Have you ever wondered why we hear more and more about IT outsourcing recently? This is because, in the past, large companies have been able to handle all of their IT needs by themselves. However, as technology has advanced and became more complex, it is virtually impossible for one company to manage everything on its own.

Not only that, the IT market is more global today. Some applications built in Europe can be used primarily in the US. This forces companies to serve their customers not just locally but on a global scale.

This is where outsourcing comes in. Outsourcing allows you to focus on your core competencies while leaving other tasks to a third party so that you can maintain the competitive edge needed in today’s marketplace.

However, like everything else in this world, outsourcing is no exception and it is constantly evolving and offering novel practices. In this blog post, we will discuss 6 major trends that are shaping up in 2022 and how they might affect your business.

What is IT outsourcing?

IT outsourcing refers to a practice where a business or a company hires an outside firm to perform IT functions for them. This is a common practice, as many companies do not have the resources or expertise in-house to handle certain IT needs.

This can be anything from simple tasks like planning or design mockups, to more complex tasks like programming and web development.

There are several reasons why companies outsource their IT functions, but the main ones are:

• To increase efficiency and effectiveness by bringing in specialized skills, expertise or technology that is not available internally;
• Reduce costs through flexibility and scalability – Hiring an outside company makes it easier to scale up (or down) when demand changes;

Of course, there are other reasons why companies turn to outsourcing, however, the ones mentioned above are the main drivers of this practice.

What are the outsourcing trends in 2022?

Now it’s time to answer the main question – what are the IT outsourcing trends in 2022? Without further ado, let’s dig into some of our predictions.

Increased focus on artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence enables companies to make data-driven decisions and automate processes. AI can help businesses deliver the best possible services in less time with fewer errors and lower costs.

With companies spending more and more money to stay ahead of their competition, it is no surprise that they have started investing heavily in AI technology. As a result, global AI market revenue is expected to reach US $ 51.27 billion.

The increased focus on artificial intelligence and automation technology is a great opportunity for outsourcing providers.

We predict that businesses will also start to rely more heavily on outside vendors with expertise in this field. Instead of developing their own tools and strategies for AI and AI-powered automation (which could take years), many companies will instead outsource this function to a third party.

The practice of remote work will become even more popular

With the onset of the pandemic, the practice of remote work has seen a great increase. Although there is much hopeful news about ending the pandemic, the practice of remote working does not appear to be going away anytime soon.

In fact, according to Gartner, 51% of global talent will be working remotely by the end of 2021.

The rise of remote work will contribute greatly to the growth of outsourcing. If companies were opposed to hiring a remote team abroad, now, having even internal employees work remotely, they are more likely to be interested and less reluctant to outsource certain functions to a third party at a lower cost.

This is great news for offshore companies, as it means more opportunities for growth and expansion.

Eastern Europe will claim more of the outsourcing market

Due to cheaper prices, high-quality tech education, and a wealth of talent, Eastern Europe is already a popular destination when it comes to IT outsourcing. However, the region is gaining more and more attention from companies around the world.

Eastern Europe enjoys highly dynamic IT communities. The talents of this region are employed in world-leading companies such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, etc. In addition to this, with the huge increase in the success of the startup ecosystem, Eastern Europe not only secures its place in the top IT outsourcing destinations, but is likely to claim a larger market share in the coming years.

Cloud computing will grow even more

Since the introduction of cloud computing in 2006, this category has been growing at a rapid pace. In 2018 alone, companies invested approximately $ 175.8 billion in cloud computing infrastructure and services worldwide.

This trend is expected to continue over the next few years as well. The global market for cloud computing is expected to reach $ 482 billion by 2022, according to Statista.

As the world moves towards cloud computing, more and more companies will look for providers that offer on-demand services in this area. In line with this trend, we expect to see increased demand from businesses across industries who are looking for cloud engineers and developers who are familiar with cloud infrastructure and its management.

Blockchain services will be more in demand

The blockchain is a distributed ledger where all transactions are recorded. This technology has been around for years, but it was Bitcoin that brought the idea to mainstream attention when this cryptocurrency became the first to use the blockchain as its underlying platform.

Since then, many other companies have started using similar platforms in order to offer their own services and products. Experts predict that this trend will only heat up over the next few years, as more and more businesses discover how they can incorporate blockchain technology into their own business.

When it comes to outsourcing providers, we expect to see an increased demand for services related to the development of decentralized apps (dApps), software engineering for crypto projects or exchanges.

Growing need for cybersecurity specialists

The popularity of cloud computing, mobile devices and IoT has brought a lot of new possibilities to the market. However, it has also exposed companies to unprecedented security threats that were unheard-of just a few years ago.

Hacking, cyberattacks and data breaches are now commonplace in today’s digital world. In fact, The number of connected IoT devices has increased by 9%, reaching a total of 12.3 billion worldwide.

This enormous number makes it difficult to protect these devices from hackers and creates an ever-growing need for cybersecurity professionals who can keep up with this fast-paced industry.

Looking into next year, we expect IT outsourcing providers to offer a wider range of services related to cybersecurity. A growing number of companies will be looking for software engineers, dApp developers and IT security experts who can help them stay one step ahead in this area.

Conclusion

As you can see, 2022 will be an interesting year full of new opportunities for both companies and outsourcing providers. Even more companies will look to outsourcing providers that can help them with AI, cloud computing, blockchain development, or cybersecurity.

As for IT outsourcing providers, they will have to prepare for an increased demand for engineers who are familiar with these emerging technologies. Otherwise, they risk losing out on new business opportunities to providers that can offer more flexible solutions.

If you are looking for a professional outsourcing partner that can assist you with any of the above services, feel free to contact us. We are a specialized IT outsourcing provider who has been working in this industry for years and we would be happy to answer all your questions about how our developers and engineers can help you transform your business!

How many times have you heard the question, “What is Software Development Life Cycle?” The answer to this question can vary depending on who you ask. Some people say it is a set of steps that are followed during the development process for an application or software program. Others will say it’s just another way to refer to how long it takes for an app to be developed and released.

If you’re looking for more specific information about SDLC, then continue reading! In this post, we’ll cover what SDLC is as well as its 7 stages: Planning, Requirements Gathering, Design Implementation & prototyping, Software development, Testing, Deployment and Maintenance.

What Is the Software Development Life Cycle?

Let’s start by answering the big question. The software development life cycle (SDLC) is a process that software developers go through when creating new applications. It is a systematic process that goes through various stages from conception to completion and maintenance.

SDLC is important for project development because it allows developers to analyze requirements, stick to a schedule, avoid mistakes, stay organized and ultimately save costs.

In short, with the help of SDLC, you can take a project concept and turn it into a fully functional strategy.

What Are the Stages of SDLC?

The Software Development Life Cycle is composed of various stages before an application can be released to the market. There are seven major stages that make up the software development life cycle.

They are:

• Planning
• Requirements Gathering
• Design Implementation and Prototyping
• Software Development
• Testing
• Deployment
• Maintenance.

