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.

More than ever, IT companies from around the world search for highly qualified talent with specific skills. However, there are several companies that, due to the nature of their projects, experience a more seasonal need and unlike the traditional staffing methods, staff augmentation can provide the needed results very quickly. Staff augmentation is a type of outsourcing service where a company provides its engineers in the form of external hire. In essence, it comprises of a temporary addition of usually one person with expert knowledge to the existing workforce. So how can these new joiner’s benefit businesses?

More talent equals more support

At one point or another, most projects come to a temporary block. In some cases, it’s due to the lack of specific skills within the team. One of the major benefits of staff augmentation is that it provides the team with the needed experience and specific skills to surpass the delay and overcome the time-consuming gap. There’s no denying that hiring an experienced professional has its benefits, but the long-term costs can be extremely high. Staff augmentation allows companies to hire top-level professionals with high skills that would be unfeasible to keep in a long-term situation.

Access to new ideas with staff augmentation

Having a fixed staff has its advantages but it can also have its drawbacks. Exclusive permanent staff can result in the inaction of ideas, opinions, and overall innovation. The goal for any organization is to meet targets, increase revenue, and become more and more profitable. That, in turn, demands a higher level of engagement from staffers and that is what staff augmentation can provide. Professionals that are accustomed to deal with different projects, as well as multiple ways of approaching new challenges, operate with a mindset set on new ideas and optimization. This means that project-specific hiring enables companies the ability to develop new ideas that will drive their operations.

Scalability

Flexible hiring can be extremely beneficial. By choosing the staff augmentation method, companies that are looking to expand their operation have the advantage of doing so without investing in a permanent workforce. In addition, such flexible hiring allows companies to adapt to common and rapid market changes. In other words, it allows businesses to quickly scale and react to changing circumstances, taking advantage of this specific workforce. Ultimately, it provides the means for a quick response

Reducing costs

This type of staffing method provides companies with the upside of hiring the best services and solutions the market has to offer with no long-term commitment. Thus, paying for talent only during the requisite period. Plus, businesses don’t need to concern themselves with benefits or insurance since it’s the outsourcer that deals with such matters.

Project deadlines

Deadlines are important for any project since failure to deliver on the agreed date can have massive consequences. Yet, when it comes to the IT industry, deadlines seem to be even more stressful. However, with the introduction of staff augmentation, a company can simply hire the right short-term staff. This can be very beneficial since it allows candidates to be hired in very little time and to help provide support to complete projects on the projected period.

Ultimately, the staff augmentation approach provides not just responsiveness for companies but also a way to deliver ongoing projects with the support of highly skilled professionals while removing the costs and obligations of hiring full-time employees. Thus, providing a cost-effective investment and viable IT solutions during different development phases.

The tech sector is undoubtedly one of the largest and most valuable industries today and remote teams are becoming a fundamental part of small and big businesses. Yet, for many years, the shortage of tech talent has been decreasing and this is no secret. Consequently, companies are in an all-out hiring assault for skilled labor, looking to employ through different approaches. From nearshore outsourcing and staff augmentation to nearly putting signs on windows.

Although there is plenty of o tech talent worldwide, many cities experience a lack of local IT experts. A brilliant solution was developed from the industry that became a business-altering move for all companies: remote software developers. Being able to employ highly skilled professionals across the globe has become extremely beneficial. This is especially true for small companies who, for years, we’re repeatedly cast aside from the competition for not being able to attract seasoned developers due to the high pay required, benefits or bonuses. This relatively new approach allows businesses to save more without having an in-house team. Thus, allowing them to step in the same ring with their competitors and, more importantly, makes it feasible to hire workers from outsourcers.

Due to this shift in the employment scenery, remote teams have started to become a normal part of the culture and work structure of many companies. This is turn has led to several benefits for workers, specifically employers.

Increased productivity

Remote teams can produce at higher levels than on-premises teams and the reason may vary from individual to individual. Working in a familiar and controlled environment with no distractions and comfortable space plays a major role in this. Some employees use the remote possibility to focus on tough assignments during the peak of their creative hours

Consider this: most employees commute. Not only does this translate to more money spent on their side but it also decreases after-work hours. At the end of the day, it interferes with work-life balance, as well as with their productivity spikes. Note that, several people experience a jolt of energy and focus during the first hours of the morning but the process of getting up early and commuting can rob employees of that precious out-put. Remote teams can solve this and contribute massively to the project at hand.

Remote teams Lower costs

The benefits of having remote teams also shows when it comes to cost reduction. In the case of outsourcing, hiring from a provider means businesses don’t need to spend more money in an office space, expensive equipment, overall materials, healthcare, or benefits. This means fewer costs and less responsibility on the employer’s side.

More effective and less time-consuming meetings

Nothing puts productivity to a holt as an unexpected meeting or an unannounced visit from a colleague with a “this will only take 5 minutes” intro that has now led to an hour-long conversation. Interruptions of this nature can be extremely frustrating, adding to the already spontaneous meeting, stress, and loss of concentration.

However, this kind of situation rarely happens with remote teams. Meetings are scheduled beforehand and are held in a specific hour with a time limit so all team members can carry on with work with little interference as possible. For remote workers, operating remotely is all about efficiency. This means an increased ability to structure their work during those precious eight hours, spending less time on everyday communications, distractions or avoidable meetings that can simply be dealt with a message or email.

