In-House vs. Outsourced Software Developers: Part One

Dean Beard • 4 years ago

Developing a new software-based product or service can be a daunting task. You have an idea of the end goal, and you know your starting point, but there are many decisions to make along the way. 

One of the first decisions you’re going to have to make is if you should outsource your software development or hire an in-house team. It’s a significant decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly, so what do you need to know to make the right decision for you? In this first part of our two-parter blog, we’re going to provide you with an in-depth look into the benefits and potential risks of in-house teams first.

Here’s our analysis:

Top 3 Benefits of In-House Software Development Teams

Culture

The main benefit of having an in-house team is that you can feed off of each other’s enthusiasm and creativity more easily. In-house teams have the bonus of company culture, which can be more challenging to develop in remote-based or offshore teams. Difficult, but not impossible. 

Communication

Communication is simple if everyone’s in the same place — everyone’s just a shout or scheduled meeting room away. This can seem like a huge benefit. 

Control

In-house teams can be easier to control as you can physically go and ask them for progress reports and see when someone is working or talking to coworkers. With an outsourced team, you depend on a project manager to make sure your developers are productive. 

The Downsides to In-House Software Development

Costly

The big downside to in-house software development is the added costs. You’re responsible for all the hiring, onboarding, salaries, benefits, equipment, and office space for your team. It can be a lot more economical to outsource software development. 

Limited Labor Pool

You’re limited to the geographical labour pool near your business. You can’t always access the top developers and engineers where you are. In some cases, you may have the budget to look for talent globally and cover relocation costs. Still, it’s far more economical to outsource to a software consultant who already has the top developers on their team. 

In our next blog, we’ll do a deep dive into the best ways that outsourcing product development can help companies reach their goals. The decision to outsource vs. hiring an in-house team is based on each business’s unique situation. Understanding the benefits of each option will help you to see how outsourcing could help your company grow in ways you had not considered before. 
If you’re looking for a talented and experienced team of software developers and strategists, we’re here to help. IntuitioLabs is a globally based company of experts with years of experience. Get in touch today to design the products and services of tomorrow.