Each stage has specific objectives that need to be met before moving on to the next stage. Let’s discuss what these stages are made of, what are their objectives and how they impact the work of developers.

Planning

The Planning Stage is the first stage of SDLC. It starts with an idea or plan for a new project and ends when you have accepted requirements from your client (internal or external). The objectives covered in this stage are: Decision-making, Organizing resources, Scheduling development activities, Determining the budget and Specifying standards to be followed.

The main goal of the Planning Stage is to make sure that all project management activities are properly planned for before starting development work. It also serves as an opportunity to review scope, estimate time and cost, identify risks and determine how long it will take until you have your first prototype ready for testing.

In this phase, the established goals and boundaries help all stakeholders to ensure that they do not deviate and do not generate missed deadlines or unnecessary costs.

Requirements Gathering

In the Requirements Gathering Stage, you gather all information about what is expected from your project. In this stage, there are two approaches: Top-down and Bottom-Up.

The top-down approach involves starting with a general overview of everything that needs to be included in the application or software program then going into more detail as needed.

The Bottom-up is the exact opposite. It involves gathering specifics and details about what is needed from a project and then going into more general information.

The main objective of this stage is to find out exactly what you need for your application or software program to become a reality, whether it is developed for clients or for internal use.

The Requirements Gathering Stage also gives you an opportunity to talk with your clients if anything is unclear or they are missing information about their project so that potential problems can be addressed early on before moving forward.

Design Implementation and Prototyping

The Design Implementation Stage is where you put your ideas into action. You start with the requirements that have been gathered and develop a prototype of what needs to be done based on them. This stage ends when the client approves or rejects both the design and any changes proposed by their feedback.

In this phase, designers create mockups of what an application should look like, what operating system it will use, how clients should interact with the application, etc. The main objective of this stage is to work with the client’s input and review any changes that need to be done so you avoid bugs or problems later on in development.

Software Development

Once both parties agree upon what needs to go into your application, it is time for the Software Development Stage where you build all templates, wireframes, database structures and any other thing that is required for the application to work. This stage ends when you have a working prototype of your software program or application which can be used by yourself or provided to clients as requested.

In this phase, developers create the actual code needed to make up an entire project from scratch; it could be one large software program or a series of smaller programs and web applications. The main objective of this stage is to ensure that your work matches the specifications set out by both you and your client, whether it is for an internal project or for one owned by another company.

Testing and Debugging

Once all development has been completed (or during its progress if necessary), the Testing and Debugging Stage begins. In this stage, a series of tests are performed to ensure that everything works as it should including any bugs or issues which need to be addressed. This includes anything from unit testing through functional testing with both internal employees and clients involved in order for all concerns to properly be addressed before going live.

The main objective of this stage is to ensure that your application works as expected by either you or the client, making sure all features are present and accounted for.

Deployment

Finally, once everything checks out with the Testing and Debugging Stage comes Deployment where both parties involved in development can deploy what has been built so clients have access to it.  This stage is also where any problems discovered are resolved before the application goes live to clients.

The main objective of this phase is for either you or your client to have access to the completed program so it can be launched and made public.

Once an entire project has been developed, Deployment allows both parties involved with development (you) to make the final product available to the public or for your own use.

Maintenance

Great news – the development is finished, the software is deployed and made public. However, the process does not end there because the Maintenance Stage begins.

This stage allows you to address any bugs that may have been discovered after going live as well as make changes requested by clients. The main objective of this phase is to allow you to address any bugs or other concerns that weren’t discovered in the testing phase and were found out after going live or detected by your customers.

SDLC models and examples

There are different approaches when it comes to the Software Development Life Cycle. These approaches are known as SDLC models, and each has its own specific steps to manage the development process. Let’s take a closer look at them

Agile Model

Agile is a software development methodology that encompasses the end-to-end process of developing, operating and maintaining systems in an adaptive manner.

The distinguishing features of agile are iteration speed, iterative development, end-user involvement or empowerment, prioritizing quick feedbacks to allow fast adaptations, cooperation across cross-functional teams with interchangeable skillsets to ensure synergy in the workflow.

Waterfall Model

The Waterfall Model is a sequential development model, which consists of several phases that must be completed in order.

In each phase or stage, one major task should advance to the next consecutive phase before another one starts. This means that for this particular approach: once Development has begun it cannot turn back and start over again; Testing can only begin once Development is finished.

This model may seem straightforward, but it does have its limitations: for example, if a significant amount of modifications are requested after the initial design has been approved and implemented into software – this could mean that starting over from scratch would be required instead of updating previous phases to accommodate these changes.

Iterative Model

The iterative model is the OOP approach to development. It uses an incremental, modular design method where various iterations are combined until you have a final product that meets requirements for quality and completeness.

This is a very flexible approach, especially because it allows you to incorporate client feedback early on in development and avoid costly changes once coding has started. However, even though this method can be beneficial for some cases – if requirements are not well-defined or confirmed before starting into design then there is a big chance that they will change along the way.

The DevOps model

DevOps is a software development methodology that enables you to produce higher-quality applications at greater speed using continuous integration, automation and collaboration. In the DevOps approach, everyone involved in an IT project participates throughout all stages – from design and coding through testing and deployment.

By involving each team member early on into the process, they can identify potential issues and develop solutions before they become big problems.

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MaxinAI has been in the business of building custom web and mobile applications since 2017, so we know what it takes to build successful products.

Our developers and project managers will ensure that your product runs smoothly and on time. You’ll be able to focus on other aspects of your business while we handle all the technical details for you.

Get in touch with us today and schedule a free consultation with our experts! Let’s find out if we are a great fit.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are numerous SDLC models out there. Each one of them has its own advantages and disadvantages; however, the most important thing is to identify your needs before deciding on which approach would best suit your project.

Hopefully, this article gave you a better understanding of what SDLC is and how it applies to software development. If you’d like to learn more about the subject, feel free to browse through other articles on our blog! Thank you for reading.

If you are looking to outsource software development, there are a few things to know about the top countries for outsourcing. Here’s a tip – The United States and Western European countries are not among them. This may seem surprising to you, but there is a reason behind it.

Most of the time when companies outsource, one of the main things they look for is cost reduction. However, in the case of the US and Western Europe, due to the high cost of living, the salaries are much higher than in other places. 

So although these countries are well-developed in terms of talented individuals and technology infrastructure, it’s not really a good choice for outsourcing software development.

We know how difficult it can be to find a country with reliable software engineers, as there are many factors that you need to consider. That is why we made a list of 5 of the most popular countries that companies choose when outsourcing their projects abroad. Let’s get started!

What is outsourcing?

First, let’s understand what outsourcing is. Outsourcing means that a company hires another firm to handle specific business functions instead of dealing with them in-house. This could be anything from customer service to software development or even research & design work.

This hiring practice became increasingly popular, especially after the pandemic forced many companies to switch to remote work. Due to the affordability of outsourcing, it is no wonder that software engineering and programming are on the top list of outsourced services globally.