The best talent, anywhere

Each hiring process is intended to find the talent that fits a specific job role and the company culture itself. Although there is a large pool of talent to choose from, it can also be limited. Typically, companies hire professionals that live within a certain distance from their location. This means plenty of competition and, on occasion, a not so favorable result: companies that can outbid your businesses and out-perk your offer. Adding to this is an even more critical aspect. What if you can’t find the skilled professional you so desire? Not hiring the right person can be costly. Yet, there is a solution. Remote professionals provide your businesses with the needed talent with plenty of flexibility and at the same commitment. Now, you can hire that much-required frontend developer from Portugal to help your project based in Frankfurt.

Remote teams are undoubtedly beneficial for employers. With the possibility of remote work, employees can become everything a company desires. This translates into a more productive, agile, and concise team, fitted with self-guidance, awareness, and motivation. This one-slack away individuals can become a major source of efficiency and thrive within a team, streamlining operations and turning your business into a whole new machine with lowers costs, consistency and overall growth.

Time is a resource that businesses don’t have and recruiting talent is expensive, specially seasoned IT talent. Not having the right people at the needed time means your project may experience delays, a word no company appreciates. Yet, lengthy recruitment isn’t the only answer. Partnering with experts that outsource nearshore developers is a strategic and cost-efficient approach. Making sure you have the ideal specialists working on your project, adopting the correct methodologies is a must. What you need is a nearshore team.

Nearshore developers: Experts in their field

Assembling a team of the right professionals is gaining access to technologies, markets, and how everything is connected. Firstly, these tech gurus have worked with other companies, some of which might be industry leaders. Secondly, taking individuals that already have the know-how and business understanding is a major benefit when it comes to integrating them into your company. The advantage? Highly skilled nearshore developers that will optimize your company culture. Thus leading your business to a range of clients and new possibilities. At Nearshore Portugal, we have been successful in connecting our expert consultants to industry leaders in IT, business management, and software, among others. This, in turn, contributes to the knowledge and proficiency in other business sectors. As well as the means for clients to be exposed to new methodologies, ideas, and approaches that may have never considered as a new practice.

Innovators and growth starters

Having the contribution from these experienced professionals means your business will gain a new edge and acquire two very important opportunities: their knowledge and access to the latest technologies. Acquiring this explosive one-two combo is what defines a business as being in motion or static. As you might have guessed it, the right nearshore developers will impact your product, implement more efficient procedures, advise you and ultimately, influence your business. Their agile methodology and constant tech-savvy mind will allow your product to be delivered more rapidly, resulting in better development.

There is no escaping questions

That’s right, there is no dodging questions and that’s a good thing. The right nearshore developers will push your business in the best direction, this means plenty of questions. As you know, questions play a critical role in any organization. They establish the motivation of your team, their interest, and engagement which undoubtedly leads to commitment. Being fortunate to have engaged members also means being able to answer tough and eye-opening questions. Suddenly, giving vague answers with little information is not acceptable and the right nearshore developers will let you know that. Answering “to my knowledge, that’s how some of our former team members did it” will trigger your team to a much-needed conversation about what can’t happen and what needs to happen. In the wink of an eye, your team will bring the best out of you. Starting you as the main player for the championship final.

When it comes to developing your business, the model of a nearshore development company such as Nearshore Portugal allows any business to hire nearshore developers. This, in turn, gives access to a pool of specialized talent, experienced in developing solutions in an ever-changing market. Having these professionals on your side is providing your business with a valuable on-demand resource, allowing you to reduce costs compared to an internal full-time hire. This is turn will allow you to gain expert knowledge and insight for the duration of your project while making sure targets, performance and quality are met.

It’s not by chance that multinational companies like Accenture, Microsoft, or Nokia Siemens have highly successful nearshore operations in Portugal. We’ll present you some topics that prove that Portugal is the perfect nearshore destination for your operation:

Attractive costs

Costs play a major role in any organization when choosing a lading-place and Portugal is more cost-efficiency in comparison to other countries. If you want to optimize your business, you should choose a nearshore destination country that guarantees a healthy cost of living.

Language

Portugal is one of the most multilingual European countries and has a big number of English speakers with Portuguese and English both used in a working environment. Furthermore, Portuguese people have great knowledge and adaptability to other European markets and cultures. This undoubtedly plays a major role when it comes to the right nearshore destination.

Location

Portugal shares the same time zone as the UK, one of the most important business centers. It’s also two hours away by plane. Being “the door of Europe”, Portugal plays an important role in trading across borders.

Technological infrastructures

Portugal is a country with a strong technological infrastructure, both in telecommunications (broadband, fiber optics) and data centers, for the storage of large volumes of data and applications.

Security, political and social stability

Portugal is a peaceful country with social and political stability. It’s all due from a significant investment in education, infrastructure modernization, simplification of public services, and a public and private focus on research and development. These are some of the main features of many companies that Portugal as an ideal nearshore destination.

Technical quality

Portugal was ranked 17th at IMD World Talent Ranking 2018. The entirety of the country is filled with people who value technology and engineering. Portugal is the owner of countless prestigious universities, recognized in international rankings. It also offers easy access to education. Annually, its capital is the home of the biggest event in tech: Web Summit.

While Portugal is clearly a growing market with regard to IT resources, it is essential that Portugal continues to invest in research and development as well as training for qualified people in order to increasingly become the answer as the nearshore destination. Portugal offers the best conditions for shortening distances and increasing results. That’s what Nearshore Portugal is all about!