the app development process is defining the strategy, which involves carefully contemplating your app’s objectives, capabilities, and business model. Regardless of whether you are creating a consumer or enterprise app, identifying its primary objectives is essential. To accomplish this, it is necessary to answer critical questions such as the problem the app aims to solve, the target users, and the desired results. Although you may already have an idea for your app, outlining its key objectives will help you stay focused on your goals.

Additionally, researching existing or potential competitors is an integral aspect of strategy planning. Understanding the landscape of similar mobile apps and avoiding mistakes made by others within your industry will help you differentiate your app from the competition. Furthermore, selecting the appropriate platform for your app is vital, whether it is a custom Android solution, an iOS app, or a cross-platform application.

For consumer applications, selecting the appropriate monetization method is also crucial. Depending on your goals and the type of app you are developing, several options are available, including in-app advertising, in-app purchases, subscriptions, affiliate marketing, and paid apps. For instance, a dating app may leverage in-app purchases and subscriptions, while a game app may use in-app advertising and subscriptions. It is worth noting that the subscription-based monetization model is increasingly gaining popularity.

Analysis and Planning

The second step in the app development process involves analysis and planning. At this stage, you should have a clear idea of your app’s purpose, conducted thorough research, and identified a general direction for development. Now is the time to focus on the details to ensure successful design and development.

To begin, you need to define the functional and non-functional requirements for your app. This involves outlining specific actions that your app must perform, such as managing credit cards or generating account statements. Non-functional requirements relate to the quality of your app’s performance and its impact on the user experience.

The next step is to create a product roadmap, outlining a detailed plan for reaching your end goals. You’ll need to identify all of the features you want your app to have and prioritize them, considering which can be added later.

Finally, you must identify the technology stack required for your project. This includes determining which skills and technologies are needed, such as experienced iOS developers for an iOS app or technologies like Titanium and Xamarin for cross-platform development. It is important to have the technology stack aspect of your project determined before moving forward.

UI/UX Design

To ensure optimal user experience, meticulous attention must be given to an app’s design. A cluttered or flawed design can drive users towards competitors, thereby jeopardizing the success of your app. Therefore, it is imperative that your UI/UX design be intuitive, user-friendly, engaging, and provide a seamless experience. In this regard, let us delve into each design area in detail.

Information architecture and workflows are the primary components of the app design process. At this stage, you must define the data to be incorporated in your app, its display, and how users will interact with it. Subsequently, you can create workflow diagrams that help keep track of all user interactions and facilitate easy navigation.

Business analysts create wireframes, which are digital sketches outlining the conceptual layout and visual structure of the app’s functionality. Wireframes prioritize user experience and app aesthetics to ensure that the final product is easy to use and visually appealing.

Style guides are essential to maintain consistency in your app’s design and branding. They provide instructions for fonts, color scheme, spacing, positioning, buttons, widgets, and other design elements, all in a single document.

Mockups are final visual renderings of your app that apply the style guide to the wireframes, ensuring design consistency throughout the app.

Lastly, the UI/UX design process culminates in developing prototypes that simulate the app’s workflow and user experience. This stage is critical to detecting any design or functionality mishaps that may need to be fixed before launch. Despite being time-consuming, prototypes are an essential step in the design process.

App Development

Upon completion of the design phase, the next critical stage of the mobile app development process is the creation of the backend and frontend. The backend stage involves the development of databases and server-side objects responsible for the app’s performance. At this point, the development team selects appropriate programming languages, codes the app, and chooses database engines and a hosting environment. The scalability of the app in the future depends heavily on the backend stage, making it a crucial aspect of the app development life cycle. Engaging experienced software developers can help ensure that your system can scale effortlessly as your user base grows. On the other hand, the frontend is what the end-user will primarily interact with, and there are three approaches to building it: platform-specific, cross-platform, and hybrid. Each approach has its advantages and is selected based on the project’s specific requirements.

Mobile App Testing

After completing the app development phase, it is crucial to conduct thorough testing to ensure the developed solution is stable, secure, and free of bugs.

To deliver the highest quality, the app should undergo five testing methods prior to deployment.

Functionality testing checks the application’s features to ensure everything functions properly. Performance testing assesses the app’s responsiveness and its ability to handle an increase in concurrent users.

In addition to functionality and performance testing, data protection is essential for enterprise solutions like mobile insurance and healthcare applications, while consumer apps must adhere to all security standards and remain loophole-free.

Platform and device compatibility testing is also important to ensure that the app functions optimally on various devices and operating systems.

Finally, an extended review involving focus groups or a beta launch allows the app to be tested by actual users to gather feedback and improve the overall user experience before deployment.

Deployment

When it comes time to deploy your mobile app, different distribution models are available depending on the platform you developed for.

The mobile application deployment strategy is relatively straightforward. You will need to either submit your app to Apple’s App Store or Google’s Play Store, or pursue private distribution.

