In the past, software development outsourcing has been viewed with skepticism, but today the practice of hiring teams in other countries to build software has become widely accepted among organizations of all sizes and industry verticals. The practice has proliferated to the point where some companies, like Aha!, even focus exclusively on software outsourcing services; their entire business model revolves around partnering with other companies to handle outsourced software work while they concentrate on their core competencies. While there are plenty of reasons why an organization would want to outsource their software development, here are some of the top trends that will continue shaping the outsourcing market into 2021 and beyond.
1| Software Development Automation
Software development automation is one of the best methods to improve software quality, maintainability, and consistency. Automation tools are able to perform tasks that are tedious or require special skills. It can even execute complex algorithms. Software developers use automation tools to simplify their work, accelerate it and reach better results within less time. Most likely, you’ve already used at least one piece of software developed with assistance from an automated process. For example, when you use a website or application developed with Symfony framework it means that thousands of lines of code have been automatically generated by automated tools before reaching your browser/mobile app.
2| Updating Programming Languages
Almost a third of software developers, 32%, say they work on applications written in programming languages that have been out of date for at least five years. Nearly half, 49%, have been working with programming languages that have been out of date between one and three years, while just 19% said they work on applications written in modern programming languages. In addition to working with outdated programming languages, IT departments also struggle to hire developers who are able to understand these antiquated programs. By 2021, approximately 35% of companies will update their software development systems so that new technology can be used without having to rewrite all existing programs.
3| Blending Cloud Platforms
For years, IT outsourcing firms have built their businesses around the concept of blended solutions; that is, taking advantage of multiple software platforms (eg., Salesforce, Workday) to meet client needs. Blending is good news not only for clients but also for cloud vendors like Salesforce and Workday; it means there’s more opportunity to expand their market penetration by landing additional services deals. Salesforce has already done a great job positioning itself as a go-to destination for customer success—next year could bring out big opportunities in HR, finance, and healthcare. As customers look at new ways to deliver value with an outsourced workforce, blended solutions will be even more important than they are today. Stay tuned!
4| Portable Software
It’s now cheaper than ever to outsource software development, which means small businesses are increasingly using portable software. This refers to applications that can be used on multiple platforms without any code changes required. If your company wants an app or website built but you don’t have a team of developers, look into portable software options. These tools enable you to tap into an expert network of coders—some of whom may even be in-house employees working remotely—who can build what you need without having to invest in expensive resources or equipment. Portability also makes it easier to move projects from one provider to another if necessary since developers no longer need to work with proprietary software that they’re not familiar with.
5| Augmented Reality Apps
Augmented reality apps and games are on track to become a $200 billion market by 2022. That’s because of innovative apps from some of Silicon Valley’s biggest companies, as well as an ever-increasing number of indie app developers. With new AR features being added to mobile phones all year, it’s time to think about whether or not your business could be making use of augmented reality in some way right now. If you’re still on the fence about developing augmented reality apps, here are a few trends that show AR development will only continue to grow over time
6| Artificial Intelligence App Development
AI app development is changing how apps are created. With AI development software, coders aren’t just writing algorithms—they’re creating conversations. AI programming allows users to ask apps questions and receive responses in their native language, rather than through voice-recognition software. Soon you might be able to say I need a last-minute dinner reservation near my office in Midtown, and an AI app will respond with specific options for restaurants that meet your criteria—no more scrolling through countless Yelp reviews and hours of extra work. Today, AI makes up 2 percent of all enterprise software development projects; by 2021, it will account for 18 percent.
7| Connected Car Apps
The growing trend of consumer application development means that developers will want to create apps specifically for connected cars. If you know-how, you can easily turn your app into a connected version so it’s ready to stream content directly to your car’s dashboard or windshield. The huge jump in ride-sharing services has also opened up new opportunities for software developers looking to reach ride-share users. For example, developer Geofeedia recently received $25 million in funding because their event management platform would be perfect for ride-share companies like Uber and Lyft; users can sign up with Uber, and Lyft drivers could use Geofeedia software—complete with geolocation services—to attract customers. This is just one way that software development outsourcing will continue expanding over the next five years.
| Conclusion
Software outsourcing is an extremely important part of modern software development. As software has become more complex, it has also become much more collaborative. Programmers don’t always work alone; they often need other software engineers to help them code, along with graphic designers and even testers to ensure that what’s being built will actually be able to do what it’s supposed to. And as IT infrastructure becomes more complicated, companies need specialized services that only other companies can provide. This is why you should consider outsourcing your next project or app idea—but you should approach it strategically so you get exactly what you want without paying any unnecessary fees. If you are looking for a software developer there are many software outsourcing companies that can help in developing software applications.
