Over the past few years, outsourcing has emerged as the go-to strategy for businesses seeking cost-effective software development and access to world-class tech talent. From cost savings to cultural compatibility, many factors have made Eastern Europe – and Poland in particular – a top choice for businesses around the world seeking high-quality, reliable software development services.
In this article, we'll delve into everything you need to know about IT sourcing, its unique advantages, potential challenges, and considerations – and take a deep dive into the benefits of offshore software development services with a Polish development company.
What types of IT sourcing are there?
IT sourcing, i.e. the process of obtaining IT services, resources, or products from external providers, can be divided into three distinct types – depending on the location of the service providers: onshore, offshore, and nearshore software development, each with its own share of pros and cons.
Onshore software development
Onshore software development is a natural choice for many businesses looking to outsource their digital projects. It involves outsourcing your IT assignments to a provider that’s located within your own country. Naturally, this strategy offers several advantages for the project, including better communication, easier coordination, and legal and regulatory compliance.
With all its benefits, onshore software development can get more expensive than the other options due to higher labor costs in developed countries and may not always be the most affordable way forward.
Nearshore software development
In nearshore software development, IT projects are outsourced to a service provider in a nearby country, usually within the same time zone or region.
Nearshore providers often share similar cultural values and languages, making communication and collaboration more manageable. Because time zone differences are minimal, real-time project coordination is easier.
As nearshore providers are also likely to be familiar with regional legal and regulatory requirements (e.g., they are members of the European Union), partnering with one will make it easier for you to ensure compliance across borders.
Offshore software development
Offshore software development involves outsourcing IT projects to a service provider in a different country, often with significantly lower labor costs. This approach offers several benefits:
- Cost savings: Lower labor costs in offshore countries can lead to significant cost savings for businesses.
- Access to a much larger talent pool: Offshore development allows you to tap into a global pool of skilled professionals, giving you access to a diverse range of expertise.
- Round-the-clock development: Due to time zone differences, offshore teams can work while your in-house team is sleeping or off work. In other words, no matter what time it is, someone is always working on your project, resulting in a shorter time to market for your final product.
While offshore software development may entail certain challenges connected with time zone, language, and cultural differences, they should not be a concern if you partner with the right software development agency.
But how to decide if offshoring is the right way forward for your business in the first place?
When to offshore your software development
Offshore software development offers various benefits for businesses and organizations outsourcing their software projects:
When you need a scalable solution
Offshoring can be a quick fix if a business needs to adapt to project requirements and scale the development team. An offshore partner will give you the flexibility you need without the long-term commitment of hiring full-time employees.
When you want to focus on your core business
Offshoring allows businesses to delegate software development tasks to external teams, enabling them to concentrate on their core competencies and strategic objectives. At the same time, it gives you more time to focus on your core business and growing in new markets.
When you want to mitigate risks
Offshoring can help mitigate risks associated with software development, such as project delays, cost overruns, and quality issues, by working with experienced teams with established processes and methodologies.
When intellectual property must be protected
Reputable offshore software development companies adhere to strict intellectual property protection standards, ensuring your ideas and proprietary information remain secure.
When you lack exposure to new technologies and best practices
Offshore development teams often work on various projects across different industries, giving them exposure to the latest technologies, tools, and best practices in software development. This expertise can be leveraged to create innovative solutions for your business.
How to find the best offshore development company in Eastern Europe
Before starting your search, have a clear understanding of your project requirements, including the scope, technologies, and desired outcomes. This will help you find a company that can deliver what you need.
The following are a few things you should check:
- Pricing
Request quotes from the shortlisted companies and compare their pricing. Keep in mind that the lowest cost may not always provide the best value. Consider other factors, such as quality, experience, and project management capabilities, when making your decision.
- Technical expertise
Check the company's programming languages, frameworks, and technology stack to determine its level of technical expertise. Ensure that they have experience with the technologies and tools required for your project.
- Communication skills
Assess their language proficiency, responsiveness, and availability for meetings. A development team with strong communication skills will make the collaboration process smoother.
- Cultural compatibility
Choose a company that shares a similar work culture, business values, and work ethic. This will help to minimize potential misunderstandings and make it easier to work together.
- Project management capabilities
Check if the company follows established project management methodologies, such as Agile or Scrum, and inquire about their reporting and communication procedures. This will give you an idea of how they will manage your project and keep you informed about progress.
- Social proof
Check their websites and social media channels to look around for portfolios, case studies, and client testimonials.
You can start with a small project to evaluate the offshore company's performance, communication, and quality of work. This will help you determine whether they are the right fit for your project. You can also try to request their product workshop, if they offer such services.