Both stores require the completion of several forms and the submission of your app for review. It’s worth noting that the App Store is known to be more rigorous in its selection of apps. Therefore, if your iOS-based tool does not meet high standards, you may encounter difficulties.

Alternatively, if you choose private distribution, consider exploring Apple’s Developer Enterprise Program or Android’s Alternative Distributions to determine the best course of action.

Support and Performance Monitoring

After deploying your mobile app and observing consistent downloads by users, it is crucial to analyze its performance by monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs). Some of the significant KPIs include the number of downloads, active users, average visit duration, retention, churn, conversions, customer lifetime value, ratings, and reviews. It is equally important to keep track of crashes, bugs, customer requests, and overall app performance to refine your solution over time. It is vital to note that the work of maintaining your mobile app does not end with deployment, and regular updates are necessary to keep up with evolving operating systems, review guidelines, and performance standards. This way, your investment in the app remains valuable. You may choose to manage the maintenance yourself or partner with a software development company for post-launch support services, taking the upkeep work off your hands.

Key Considerations Before Starting the App Development Process

Before embarking on a software development journey, it’s crucial to consider a few points. Firstly, consider if creating a mobile app is a strategic priority for your business. Developing a mobile application can be a costly endeavor, and it’s important to determine if it aligns with your digital strategy. Secondly, think about the implications of developing enterprise versus consumer-facing apps. The strategic questions will differ based on the end-users. If building an app for the world to try, you must ensure the uniqueness of your solution and its commercial purpose. On the other hand, if your employees are the end-users, their preferences and opinions should be considered. Lastly, determine whether to build your mobile app in-house or outsource to a development partner. The decision will depend on the availability of an experienced IT team within your organization and the ability to take on a mobile app project. If there are no available developers, outsourcing may be a suitable option to build a unique application for your business.

2
Mar, 2023

Outsourcing vs. Insourcing: Which one is the best solution for your business?

Outsourcing refers to the practice of engaging an external organization, distinct from one’s own, to carry out specific tasks. Insourcing, on the other hand, is a business practice that involves conducting operations within the infrastructure of the organization. The fundamental distinction between outsourcing and insourcing lies in the manner in which work, projects, or tasks are allocated among different companies and departments for strategic purposes.

Outsourcing

Outsourcing is the practice of utilizing the workforce and resources of an external organization to perform tasks and services, including manufacturing products. Typically, the primary motivation for outsourcing is cost savings. Many industries, including healthcare, travel, transport, energy/utility companies, retail, and government, often rely on outsourcing to complete essential projects or tasks.

One of the key advantages of outsourcing is that it enables companies to concentrate on their core business operations. By outsourcing non-core activities, organizations can enhance their efficiency and productivity. However, outsourcing can impact various jobs, such as customer support, manufacturing, technology, and back-office functions.

The use of outsourcing versus insourcing can affect an organization’s control over its operations and decisions. When outsourcing a particular service or manufacturing process, an organization has minimal managerial control over the methods employed by the external organization hired for the project. For example, a company known for its exceptional customer service may not have the authority to manage how an external support center interacts with customers.

Insourcing

Insourcing is the practice of assigning a project to a person or department within a company rather than outsourcing to an external person or organization. It involves utilizing the developed resources within the organization to perform tasks or achieve specific goals. For instance, an organization might opt to insource technical support for a new product, leveraging existing technical support resources already present within the company.

Moreover, insourcing typically involves bringing new operations and processes on-site within the organization. As a result, it can be more expensive than outsourcing, as it often requires the implementation of new processes to establish a new division within the company.

Which One Is The Best Solution For Your Business?

Insourcing and outsourcing are two distinct approaches that businesses use to manage tasks, projects, or continuous operations. Outsourcing involves hiring external third-party service providers, such as payroll firms, to complete specific functions. Conversely, insourcing involves delegating all tasks, projects, or continuous processes to internal employees, including hiring new talent or creating new departments if necessary.

One of the most common applications of outsourcing is for payroll processing. For example, smaller businesses without the resources to create a payroll department or staff with payroll expertise may choose to outsource this task to a specialized payroll firm.

Businesses may opt for outsourcing over insourcing for several reasons, including reducing the costs associated with hiring new employees, minimizing workloads on internal teams to avoid burnout, allowing employees to focus on core business functions while external parties manage less critical operations, and accommodating new needs that arise due to scaling.

However, businesses may choose insourcing over outsourcing as outsourcing may require handing over internal systems and processes to a third party, which can pose significant risks when dealing with sensitive information. Additionally, communication can sometimes be challenging to navigate when working with external providers.

If you’re planning to undertake new projects or scaling requires you to develop new processes, insourcing can be an effective solution if your goal is to have everything done in-house. Your internal teams or newly hired talent can take ownership of new tasks, bring them to fruition, and contribute to your business’s overall success.

1
Mar, 2023

What is a Dedicated Offshore Development Center and How to Set it up Properly?

