Outsourcing software development can be a great way to develop high-quality products in a cost-efficient way. However, finding the right IT provider can be a bit complicated for many businesses—especially since outsourcing has become a worldwide phenomenon, and some are just starting to dive into the field.
Thankfully, there are several ways to tap into the global outsourcing market. For starters, knowing more about the most popular regions to outsource development will help to narrow searches down to a few technologically prospering regions. South American software outsourcing, for example, has taken some massive leaps in the past year.
Why So Many Businesses Are Outsourcing Software Development
Although cost-efficiency is what made Software Outsourcing a popular solution at the beginning, today the field is recognized for providing benefits that go far beyond this. Here are some of the highlights.
- Access to Top tech talent
- Quick implementation and scalability
- Guaranteed performance and reliability
- Reduced focus on IT management
- Faster problem-solving and minimal downtime
- Money and time savings in labor costs
The Criteria for Comparing Software Outsourcing Regions
Tech Education
This is, perhaps, the stepping stone for everything IT-related. The software development education of the region will determine not just the quality of their developers, but also the quality of the local companies.
Communication
No project will ever be successful without effective communication. Language fluency, cultural similarities, time zone differences, and general accessibility are a few factors in the mix.
IT Market Development
It is crucial to identify which regions tend to make the smartest investments in their technology sectors. An international approach to the industry is a clear sign of a healthy IT market.
Average Rate
The average hourly rate of developers varies vastly across regions. However, the real value lies in cost-efficiency, rather than on which region has the lowest prices.
Best Regions to Outsource Software Development
#1 Latin America
Latin America has the fastest projected IT industry growth of any region, with a projected revenue growth rate of 5.3% for the 2020s, 2 points above the 3.3% global average. Currently, software development in South America is leading the region’s industry, mainly thanks to countries like Argentina and Brazil.
#2 South-East Asia
South-East Asian countries like Taiwan, Thailand, and The Philippines are home to one of the largest English-speaking software developer populations in the world. The region offers a growing IT services market with a young and energetic labor force. Since investments reached US$ 11 billion in 2018, the region has not stopped growing.
Moreover, many Southeast Asian countries have begun to implement STEM education systems in their high schools and universities to nurture their booming tech and science industry.
#3 Eastern Europe
South-East Asian countries like Taiwan, Thailand, and The Philippines are home to one of the largest English-speaking software developer populations in the world. The region offers a growing IT services market with a young and energetic labor force. Since investments reached US$ 11 billion in 2018, the region has not stopped growing.
Moreover, many Southeast Asian countries have begun to implement STEM education systems in their high schools and universities to nurture their booming tech and science industry.
#4 Middle East
The Middle East is characterized by its tech-native and savvy population, as more than 50% of the demographic is under 24 years old. This region is a rich breeding ground for software outsourcing, with almost a dozen startup IT companies valued at over US$ 100 million each in 2017.
Most notably, software outsourcing companies in the Middle East are known for being very affordable. Developer salaries are a fraction of what’s paid in other regions, which allows for cheap outsourced development solutions.
#5 China
China produces an amazing 4.7 million IT graduates every year, and Chinese developers are often recognized as some of the best in the world, as confirmed by HackerRank. The local IT market is as competitive as it gets, with 35,000 IT firms and 6 million people associated with them in 2017.
However, less than 10% of its population is fluent in English, which is a major drag in their international approach. Despite this, reputable providers put a lot of effort in building high-performance teams with great language skills.