Scouting for quality: Using Clutch to find the perfect provider
Clutch allows you to compare multiple agencies based on various factors, such as services offered, industry focus, client reviews, and overall ratings. This makes it easier to find one that fits your requirements and budget.
Clutch verifies each client review through a rigorous process, ensuring that the feedback you read is genuine and trustworthy. This gives you a clear understanding of the agency's performance and helps you make informed decisions when considering offshore software development offers several benefits.
Using Clutch agency reviews as part of your research and evaluation process can help you find a reputable offshore software development company that aligns with your project requirements, budget, and expectations, increasing the likelihood of a successful collaboration.
What does a Clutch review tell you?
Clutch reviews often include details about the project, such as the scope, budget, and timeline, along with the client's evaluation of the agency's communication, project management, and overall quality of work. This provides a comprehensive picture of the agency's capabilities and performance.
Offshore software development in Poland: why it’s a smart choice
Many businesses offshore software development projects to Poland, which offers several benefits. One of the main advantages is cost savings. Polish developers generally have lower hourly rates than those in Western Europe and North America, which can result in significant savings for companies.
But cost savings don’t necessarily give you the full picture, and should not be the only consideration here – there are many other reasons why offshoring software development to a Polish agency is a good move. These include:
Skilled and hard-working talent pool
Poland has a strong education system that produces a large number of skilled IT professionals each year. This means businesses can access a pool of talented developers with expertise in various programming languages, technologies, and frameworks. Polish developers are known for their attention to detail and commitment to delivering high-quality work. This ensures that your software projects will be completed to a high standard.
Cultural compatibility
Poland is geographically and culturally close to Western Europe and North America, which can make communication and collaboration easier compared to outsourcing to more distant countries. Polish professionals often have a strong command of English, further facilitating smooth communication.
Time zone compatibility
Poland's time zone (Central European Time) is convenient for collaboration with clients in Europe, and it's only a few hours ahead of the UK and the US East Coast. This makes real-time communication and coordination more manageable.
Established IT industry
Poland has a mature IT industry with a strong presence of international companies and a robust startup ecosystem. This provides a solid foundation for offshore software development and ensures access to the latest technologies and best practices.
Data protection and IP security
Poland is a member of the European Union and adheres to the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which offers strong data protection and intellectual property rights for businesses working with Polish developers.
Why RST Software is the right offshore software development partner for your project
RST has been in the software development industry since 1998, which is a testament to our stability and long-standing experience in delivering IT solutions. With 150+ developers skilled in diverse technologies, RST has delivered dozens of projects for our clients worldwide.
Diverse industry expertise
Offshoring can provide a competitive advantage by giving businesses access to world-class talent, cost savings, and faster time to market. RST Software has worked with clients across various industries, such as finance, e-commerce, healthcare, and logistics – here is a selection of our detailed case studies. This broad experience enables RST to adapt to different business domains and understand specific industry requirements.
Skilled talent
RST Software boasts a team of skilled professionals with expertise in software development, project management, and IT consulting. This ensures that they can deliver high-quality, reliable software solutions.
The RST Software team has experience in numerous technologies, including React, React Native, Node.JS and mobile platforms like Android and iOS. This expertise allows them to provide tailored solutions that best fit the client's needs and technology preferences.
Cultural compatibility
RST Software is based in Poland, which shares similar time zones and cultural values with many countries in Western Europe. This proximity can make communication and collaboration smoother compared to outsourcing to more distant locations.
Cost-effectiveness
As an Eastern European country, Poland typically has lower labor costs compared to Western European and North American countries. This can result in cost savings for clients without compromising the quality of the software solutions provided.
Quality standards
RST Software has a strong commitment to delivering high-quality software solutions, adhering to industry best practices and established development methodologies.
The time zone advantage
Poland has a favorable time zone not only for EU clients but also for US-based companies. The time difference is only six hours, which means that it is possible to have real-time communication with employees in Poland during the working day in the US.
Offshoring to Poland can be a good strategy for US-based companies looking to reduce costs while accessing a pool of skilled workers and maintaining a similar time zone. However, as with any offshoring strategy, it is important to carefully consider the potential risks and challenges and to plan accordingly.
Finding the right offshoring partner in Poland
Before selecting an offshore software development partner, it's crucial to evaluate whether the company aligns with your specific project requirements, budget, and desired outcomes. Conduct thorough research, read client reviews, and schedule interviews or meetings to ensure the company is a good fit for your needs.
Offshoring software development to Poland can be a smart and cost-effective decision for your company. We would be happy to discuss this opportunity with you further and help you find the right partner for your needs.