Things to consider when choosing a country for outsourcing

Before you start choosing your outsourcing partners, there are some important details to research about the countries from which they operate.

Average salaries 

Researching average salaries by industry is important as it will give you a rough understanding of hiring costs. It is an indicator of how much money you can expect to save by outsourcing software development projects abroad.

Another good way of checking if salaries are reasonable in a country is by looking at their GDP per capita. This also gives you the idea of living standards and cost of living there, which will help with making salary comparisons between countries.

Stable Internet availability

The internet is an essential part of modern-day business and it’s no secret that we rely on it more than ever. That is why another crucial factor to consider when outsourcing is the Internet.

 You should check if the country has a fast and stable connection, as this will greatly benefit the communication between your team members, especially when handling your software development tasks. Nobody wants their work to slow down because of connectivity issues!

Time zone differences

With the rise of remote work practices, it is no longer strange when different team members work from different time zones. However, finding a country with a time zone close to yours will make management much easier and efficient. 

Ideally, there should be some time overlap so that you can easily communicate with each other, without having to wait for hours until your teammates come online and answer.

Political stability and human rights record

When you are outsourcing software development projects abroad, especially when the work is sensitive in nature, it’s important that you consider political issues as well. 

Some countries have a poor reputation for violence or corruption which may affect the security of your information and data. Make sure that the country you choose has a stable political system, if possible democratic, which will ensure that there are no threats to your employees or company.

Education

An important detail that you will need to consider when choosing a country for outsourcing, is how well-educated its citizens are. In the case of outsourcing software development, you might pay attention to technical universities and colleges which are known for their excellent computer science departments.

Also, if the outsourcing company is from a non-English speaking country, make sure that the country has a high level of English proficiency. It is always better to handle your projects in the same language as it will greatly facilitate communication and smooth software development processes, resulting in a higher quality product!

Cultural Background

Another thing to consider is whether there are other people from different cultures working on your project. It’s always good to have a diverse team of people from different backgrounds and cultures, as you can learn new things from each other, which can also help with long-term innovation. However, do make sure that despite differences there is still a cultural fit within the team.

Best countries for outsourcing software development

Now that we’ve discussed important things to consider before choosing an outsourcing country, let’s see which countries made the list of best software development providers.

Ukraine

Ukraine is a good outsourcing destination due to its high-quality developers at relatively low prices. There are a lot of IT graduates every year which drives competition up and forces companies to lower their rates even more for this talented workforce.

Ukraine has an excellent education system that produces high-quality developers who are proficient in the English language and have good knowledge of modern technology trends.

Ukraine’s startup environment is also flourishing, which means that there are many interested developers who want to work on innovative projects and get involved in the latest technologies.

In Ukraine, outsourcing a software engineer ranges from $30-$55 per hour.

Georgia

Georgia is a great place to outsource software development, with prices even lower than in Ukraine. But this is not the only reason why the country should attract your attention.

Georgia is still an undiscovered pearl when it comes to IT talents in Europe. After effective educational reforms and the promotion of the startup ecosystem, the number of people choosing IT careers increased. However, excellence and distinction in technical fields are no novelty to Georgia 

Even back when Georgia formed a part of the Soviet Union, the country was famous for its leading schools and universities (Komarov Physics & Mathematics school, Vekua Public School, Georgian Technical University, etc.). 

Georgia’s history and rapid technological development contributed to the country’s increased number of talents, especially in the IT field. This did not go unnoticed and leading international companies like Microsoft, Skype, Google, Amazon, etc. started employing Georgian talents. 

With a high literacy rate, good English proficiency, high internet speed and wide availability, it’s no wonder Georgia is at the top of the software outsourcing list.

You can expect experienced software engineers for $ 20-55 an hour in Georgia

Poland

Poland has an excellent IT workforce which enables companies and individuals from all over the world to access high-quality development at very competitive prices.

Poland’s economy continues growing every year and with its increasing GDP per capita, it attracts more and more foreign investments. With a high-quality workforce and low prices, Poland is becoming one of the best outsourcing destinations in Europe.

The country has invested heavily into education which results in an increasing number of IT graduates every year from famous universities such as Warsaw University or the Poznań University of Technology.

Due to great opportunities, safety and security, as well as being a member of the European Union, Poland is a famous destination for foreign talents from all over the world.

Outsourcing in Poland costs between $50-$100 per hour.

India

India is one of the countries with a great IT workforce that continues increasing every year. It has become an international outsourcing destination because of its English-speaking developers at competitive prices.

In addition, the Indian workforce is very flexible and adapts quickly to new technology trends which leads to a better quality of software development at lower prices compared to many other outsourcing destinations.

Outsourcing in India costs between $20-$50 per hour.

The Philippines

The Philippines is an IT outsourcing destination that continues to attract more and more companies due to its low-cost workforce that has the ability to learn new technologies very quickly.

Due to the country’s history, Filipinos are more used to Western culture, which allows them to work well with foreign co-workers and causes less communication and cultural barriers. English is also widely spoken in the Philippines, making it easier to communicate and collaborate with international clients.

When outsourcing software development in the Philippines, you can expect a cost range between $20- $45.

Which country should you choose?

Outsourcing is a bold step for businesses, this is because you trust a third party with your valuable data and the success of your business. Therefore, when choosing an outsourcing partner, it is important to ensure that you choose a reliable one at reasonable prices.

All of the countries mentioned above are great options and each of them has its individual advantages and disadvantages.

Countries with cheaper rates tend to be riskier because they do not have the same legal framework as Western nations. By choosing a cheaper outsourcing destination, you are taking a higher risk in terms of integrity and protection your data.

On the other hand, although countries like Poland have more trust in terms of protecting customer information and tend to be more security-oriented because of the EU legal system, you need to be ready to pay a higher price for services rendered.

That is why the golden mean would be Georgia. As we mentioned, the cost of living in Georgia is one of the cheapest in Europe and therefore will result in lower expenses when outsourcing Georgian companies.

Additionally, due to the country’s aspiration to become part of the European Union,  most companies are regulated on the protection of customer information, which results in taking data security seriously. The country’s progress in integrating European laws gives you a guarantee that in case of any problem, you will be protected.

Georgia is an amazing country with a wealth of talented people and it is the perfect place if you are looking for an affordable but high-quality IT workforce while guaranteeing the security of your business.

Conclusion

When choosing an outsourcing partner, it is important to balance your requirements and needs with the costs of doing business in that country. You need to research all the details to ensure that your project is carried out successfully.

Things like technology development, education levels, and security laws can play a huge role in determining whether or not the outsourcing destination works for your company.

In case you decide to search for Georgian outsourcing companies that offer software engineering talent, look no further.

MaxinAI offshore software development team has years of experience working with startups and large companies alike, so we know how important it is to find solutions specifically tailored to our clients’ needs without sacrificing quality or speed.

Fill out our contact form and let us show you how our team can help you fill your software engineering talent gap and accelerate your projects.