In 2022, the information technology industry has become increasingly globalized. Many technology companies are now considering establishing their own offshore research and development centers, in order to avoid outsourcing software development. This approach is seen as an improved solution for IT businesses, as having one’s own team of software experts based abroad offers more advantages than traditional outsourcing.

In this article, we will examine offshore programming from various angles and highlight the less obvious challenges associated with launching an offshore development center for your company.

What is a Dedicated Offshore Development Center?

When it comes to offshore development, a company can establish a representative unit and employ its own IT staff in the offshore location. The offshore coding teams operate under the same brand as their head office and adhere to the same corporate policies. The IT specialists in the offshore team perform core tasks and provide the same level of value to the business as any other in-house team.

Typically, an offshore team comprises various professionals, including software engineers, QA engineers, back-end and front-end developers, web and UI/UX designers, technical writers, and team leads. The roles and structure of the offshore team are determined by the head office.

It is worth noting that operational staff is not necessary in offshore dedicated teams. This is because functions such as accounting, HR payroll, legal support, and recruitment can be outsourced to a local service provider. The local vendor can provide guidance on conducting offshore business and assist with legal compliance.

Do You Need to Set Up Your Offshore Development Office?

Offshoring part of your business can be a responsible decision, and there are specific situations where the offshoring model is a suitable solution. This article will explore some of these situations.

If you are an established technology company with limited resources in one location, it can be challenging to scale up and expand into new markets. In such cases, a dedicated offshore product development center can be an attractive opportunity. Companies such as BigCommerce, Oracle, and Reddit have opted for hiring offshore developers to boost IT delivery and expand their in-house capacities. For example, BigCommerce successfully went public with their R&D software team in Kyiv in 2020.

If you are a startup that develops an innovative product and requires engineers with narrow expertise, finding brilliant experts onshore can be challenging. Therefore, it may be more beneficial to look for dedicated offshore software developers to access global talent and find the best of the best. For instance, world-renowned startups such as Globality, Grammarly, ThredUP, Dotmatics, and Ring reached out to Poland, Ukraine, and Romania for offshore coding because of the competent software engineers they couldn’t find anywhere else.

Software developers are among the most highly paid specialists globally, which can break the bank when employing engineers in the West. Offshoring is famous for its budget-friendliness, allowing companies to save money by hiring lower-paid human resources. Additionally, operational expenses, such as technical equipment, office lease, facilities, and maintenance, can be significantly reduced due to generally cheaper prices and rental fees. Companies can then reinvest the savings into current business needs.

Offshore software development offers the possibility to concentrate on core business tasks. This model serves as a means to limit everyday stresses, allowing companies to focus on their products. Mundane operations such as recruitment, payroll, and accounting can be managed by a professional service provider overseas, while companies take care of the company’s growth by managing their team of offshore developers independently.

Offshore Development: Company Benefits

If you’re considering opening a foreign software office, you may be interested in learning about the many advantages it can offer. In addition to the potential for cost savings and access to a pool of experienced software engineers, there are several other benefits to consider, including:

  1. Branding: For tech companies looking to enter a new market, establishing a presence under their own brand is crucial. By employing IT specialists directly and implementing corporate policies, software companies can promote their employer brand and attract top talent more easily. This allows for an offshore team of developers to work at the company’s premises without the need for intermediaries.

  2. IP Rights: An offshore product development center provides a high degree of independence, allowing companies to maintain full control over the team and engineering process. By working under their own brand, companies can minimize risks to their intellectual property rights as third parties are unable to access their product development.

  3. Committed Engineers: Direct team management fosters better engagement with offshore programming teams, resulting in a powerful commitment similar to that of an in-house team. Software engineers in Eastern European countries, in particular, have shown a strong interest in business development and startup culture, demonstrating an entrepreneurial mindset that can benefit companies seeking to expand their presence overseas.

Main Challenges When Starting Offshore Software Development

The quality of hiring is crucial for businesses engaged in offshoring, as it presents new challenges in terms of effective recruitment strategies. The differences in labor markets and regulations across countries can make it difficult to navigate, highlighting the importance of engaging experienced recruitment providers.

Alcor, a provider of full-cycle IT recruitment services, can assist with hiring in Eastern Europe. Our team of researchers studies the market and builds a candidate profile, while our recruiters conduct interviews, assess test assignments, and request references to select only the most qualified candidates. With an 80% CV pass rate, four out of five candidates are successfully placed with our clients.

To attract new talent, employers must consider factors such as social packages, days off, and sick leave policies, as these can be deciding factors for offshore developers. A competitive salary that reflects the local industry median can be a key incentive.

Once top talent is recruited, engaging and retaining them is vital. A local team leader can help manage the team and focus on team building and personal growth, which is essential for retention.

Legal concerns around confidentiality and intellectual property also need to be addressed when offshoring. Employing developers directly and utilizing non-disclosure agreements and qualified consultations can prevent data leakage and protect intellectual property.

