Bespoke software outsourcing is an excellent tool for businesses within any industry. While it’s usually the most cost-effective solution for businesses, you need to keep an eye on costs still. There are certain ways to keep costs down when outsourcing software work. This will help you to keep your next project on track while still enjoying the outsourcing benefits. Let’s take a look at BSPOKE Software’s top suggestions for managing the costs of your upcoming project.
Discuss costs at the start of the project
Before you even begin the project, our number one tip is to discuss all costs at the start. A company should provide you with a clear quote for your upcoming work. However, you also need to ask about additional fees or charges that aren’t included. It’s better to know everything at the start of the project than have a nasty surprise later on. This is the best way to avoid any unexpected charges which may put you way off budget. We always recommend that you have some flexibility with your budget even if your budget is small. You never know what might happen over the months or years of working together. Therefore, it’s best to have a little wiggle room to add additional features or make changes when needed.
Consultation fees
One of the hidden costs of outsourcing that you might experience is a consultation fee. If you aren’t familiar with the type of contract you are about to sign, we highly recommend recruiting an outside consultant. They can review the contract for you and will be able to protect you from any huge mistakes before the work starts. While you might think this is an unnecessary additional cost, it could save you thousands in the long run. Our team will be more than happy to advise you on the costs of an upcoming project. We also offer full transparency when it comes to our charges and will be happy to discuss any concerns you may have about a quote. We always believe that the more research you do earlier on, the more you’ll protect yourself during an outsourced project.
A change in outsourcing providers
While this shouldn’t happen if you opt to work with our team, the worst thing that can happen is a change of companies midway through a project. This is both costly and time-consuming, but sometimes it’s unavoidable. If a company isn’t satisfying your expectations, sometimes it’s better to cut your losses and move elsewhere. This can be incredibly difficult for everyone involved, but you must keep your business needs as the top priority at any time. The worst-case scenario would be starting again from scratch. Communication is key to avoiding outsourcing issues, so make sure you are on the same page from day one of a new project.
Support costs
Once your software is up and running, you probably think that’s the end of your spending on this project. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case for many software projects. After your software is complete, you might need ongoing support. If your team isn’t equipped to deal with the new software, a call centre or email assistance could be needed. The costs for this will vary dramatically depending on the type of project you are working on. It could just be in the form of training sessions every few months, up to a full-time employee for customer support. Think about this before even starting the project to ensure you have someone ready to deal with the issues that might occur after outsourcing.
Software maintenance
We strongly believe that outsourcing is a great option for any company. However, all software will need maintenance at some point in its life. Even brand new software might need an update within a few months. Unfortunately, this is something that first-time business owners sometimes don’t realise. Make sure you plan ahead for the future of your software. Put money aside in your budget annually for maintenance and upkeep so that it will function at its best for many years to come. Even non-custom software needs maintenance, so your bespoke software costs might replace that of the software you were previously using.
Adding extra features
If you are entering into a long-term partnership, there’s no doubt technology and needs will change in the upcoming years. When you want to add new features when outsourcing software development, this will come at a cost. We recommend keeping this in mind at the start of your time working with our team, as you’ll want to always remain competitive. Our team will be happy to advise you about the new solutions that could be added to your software. Of course, if this means redoing or changing parts of the software, this won’t happen overnight. We recommend focusing on the features that are of top importance first. From there, you can add extra features in the future when your budget allows.
The benefits of bespoke software outsourcing
While it’s clear there are certain things to keep an eye on when it comes to bespoke software outsourcing, it’s still a great choice for most companies. We believe that outsourcing will offer you the best solutions for your business, thanks to our advanced knowledge of the software development industry. You’ll find that you save time and money in the process, which is something we are all looking to do. Outsourcing allows you to benefit from new technology, which you might not have access to in-house. Bespoke software is personalised to your needs, offering you a one-of-a-kind solution tailored to your business.
Final Thoughts
Bespoke software outsourcing is an incredible option for almost any business. However, you’ll want to ensure you know how to keep your costs down to have the best experience. Many people think that the first bill they receive is the only one they’ll have, but that’s rarely the case. Keep this in mind when you first start budgeting for your work, and you’ll avoid any issues further on. Are you ready to work together on your next software development project? If so, contact our team today to discuss your requirements and receive a quote for your upcoming work.
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