Software developers are a hot commodity these days and since their availability is really scarce, hiring remote programmers is becoming increasingly popular. However, even when hiring remotely, finding top-notch software engineers is not always easy!

But fear not, as this blog post will discuss where and how to find the best remote software developers, as well as give you great advice on what to look for when hiring them. You will also learn about the different types of freelancers you can hire, such as offshore or nearshore development teams. So, make sure to read on.

What are the benefits of working with remote software developers?

Remote working has become quite popular in the past few years. This is because there are several advantages that come with hiring a remote software developer, rather than someone who works in an office setting.

1. Access to top global talents

Working with remote software developers has the benefit of allowing you access to talents from around the world. This is because hiring a developer that lives in another country or even on another continent can give your company access to unique knowledge and skills, which would not be found locally.

When you search for talents only locally, you are limited to the talent pool that is only physically available near you. In such a case, there is less chance of finding the right option that fits your company culture and has the necessary skills.

However, by expanding your search worldwide for the best software developers, you will be able to access thousands of exceptional talent from around the globe.

2. Lower costs

Working with remote freelancers also gives you a chance at lower business expenses and overhead costs as compared to working with an office-based team or hiring locally. This is because you do not pay for office space, office-related expenses or other associated costs.

Furthermore, it is often the case that due to the availability of high-quality talent in lower-wage countries, it usually costs the company less money to pay salaries to remote developers compared to local talent.

This is especially true if the company is based in Western Europe or North America, where the cost of living is usually higher than in other parts of the world.

3. More productive and happy employees

Remote working also brings about another great benefit – happier and more productive employees! The fact that your staff does not need to commute every day, but can instead work from home or wherever they want is already a big plus.

Additionally, the possibility of remote work gives workers a better work-life balance and they can spend the saved time traveling with their friends, family, or doing the things they love.

This is not only beneficial for individuals, but also for companies, as happier employees mean more productive employees. Additionally, staff who enjoy working with your company are more likely to stay and improve your employee retention efforts, which should lead to better business results for you.

What to look for when hiring remote software developers?

When deciding on the best freelancers or other talent options available to work remotely, there are several factors that you need to consider:

• Location – first and foremost, make sure to consider the location of your developer. Remote developers are usually divided into three categories – nearshore (located in a country close by), offshore (located on another continent) or remote workers located within your own country.
• Good communication skills – second, make sure to find a developer with good communication skills. This is especially important if you are working on an international project as such team members need to be able to communicate effectively and successfully work together remotely across different time zones.
• Remote work experience – third, make sure to look for a freelancer with remote working experience. Working remotely is not easy and it requires certain skills such as self-discipline and organization that can be learned through practice or gained from previous work experiences in this field.
• Available resources – Look for developers who have the necessary tools needed for the job. It is important to know in advance if candidates have the necessary electronic devices or if they will need the employer to provide them. This will give you a better idea of the total cost in case of hiring the talent.
• Cultural fit – It is important to consider cultural fit. When working with a remote team member on an international project, make sure that their cultural background and experience match the needs of your company and its projects. This is important because it will help you build a cohesive team, which is essential when working with international employees.
• The programming skills you need – Last but not least, you need to make sure that the developers you are considering hiring can actually do what they say. To avoid wasting time learning that your developer’s skill set is different from what their profile indicates, ask them for an example of a real-life project they’ve done in the past or consider a skills assessment test. This will give you an idea of how competent they are at their job.

How can you find top remote software developers?

Hiring top remote developers is a challenge for almost every business today. There are several ways in which you can hire the best remote programmers for your company.

However, the most important thing before starting your search is to understand why you need these developers. Is it for a one-time project or for a long-term commitment? Do you want the remote developers to help you or take the lead on the technical side of your projects? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you choose the right types of candidates.

Now let’s take a look at the different practices that can help you find the best remote developers.

Freelance platforms

A freelance work platform is a marketplace website where people can earn money by offering their expertise and services. Service offerings range from digital marketing to project management. However, these platforms are widely used by software engineers.

Such websites are a good way to find top remote developers. On a freelancing platform, you will have access to a pool of talented developers from around the world who are looking for work opportunities.

Some of these platforms even allow employers to take part in a contest or challenge that allows them to test their programming skills and see how they fare against other candidates before hiring them.

Another great benefit of these websites is that you can see the reviews and job histories of the developers. This will give you an idea of whether they are suitable for your company or not before you even start hiring them.

Here is a list of the top ten freelance platforms where you can find remote software engineers:

• Upwork –  Upwork is one of the best freelance platforms. The number of remote developers on this website makes it ideal for finding your next hire. You can search for both long-term and short-term developers here.
• Toptal – If you’re looking for high-quality freelancers, Toptal might be a good choice. This agency has a strict screening process that only accepts the top 3% of its pool of applicants.
• Freelancer –  Freelancer.com is an established freelance platform that allows companies to post jobs and find remote software developers from around the world. The platform is very similar to what Upwork offers.
• Fiverr –  This is one of the most popular platforms on which software developers can offer their services. It’s best for small projects with tight budgets. 
• Guru.com – Another platform that allows employers to post jobs and find remote programmers or other types of freelancers from around the world.

However, the downside to freelance platforms is that they are not profitable for large-scale businesses. You will have to hire each individual developer, which can make managing your team of developers difficult. Similarly, these platforms almost always charge a commission of up to 30% of the developer’s salary, which could cost you more in the end.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a good place to look for remote programming talent. It allows headhunters to filter their search for developers by the skills they require, as well as job titles and positions. Recruiters can also post a job advertisement on the platform where they mention job requirements, necessary skills, benefits, etc.

If you’re struggling to find talent on this website, don’t forget that you can always purchase a premium account and access premium search filters, view expanded profiles on LinkedIn, and much more.

Online communities

There are several online communities of software developers where you can find top remote programmers. These websites allow members to discuss topics relevant to their industry and trade advice.

Websites like Github, Stack Overflow, and HackerNews are widely used by software professionals from all over the globe. They are good choices to search for candidates with the necessary skills.

These websites also have a large pool of developers who can offer their services as freelancers. You will need to create an account in order to gain full access to the pools of developers on these sites.

Outsourcing companies

Outsourcing companies can also help you find top remote programmers quickly. These companies employ thousands of software engineers and other professionals from around the world. They provide big businesses with access to a large pool of developers, often at lower costs than hiring locally.

Outsourcing companies are a great option when companies are looking to hire not just one, but an entire team of developers dedicated to their project. 

The main benefit of hiring developers from an outsourcing company is that businesses can instantly hire talent without going through the detailed and time-consuming selection process. Outsourcing companies have recruitment teams on their payroll which can help find talented individuals and offer them on a contract basis for businesses who require their services. And since the reputation of these companies depends on the quality and professionalism of the developers they offer, rest assured that the reputable outsourcing companies dedicate the maximum attention and time to selecting the best talent.