Offshore Programming: Risks for Companies

Although there are several benefits to setting up an offshore research and development center, it is crucial for tech companies to consider important aspects to avoid hidden pitfalls that may arise. These pitfalls include scattered services, drawn-out recruitment, and vague pricing.

Setting up an offshore development center (ODC) can be a complex process, and it can be challenging to find service providers that offer turnkey support. This may require consulting with multiple law firms, accounting specialists, and financial consultants, which may result in conflicting opinions. To prevent this, it is recommended to find a service provider that specializes in operational management and has expertise in the tech industry. This will give access to a team of specialists who can provide a comprehensive solution tailored to the specific needs of the business.

One common challenge faced by country managers of offshore product development and QA facilities is the difficulty in hiring IT specialists quickly. This may be due to a lack of understanding of the local market or ineffective recruitment services from the vendor. To overcome this challenge, it is recommended to work with a competent recruitment agency that has defined KPIs, commitments, and guarantees to reduce risks and accelerate the hiring process.

To ensure that offshore coding is cost-effective, it is essential to use a flexible pricing model that allows for picking up necessary services and paying only for what is used. If the invoice does not contain detailed information about the costs, it may be necessary to consider changing the offshore service provider.

ODC vs. Outsourcing

Offshore development centers and IT outsourcing are frequently distinguished as two divergent business activities employed by tech companies when relocating their operations abroad. The primary variance lies in the mindset of the software engineers, with those possessing a passion for their craft typically gravitating towards product companies. The offshore team model allows developers to become an integral part of the IT product, thus attracting talented IT specialists with a product-focused mindset who are prepared to demonstrate greater commitment to their work.

While outsourcing coding is an efficient cost-saving measure, it is most suitable for projects that are not expected to scale in the near future. Conversely, establishing an offshore product development office involves a small upfront investment but yields high returns on investment over time, offering increased pricing transparency that is rare among outsourcing providers.

In terms of team management, outsourced development teams are supervised by project managers from the service provider, leaving customers with no direct influence over the team. Additionally, outsourcing firms reserve the right to reassign team members to different projects as necessary. Conversely, with an offshore partner, customers are the sole employers of the team and can therefore exercise greater influence over its management.

Talented software engineers prefer working on a single product and seek out product companies that provide opportunities for enhancing their technical proficiency and exchanging experiences with tech-savvy specialists from other countries.

ODC vs. Other Engagement Models

The following is a possible rewrite of the passage, which aims to convey the same information in a more professional tone:

Software outsourcing is a prevalent practice among technology companies, and various engagement models are available to achieve different outcomes. This article compares four common models: software project outsourcing, dedicated team building, build-operate-transfer (BOT), and offshore product development.

Project outsourcing can be a viable option for IT companies seeking to assess the market and the quality of services available before committing to a long-term engagement.

Dedicated team building is a suitable approach for tech companies that have established confidence in the chosen offshoring location and seek to hire skilled coders from outstaffing agencies for a limited period while retaining direct access to the team.

BOT is a more comprehensive engagement model that is similar to offshore software development. Under BOT, a local vendor is contracted to build and operate a software development center that will eventually be transferred to the client. However, this model has some risks associated with knowledge and people transfer in its final stage.

Offshore product development is the most advanced engagement model that offers greater independence and flexibility. With this model, companies can directly hire software engineers and have full control over them while enjoying flexible pricing. The primary challenge with this model is operational management, which can be overcome with the assistance of a reliable partner, allowing companies to focus on their IT product.

For an alternative to traditional outsourcing, Alcor offers IT talent hiring and development center setup services. For more information, please contact us.

27
Feb, 2023

Selecting the Appropriate Vendors for IT Outsourcing: Best Practices and Considerations

If you’re planning to develop a product from scratch or extend your current development capabilities, having the right staff with technical expertise is crucial. If you don’t have the necessary experts on your team, outsourcing IT services may be a viable option. An outsourcing provider can supply you with augmented staff to scale up your in-house development team or a dedicated digital team that can transform your idea into a practical product. However, with the significant growth in IT outsourcing, choosing a reliable outsourcing provider can be a daunting task. In this article, we provide a plan with seven steps to help you identify the best IT outsourcing vendors. Before following these steps, you should create a checklist to evaluate IT outsourcing partners by determining the essential criteria to ensure the selection process is smooth. The seven steps involve analyzing your business requirements, requesting client references and testimonials, discussing availability, flexibility, and management systems, ensuring there are no communication barriers, checking infrastructure and technologies, evaluating pricing, and discussing legal issues. By following these steps, you can identify the best IT outsourcing partner that meets your needs and can help you achieve your business goals.

