Often, a big decision when starting a new software project is whether or not to outsource development or simply do it in-house. The most common reason for this concern to pop up is that companies have heard about bad experiences from friends or colleagues, or they’ve experienced it themselves.

After all, working with third parties can come with its challenges. But as with everything in life, proper planning prevents poor performance - and this applies to outsourcing tasks as much as it does to anything else. 

How does this dilemma come about?

Upgrading software is a critical task for any modern business and can improve a company’s productivity by as much as 50%. Apart from this, new systems are more adaptable and have better security, a key factor in today’s data landscape.

According to Norton, one of the most used antivirus softwares in the world, new software and upgrades can help get rid of old flaws. Hackers and cybercriminals are constantly getting better and you should too, to make sure your company’s data and systems are safe and efficient.

In the same breath, companies don’t always have the resources to allocate time and internal spend to technical projects and need support, to a greater or lesser degree.

5 Questions To Guide You

Every situation and every upgrade is different. It is vital for you to do a thorough analysis of your project, plan out your goals and timeline before deciding who’s going to be responsible for the task of upgrading - and to what extent they’re involved. Key decision-makers should ask themselves:

What is the scope of the upgrade or new development?

The most important question to find an answer to when upgrading your software is why you are doing it. The key objectives you use as a mark, serve as vital information for the development team, and can help you figure out priority and critical areas for development. This will impact the level of resources you need to continue and give you a basis for understanding when and what you can get help with.

Do you have the skillset, internally - and is it your core competency?

Sit down with your team and find out if they have the ability to develop the best possible software. 

Building software is a complex process and the benefit of having an outside company is they can have access and knowledge on the latest technology that is being used. (Maxxor Blog) However, many companies don’t have in-house development teams because of the cost or demand for that kind of work on a monthly basis. 

On the other hand, some companies do software development for other brands, as their core service offering and this presents an ethical and logistical dilemma. When a skill is your company’s core competency, outsourcing this skill makes your business vulnerable. In these cases, it’s best to enlist temporary or supporting development, rather than putting an entirely separate team on the project. 

Do you have capacity?

Does your team have the ability and capacity to do this work while continuing to service your company on a daily basis? Very few businesses can afford a software team solely for building new products. This means that they are constantly dividing their time between your upgrades and their daily tasks. 

Your team may have the skills and the experience to get this job done but do they have the capacity with everything else going on? If yes, then you could think about doing it in-house as a priority - even if the cost is higher than that of partnering with other developers. If no, then it may be more effective to look at outsourcing the work to some extent.

Is your internal infrastructure set up for partnerships?

Agility in the software world is key and can help create environments where partnering with service providers is easier. Without the right communications and data-sharing infrastructure, it will be a complex task to plug in new teams and can create a myriad of challenges when working with freelancers or other organizations.

If your internal infrastructure is not geared up for remote and collaborative working, you’re going to have a problem. In these instances, you need to factor in the costs of creating this environment, although the benefits can be two-fold for your business. If you can’t do this, starting in-house may be a more viable option. 

What is your budget?

Budget constraints play a major role when going into a new project. And while the face value of one option may be cheaper, you need to take into account the cost of mistakes, setbacks, and not reaching the goals you want to achieve. Besides that, the training and infrastructure costs internally can add up fast and need to be considered. 

It may seem cheaper to hire more staff but will you have work for them after this project is done? Further to that S&C says “Businesses cut down their development costs up to 50-60% when they turn to an outsourcing company”. 

Typically, there is a lesser risk and cost associated with outsourcing, as you are not bound to permanently employ developers and not responsible for the overheads associated with third parties, however, in cases where they are too far removed from your team, you are likely to incur quality control and time costs. 

Who can you outsource to?

There are many companies that offer software development services, but quality and competency are two important considerations. At Digital Grind, we’ve got an established team of digital experts who understand the software and user experience design landscape. 

