Businesses are on a constant hunt for custom software development partners these days. This is because as many as 91% of businesses worldwide are involved in some or the other digital initiatives (Gartner). The returns these businesses are gaining from these digital initiatives further encourage other businesses to invest in the same. The demand for the right software development company, firm, developer, etc. has increased exponentially. There are a variety of ways businesses can invest in software development projects and transform their work processes. Some of them include:
- Building applications to fulfill objectives
- Redeveloping existing applications
- Hiring an in-house team for experience and expertise
- Outsourcing development projects to sole developers of development teams
- Automating and transforming workflows, amongst others.
Deciding factors for software development needs
Before a company decides what software project to undertake, it is important to establish goals. A company can achieve this by understanding its requirements before choosing a software development model. A few of these important factors are:
- Flexibility: How much flexibility is expected from the application? Which platforms is it compatible with? Does the application cater to niche crowds or generic audiences?
- Resource availability: The decision to pick the right engagement model depends highly on how much in-house expertise the enterprise currently has.
- Primary business objectives: As mentioned above, these are the directives of the company and the expectations they hold with intended software products.
- Ownership: Choosing different hiring models also depends on the amount of control the company is seeking, is willing to retain, or want to let go.
- Allotted Time: Different models of hiring software development companies require different times for the completion of the projects. For example, for enterprises that are in a hurry to launch a software product, outsourcing to a dedicated team can prove beneficial compared to hiring an in-house team of IT professionals.
Each of these factors play a significant role in determining an organization’s development and hiring needs. Furthermore, there are many models for hiring software engineers and services that cater to different software needs. These models can easily be differentiated on the basis of requirements, scope of projects, objectives, etc. The three most popular hiring models are:
Hiring Models for Software Development Services
BOT or Build — Operate — Transfer Model
As the name suggests, the BOT model comprises fundamentally three stages- Build, Operate, and Transfer. The ‘Build’ phase encompasses the research, development, and recruitment of resources. The phase takes care of resource sourcing, screening and allocation; training of IT personnel, onboarding, infrastructure maintenance and requirements.
The next Phase entails all the stages of software development, i.e.- management, maintenance, product enhancements, testing and debugging, technical consultations, stakeholders briefing, etc.
In the Transfer phase, the entire project once launched is handed over to the client. Maintenance and support services are given as per the client and the software product.
- Ownership of the team
- Scalability of the team
- Client led hierarchy
- Clients can choose niche expertise
- Customized incentive program
- an Offshore Dedicated center
Hourly / Time & Material
For enterprises willing to commit long-term and having ever-changing requirements, the Hourly / Time model is more convenient. This particular model suits clients with long-term projects, undefined workloads and dynamic scope of work. In such a model, clients can alter project specifications at will and have maximum control over the software development cycle. Along with flexibility, this model also guarantees scalability, i.e., as the requirements evolve, resources and team members can also be increased to match the growing scope.
Benefits of these models include:
- Suitable for large and long-term projects
- Low-risk model
- Has a flexible budget and low risk of failure
- The client has significant control over the project
Fixed Price Model
Fixed price offshoring is ideal for short-term projects with well-established requirements and project scope. Such projects often have a specific delivery schedule, fixed budget, and well-documented project specifications. Fixed Price models are best suited for these projects as the project specifications are unlikely to change. It also does not require constant client supervision and is best for clients on a limited budget, mostly small and medium enterprises.
Services that Software Development Companies Offer
With the growing number of mobile application and web development requirements as well as the rising extent of available technologies, more and more development companies are providing state-of-the-art, technologically superior solutions and services that are automating and transforming our interaction with the surrounding. Some simple services that these companies offer are :
Revamping Existing Software
These services include updating and developing a comprehensive design plan to renew existing software systems in place. A good software development company can help businesses completely transform their work processes and improve existing software systems to meet the growing needs of the latest technological advancements.
Providing Dedicated teams for software development
Few software development firms also offer comprehensive teams that can be outsourced to businesses as per project requirements. These teams are made up of UX experts, reliable project managers, technical leaders, QA specialists, and competent software engineers.
Product Development
Almost all software development companies offer software development services which include ideating, conceptualizing, testing, debugging launch, iterations, and maintenance. The entire software development cycle is taken care of by a dedicated team of software engineers who craft the product, eliminate failures, and mitigate risks before launching it to the masses.
Outsourcing Solutions
Software development firms also provide options to outsource talent according to their business needs. These services include ‘lending’ software engineering talent to businesses on contractual or project-based hiring models.
Maintenance and Support Services
Once the product is launched, it is important to constantly carry out checks and analyze performance reports. Usually, these services are given post-product development and launch. Understanding maintenance reports, mitigating risks, and eliminating failures after launch is just as important as doing it before. It is extremely crucial to maintain the health of an application post-launch and resolve user issues at the earliest and these services help achieve this.
Conclusion
2023 has been an exciting year for software development market scenarios. With more and more businesses rapidly adopting digital transformation, the demand for the same has grown manifold. It becomes imperative for businesses to understand their needs and then hire the right development company for their software requirements. OpenXcell is a good company to start with. Their rich portfolio of successful projects speaks volumes about their work ethic and commitment to quality.
No comments yet