1. Analyze Business Requirements

Before reaching out to potential outsourcing partners, organizations should conduct an analysis of their business requirements and determine the most effective solution to achieve their desired outcomes. This involves identifying technical, business, and functional needs for which outsourcing is being considered, in order to find an appropriate IT partner with suitable capabilities. Factors to consider include the types of technical functions the company plans to outsource, whether a partial or complete project team is required, and the nature of the project being undertaken, such as a custom app, a platform, or a training simulator. Additionally, it is important to consider the tech stack currently in use, as working with familiar technologies can facilitate faster development and better results. Estimated deadlines should also be taken into account, as time-to-market is critical in the technology industry. It is essential to provide detailed information about the project goals to ensure that the outsourcing partner can deliver optimal results.

2. Research and Shortlist Potential Partners

After identifying the business requirements and technical functions needed, it’s time to research and shortlist potential outsourcing partners. This step requires thorough research and evaluation to identify the right IT partner.

Here are some tips to help you during this stage:

Research online: use search engines, business directories, and review platforms to find potential partners. Check their websites and social media accounts to get a feel for their business and services.

Ask for referrals: talk to people in your industry and ask for recommendations. This can save time and provide a reliable source of information.

Evaluate their expertise and experience: check the IT partner’s portfolio, reviews, and case studies to determine their skills and experience. Look for past projects similar to your requirements, and assess their performance and outcomes.

Consider their location and communication skills: communication is crucial in outsourcing. Consider the time zone, language proficiency, and communication channels they use to ensure smooth collaboration.

Assess their culture and values: culture fit is essential for successful outsourcing. Check their values, work ethic, and business approach to ensure a compatible partnership.

After shortlisting the potential partners, schedule meetings or calls to discuss their services, pricing, and timelines. Be sure to ask questions about their experience, methodology, and how they plan to deliver the project.

3. Choose the Right IT Partner

After evaluating all potential partners, it’s time to choose the right IT partner. This requires considering all factors, including expertise, experience, culture, and pricing.

Here are some tips to help you during this stage:

Check references: ask for references from their past clients and follow up with them to verify their experience and outcomes.

Negotiate pricing and contracts: discuss pricing models, payment terms, and contract details to ensure a mutually beneficial agreement.

Sign a non-disclosure agreement: outsourcing requires sharing sensitive information. Signing an NDA protects your business and ensures confidentiality.

Establish clear communication channels: establish communication channels and protocols to ensure smooth collaboration and problem-solving.

Set project milestones and expectations: set project milestones, timelines, and deliverables to ensure project success.

Overall, outsourcing IT services requires thorough planning, research, and evaluation to find the right partner. By following these steps, you can ensure a successful outsourcing experience and achieve your desired outcomes.

In addition, you also need to pay attention to the appropriate technologies that you want to apply in your project

4. Facilitate Effective Communication by Eliminating Barriers

When it comes to discussing project ideas, expectations, goals, and specific requirements, it is important that these details are effectively communicated to the intended recipients. Therefore, it is advisable to select an IT outsourcing team that can communicate proficiently in your language or the commonly used language, such as English.

According to a 2021 report by Statista, Vietnam has a significant English-speaking population, with approximately 86% of the people using English as their second language. This minimizes the language barrier and facilitates international collaboration. Choosing a technology vendor with a skilled and proficient workforce of English-speaking IT professionals can enhance the development process’s efficiency and ensure seamless communication.

Additionally, before engaging in outsourcing, it is essential to confirm that your potential dedicated team is available during designated times via email, phone, or messaging tools. This is especially crucial in addressing urgent issues. By ensuring excellent communication, you can work with your outsourcing partner effectively and ensure successful client-driven product development.

5. Please conduct an evaluation of the infrastructure and technologies in use

A service provider equipped with cutting-edge technology can effectively meet your company’s demands at an exceptional level. It is imperative that the outsourcing vendor’s IT infrastructure comprises state-of-the-art hardware and software components, a robust network of internet lines and phones, and seamless integration with your own technology.

Moreover, the IT partner may need to invest in implementing customized methodologies that are tailored to your business requirements. To efficiently address the constantly evolving customer needs, corporations must embrace the Scaled Agile mindset and framework, which is widely adopted by many organizations to boost productivity, expedite the development process, and enhance product quality to meet consumers’ evolving demands.

6. Assessing Financial Stability

When considering an IT outsourcing provider, it is essential to assess the prospective partner’s financial stability and long-term solvency. One effective strategy is to examine the backgrounds and qualifications of the service vendor’s directors and managers. This detailed analysis can help determine whether the outsourcing partner can meet your business’s specific needs and requirements.

7. Schedule Demos and Interviews

After narrowing down prospects through the aforementioned steps, it is necessary to schedule demonstrations or interviews. These demonstrations enable an assessment of the IT vendor’s proficiency and their ability to integrate their proposed solutions into the existing technical infrastructure. Additionally, by scheduling interviews, it is possible to evaluate the outsourcing partner’s ability to meet the company’s expectations and business requirements.

Before finalizing an agreement with a vendor, it is advisable to address the following queries:

  • Does the proposed solution align with the needs of the company’s end users?
  • Is the vendor’s team knowledgeable about the technology being offered?
  • Was any inconsistency observed by the team during the demonstration?
20
Dec, 2022

Agile Vs. Waterfall: Which Project Management Methodology Is Best For Your Team?