However, there are several things to consider when choosing an outsourcing company:

• Explore if the company is investing enough time into recruitment before heading to them for help. You would hate it if you’re forced to wait weeks for a new developer to join your team or if the new hire doesn’t possess the right skills for your project.
• Check how long they have been in business and what kind of projects they’ve completed in the past. Ask about their portfolio of recent projects. This will give you an idea of whether the team is able to handle projects of the same magnitude as yours.
• Make sure you are comfortable with their payment structure and policies. Ask if you will have to pay developers hourly, monthly, or per project, and decide if such a pay structure is right for you.
• Ask the company how employee communication will be managed. Will the remote developers be communicating with you directly through Skype, Slack, or email? Or will the management of the outsourcing company handle all communication on behalf of its employees?
• Another important thing to consider when hiring remote developers from an outsourcing company is data security. Any business that requires a large amount of sensitive data should ask the company if they have measures in place for protecting this information.

MaxinAI outsourcing services

Looking for a reliable outsourcing company? We all know that finding the right outsourcing partner can be difficult and time-consuming, especially when you have no idea where to begin or what questions to ask.

MaxinAI offers you access to a dedicated remote team of software developers who can help your project succeed. We provide full-cycle services starting from project planning to deployment support, so that you can focus on your business while we take care of technical tasks related to product development.

We offer you full transparency into all of our processes including code reviews, bug tracking & testing cycles so that you always know exactly what stage your project is at and how we’re progressing towards completion. This way you won’t have any surprises or delays along the way – just better quality work delivered faster and cheaper than ever before! Fill up our contact form and let us show you how our service will strengthen your projects.

Conclusion

As we saw above, To find top remote software developers, you don’t have to go far. There are many online communities of programmers where you can post a job opening and receive responses from talented individuals who are willing to work remotely for your business. 

However, if you are looking for a full team of developers, outsourcing companies are the best option and provide great opportunities for businesses.

To avoid any unpleasant surprises or wasted time, make sure that you do your research before selecting which company is best suited for your needs.

Like everything else, hiring remote teams has its downsides, but the benefits that come with it outweigh the drawbacks. On top of that, the current situation and way of working have definitely made remote work a new norm and we have yet to see such practices grow.

The days of leading and managing a team in the office might not be over but with more and more companies going remote, it has become necessary to develop new leadership strategies for this modern workforce.

Leading and managing a remote team can be difficult. You have to ensure several things like:

• Employees getting the necessary information;
• Communicating with your employees regularly about their work;
• Encourage socialization among remote team members;
• + so much more

These tasks are not unique to remote work practices but can become more complicated, especially for virtual teams.

So how do you ensure good management and leadership so that your remote team is as effective and efficient as ever?

There are several strategies you can employ to make your life as a leader or manager of a remote team easier, and we’re going to talk about that today.

What is a remote team?

Remote teams are members that do not work in the same office. They are organized through technology, webinars, social media, video conferencing and using other communication tools to collaborate with one another. Remote team members might work from outside the state or even the country while still being part of an organization’s workforce.

A remote team can consist of only two people operating together remotely all the way up to thousands of individuals who are distributed across various locations. Remote workers can supplement their income by logging hours remotely for a project while living in a low cost-of-living area or they may be seeking more scheduling flexibility that allows them to spend more time with family or pursue other interests outside of work.

Why is remote working such a popular practice today?

Remote work has skyrocketed since the onset of the pandemic, which forced many companies to close their physical offices and carry out operations virtually.

However, employees have long been asking for and wanting the ability to work remotely. Why’s that?

Employees love remote working because it is in line with their preferences and needs. It allows them to choose from where they want to work and saves their time by removing the commuting need.

Remote working not only saves employees travel time, but also the costs associated with it, which means they can save money by eliminating these expenses.

As for employers, they love the idea of remote working because it solves a lot of problems. It helps them save money on office-related expenses (electricity, rent, heating, etc.), find better talent, avoid office politics, and lower employee turnover rates.

With all of the above in mind, it’s no wonder remote working practice is spreading so quickly in companies around the world.

How to handle the challenges of managing a remote team?

Leading and managing a remote team is often regarded as one of the most difficult tasks in an organization. While they can be an asset to any company, there are many challenges that come with having employees work remotely including trust, communication, accountability and organizational culture.

However, since many companies are already engaged in the practice of remote work, fortunately, there are many proven strategies that ensure the successful management of such teams. Let’s take a look at them.

1. Set clear expectations about company culture

Company culture means the values, beliefs and attitudes that are shared by employees. It is the foundation of your company’s environment and defines how people act within it.

Company culture is important in any organization, but it is even more critical when you are leading a remote team.

As a leader or manager, you cannot expect remote team members to be aware of what this culture is if they never experienced it in person firsthand.

As such, it’s up to you to ensure that your remote employees adhere to company policies and follow certain rules about communication etiquette.

To make this process easier for both parties involved, communicate with them on what kind of behavior is expected from each member within the team and how they are expected to communicate with other members.

Make an employee manual that includes information such as company culture, rules, and expectations to set the remote team up for success.

2. Encourage daily check-ins

Check-ins are important because it enables managers to connect with their staff, understand where they are right now, identify their challenges, and ensure the team is working properly to achieve company goals.

The importance becomes even more crucial for remote teams because they don’t have the luxury of seeing each other in person. It is therefore important to set up check-ins on a daily basis so that everyone can stay aware of what’s going on with their team members, and how work is progressing overall.

Make sure your remote employees know when these meetings are scheduled for by sending out an email or invitations in their calendars.

The format of chek-ins can vary from company to company and it is up to you to decide how this process will work for your team. You can do video calls or simple text updates in chat.

For many remote teams, the check-in happens at a set time each day (for example, between 11 am and 12 pm). Other companies like their employees’ input on what is the best time that works well for them within the timeframe they are all available.

Regardless of what you decide, make sure to set these meetings in advance so that everyone is aware of when it will happen.

3. Take advantage of the tools you have at your fingertips

Fortunately today, there are a host of collaboration and project management tools that help remote teams with communication, meetings and task management.

The advantage of using these tools is that they are available on any device (desktop, laptop or smartphone), at any time, anywhere in the world!

This means that you can connect with your staff and see what project they are working on, whenever necessary, simply by opening these software.

Tools such as Google Drive, Slack, Trello and Jira are especially effective because they have collaboration features that allow everyone to stay up-to-date on the progress of a certain task or project without being distracted from their own work.

As a manager, it is important that you know these tools to keep your staff engaged, connected and up-to-date.

4. Focus on accountability

Holding employees accountable for their work will not only give them a sense of responsibility, but also the confidence that they are in charge of their own projects, in their own phase.

Set performance indicators like KPI’s, OKR’s and SMART goals in order to help your employees with this. Performance indicators will help them understand what they are working towards so that they can manage their time more effectively.

If your remote employees feel like nobody is keeping track of how much work they have done on a daily basis, the chances are high that it will be harder for them to stay motivated and productive. 