For example, we recently worked on a project with Moro Hub where we built a platform with an A-grade standard of accessibility. In that instance, the infrastructure existed for us to work together as a team and the result was an exciting new platform that could help Moro grow their brand awareness and continue to evolve. Their feedback? "Digital Grind developed our company's website, and they have done an excellent job. They developed a website that was more than our expectation and it is AAA accessible. They were very cooperative and accommodating; their flexibility in amending changes to meet our different stakeholder's requests was exceptional."

So, there are definitely instances where partnering or outsourcing your development can be beneficial to you and your organization. However, considering the checklist above, you will need the right processes and environment to make this achievable and should be aware of your core competencies - and the impact that outsourcing can have on your brand and clients. 

When it’s not your game, it’s best to handoff to an all-star team. Speak to us 

Let's delve into the transformative power of cloud computing for scale-ups and enterprise brands. In the fast-paced business world, organisations are constantly seeking flexible and scalable solutions to meet their growing needs. Cloud computing has emerged as a game-changer, revolutionising the way businesses operate and scale their operations. In this blog, we will uncover the unique benefits that cloud computing brings to scale-ups and enterprise brands. By harnessing the power of cloud infrastructure, organizations can ignite innovation, optimise operational efficiency, and gain a competitive edge in the digital era. Join us as we explore the boundless possibilities that cloud computing offers to help businesses thrive and succeed in today's dynamic landscape.

What is Cloud Computing?

Imagine a world where businesses no longer need to worry about managing complex infrastructure or investing heavily in expensive hardware. That's where cloud computing comes in. Cloud computing is a game-changing technology that enables businesses to access a wide range of computing services over the internet, without the need for physical infrastructure.

In simple terms, cloud computing is like renting resources rather than owning them. It offers a vast array of services, including servers, storage, databases, networking, software, and analytics, all accessible through the cloud. This means that businesses can focus on their core operations and leave the technical complexities to the experts.

One of the greatest advantages of cloud computing is its scalability. Whether you're a growing scale-up or an established enterprise brand, the ability to scale resources up or down based on demand is invaluable. With cloud computing, you can easily adjust your computing resources to match the needs of your business, whether you're experiencing a sudden surge in traffic or planning for future growth.

Another key benefit of cloud computing is its cost-efficiency. Traditional on-premises infrastructure requires significant upfront investments in hardware, maintenance, and upgrades. Cloud computing eliminates these capital expenses and replaces them with a pay-as-you-go model. This means you only pay for the resources you use, making it a cost-effective solution for businesses of all sizes.

Moreover, cloud computing offers unparalleled flexibility and accessibility. With the cloud, your team can access data, applications, and services from anywhere, at any time, using any device with an internet connection. This fosters collaboration, empowers remote work, and enables your business to adapt to the ever-changing demands of the digital world.

Now that we have a clear understanding of what cloud computing is and how it benefits scale-ups and enterprise brands, let's delve deeper into the specific advantages it offers. In the following sections, we will explore how cloud computing drives innovation, enhances operational efficiency, and provides a competitive edge to businesses in today's digital landscape. Let's explore these benefits in more detail and discover how your organization can leverage the power of cloud computing to achieve growth and success.

Scalability and Flexibility

Scalability and flexibility are integral to the success of scale-ups and enterprise brands, and cloud computing excels in delivering these essential capabilities. Cloud providers offer a diverse range of resources that can be easily scaled up or down to meet the dynamic demands of a growing business. Whether it's managing sudden surges in website traffic, adapting to seasonal variations, or expanding into new markets, cloud computing provides the agility to effortlessly scale resources in a cost-effective manner. This inherent scalability eliminates the need for upfront infrastructure investments and empowers organizations to allocate resources precisely where they are needed most.

Moreover, cloud computing offers flexibility in terms of deployment models. Businesses have the flexibility to choose between public, private, or hybrid cloud environments, depending on their specific requirements and regulatory compliance considerations. This flexibility allows organizations to harness the benefits of cloud computing while maintaining control over sensitive data and critical applications. With the ability to select the most suitable deployment model, scale-ups and enterprise brands can confidently leverage the power of the cloud to drive innovation, streamline operations, and achieve a competitive edge.