Agile and Waterfall are two well-known project management methodologies. Both of them are popular in software development but each is best suited for different types of projects. The main difference is that Waterfall is a linear system of working that requires the team to complete each project phase before moving on to the next one while Agile encourages the team to work simultaneously on different phases of the project.

Agile Methodology

Agile methodology was developed as a response to Waterfall’s more rigid structure. As a result, it’s a much more fluid form of project management. A software development project can take years to complete, and technology can change significantly during that time. Agile was developed as a flexible method that welcomes incorporating changes of direction even late in the process, as well as accounting for stakeholders’ feedback throughout the process.

In Agile, the team will work on phases of the project concurrently, often with short-term deadlines. Additionally, the team, rather than a project manager, drives the project’s direction. This can empower the team to be motivated and more productive, but also requires a more self-directed team.

Pros
Cons
Scrum can help teams complete project deliverables quickly and efficiently
Scrum often leads to scope creep, due to the lack of a definite end-date
Scrum ensures effective use of time and money
The chances of project failure are high if individuals aren't very committed or cooperative
Large projects are divided into easily manageable sprints
Adopting the Scrum framework in large teams is challenging
Developments are coded and tested during the sprint review
The framework can be successful only with experienced team members
Works well for fast-moving development projects
Daily meetings sometimes frustrate team members
The team gets clear visibility through scrum meetings
If any team member leaves in the middle of a project, it can have a huge negative impact on the project. Quality is hard to implement until the team goes through an aggressive testing process

Waterfall Methodology

Waterfall methodology is a linear form of project management ideal for projects where the end result is clearly established from the beginning of the project. The expectations for the project and the deliverables of each stage are clear and are required in order to progress to the next phase.

Pros
Cons
Uses clear structure
Makes changes difficult
Determines the end goal early
Excludes the client and/or end user
Transfers information well
Delays testing until after completion

Agile and Waterfall Comparison
Waterfall
Agile
Timeline
Waterfall has a fixed timeline. The idea is that the start and finish of the project are already mapped out from the beginning.
Agile is a lot more flexible and accounts for experimenting with different directions. Rather than a fixed timeline, the schedule adapts as the project progresses. The Agile Manifesto, an online document released in 2001 by a group of software developers, says team members are expected to, “​​Deliver working software frequently, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, with a preference to the shorter timescale.”
Client Involvement
Once the end goal is established, Waterfall does not involve the client or project owner during the process, apart from specific check-ins or for deliverables. The course of the project is outlined from the start, so incorporating client feedback is not an ongoing part of the process.
A fundamental part of Agile is including clients in the project development at every step. The Agile Manifesto states, “Our highest priority is to satisfy the customer through early and continuous delivery of valuable software.” Therefore, business owners are expected to be involved and give feedback to the software development team as they progress through the different phases of the project.
Flexibility
Waterfall is not as flexible as Agile because each phase needs to be fully completed before moving on to the next phase. The project is also planned out ahead of time, making this management system ideal for teams with a clear vision of where they are headed from start to finish.
Flexibility is built into the Agile method. Agile values short bursts of work, which are called sprints. The method welcomes adapting to different directions, incorporating new information even at a later stage of the project.
Budget
Fixed. The budget for projects using the Waterfall methodology is generally fixed. Because the project is determined from start to finish, there is less room to change the budget mid-project.
Flexible. Agile is open to adaptation, encourages experimentation and welcomes changes of direction, even in later phases of the project. Because of this, the budget tends to be more flexible.

Which project management methodology should you use?

Unsurprisingly, the answer to this question depends on your unique team and its aims. To help you decide, ask yourself these two questions.

What goals do I have for my team?

While each methodology has the same goal of project completion, their secondary aims make them truly distinct. Your goals can help you decide which methodology is the best fit for you.

Determine what you want most for your team. If you simply want to produce work faster, try Scrum. If you want to improve your production process, use Kanban. If your projects demand a linear workflow, implement Waterfall. If you’re not sure, explore other Agile options and ask yourself the next question.

Which methodology will we actually stick to?

The differences in project management methodologies only matter if you use the methodology consistently. Without WIP limits, for example, Kanban is just another complicated Agile methodology. And if you don’t keep your phases discrete when using Waterfall, then you might as well just use an Agile methodology.

As such, the best project management methodology for your team is the one you’ll execute perfectly. Using piecemeal parts of a methodology will only make you lose out on the benefits that popularized the methodology in the first place. So while you certainly can adapt methodologies for your team’s use, it’s best to use a methodology as intended, adjusting only as necessary.

30
Nov, 2022

The Journey from POC to MVP to PMF: 5 things that every startup founder needs to know

The concept of a minimum viable product (MVP) is now pervasive. But it is not the only way to think about market development for new products. What’s the right way to be entrepreneurial, especially if you work in a highly regulated industry like finance?

