Software

Pros and Cons of Nearshore Software Collaboration

Pros and Cons of Nearshore Software Collaboration

With each passing day, the number of teams that work in the office is decreasing. More and more different services are being outsourced by owners of large and small organizations. No wonder, because this model ensures fair payments depending on the type of work, and it also enables company owners not to limit themselves to a few specialists who work on staff.

Today we will talk about the nearshore model, which is becoming increasingly popular. What are its peculiarities, and what makes it attractive to company owners? What advantages can be derived from using this model? Let’s find out! If you are interested in this partnership option, visit the Lampa website to find the right expert.

Let`s Start With a Definition

Most business owners new to working with remote teams utilize two options: onshore and offshore collaboration. To find out what the nearshore model is, let’s take a look at what they are:

  • The first implication suggests that you will collaborate with specialists residing in your own country. This means you won’t have any problems with time zones, tasking, and language barriers. On the downside, there are limitations in terms of diversity in the selection of specialists.
  • The second model implies that you will not consider the employee’s country of residence as a determining factor. This is where it works exactly the opposite. You get a virtually unlimited choice of specialists, but cultural and language barriers, as well as time differences, can hinder you.

What about the nearshore model? In essence, it combines the advantages and negates the weaknesses of both options described above. It allows companies to enhance their geographical proximity, effectively combining the pros of both offshore and onshore outsourcing models. This approach enables work to be carried out with minimal risks while also avoiding limitations to a single country. For instance, if your organization is based in Latin America and intends to collaborate with a nearshore company in the United States, you can benefit from additional protections, such as E&O insurance, which may not be offered by local companies.

Integrated Teams vs. Dedicated Teams

If you decide to favor the nearshore model, it’s worth giving serious thought to choosing the right team for the job. You should realize that there are two options: integrated and dedicated teams. Each has its own strengths, and the choice will depend on which business model you use. Let’s talk about both options in more detail.

Integrated Teams

The idea is that you hire specialists who will fit into an existing team that you have previously created. This is perfect if you already have a project that you don’t want to stop working on. This way you can be sure that the specialists will immediately get to work and continue to develop your project without delay.

Dedicated Teams

Here we are talking about a separate team that will work specifically on your project from scratch. When evaluating this choice, it is crucial to recognize that no additional resources will be required apart from financial investment. By partnering, you gain access to a highly qualified team that perfectly aligns with your unique requirements. With a monthly fixed payment structure and an interaction based on results, this approach ensures a seamless process without the necessity of adding new members to your current team. This operation is of utmost importance for any software-focused company aiming for impeccable efficiency.

Strengths and Weaknesses of the Nearshore Model

As with any collaborative model, the hero of our short review has its advantages and disadvantages. It is very important to identify them correctly in order to understand whether this option is suitable for your company. Let’s first look at the strengths:

  • Economic efficiency. When you are looking for the right professional the budget plays a far-reaching role in your work. Using the nearshore model you have access to hundreds of specialists who set different prices. If in your region the payment is statistically higher than in the neighboring areas, then you should definitely consider this option.
  • The strong performance. To ensure the continuity of business processes, specialists often have to work at night. Predictably, this will quickly lead to burnout, and the employee will not be able to do their job as effectively as if they were only working the day shift. If you decide to choose nearshore collaboration, you can avoid such problems.
  • Access to qualified experts. It is worth starting with the fact that nearshore companies already have teams of specialists ready to start work immediately. If you want to find a specialist for your individual needs, you can be matched quickly. This way you won’t be limited to people who only live in your area.
  • No time zone difference. Of course, when you cooperate with specialists on an offshore basis, you can be sure that work on your project will not be stopped even for a second. However, this imposes some limitations on you. For example, it is difficult to hold a meeting as there is an 8-hour time difference between you and the specialist. In the case of the nearshore option, you don’t have to worry about it, because 1-2 hours will not play a decisive role.

We’ve dealt with the pros, and now it’s time to talk about the cons. There are some, too, and it is important to take them into account:

  • Limited talent choices. Of course, when it comes to the onshore model, nearshore wins in this respect, which is not the case with offshore. You will not have such a wide choice of specialists, so you will have to make do with what you have.
  • IP risks. Legislation can vary quite a bit from region to region. You will have to take care of the security of your data and make the right policies and NDAs.

To Sum Up

The nearshore model is the best option for many companies. Weigh the pros and cons and make the right decision!
August 7, 2023