Outsourcing software development:
smart and efficient

Choose flexibility and expertise by outsourcing your software development. In this blog we discuss the advantages, pitfalls and best practices. Learn how to find the right partner and manage your project efficiently.

What is outsourcing?

The benefits of outsourcing

Why you should outsource your software development

Cost savings

Outsourcing often results in significant cost reductions. You do not need to hire permanent staff, which lowers salary and overhead expenses. This makes it financially attractive, especially for SMEs.

Access to specialist expertise

By outsourcing software development you gain access to a pool of experienced professionals. This is crucial when you need specific skills that are not available in-house.

Faster turnaround times

Working externally allows you to benefit from the capacity and speed of the outsourcing partner. Your project can be developed more quickly, enabling you to reach the market sooner.

Flexibility

Outsourcing lets you scale resources according to demand. If you need more capacity, you can arrange it easily without lengthy recruitment processes.

Outsourcing software development can be a smart strategic move.

A flexible solution that meets changing market needs while reducing costs.
Summary

Summary.

Outsourcing software development can be a smart strategic move for many companies. It offers a flexible solution that lets you respond to changing market demands while saving costs. This also makes it attractive for SMEs that may not have the resources for a full in-house development team.

Key factors to consider:

  • Choose the right partner: Assess technical expertise and previous projects.

  • Communication: Clear communication is crucial to avoid misunderstandings.

  • Flexible management: Adapt your management style to the needs of the project.

Benefits of outsourcing

  • Cost savings

  • Access to expert knowledge

  • Faster development

  • Flexibility when scaling

Step-by-step guide to outsourcing software development.

Follow these steps to plan and execute your outsourcing journey successfully.

Step 1: Define your outsourcing needs

Step 1: Define your outsourcing needs.

Before outsourcing it is vital to define your needs clearly. What type of software do you require? What are the project goals? This helps you select a suitable partner and prevents future misunderstandings.

Step 2: Research potential partners

Step 2: Research potential partners.

Take the time to compare different companies. Review their portfolios, experience and testimonials. These insights help you choose a reliable partner that meets your requirements.

Step 3: Confirm contract terms

Step 3: Confirm contract terms.

Ensure that all agreements are captured clearly in a contract. This includes not only costs but also timelines, delivery dates and quality standards. Clear terms are essential for managing expectations and avoiding frustration.

Step 4: Maintain communication

Step 4: Maintain communication.

Avoid communication problems by providing regular updates and keeping communication channels open. Use tools such as Slack or Zoom for meetings and status updates.

Step 5: Monitor progress

Step 5: Monitor progress.

It is important to track project progress. Define clear KPIs and hold regular feedback sessions to ensure everything stays on course.

Interested in outsourcing software development?

Interested in outsourcing software development?

If you want to start outsourcing your software development, let us explore together how we can elevate your project. Contact us for an informal introductory meeting. We look forward to hearing your story!

The philosophical view on outsourcing

The philosophical view on outsourcing.

What are the deeper considerations?

When considering outsourcing, it is wise to look beyond the immediate benefits. Yes, you can save costs and gain access to expertise, but culture and values matter too. If the external team aligns well with your company values you achieve synergy, which often results in innovation.

Culture and values

Our experience shows that companies with a good cultural fit push boundaries. For example, when both parties embrace diversity of ideas and experience, creativity rises and stronger solutions emerge.

Best practices for outsourcing software development

Best practices for outsourcing software development.

Practical tips for successful collaboration

When outsourcing software development there are many factors to consider. Building good collaboration starts with clear agreements. Here are some best practices you can follow:

Clear agreements

Ensure that everyone shares the same expectations. This prevents unnecessary frustration. Use project management tools to guarantee transparency.

Regular feedback sessions

Create mechanisms for feedback and continuous improvement. This ensures that all voices are heard and that adjustments can be made.

Flexibility and adaptability

The tech world changes rapidly. Be prepared to adjust when necessary.

Outsourcing versus in-house development

Outsourcing versus in-house development.

Analyse the pros and cons

It is important to weigh the choice between outsourcing and in-house development carefully. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of both approaches:

Advantages of in-house development

  • Greater control over the process

  • Direct communication between team members

Disadvantages

  • Higher costs due to salaries and overhead

  • Limited access to specialised expertise

Depending on your specific situation, one approach may be more effective than the other. It is all about making the right trade-off.

Hans Lugtenberg

"A deal is a deal"

Yield.inc is a new asset manager in the Netherlands that focuses on excellent customer experience, sustainability and technology. When faced with the question of whether to develop our platform in-house or with a partner, we got in touch with Spartner. We are still 100% behind the choice for Spartner because we own the source code and with Spartner, a deal really is a deal, whether it concerns the delivery date or the agreed budget!

Hans Lugtenberg Partner at Yield Inc.