MVP reflects a widely acceptable view that innovation is often experimental, and perhaps nowhere more experimental than in the startup community where entrepreneurs are, in effect, building a hypothesis about a product and its suitability for the market.

Product-Market Fit is an on older idea. It has much more fluidity about it – rather than proposing a series of iteration cycles it better reflects the reality of much entrepreneurship.  Whatever the merits of  product, and however aligned with customers, there is nonetheless an x factor that allows some products fly while others stay grounded.

The challenge to startup growth can be the presence of oligopolies or market entry barriers that come from deeply entrenched incumbents.  This is very much the case in financial services. To date very few startups have managed to breakthrough as alternative providers. The banking community, by and large, already has a tier of suppliers in its core system portfolio. Why would they need another? The answer is process model innovation. Banks, and financial service companies, need processes that radically reduce costs and, potentially, provide new services.

But in a game where oligopolies still rule what do terms like MVP and Product Market Fit mean for startups?

1. Market Validation

Andreessen is not the only one who has emphasized the importance of so-called product-market fit in determining a startup’s success or failure. Research from CBinsights supports this notion, finding that 42% of startup failures were due to a lack of market need. The lesson we can distill from this is, “don’t offer something people don’t want.”

Essentially, those failed startups did not achieve market validation.

Market validation is the way to confirm that your idea is a solution to a problem people actually have.

Some business advisors define market validation as a survey distributed to specific user segments, testing their attachment to your solution. However, we take the view that market validation is not a single action or event, but the thread that ties your whole business model together from proof of concept (POC) to product-market fit (PMF).

You don’t need a minimum viable product (MVP), or even a prototype, to start market validation. You just need an idea, open ears, and honest tongues. As soon as you have an idea you want to execute, you should talk about it!

First, you can ask friends, family, and other founders and entrepreneurs you know. Then, to the greatest extent possible, reach outside of your network to hear from people that are more likely to give it to you straight. If you get to this point, and everyone has told you it’s a stupid idea, you should probably consider the possibility that it is, indeed, a stupid idea.

If your idea is validated through your internal and external network, you should design and write a plan to continue market validation through your product development cycle. An initial step is to define your market. Who will be using your product? Whose pain point are you helping to alleviate?

Here are some basic questions to help you construct customer profiles and define your market:

  • What types of companies do potential customers work for?
  • How big is the company?
  • What is their job title?
  • How will this product improve their lives/jobs?
  • How can you find them?

If you can answer these questions, you are on your way to defining your market. This will be helpful when you are ready to launch a beta and reach out to your potential users. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves! Before any testing: alpha, beta, or otherwise, you will need to prove your concept.

2. POC: Proof Of Concept

A proof of concept (POC) is an exercise in which work is focused on determining whether an idea can be turned into a reality. A proof of concept is meant to determine the feasibility of the idea or to verify that the idea will function as envisioned.

It is sometimes also known as proof of principle.

A proof of concept is not intended to explore market demand for the idea, nor is it intended to determine the best production process.

Rather, its focus is to test whether the idea is viable — giving those involved in the proof-of-concept exercise the opportunity to explore the idea’s potential to be developed or built.

In software development, for example, a proof of concept would show whether an idea is feasible from a technology standpoint. For startups, a proof of concept would demonstrate financial viability.

Developing a proof of concept generally requires some investment of time or other resources, such as supporting technologies or necessary physical components to complete. Going through this process, however, enables companies to determine an idea’s viability before putting production-level resources behind an untested idea.

Developing a proof of concept can help a product owner to identify potential technical and logistical issues that might interfere with success. It also provides the opportunity for an organization to solicit internal feedback about a promising product or service, while reducing unnecessary risk and exposure and providing the opportunity for stakeholders to assess design choices early in the development cycle.

The individual or team going through this process can then use a successful proof of concept to convince stakeholders, managers or investors that the idea is worth pursuing further.

3. Prototype — Demonstrate the “How” of your Software Project

Prototyping is the fourth phase of both design thinking and design sprints. It’s an essential part of user experience (UX) design that usually comes after ideation, where you/your team have created and selected ideas that can solve users’ needs. In prototyping, you craft a simple experimental model of your proposed product so you can check how well it matches what users want through the feedback they give. You should consider prototyping from early on—using paper prototyping, if appropriate—so the feedback you gather from users can help guide development.

The advantages of prototyping are that you:

  1. Have a solid foundation from which to ideate towards improvements—giving all stakeholders a clear picture of the potential benefits, risks and costs associated with where a prototype might lead.
  2. Can adapt changes early—thereby avoiding commitment to a single, falsely-ideal version, getting stuck on local maxima of UX and later incurring heavy costs due to oversights.
  3. Show the prototype to your users so they can give you their feedback to help pinpoint which elements/variants work best and whether an overhaul is required.
  4. Have a tool to experiment with associated parts of the users’ needs and problems—therefore, you can get insights into less-obvious areas of the users’ world (e.g., you notice them using it for additional purposes or spot unforeseen accessibility issues such as challenges to mobile use).
  5. Provide a sense of ownership to all concerned stakeholders—therefore fostering emotional investment in the product’s ultimate success.
  6. Improve time-to-market by minimizing the number of errors to correct before product release.