The scalability and flexibility afforded by cloud computing empower businesses to seamlessly adapt to changing market conditions, scale their operations on-demand, and optimize resource allocation. This level of agility ensures that organizations can swiftly respond to evolving customer needs, efficiently manage growth, and stay ahead in today's highly competitive digital landscape. By embracing the scalability and flexibility of cloud computing, scale-ups and enterprise brands can position themselves for sustained success and drive their business to new heights.

As we have explored the scalability and flexibility offered by cloud computing, it's time to delve deeper into another key benefit that scale-ups and enterprise brands can leverage: cost optimization. By harnessing the power of cloud infrastructure, businesses can optimize their expenses, improve cost efficiency, and allocate resources strategically. Let's explore how cloud computing enables organizations to achieve cost savings while maintaining performance and driving innovation.

Cost Optimization

Cloud computing presents scale-ups and enterprise brands with valuable opportunities for cost optimization. Unlike traditional on-premises infrastructure, which often leads to the challenge of overprovisioning or underutilizing resources, cloud computing offers a flexible pay-as-you-go model. This means that businesses only pay for the resources they actually use, eliminating the need for significant upfront capital expenditures. With the ability to scale resources up or down as needed, organizations can optimize costs and achieve greater financial flexibility.

Moreover, cloud computing enables cost savings through economies of scale. Cloud providers possess extensive infrastructure resources and can distribute the costs among their customers, resulting in lower overall expenses compared to maintaining and managing on-premises infrastructure. The cloud's auto-scaling capabilities also play a significant role in cost optimization, allowing organizations to adjust resource allocation based on real-time demand. By avoiding overprovisioning during periods of low activity, businesses can effectively allocate their budget, redirecting resources to areas that fuel growth and innovation.

In addition to these direct cost savings, cloud computing offers indirect cost benefits. Organizations no longer need to invest in expensive hardware upgrades, maintenance, and physical security measures. The cloud provider assumes responsibility for infrastructure management, allowing businesses to focus their resources and efforts on core competencies and strategic initiatives. This streamlined approach not only reduces operational costs but also enhances operational efficiency and frees up valuable resources for innovation and business expansion.

With the significant cost optimization opportunities provided by cloud computing, let's now explore another critical aspect for scale-ups and enterprise brands: security and compliance. By leveraging cloud infrastructure, organizations can enhance their security measures, address compliance requirements, and safeguard their valuable data.

Security and Compliance

Security and compliance are paramount for scale-ups and enterprise brands, and cloud computing provides robust solutions to address these concerns. Cloud providers prioritize the protection of sensitive data and applications, employing advanced security controls, encryption, and access management to safeguard against cyber threats. Rigorous audits and compliance certifications ensure adherence to industry-specific regulations and standards.

By leveraging cloud computing, organizations gain access to a range of security tools and services that enable them to implement best practices. Network firewalls, intrusion detection systems, data encryption, and identity and access management solutions bolster security measures and defend against potential vulnerabilities. With these safeguards in place, organizations can fortify their security posture, mitigate risks, and meet compliance obligations.

In addition, cloud providers offer reliable data backup and disaster recovery solutions. Automated backups and geographically distributed data centers ensure that critical data is protected and can be quickly restored in the event of an outage or disaster. This resilience enhances business continuity and minimizes potential disruptions.

By embracing cloud computing, scale-ups and enterprise brands can enhance their security measures, meet compliance requirements, and confidently protect their valuable assets. The robust security features and comprehensive data protection provided by cloud providers empower organizations to focus on their core business activities with the peace of mind that their data is secure.

As scale-ups and enterprise brands recognize the critical importance of security and compliance, cloud computing emerges as a reliable solution to address these concerns. With its robust security measures, compliance certifications, and comprehensive data protection capabilities, cloud computing provides organizations with the tools and resources they need to ensure the integrity and security of their data. Transitioning to the next section, let us explore real-world examples and case studies that demonstrate the tangible benefits of cloud computing for scale-ups and enterprise brands. These examples will showcase how organizations have leveraged cloud computing to drive innovation, enhance scalability, optimize costs, and achieve significant business outcomes.

