1.Democratization through Low-Code/No-Code Platforms and AI Integration

The democratization of software development is gaining momentum with the rise of low-code/no-code platforms. These platforms are the digital equivalent of DIY toolkits, enabling even non-technical individuals to create applications. According to Redhat, low-code/no-code solutions have the potential to reduce the development time by 90%. This significant reduction in development time is transforming the industry, making software development more efficient and accessible to a broader range of individuals. Coupled with the integration of AI in software development, these platforms are making the development process more efficient and accessible. AI acts as a coding assistant, automating mundane tasks, predicting potential issues, and suggesting improvements.

By 2024, low-code application development will be responsible for more than 65% of application development activity. The global low-code development platform market is predicted to generate a revenue of $187 billion by 2030. By 2024, 75% of large enterprises will be using at least four low-code development tools for both IT application development and citizen development initiatives

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2. Enhanced Security with Cybersecurity and Cloud-Native Development

With the increasing threat of cyber-attacks, cybersecurity has become an integral part of the development process. The DevSecOps approach is like having a digital bodyguard, integrating security measures right from the start. In parallel, cloud-native development is becoming the standard. This approach is akin to living in a smart, energy-efficient house, leveraging the speed and agility of the cloud to deliver better software, faster.

The DevSecOps market size was valued at USD 3.73 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 41.66 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 30.76% from 2022 to 2030. The growing need for secure applications due to the increasing number of cyber threats is a primary factor driving the growth of the market.

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3. The Future is Here: Quantum Computing and Blockchain Technology

Emerging technologies like quantum computing and blockchain are beginning to influence the field. Quantum computing, though still in its early stages, its market size is expected to grow significantly as the technology develops.

The global quantum computing market could reach $9 billion in revenue by 2030, compared to $260 million in 2020. The annual average growth of this market could be more than 40 percent between 2020 and 2030, with development intensifying after 2025.

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Meanwhile, blockchain technology is expanding beyond its cryptocurrency roots, finding relevance in various industries and creating a demand for blockchain-savvy developers.

The global blockchain market is projected to be worth $1,431.54 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 85.9% between 2022 and 2030.

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4. The New Normal: Remote Development Teams and Sustainability in Software Development

The pandemic has catalyzed a shift towards remote work, turning software development teams into digital nomads. This change has necessitated the adoption of new project management and communication tools. Simultaneously, the software development sector is taking strides towards sustainability, with developers coding with energy efficiency in mind and organizations seeking to reduce their IT infrastructures’ carbon footprints.

There are now three times more remote jobs compared to 2020. 74% of employees feel happier when they work remotely, and 97% of people recommend remote work to others.

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5. The Rise of Edge Computing

The global edge computing market is experiencing a significant surge, with projections indicating a bright future.

The global edge computing market size will reach USD 155.90 billion by 2030, expanding at a 37.9% CAGR from 2023 to 2030.

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The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the edge environment is projected to drive this market growth. AI-based edge devices can be utilized in a wide range of end-point devices, including sensors, cameras, smartphones, and other IoT devices.

Conclusion

In 2023, the software development landscape is a blend of democratization, efficiency, security, and adaptability. Emerging technologies are influencing the field, and an increased awareness of environmental impact is leading to more sustainable practices. As tech professionals, staying abreast of these trends is crucial to navigate the future of software development successfully. The journey ahead is filled with opportunities, promising a bright future for the industry.

What should you keep in mind when outsourcing software development?

We give you 5 top tips to keep in mind when browsing the market!

Choose a partner, not a vendor

At a first glance, understanding the outsourcing industry isn’t easy, especially if you have little experience or never outsourced before. Naturally, knowing what to look for or where to seek appropriate support can be a demanding task. In the IT industry, you get what you pay for, and working with a vendor is choosing a risky situation. Being unaware of the difference between an outsourcing partner and vendor can end up in assuming they’re the same thing. After all, each provides IT services, the same technical talent, follow-up and processes right? It couldn’t be more way off beam.

