The Key to Offshore Product Development
I read an interesting quote by Joel Spolsky from the popular Joel on Software blog. He said,
"We will not be "offshoring" our software development because you don't outsource your core competency. I'm not a software broker, I'm a software developer."
He makes a good point, why would a software company outsource its core business? He continued by saying that the market pays extra for value added. Great point because outsourcing is about high value, not low cost.
BUT... some would argue that software companies are actually in the business of designing and marketing software. Outsourcing the actual development to a trust partner can free up your time and money. Like a master architect who works with qualified builders, a mature and competent outsourcing firm will help you focus on your core business, which in my humble opinion is come up with innovative products. Yes, there is a fine line between designing and coding. And yes, the only way to ensure success in any development effort is through good communication. Software development is highly iterative and requires lots of communication. But communication is a problem for companies whether their developers are across the hall or across the world.
Outsourcing is about high value, not low cost.
Raza Imam
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Reader Comments (1)
If you are a business person who comes up with ideas to make marketable products you will have them developed by someone who is good at it. If you are a developer with an idea you will develop it yourself. The developer will make good money but the business person will make a lot of money.