4. MVP: Minimum Viable Product

A minimum viable product (MVP) is a concept from Lean Startup that stresses the impact of learning in new product development. Eric Ries, defined an MVP as that version of a new product which allows a team to collect the maximum amount of validated learning about customers with the least effort. This validated learning comes in the form of whether your customers will actually purchase your product.

A key premise behind the idea of MVP is that you produce an actual product (which may be no more than a landing page, or a service with an appearance of automation, but which is fully manual behind the scenes) that you can offer to customers and observe their actual behavior with the product or service. Seeing what people actually do with respect to a product is much more reliable than asking people what they would do.

The primary benefit of an MVP is you can gain understanding about your customers’ interest in your product without fully developing the product. The sooner you can find out whether your product will appeal to customers, the less effort and expense you spend on a product that will not succeed in the market.

Teams use the term MVP, but don’t fully understand its intended use or meaning. Often this lack of understanding manifests in believing that an MVP is the smallest amount of functionality they can deliver, without the additional criteria of being sufficient to learn about the business viability of the product.

Teams may also confuse an MVP–which has a focus on learning–for a Minimum Marketable Feature (MMF) or Minimum Marketable Product (MMP)–which has a focus on earning. There’s not too much harm in this unless the team becomes too focused on delivering something without considering whether it is the right something that satisfies customer’s needs.

Teams stress the minimum part of MVP to the exclusion of the viable part. The product delivered is not sufficient quality to provide an accurate assessment of whether customers will use the product.

Teams deliver what they consider an MVP, and then do not do any further changes to that product, regardless of feedback they receive about it.

Proper use of an MVP means that a team may dramatically change a product that they deliver to their customers or abandon the product together based on feedback they receive from their customers. The minimum aspect of MVP encourages teams to do the least amount of work possible to useful feedback (Eric Ries refers to this as validated learning) which helps them avoid working on a product that no one wants.

5. PMF: Recognizing Product-Market Fit

Product-market fit describes a scenario in which a company’s target customers are buying, using, and telling others about the company’s product in numbers large enough to sustain that product’s growth and profitability.

According to entrepreneur and investor Marc Andreesen, who is often credited with developing the concept, product-market fit means finding a good market with a product capable of satisfying that market.

Alex Schultz, Facebook’s VP of Growth, says the biggest problem he sees facing the companies he advises is that they don’t have product-market fit when they think they do.

So, why is achieving it so important? Why do many venture capitalists demand evidence of product-market fit before investing in a company? Why does Andreesen, in fact, believe in the division of every startup’s life into two key stages: before product-market fit (BPMF) and after product-market fit (APMF)?

The answer is simple: Before you develop a product that you confirm enough people are willing to pay for, your team cannot afford to focus on other important strategic objectives such as growth or upselling existing users. Those initiatives could even be counterproductive, in fact, if you haven’t first determined that your product has enough of a market to sustain itself and generate a profit.

We generally associate the concept with marketing and product management. In reality, achieving it is a shared responsibility across the company. Sales, business development, support, finance, and all other departments help the company reach this important milestone.

No single set of metrics can tell any business when it achieves product-market fit. But Andrew Chen, a venture capitalist, offers some signals that a company is heading in the right direction with its offering:

  • When surveying potential customers or allowing them to test your product, does some segment indicate they will switch to your product?
  • Are some users who have rejected similar products on the market willing to try yours?
  • When user testing, do people group your product accurately with the right competitive offerings?
  • Do users demonstrate an understanding of your product’s differentiators or unique value proposition?
  • How do your underlying metrics (such as retention rates of users) measure up against those of your competitors?

Chen’s signals represent a mix of both qualitative and quantitative metrics. This is by design. Whatever methods your team uses to gauge success, you will want to include a mix of both as well. For example:

Quantitative:

  • NPS score
  • Churn rate
  • Growth rate
  • Market share

Qualitative:

  • Word of mouth. (As Andreesen says, if your customers talk about your products with others, they effectively become your product’s sales reps.)
  • Calls from the media or industry analysts come in much more frequently, and coverage of your product and company increases.

Just as the best way to measure product-market fit will differ for each company, there is no single path to achieving it. In his book, The Lean Product Playbook, Dan Olsen offers one high-level method that can help get your team started:

1. Determine your target customer

2. Identify underserved needs of that customer

3. Define your value proposition

4. Specify your minimum viable product (MVP) feature set

5. Develop your MVP

6. Test your MVP with customers

Then, based on those user tests and surveys, use metrics like the ones suggested above, from Andrew Chen, to determine if you’re headed in the right direction.

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