Real-World Examples and Case Studies

In the real world, numerous scale-ups and enterprise brands have embraced cloud computing to drive their growth and achieve operational excellence. Let's take a look at some notable examples:

Airbnb, the global accommodation marketplace, relies on cloud computing to handle the massive volume of bookings and interactions on their platform. By leveraging cloud infrastructure, Airbnb can seamlessly scale their resources to meet peak demand during holidays and events, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted user experience. Cloud computing also enables Airbnb to expand into new markets rapidly and cost-effectively, fueling their global growth.

Netflix, the popular streaming service, harnesses the power of cloud computing to deliver high-quality video content to millions of subscribers worldwide. By leveraging the scalability and flexibility of the cloud, Netflix can handle sudden spikes in traffic during popular shows and maintain a reliable streaming experience for their users. Additionally, cloud computing empowers Netflix to innovate rapidly, experiment with new features, and personalize content recommendations, providing a highly personalized and engaging user experience.

Coca-Cola, the renowned global beverage company, migrated its IT infrastructure to the cloud, driving operational efficiency and cost reduction. By embracing cloud computing, Coca-Cola achieved significant savings in hardware and maintenance costs. The cloud's scalability and agility have allowed Coca-Cola to launch new digital initiatives and collaborate more effectively across its global operations, enhancing their overall efficiency and competitiveness.

These real-world examples highlight the tangible benefits of cloud computing for scale-ups and enterprise brands. By leveraging the scalability, flexibility, improved operational efficiency, cost optimization, and security features of cloud computing, organizations can drive their growth, enhance customer experiences, and stay ahead in today's competitive market. Let's now shift our focus to practical steps for getting started with cloud computing and harnessing its full potential for your business.

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In conclusion, cloud computing offers a multitude of benefits for scale-ups and enterprise brands, and at Digital Grind, we go beyond being mere advisors. We become your trusted technology partner, providing not only guidance and expertise but also the full team needed to deliver comprehensive solutions.

Our team of skilled professionals will work hand in hand with your organization, understanding your unique requirements and challenges. We will collaborate closely to design and implement cloud computing solutions that align with your business objectives. From migration and optimization to security and ongoing support, we provide end-to-end services to ensure a seamless transition and continued success.

By partnering with Digital Grind, you gain access to a dedicated team of experts who are committed to your organization's growth and success. We will be there every step of the way, leveraging our deep understanding of cloud computing to drive innovation, enhance operational efficiency, and achieve your desired outcomes.

Don't settle for just advice. Choose Digital Grind as your trusted technology partner, and together, we will harness the full potential of cloud computing to propel your scale-up or enterprise brand to new heights. Contact us today to learn more about how we can deliver the solutions and expertise you need to thrive in the digital era. Let's embark on this transformative journey together.

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Technology has been evolving rapidly over the past few decades at an extraordinary speed most of us never thought possible. Technology currently has infinite uses and has impacted and improved the lives of global citizens, whether at home, work, in classrooms or leisure activities. 

During 2020, businesses had to come face-to-face with the COVID-19 pandemic and the effects it had on all our livelihoods. For some, going through an intense digital transformation was the only way to allow employees to work remotely and maintain productivity in response to the lockdowns restrictions.

Software developers were at the forefront of this change, and their teams had to start incorporating functionality that enabled social engagement. Some of them had their work cut out for them, having to quickly adapt in such an agile environment to their customers' new and growing needs.

Now that we’re in 2021, more people have grown to appreciate the importance of software development. There are a number of trends that have been seen in the software development industry. We’ll discuss some of these below and the future outlook.

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Rising demand for developers

The increasing demand for digital solutions by businesses around the globe meant companies had to hire developers to transform their business models, particularly through e-commerce. Developers increased in demand by 25% between 2019 and 2020, and job portals around the globe are continuing to see a rapid recruitment boom.

