Finding a software development partner that suits your unique business requirements is highly crucial for a business’s success. Most start-ups and small businesses are limited by their smaller budget to create bespoke software. On the other hand, larger companies do not want to shift focus from their core business to software development. Hence, creating customised software in-house can be a challenge of money, time and expertise for businesses.
The best solution is to find a software development company and partner with them. Dedicated software development companies can provide customised software at an affordable price and shorter timeframe. However, it is important to find the right software development partner for your unique requirements, as choosing the wrong one could be a waste of time, money and resources.
In this blog, we will explain how you can find the right development partner so you can make an informed decision.
A] Factors To Consider When Selecting A Software Development Partner
1. Scope Of The Project
Before setting out to find software outsourcing companies, it is important to analyse and understand your expectations from the project. You need to set goals and objectives which you want to achieve through outsourcing the development project. Understanding the scope of the project will help you to compare the status of the project.
2. Budget
Businesses want to maximise the output from the investment. The right development partner should guide you through their pricing and your needs. Of course, different companies would have different requirements, and hence the budget will also vary. You must take your requirements into account before setting a budget for your software development project.
3. Time Frame
It is important to set a time frame for your project to get the software ready when you need it. The offshore software development company you choose for your project must value your time and deliver projects within the decided timeframe. The time frame should be well in advance than the actual launch date so you can run tests and do changes if required.
4. Security
When it comes to business software, security is paramount. The development company must have a security programme in place to counter security breaches and data loss.
5. After-Development Service
Any good software partner will provide after-development services like regular maintenance, support and backups. Issues can arise unexpectedly even after the software is developed; hence it is best to find a partner that provides excellent after-development support. Contact a well-reputed software development company in India to ensure you receive quality after-development support.
B] Researching Potential Software Development Partners
To find the right software development partner, you need to conduct thorough research. The internet can provide an extensive list of top software companies. You can start from there and start to short-list companies with good reviews, and those which fit your project requirements and budget.
Sites like DesignRush, Clutch & Goodfirms are excellent sources that will help you find the companies with the best reputation. You can also ask your network of people for suggestions and recommendations. Make sure to evaluate the company’s expertise, experience and credentials, portfolio, and testimonials. Do not shy away from asking any important questions that you might have. So, if you have very specific ideas for developing an innovative app, don’t hesitate to ask them if they provide custom software development services.
C] Selecting The Right Software Development Partner
Selecting the right partner for offshore software development is crucial to ensure optimal software quality, as selecting the wrong development partner can hinder the business’s objective and drive up the cost. By outsourcing the development process to a development partner, businesses can take advantage of the partner’s specialised software development methodologies like agile development process, domain knowledge, and project management strategies to reduce costs and ensure quality.
Make sure to compare the cost, technical expertise, trends, knowledge, and reliability of the software developers you have finalised. Also while choosing an offshore company, ensure proper communication channels. Take your time to evaluate before finalising a decision about an outsourcing partner.
Here is a checklist that will help you identify and select the right software development partner:
- List your project requirements.
- Compare portfolios of various companies and shortlist potential development partners.
- Check the online reviews and testimonials of the shortlisted profiles.
- Gauge their technical skills, process, team experience and aptitude.
- Ask your network for references and recommendations.
- Request detailed proposals from the shortlisted companies and compare them.
- Make sure there is no language barrier and the communication channels are suitable for you.
- Check their relevant certifications to ensure all security and data protection protocols are followed.
- Conduct meetings with software development companies to estimate their capabilities, skill sets, and experience.
- Finally, have contract negotiations to finalise the one that matches your requirements as well as your budget.
D] Managing Your Software Development Project with An Offshore Partner
Communication is key for setting clear expectations and requirements when collaborating with an offshore software development company. Proper communication channels can minimise and negate misunderstandings or miscommunications, saving time and resources for both parties.
These software development firms are professionals and usually have their project framework; hence it is also advisable to avoid micromanaging them. It is crucial to provide them with your deadlines and requirements and do follow-ups so they know their responsibilities. Providing them with honest feedback is also a part of the continuous development process. Finally, make sure that they offer complete transparency with pricing.
Further Read: Developing An Effective IT Outsourcing Strategies For Your Business
E] Overview Of Agile Software Development Process
At Siddhatech we utilise agile development processes which offer faster development time, ensure quality and reduce cost. This method allows us to create a user-optimised finished product in a shorter time frame and at a lower cost.
The agile development methodology divides the development process into small manageable sprints. This allows the developers to receive feedback after each sprint and make the changes at an early stage. Continuous testing, feedback and development help us to maximise the business value we can offer to our clients as the number of errors is significantly reduced.
The agile software development life cycle is divided into six main stages to reduce the burden of doing everything at once.
- Planning and discussion: Agile development process begins with discussing the required features and outcomes of the software with the client. This process helps the development team to understand the business requirements and user perspective of the software. This is also the part where project managers do resource planning and allocation.
- Creating prototype: The software developers then proceed to create a prototype software, which defines the basic structure of the software. The prototype defines the structure of the software, what features it will have and how the users would interact with it. This stage allows you to understand the direction in which the developers are going and suggest changes or additions.
- Development: After discussing the changes and additional features required in the software, the developers can get to work. The development phase prioritises tasks, determines UX/UI design and develops the software. The bulk of the work is completed in the development phase, and clients can see the full picture once this phase is complete.
- Testing: Once the development phase is completed, the developers move on to testing the software. Sometimes, testing happens alongside the development process. This agile phase is concerned with checking if the code works as intended, addressing bugs and running trials.
- Deployment: Once the software is ready and all bugs and errors are addressed, the software is deployed for all the servers and devices. During this process a small number of users called the beta users, test the software and provide feedback.
- Maintenance and update: Once the software is live and the feedback from beta users are coming in, the developers can use the feedback to improve on their design. Ongoing maintenance and updates can help to prevent bugs and errors. Updating the software consistently also keeps the software optimised for new trends.
If you are still wondering how the agile process model will improve your software development experience, read our blog on the benefits of agile software development process to learn about it in-depth!
Conclusion
Finding a reliable software development partner in India can save you time and money in finding qualified developers, setting up a development team and creating custom software. You can utilise their expertise, speed, risk mitigation, innovation and flexibility without compromising your core business activities.
To find a qualified offshore web developer conduct thorough research and shortlist candidates according to your requirements and convenience of interacting. Make sure to have a comprehensive talk about the terms and conditions of the project along with payment schedules, privacy clauses, and support services.
If you are looking for an offshore software development company that caters for your unique business requirements, contact us today! Siddhatech is a professional software development company in Pune experienced in delivering high-quality bespoke projects to clients worldwide.
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FAQs
Software development companies, regardless of their location worldwide, often adjust their schedule to overlap with the client’s timezone to communicate. The use of professional language and providing complete reports and documents can ensure clients are aware of every step of the development process.
You can have legal contracts with the third-party developer, and limit access to sensitive information. You should also check the security and IP protection measures that the developer takes to protect your asset.
Some of the common challenges that one might face include communication barriers, cultural differences, quality control, and data security. These challenges often do not affect the overall process as they can be mitigated by creating a strong relationship and communication bridge. It is also crucial to clarify expectations, provide detailed specifications and monitoring reviews to ensure quality and data security.