While a vendor supplies a product or service to a client, in this case, IT professionals, a partner becomes an extension of the client’s business. In other words, an experienced partner will assist you with market know-how. Providing highly experienced engineers for your project with the skilled-set you need, while ensuring reliable resources, constant communication, and in-house evaluations of the project development.

Although starting a partnership can be a complex decision with several comparisons – all coming back to pricing vs track record – there are no shortcuts in software development. If it comes to choosing a vendor: it’s the role of the dice.

Get Involved

When searching for IT talent in a service provider for your project, always remember how important your role is. In the first stage, it’s crucial to clearly define the objective and scope of your project. If your project is to run without a hitch, state what you want to achieve and what your needs are. Keep in mind that when it comes to your project’s requirements, you’re the guide. As in any partnership, be ready to answer multiple questions from your potential service provider as they will focus to clarify as many requirements as possible, and expectations well before the project are underway.

Now that everything is aligned and you have at your disposal the IT talent in demand, remember that outsourcing isn’t self-guiding software. As part of your staff, these highly valuable professionals will integrate your team and live by your company culture. Although your outsourcing provider will keep connected and look for feedback from both parties regarding the project development, it’s the client’s responsibility to manage its new resources.

Prepare Your In-house IT team

When starting an outsourcing relationship, your company will have to adopt some changes in its team organizational structure. Your in-house staff will now be extended with a nearshore team or professional. Therefore, it’s pivotal to prepare your employees to work efficiently with their new remote colleagues. This means collaboration tools, adjustment to new processes in work development, and more.

Communication is King

Successful outsourcing is due to effective communication. When outsourcing, nothing beats a partner who values dialogue and knows its importance. Lack of regular or clear communication can lead to your project becoming highly inefficient. If you’re looking to extend your in-house IT skills, it’s crucial to partner with a provider who, as one of its priorities, focuses on setting up standard communication channels and schedules between both parties. This means, being aware of the development of the project, and anticipating your potential future needs.

In addition, communication benefits more than strictly business. Nearshoring helps shape your own team as it ensures better and more efficient ways of communication. Helping your staff to develop faster than ever before. At Nearshore Portugal, we operate with an agile approach, valuing clear and regular communication with our clients and tech talent to guarantee max efficiency in all our outsourcing relationships.

Adopt Agile Principles

An agile approach requires a lot of open communication, collaboration and trust between you, the client, and the outsourcing partner, and that’s what you want. When outsourcing your project or simply extending your IT team, keep in mind the following: the projects that do best, are those in which the client and provider work as one organization. We believe that agile methodologies, such as SCRUM, make way for clients to reap far greater rewards. Working with an agile partner with IT professionals that are accustom to this approach means greater client involvement, more reliability and proper fail-safes.

Ultimately, in outsourcing software, an Agile team introduces benefits when it comes to improving its development and quality. A methodology focused on self-organizing cross-functional teams with autonomy, technical expertise, and higher performance.

By following these tips, you’ll be able to find and properly identify the right nearshore outsourcing partner that will meet your requirements and suit your organizations’ challenges.

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In the current market, businesses understand the importance of custom software development as a valuable strategy when it comes to efficiency, cost reduction, and product release time. However, before the code scan starts being typed, there has to be a point of origin. In other words, the path to digital transformation must come from the client’s vision, only then can the development cycle of custom software can begin. As you would expect, developing a specific product for any company is a time-consuming and challenging endeavor. So what makes custom software development so important?

Outshining Traditional Strategies

More than ever, consumers seek and demand intuitive products that run on functionality, easy understanding and navigation. Custom software development can bring all of this together while focusing on creating a digital product as an answer for a specific market or niche. This means that businesses have access to a tailored fit, customized to specific requirements. This kind of option allows organizations to revolutionize their own market and appeal to consumers in a different way.