While other industries and sectors started to teeter on the brink of collapse, software development continued on an upward trend during the pandemic. This trend is expected to continue over the next decade as new opportunities continue to come out of this industry.

In fact, what is evident is that developers who upskill themselves in various emerging technologies will benefit most from this trend. The top skills that will be in demand going into the future will be IT automation, and AI and machine learning. With the number of tech startups also on an upward trend, the future looks promising for software development.

A hybrid and flexible work environment

Due to the pandemic, businesses everywhere were forced to both digitise and digitalise. Software developers had to respond to this call and became more flexible by collaborating on projects more remotely than ever before.

Where developers were used to running projects mostly in person, they had to now adapt to a hybrid work approach. This has seen a reduction in meeting lengths as teams aim to become more efficient in the wake of increasing workloads.

Things are constantly changing, as the year 2020 has shown. This has necessitated the use of an agile approach on workstreams. With the emerging in-demand coding skills, self-teaching is becoming another major trend in the industry to keep up with the rapid transformation.

Growth of the Cloud

As software teams are now working remote-first, most development projects have now moved to the cloud, incorporating social and collaborative tools. Value stream management software will help drive agility right now and going forward. The cloud computing market is forecast to grow 18% in 2021, with the trend set to continue over the next five years.

The focus on cloud-native skills will gain more importance going into the future and this will be supported by virtual colocation infrastructure which allows for scalability to cope with the increased agility. The scalability offered by the Cloud is allowing developers to adjust to ever changing demand. 

Sectors such as tourism, travel and hospitality experienced reduced demand. Scalability allowed some to reduce their server needs without bearing the full costs of a physical data centre. 

Agility and the shift to cloud infrastructure has led to an increased demand for full-stack developers to support the flexibility requirements and increasing software development needs. If you haven’t already migrated to the Cloud, then this is the best time to start looking at some options that can benefit your organisation.

Low-code and no-code adoption

As organisations scrambled to adopt digital solutions in 2020, developers were left with higher workload. This led to an increase in low-code products that could be quickly deployed and free up developer capacity.

These low-code solutions are easily scalable and components can be reused on multiple clients. This is particularly useful given that the demand for developers is surpassing the ability of recruiters to fill vacancies. One example of these solutions is the Bubble platform.

Low-code and no-code allow for rapid development and deployment of web apps primarily. People with great ideas will benefit mostly from these developments, speeding up their implementation. Going forward, this market segment is expected to continue on a positive uptick, powered by the Cloud.

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AI and automation

Trends currently show that AI and machine learning will be at the forefront of software development automation going into the future. This will particularly be of benefit in test automation, helping to identify problems faster through natural language processing.

AI helps make more informed decisions as it can provide predictive analytics, ultimately improving user experience. You may need to start thinking whether you think you might need to find a software developer to help incorporate AI to speed up business processes and get ahead of your competition.

5G is here to stay

What is certain is that 5G was one of the most talked about topics in 2020, mostly for all the wrong reasons. Now that the dust has mostly settled, 5G is set to contribute to the rapid growth of software solutions.

5G is expected to have a 15% share of the global mobile industry by 2025. The outstanding speeds that can be achieved using this mobile technology, among several benefits, provide endless possibilities for developers. 

For those looking to incorporate AR and VR in their business, the speeds provided by 5G will be a perfect fit as they are resource-intensive technologies. In addition, the growing trends of progressive web apps and IoT will continue in 2021 and beyond. Their development and use will be enhanced even further by 5G technology.

The technology trends we witnessed starting in 2020 are expected to continue to grow in the long run. One thing for sure is that life will never be the same again as before the pandemic.

Are you future-looking and thinking of jumping onto one of these trends for your business? If you were searching for software development experts, then look no further. Whether it’s app or web development, e-commerce solutions, AR and VR, or getting insights from your data, to name a few, talk to Digital Grind. We’ve got you covered.