5. Be transparent

Due to the lack of transparency, people tend to be left out of important information because it is not widely available and is only communicated between closed groups.

Encourage your remote team to be transparent with each other by sharing information, ideas and updates about a project.

This can be done by encouraging the team to prioritize public channels, store documents in public folders, and share their projects and results with the entire team.

Transparency will help your remote staff to trust one another and feel more connected so that they can work together in achieving the company goals. It is important for you as well because it enables managers to better understand what his/her team is up to.

6. Prioritize team spirit

Team spirit creates a feeling of belonging and having a sense of purpose.

Since you are not able to see your team members in person, it becomes even more important that they feel like they’re not alone and are actually an important part of the team.

Organize online team building activities like:

• Webinars or video conferences about company values and vision
• Virtual board game nights
• Employee awards to publicly recognize their value to the company

These activities will help your team to feel more connected and this helps them start working together towards the same goal as a cohesive unit. 

7. Hire the right team 

It’s important to make sure your hires are right for your business, regardless of whether your business operates remotely or not.

However, when it comes to remote team members, you need to be very cautious to make sure people are ready to be a part of that work environment and have the right skills.

Ensure that your candidates are able to communicate well, show initiative and have good time management skills.

Keep in mind that hiring talented employees who aren’t a good fit could actually create more problems than benefits because they will not be comfortable in that environment.

Hiring the right people will help your remote team get along better and be more productive, so it is worth taking a little more time to find the perfect fit.

Conclusion

If you’re struggling to lead and manage a remote team, take some cues from these strategies.

Focus on accountability by holding employees accountable for their work and performance indicators like KPI’s or OKR’s.

Be transparent by encouraging your staff to share information with one another in public channels or folders.

Prioritize team spirit by organizing activities that bring the group together (virtual board game nights) and hiring people who will fit well into your company culture.

Hire carefully so you can find someone who is right for this type of management environment!

Hopefully, with these tips, you will be able to effectively lead and manage your remote team and bring success to your business.

The increase in remote work is also causing the increase in remote interviews.

Interviewing remote candidates for jobs can be difficult. You may not know what they are like in person, and you will most likely never meet them face-to-face.

So, how can you ensure that you are conducting productive interviews with the remote candidates you’re interested in?

Remote interviews can be challenging not only for the interviewer but also for interviewees, but following the right tips can make a big difference in your hiring process!  There are many ways you can make the process easier on both yourself and the potential employee.

This article will discuss how to conduct productive interviews remotely, so you can get the most out of this hiring process.

What is a remote interview?

Remote interviews are conducted by phone or video chat and are done primarily because the candidates are located outside of the city, state, or country of the employer. 

However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, many companies also began interviewing local talent remotely, due to safety guidelines and security measures.

A remote interview is just like any other job interview; however, there are some factors that set it apart from the in-person interview.

Meeting a potential employee face-to-face is critical to have an accurate idea of their character and personality. However, in the case of remote interviews, it is more likely that you are conducting them with someone who has never met you before, or who has not even spoken with you on the phone.

This can make both of you feel nervous and the process a bit more challenging.

However, conducting productive interviews with remote candidates does not have to be difficult if you follow the following tips.

1. Choose communication tools wisely

From getting in touch for the first time to the final interview – there are many points of contact with your remote candidate throughout the hiring process.

Make sure the tools you use for communication are reliable, easy to use, and help you get as much information as you need about the candidates.

Emails are often the first point of contact when candidates get in touch with you and submit their CV and motivation letter. However, make sure that your next interview steps include phone or video chat.

Recommended tools for voice or video calls are :

• Skype
• Zoom
• Google Meet

Be aware of some limitations when choosing platforms. For example, Zoom and Google offer 1 to 1 video chats for 24 hours, but the duration of the video call is limited to less than 40 minutes when there are more than 2 participants.

Generally, video interviews are better than phone calls because both you and the candidate can see each other, making the process more personal and less awkward.

Additionally, video interviews give you the opportunity to assess candidates’ body language and understand if they are confident and represent themselves accordingly.

2. Consider skill tests

To ensure that candidates’ knowledge and skills match those of your company and the open position, consider including skill tests in the interview process.

Skills tests are a great way to get to know remote candidates and see how they work. It also saves recruiters a lot of time as it filters out all irrelevant candidates or those who do not qualify for the job.

There are many skill test platforms like:

• HackerRank
• TestGorilla
• eSkill

Alternatively, you can also create your own in-house skill-testing platform where you test your potential employees.

3. Give information about the interview process

Informing your remote candidates about what the interview process looks like and how many steps it will take is essential as it is likely that they do not know what to expect.

When you give them a clear expectation, you increase the chance that candidates who agree to the procedures will stay until the end of the interview process.

It’s really uncomfortable to lose good candidates during the hiring process midway because you didn’t communicate enough and didn’t give clear expectations.

Let your candidates know how many steps the hiring process consists of and what each step will include (practical assignments, video interviews, etc.).

4. Note the time zone difference

Hiring remotely means having candidates from different parts of the world. This could mean that when the sun rises for you, your candidate could be going to sleep.

That’s why, when scheduling interview meetings with remote candidates, make sure that it’s convenient for both of you.

It is a good idea to ask your candidates about their timezone and preferred interview times in advance so that they can plan accordingly.

Although most of the online calendars automatically convert meeting times to local timezone, when you decide to send the interview invitation, be sure to put the time zone in parentheses so your candidate doesn’t wonder if the 4:00 p.m. meeting is in your time zone or theirs.

5. Test the process

Be sure to go over the entire interview process with your team before conducting it with candidates.

It is vital to make sure that the process flows well and there aren’t any obstacles or problems in the hiring process.

Double-check if the tools you use for the interview work properly. This goes both for software and hardware.

Is your camera working fine? Or do you have to renew your Zoom subscription so the call doesn’t end after 40 minutes?

Test everything before interviewing remote candidates so that you don’t lose good candidates because of minor issues.

6. Prepare questions

Having your questions ready for the interview is not unique to remote recruiting. However, when it comes to hiring remotely, there are different challenges and therefore, your questions need to be much more specific than usual.

Remember that you can’t see your candidates face to face and the only source of information about them is what they provide online. Consequently, it’s important not just to ask questions but also to prepare follow-up ones so you get as much information as possible from candidates’ answers.

Make sure your questions also include questions about remote work, such as:

• Have you worked remotely before?
• How do you manage your time when working remotely?
• How often do you communicate with your team?
• What communication tools do you use?
• How do you overcome the challenge of lack of face-to-face contact?

The answers to these questions will give you a better idea of whether the candidate has had previous experience with remote working and if they are ready for this type of employment.

7. Thank your candidates

Make your candidates feel valued. The end of an interview is a great time to say thank you and let candidates know how much their participation was appreciated.

It shows that your company values professional work and dedication, which will make remote candidates want to be part of it even more!

8. Provide feedback

Regardless of whether the candidate was hired or not, it is important to provide them with feedback.