A personalized approach will translate into a specifically developed product that provides more and more customers. While a generalist model will fall-short due to its lack of appeal and limitation, leading lead to less attention. Of course, to achieve your brilliant customized idea, it’s important to partner with an experienced provider that can meet all of your demands. So, what should you look for? Our article 7 Tips for Choosing a Nearshore Partner will serve as the perfect guide

Advantages of Custom Software Development

As in any service, it’s important to take into consideration it’s cost. In most cases, there isn’t an option to buy off-the-shelf software. Even if there is, there are no guarantees that it will work perfectly for you or that it’s completely secure. Plus, custom software is scaled according to company needs, unlike the off-the-shelf solution. Resulting in one of two possible outcomes: it becomes too expensive or it’s no longer suitable to keep operating.

When it comes to security, all around the world hackers are constantly attacking products and platforms to test their vulnerabilities. A custom-developed software, exclusivity used by your team reduces the risk of attack significantly, especially if you’re working with a partner knowledgeable in software security. In addition, compatibility can be a major advantage since custom software can be developed with multiple tools.

Bear in mind that working with an outsourcing software development service frees your business and your team. This provides the liberty to deliver your product centered on what your customers expect: accessibility, appeal and responsiveness, among others. Choosing a provider such as Nearshore Portugal means you’ll have a team of experts in the latest technologies and tools. Plus, you can get the most out of a software development partner if they have in place Agile methodologies. Not to mention the advantages when it comes to communication and similar time-zones.

Compliance matters

When it comes to purchasing your business software, it’s crucial to make sure it complies with the norms and principles that are specific not only to your business but to the industry as well. Lack of attention to this can result in serious issues. Yet, this doesn’t need to become a problem since companies specialized in custom software development know all the procedures and are fully aware of the requirements demanded by the industry. The right vender will provide you with the right result and solution concerning regulation and legal policies.

In essence, custom software development can change the course of any business. However, with so many competitors in the market, there is only one way to grab people’s attention and it all starts with your idea. Working with an experienced software developer such as Nearshore Portugal will shape what was just a conception into a reality, focusing on how the product looks and acts as you envisioned. This, in turn, will provide your business with a unique product. When all is done, you will show your customers how you are ahead of the curve while, at the same time, knowing you have a trusted partner and advisor supporting you.

More than ever, talented and knowledgeable individuals are needed, professionals that understand each stage of the software development life cycle. This means working with skilled teams that can execute, develop, and deliver projects of all kinds. The end goal of outsourcing software development is all about hiring that key professional or team that will upgrade processes and increase output, resulting in less time spent on training new employees, and of course, reducing costs. By choosing to outsource, you’ll be reaping plenty of advantages that will provide your business with a better work methodology and value. We tell you the main reasons why you should be outsourcing software development!

Increasing team skills

One of the biggest advantages that you can reap from outsourcing is scalability. This means, growing your team’s skills and managing costs according to the business needs. You’ll have hat your disposal seasoned professionals that can provide your team with guidance and greater support, as well as efficiency and better work methodology while, at the same time, keeping an eye on the budget.

Core Strengths with software development

Regularly, companies of all kinds focus their efforts on several fronts at a time which commonly becomes a problem. This means, all their time, money and resources are put in various parts of the business at the same time, preventing them to achieve excellence in a specific field. This is turn can give way to bad practices, damaging project approaches. Working with an outsourcing software development company will provide you with an opportunity to focus and develop your core strengths. This means, removing the unnecessary pressure of creating the right team with the right technologies for the project at hand. You can count on these professionals to not only help you grow your businesses but to provide it with better results, allowing you to focus on where you can distinguish yourself, rather than just being good.

All about efficiency

Software development outsourcing companies such as Nearshore Portugal specialized in developing teams with no barriers. This means a unified team that is all about performance. Outsourcing these professionals means that your business will gain two very important aspects: knowledge that can be shared and learned by your in-house staff and time. Furthermore, having by your side the right teams will deliver better quality, faster deployments and operational efficiency, among many other key advantages.

