How Do You Find The Right Software Development Outsourcing Vendor?

Proper evaluation and selection of offshore vendors are vital for your business’s success in overseas software outsourcing. Therefore, it is crucial to select the right offshore partner to complete the work to your standards and have a compatible working culture and high ethics.

Here are a few qualities that you should look for in software development companies:

1. Make a List of Potential Software Outsourcing Companies

An excellent way to determine whether a vendor is a good fit is to research and list all potential partners who can provide the required services and send out the RPP (Request for Proposal). By sending out the RFP, you can check and ensure that the vendor can fulfill your requirements and expectations. Also, talk to your business contacts, colleagues, and friends to see whether they have any recommendations.

2. Ensure that You Can Communicate Effectively with the Outsourcing Company

Communication between you and your offshore vendor is of utmost importance. Request a call or meeting to help you get a better idea of their communication style and look for a good fit. Good communication improves quality. You can use tools like Microsoft Teams, Google Hangouts, Zoom, Skype, etc. Tools make it easier for your team to work more efficiently.

3. Ask for References from Previous Clients

It is a good idea to check the software company’s reference portfolio and get in touch with the client they have worked with when you need reassurance about quality. It is recommended to call the reference customers to get their feedback.

References are helpful, but remember to read their case studies and do your research. Look through their past case studies and achievements to determine whether they are experienced in similar projects or are experts in specific technologies you need for your project.

4. Cheaper Doesn’t Mean Better

Always be cautious about software development outsourcing companies that offer “cheap” costs or “rock-bottom” rates. You should never sacrifice quality for price when outsourcing software development. Instead, inquire about the company’s expertise in specific technologies, what they can deliver, and where they have had success in the past.

5. Verify a Vendor’s Security and Privacy Policies

An offshore vendor should have secure servers to protect sensitive information. Make sure to check how software development companies protect your data. Usually, an offshore vendor has strict security policies to keep clients’ sensitive data confidential.

6. Certifications and Accreditation

Vendors should be accredited and certified with industry standards. Verifying a software outsourcing company’s accreditation and certification is an integral part of the vetting process to ensure quality standards, security, and confidentiality. Looking for certifications like AWS certificated, Google Cloud Certification etc.

7. Professional Liability Insurance

Before starting software development, make sure the vendor has professional liability insurance. This is because professional liability insurance can help protect your business from any potential damages from mistakes or faults.

A significant risk for system development outsourcing is that the project might not come to fruition due to external issues, such as pandemics, natural disasters, or simply the third party going bankrupt. Therefore, your outsourcing vendor must have a business continuity and risk mitigation plan to help recover from any issues.

8. Do Not Neglect Technology Aspect

Although there are many other aspects to consider when selecting a software vendor, do not neglect the technology aspect. For example, your offshore vendor must support all of the programming languages you need for your software development projects. Also, it is essential to find out if their software development process aligns with yours. Agile software development is preferred by most companies these days.