Norbert Wegter

"A professional software partner since 2010"

Spartner is involved and contributes in our search for innovations and always delivers top-notch work. After the first Huurda.nl version got out-dated, we collaboratively launched a completely new version in 2020.

Read more

Norbert Wegter Owner of 123wonen and Expat Homes Holland

"Doijer & Kalff"

After transferring our D&K portal to Spartner, we have elevated the further development and continuity to a higher level. Although the D&K platform was originally developed internally, our technical expert can now focus on other innovations within Doijer & Kalff. Spartner provides the quality we need without excessive costs. They have seamlessly taken over the care of our portal, allowing us to benefit from a flexible capacity that perfectly aligns with our future plans and innovation goals.

Reinier van Bergen Managing Director at Doijer & Kalff

Jurjen Terpstra

"Pragmatic and flexible collaboration"

Spartner has created a customized portal for us for the accountability of large-scale collaborative projects. This enables us and our partners to execute and account for their plans in a shared environment that is secure, transparent, and manageable. The pragmatic and flexible collaboration with Spartner has ensured that we have quickly achieved a functional and user-friendly environment.

Jurjen Terpstra Managing Partner at Wecreate Consulting

Marco Caspers

"AI and machine learning as legal tools"

In 2020, we transferred the development of Lynn to Spartner. As a result of their fast development process, the Lynn platform achieves an increasingly central role in the legal world.

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Marco Caspers Software Development Manager at Lynn Legal

Bjorn Gubbels

"As a business you must dare to move forward"

Innovation and change are not always welcomed with equal enthusiasm by our employees, man is a creature of habit but as a company you have to dare to move forward and the need for a contemporary drawing program for the realization of various constructions with our Masterbloc bricks was high. For us but also for Spartner, this challenge was a bit of pioneering and together we had to overcome some hurdles to arrive at a beautiful and efficient business tool. A development and learning process for both parties, in which the feedback of questions and desired adjustments by our employees to Spartner was always in good consultation and we could count on quick feedback and targeted solutions. We continue to exchange experiences with Spartner and look back and forward to a successful collaboration.

Read more

Bjorn Gubbels Owner of Masterbloc

Marco Leenders

"Spartner extends our capabilities and development capacity"

With weekly calls, using our Azure DevOps sprint system, Spartner actively works together with our innovation, communication and software development departments.

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Marco Leenders Head of Automation

Gemeente Groningen

"Flexible collaboration with yearly updates"

The projectteam of the city of Groningen is very enthusiastic about the "Roomfinder" platform.

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Gemeente Groningen Projectteam

Josh Mountain

"Have been using Laravel Excel for years"

We requested custom help to a performance challenge we had in our implementation of Laravel Excel. I was amazed how quickly these Laravel artisans achieved significant performance gains, which saved us a lot of development time.

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Josh Mountain Co-Founder at IncentivePilot.com

Maurice Evers

"Higher occupancy rate thanks to our user-friendly platform"

Throughout the great years that we cooperate with Spartner (previously Maatwebsite, Ed.), our software has been developed continuously. Students and landlords actively work with features like allocation, payments, chat, contract generation and more.

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Maurice Evers Head of Student Housing Department

Maarten Bremer

"Innovating in the digital identification network of The Netherlands and Europe"

The pro-active approach of Spartner was crucial in understanding the complexity of the eHerkenning network.

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Maarten Bremer CTO / Founder Ensured

Niels Winters

"Innovation in legal technology"

As jurists with knowledge of IT, we highly value quality; within code, but also in process. The high work-level and trustworthiness of Spartner gives us the capacity to continuously create innovative features.

Read more

Niels Winters Managing Director JuriBlox

Frequently asked questions

Practical answers to the questions we hear most often.

πŸ€” When is outsourcing software development the right choice?

Outsourcing is ideal when you lack the required resources or expertise and when you need to scale quickly without lengthy recruitment procedures.

πŸš€ How do I start outsourcing software development?

Begin by mapping your project needs, research potential partners and secure a clear contract. Then start with an introductory meeting.

πŸ—ΊοΈ What are the first steps when outsourcing software development?

Define your project goals, search for suitable partners and establish clear communication and reporting structures.

πŸ’‘ What are the benefits of outsourcing software?

You save costs, gain access to specialist knowledge and can scale flexibly according to your needs.

πŸ” How do I select the right outsourcing partner?

Check reviews, examine the portfolio and ensure they have experience in your specific industry or technology.

βœ‹ Can you simply terminate an outsourcing contract?

This depends on the contractual terms, but it is important to pay attention to the consequences and always handle the process professionally.

Feel like a cup of coffee?

Whether you have a new idea or an existing system that needs attention?

We are happy to have a conversation with you.

Call, email, or message us on WhatsApp.

Bart Schreurs
Business Development Manager
Bart Schreurs

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