Reduce time to market

As we said in previous articles, time is one of the most important elements of any business. Its importance is recognized globally with few companies knowing how to leverage it towards a competitive advantage. By outsourcing software development, the need to depend on in-house resources is gone. You can now set deadlines and have at your disposal dedicated developers for your project.

Even though outsourcing software development can have risks, the benefits can be much higher. When choosing a vendor, inquire about its work and projects through former clients. Explore their operation set-up and determine if there exists, in fact, the A-team that you need. If all checks out, you’ll be one step close to the team that will help your business succeed.

Technological advancements and organizational IT needs are constantly evolving, shaping business structures and objectives. For software outsourcing companies, 2020 will demand adaptation and optimization of current business models. When it comes to outsourcing, specifically teams, operational efficiency is a must for growing businesses. This means being able to bring products faster to the market. The regular recruitment and investment in worldwide talent, technologies, and adaptation to more productive work methodologies indicate that the popularity of outsourcing will keep on growing and with it, several trends.

Increased demand for Quality

Outsourcing has always focused on cutting costs and increasing budgets. However, although it is still a priority, the amount of focus has shifted. Currently, providers are more attentive to delivering a higher quality service when it comes to software outsourcing. Plus, clients are more interested in partnering with a trusted outsourcing partner whom they can maintain a long business relationship. Although the price always matters, it’s no longer the decisive choice.

Growing Nearshore Outsourcing model

The popularity of the Nearshore Outsourcing model continues to grow due to companies’ necessities, mainly centered on two key points: collaboration and communication. As we mentioned in previous articles, the nearshore model provides plenty of advantages. One of the most beneficial features being the same time zone. Working with a remote team that is in a nearby country with a similar, or a very close time-zone will allow communication to happen more quickly and effectively. This in turn ensures better management of the team and fewer complications when it comes to language barriers. Not only is it more efficient to leverage conference calls, video chats, and email communication with little to no delays in response but it also becomes easier to travel and visit for regular in-person status.

Security with software outsourcing

The last couple of years have proven to be hard security times due to the increasing hacks of companies. More than ever, companies are vetting extensively potential partners with Fort-Knox like IT security capabilities. Therefore, future partnerships will happen more frequently with providers that have a proven record of best practices in security. Such is the case with Nearshore Portugal. As a result, emerging cybersecurity tools are being developed, opening the door to new and seasoned talent to prevent future attacks, while reinforcing and improving current standards.

Ultimately, more than custom software outsourcing, the future is tied with pushing boundaries into more advanced business areas, which in turn requires pushing internal limits, adapting at the same time to future trends. Companies that can successfully identify more quickly the needs of the market will lead to 2020.

Focus on goals!

As it is will all organizations, including nearshoring, successful businesses are based on trust and mutual understanding. Although you should trust have what your vendor wants is what’s best for your business, it’s more important to make a decision that you’re familiar with and equally important, which is part of your vision and business needs. Focus on your business/project goals and requirements so you’re Nearshore partner implement their way of working.

When nearshoring, get involved!

Even if your vendor has the experience and expertise needed to deliver great products, you still need to remain involved! Nobody knows better your business than you do, and for that reason, your commitment will have a real impact on the final product.

Choose the right company!

One of the main factors for Nearshore success is the vendor’s choice. It’s important to look for companies with knowledge and experience. Those who will always strive to deliver the best nearshoring software development solutions, according to industry’s best practices.

To learn how to choose your Nearshore partner read our blog post “7 tips choosing your Nearshore Partner”.

More than a tool, communication is key in any business relationship. You should clearly express your needs and expectations to your Nearshore team, only this way can you guarantee that they work with your goals in mind and deliver the greatest service.

Are you looking for the right nearshoring software development partner? Here, at Nearshore Portugal, we have 400of the best IT talents working from Lisbon in top projects around Europe with over 30 technologies. Give us a call to hear more about our very competitive rates and great results!