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What is Outsourcing to Offshore Software Developers ?
Outsourcing to Offshore software developers is getting some of your software development tasks done by software developers based outside your office and in most cases outside your country (hence the word offshore).
Why Offshore Software Development, why Outsource Offshore ?
- You want to reduce overall operation costs and increase profits.
- You want to use the services of experienced world class professionals.
- You need specific specialized software development skills which are not easily available where
you are located.
- Your software project has a tight budget & a tight schedule and you cannot afford the additional
full time employees that are required in order to complete the tasks at hand in time.
- You want to reallocate internal resources to more critical tasks.
- The work load is going to increase above your capacity for a short period of time and you need
the extra temporary work force for the same.
How do I communicate with offshore software developers ?
With the advances that the INTERNET has made, most communication & instructions can be conveyed easily via email & chat. Regular conference calls can be made only if the project really requires it.
How do I send and receive source code & programs to & from the offshore developers ?
All data transfer of source and binaries can be done as attachments to emails as well as using FTP.
How can I ensure that information that I disclose will be kept confidential ?
Non Disclosure Agreements can be signed between you and the offshore developers to ensure that your work is kept confidential and your Intellectual Property is respected.
How do I make payments for the work done by the offshore software developers ?
Payments can be made via Cashiers Check/Demand Draft or by Wire Transfer/SWIFT. Each payment will be accompanied by a signed purchase order and invoice.
Who does the source code belong to ?
The source code belongs entirely to you as you have paid for all its development.
So how do I get started ?
- If you have a new concept and want it developed.....
Send us an email explaining the software that you would like to develop. We will study it and send you queries if we have not understood anything.
On the basis of this communication we will create a detailed requirement specification document describing our understanding of exactly what is to be developed in the software and how it will work. This document will then sent to you for approval.
We will then make the user interface specifications document which will describe the look and feel of the software which will also be sent to you for approval.
Once we have your approval on both the requirement and user interface specifications we will estimate the time & cost required to design, develop & test the software and send you a proposal of the same. If the proposed time and cost are acceptable to you we will then move to the phase of actual implementation.
- If you have an existing software and you want features added/modified/fixed......
Send us an email which will list out the features that you would like us to add/modify/fix in your software as well as make arrangements to send us the software so we can review it. This can be achieved either by sending us download information via email or sending the software on CD to us.
We will also require the source code and all possible documentation associated with it. If required we can sign a Non Disclosure Agreement at this juncture of time so as to further protect the confidentiality of the information you are disclosing to us.
We will then make a detailed study of the source code in conjunction with the list of features you would like added/modified/fixed and send you queries if we have not understood anything or need further clarifications.
On the basis of this communication we will create a detailed requirement specification document describing our understanding of exactly what is to be added/modified/fixed in the software and how it will work. This document will then sent to you for approval.
If required we will also make the user interface specifications document which will describe the look and feel of any user interface related features which will also be sent to you for approval.
Once we have your approval on both the requirement and user interface specifications we will estimate the time & cost required to design, develop & test the features that need to be added/modified/fixed and send you a proposal of the same. If the proposed time and cost are acceptable to you we will then move to the phase of actual implementation.
How do I keep track of progress, how do I know if all is well with my project ?
Once you have approved the requirement & user interface specifications, a detailed plan will be created which will list out all the tasks to be completed, the dates by which they will be completed and well as intermediate and final delivery dates of the software. This updated project plan will be sent to you regularly so as to enable you to get an exact status of the progress of the project. As indicated intermediate deliveries of the software will also be sent to you to review and give feedback if required. Daily/Weekly timesheets can also be submitted to you if required.
What will be the terms of payment ?
Payment terms are on mutual agreement and are generally based on the intermediate and final delivery dates of the software.
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