They took their time and made an effort to participate in the hiring process, so let them know how it went even if they didn’t get a job at your company.

This will make candidates feel valued for their participation and happy, as they will receive feedback that they can use to improve in the future.

Answering all of the participants is difficult and a real challenge, but keep in mind that it is useful not only for candidates but also for your company. Responding to candidates and reporting your decision and the reasons behind it provides a positive hiring experience. 

People use websites like Glassdoor to provide feedback on the company’s interview process. Having positive reviews that attract more potential employees will increase your chances of hiring the right talent for your next open position. 

Conclusion

For any company looking to hire remote employees, it is important that you have a process in place that can be followed by both the recruiter and the candidate.

The most successful companies are those who have prepared their questions ahead of time so they know what information they need from candidates when conducting an interview remotely.

It’s also vital for recruiters to test their tools before interviewing potential hires so there aren’t any hiccups or problems during the interview process.

By following our advice, you will improve the remote interview process and increase your chances of hiring the perfect candidate in a way that is practical and beneficial to you.

Increased efficiency, accelerated project development, reduced costs – these are only a fraction of the benefits that IT talent outsourcing offers companies.

With the increasing digitization around the world and the popularization of remote working, the culture of outsourcing has seen a great rise. Even industry giants like Google, WhatsApp, and Slack are outsourcing, making it an effective and proven business model for others to follow.

However, regardless of the benefits and popularity, some companies are still unsure whether this business practice is worth considering. Such confusion is caused by the myths and misconceptions surrounding the practice of outsourcing, and that is exactly what we will be debunking today.

Myth # 1: Outsourcing companies provide poor service

One of the most popular criticisms against the practice of outsourcing is that it can harm the quality of your product or service.

This stigma is mainly due to the fact that outsourcing is cheaper. And although in some cases, a lower price may mean lower quality, it is not entirely true. 

In the case of outsourcing, the most famous destinations are developing countries due to the lower cost of living. Workers in these countries earn lower wages due to lower prices for housing, food, etc. compared to developed countries.

This means that an equally talented and experienced worker can be outsourced cheaper from developing countries than hiring an employee locally in a developed country. 

So don’t worry about the fact that you are paying less as it has nothing to do with the actual quality of service.

The quality of the outsourcing service is more related to the skills of the staff. Therefore just as hiring an employee requires an in-depth examination and interview, so does outsourcing to a company. 

Since you are delegating a significant part of your project to an external team, it is crucial to do your research and make sure that the team is truly capable of helping your company. Find out the 5 most important things to consider before outsourcing a team.

Myth # 2: Outsourcing is not safe

Another concern with outsourcing is data security and privacy. This is a legitimate concern, as data security is vital to the success of a business. Ensuring that customer data is stored securely is not an advantage, but rather a strict requirement regulated by law.

It makes sense that working with a third party can lead to security concerns, however if you are doing business with a trusted and experienced outsourcing company then you need not worry.

In fact, ensuring the security of their customers’ data is a top priority for reputable and experienced outsourcing companies. This is the exact reason why these companies are proactive in the drafting of confidentiality agreements (NDAs), as well as in the implementation of various security measures such as:

• Establishing strong passwords and requiring multi-factor authentications;
• Using antivirus software and virtual private network (VPN);
• Ensuring an up-to-date operating system;
• Educating employees about data security;
• Etc. 

So if an outsourcing company is professional and takes security, there is no need to worry. However, be sure to ask what safety measures the company has in place.

Ensuring such protective measures and establishing trust is the main reason that outsourcing companies get new clients and continue being a reliable partner.

Myth # 3: You lose control of your projects.

Concern about losing control of projects is another reason that prevents companies from outsourcing their projects. Companies fear they will not be able to see and follow the project development process.

The reality is that reputable outsourcing companies are extremely good and highly experienced in project management and reporting.

Having worked with many clients and many projects, outsourcing companies know that clients need to be aware of the development process.

That is why, in addition to email and telephone communications, outsourcing companies effectively use project management tools such as Jira, Asana, Trello, etc. so that their clients can see in more detail the status of each individual task and who is assigned to it as well as deadlines, advanced reports and much more.

Myth # 4: Cultural and linguistic barriers

The difference in culture and norms, as well as the language barrier, is also a factor of concern for companies when considering outsourcing.

The truth is that successful outsourcing companies have clients from all over the world. For this reason, these companies ensure that their employees have a good command of the English language so that the communication process with customers is as fluid as possible.

Also, if the outsourcing company has worked with numerous international clients, it is aware of cultural differences and makes sure to meet the communication style preferences that clients have.

Myth # 5: Time zone difference is a problem

Companies also tend to avoid outsourcing because they believe that time differences can create a collaboration problem.

However, there are always overlapping hours between teams, which can be used to exchange information and inquiries. Some outsourcing companies that have clients with different time zones offer night shifts to make sure teams overlap during their work.

The agile methodology is another way that companies overcome time differences. Companies find it helpful to increase the frequency of communication during the initial stage and decrease it in the development and design stage. Plus, with many collaborative tools like Google Docs and Slack, the communication process is easier and faster.

Conclusion 

Outsourcing gives companies the opportunity to quickly gain access to skills and resources and fill the talent gap. With the help of outsourcing, companies can achieve greater efficiency at lower costs. 

Just like every business practice, outsourcing also comes with risks. However, when partnering with an experienced and reputable company, outsourcing can be a very effective method of enhancing your projects and gaining a competitive advantage. 

If you are looking for a reputable outsourcing company to boost your projects, make sure to get in touch with us. MaxinAI is a team of 60+ Ph.D. level experts previously employed in companies such as General Electric, Trip Advisor, Zalando, etc. 

Schedule a free consultation call with our experts and let us show you how our talents can uplift your business!

The lack of qualified personnel is a problem that affects companies all over the world. This is especially true for the tech sector, as demand for tech skills soars while supply remains inadequate.

In fact, in 2021, 65% of UK businesses cite the digital skills gap as one of the biggest challenges. This is a concerning statistic, as today, when most businesses compete globally, the digital workforce is a significant boost to competitive advantage.

So how can UK companies tackle this problem and what are the most effective ways to fill the tech talent gap in 2021?

Training and free courses

We live in times of rapid technological advancements that brought revolutionary progress in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and robotics. This requires a workforce that is up to date with these advances with their skills, knowledge and abilities.

With such rapid developments, we must realize that our skills have a shelf life, which means that providing free in-house training or courses for your staff should be an ongoing process, as it ensures that they are up-to-date with the latest industry skills trends. 

There are various platforms like Coursera for business that offer courses in data science, computer science, business, and much more.

Additionally, paying for your employees to attend conferences, seminars, and workshops can be beneficial, helping them gain more expert knowledge, network with others, and learn about the latest industry developments. You can find the list of 2021 IT and technology conferences held in the UK here. 

Put skills and motivation first

To ensure that your staff is professional, you must ensure high standards during the hiring process. However, changing the way a candidate is evaluated could solve the talent gap problem without sacrificing quality.

A college degree is important. Seeing that a candidate has a higher education tells the recruiter that the person has the dedication, self-discipline, and organizational skills to successfully complete a long-term project.

However, we still see industry giants like Google, Apple, or IBM no longer requiring a degree. Why is that?

Companies found that higher education requirements are limiting their hiring pools and making talent acquisition a challenging process.

This is especially true for the current situation, where newly created technology positions are being filled by candidates without the traditional four-year college degree.

“At some of our centers in the United States, as many as one third of employees have less than a four-year degree. What matters most is relevant skills, sometimes obtained through vocational training.” says IBM CEO, Ginni Rometty.

Companies understand that skills-based hiring is a better strategy to fill the talent gap. Focusing on practical experiences and the impact the candidate had on their previous work or projects could be more beneficial to the company than placing the highest importance on a college degree.

Outsourcing 

Although the steps mentioned above are a good way to start tackling the talent gap problem, there are cases and projects where companies require an experienced staff as soon as possible. What do you do in that case?

As we’ve already mentioned, tech talent is hard to find and becomes even scarcer when looking for highly specialized talent. Companies that rely on software have struggled with this for a long time, however, they found a perfect solution that solves this problem – outsourcing.

30% of UK businesses are predicting that they’ll outsource more of their IT needs, and this number is increasing even more as the recent pandemic promoted remote working and further accelerated outsourcing around the world.

Another major benefit of outsourcing, besides having access to a large pool of specialized talent, is that it could be more profitable. Many outsourcing companies based in different countries offer a more affordable service for the same talents as recruiting locally in the UK.

MaxinAI is located in Tbilisi, Georgia, a trusted IT outsourcing destination, which gives us the opportunity to offer our United Kingdom partners the best price/quality ratio.

Our team is known for:

• Employees with 20+ years of experience in software engineering and data science. 
• Top employees from top companies like General Electric, CERN, Trip Advisor, Zalando, etc. 
• Top-notch talents from an unexplored market to offer you the best quality-price ratio.
• More than 40 satisfied customers from 3 different continents. 

Conclusion

As the demand for tech talent continues to rise, UK companies must find creative and effective ways to attract tech professionals. If what you are looking for is a professional team at an affordable price, schedule a call with our HR consultant and let’s find out how our outsourcing services will help your business and projects succeed.

Today, with the help of the Internet, we are not defined by borders and we can work from home in foreign companies. Aside from remote working, the Internet has made outsourcing even more accessible for businesses.

Outsourcing has become very popular and it is not a limited practice only for small businesses. Industry giants like Google, WhatsApp, and Slack are outsourcing, making it an effective and proven business model for others to follow.

So what made this practice so popular and why are more and more companies outsourcing some services?

It’s no wonder why cost reduction is the main driver of outsourcing. It often happens that the desired professionals and services in the country where the company operates cost too much.

That is why companies prefer to employ those services from a different country where the exact work costs them less.

Another equally popular reason for outsourcing is the lack of available talent internally. This is especially true when it comes to Artificial Intelligence.

AI can provide significant benefits to companies; However, as it is still an emerging field, AI-related positions are difficult to fill.

So if you’ve decided to outsource AI talent, it’s likely due to one of the reasons mentioned above. 

Understanding the reasons for outsourcing is important, but it is equally important to know the details and technical aspects of the process to successfully outsource an AI team.

How to successfully outsource your AI team

1. Research the team 

As the saying goes: “Supposing is good, but finding out is better”. Since you are delegating a significant part of your business operation to an external team, it is important to ensure that the members are professionals.

Try to find out the projects the team has worked on and the results they got. Ask the team for their portfolio where details of past projects, such as the problem, solution, and results are described in depth.

With the help of LinkedIn and Google search, you can also separately check the profiles of the team members and their professional background.

2. Schedule a consultation call

Once you’ve researched the team on the web, another great way to get to know them is through a consultation call.

This step should not be skipped as it gives you an opportunity to discuss the problem you want to solve. Ask the team what ideas they have for your AI project and if they see any risks related to it.

The consultation call will not only give you a better understanding of the team’s professional background, but will also help you see how the communication will unfold. Is there a cultural fit? Or maybe a language barrier?

If you are outsourcing a team from abroad, it is important to ensure that the communication language is satisfactory and that both parties understand each other perfectly.

PS: If you are looking for a customer-centric team with expertise in fields like AI, data science, big data, data mining, and much more, look no further and schedule a free consultation call with our AI experts.

3. Technology skillset 

Remember when we mentioned earlier that AI professionals were hard to find? That’s because AI is a challenging field and becoming a professional requires extensive experience and intelligence.

Since you want to outsource a portion of your business operations, you don’t want to settle for just any AI team, you want to make sure they are true professionals and your project is in good hands.

Ask the team what their top tech skills are and find out if they specialize in things like creating and implementing ML models, planning and executing an ML project on time, and if they know the particularities of a successful data science team.

Ideally, the AI team should be able to work crosswise with your business leaders so that together they can identify where AI can add value to your business. To successfully execute the project, an Engineering Director and project managers is also important so that all the steps are thought through and everything goes well.

In terms of other members, it depends on the project, but in general, ML engineers, data scientists, data engineers, and other professionals are often part of AI projects.

4. Project Management process 

It is important to be aware of how the implementation and execution of your project is going. This is especially true if this is your first time partnering with the outsourcing company.

What stage is the project in? Are the deadlines being met? Is the planned budget sufficient?

To stay on top of these issues, you need constant communication with the outsourced team. While email and phone communication is an option, an effective way of being in the loop are the project management tools like Jira, Asana, Trello, etc.

The tools will help you see in more detail the status of each individual task and who is assigned to it, deadlines, advanced reports and much more.

5. Prepare legal documents

After deciding to start the partnership with a company, make sure you have all the necessary legal documents that will protect your business.

Do not share your project details, as well as your data, with an unfamiliar company until there is a mutual agreement regarding the terms and rights between two parties.

Generally, a document signed before starting cooperation is a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA). However, check with your lawyers to make sure you have all the necessary documents to protect your business.

Conclusion 

Outsourcing can be a powerful tool for your company to quickly and effectively gain access to AI talent and accelerate your project execution.

However, it is also a procedure that should be taken very seriously and thoroughly examined before engaging in it.

Pay attention to all the steps mentioned above to make sure your AI outsourcing is successful. Understand if the company of your choice is focused only on fees or if they really want to find out if there is a fit between you two. 

If their priorities are understanding your problem and making sure their service can help your business, then that is already a good sign.

Do you want a customer-centric company that takes all the steps mentioned above seriously? MaxinAI is a team of 60+ Ph.D. level experts previously employed in companies such as General Electric, CERN, Trip Advisor, Zalando, etc.

We took projects like power consumption prediction, document data extraction, facial recognition, and successfully delivered them to clients around the world.

If you want to be our next success story, schedule a free consultation with our experts and let’s build something great together!