Category: Development

The emerging wave of cloud-native technology is taking over the software development world, and for a good reason. The cloud-native application supports developers to take advantage of the new and existing platforms and processes of the cloud system. Also, an enterprise can handle disruptive challenges with cloud-native apps.

The popularity of cloud-native apps are growing, and even the most renowned organizations such as Netflix, Pinterest, Uber, etc. are increasing their cloud-native abilities to avoid technological issues. 

So when cloud-native has so much to give, can it dominate the development world? Can it be the future of app industries? 

Let’s discuss ahead and find the answer!

Cloud-Native Application – A Quick Introduction

Before we move ahead, first, let’s gather some knowledge about what cloud-native applications are

Cloud-native is an advanced technology to build applications that use cloud computing as the base instead of an in-house server. So when you will build an app, you don’t have to invest in an in-house server to store it; instead, cloud-native gives you an amazing option to store the app on the cloud.

Besides, while developing software, you don’t have to worry about ‘where’, you would focus on ‘how’ as the cloud-native has a unique approach for app development than the traditional one that we are familiar with.

There are 3 major support pillars of cloud-native applications development:

Containers:

Individual part of the cloud-native app is encapsulated in a container. So whenever an application is run, everything it requires is in its own package. 

Orchestration:

Each container is managed so that all the resources are optimized properly.  Hence, it is handled automatically and doesn’t require any manual attention.  

Microservices: These are just like small apps, and each app has its different purpose. A team of developers can easily handle microservices.  

Polyglot: Every cloud-native app is built using a certain language or framework. This way, developers can take advantage of using diverse programming languages, frameworks, and runtime for discrete services.

 Need of Cloud Native in your Enterprise 

There are four major reasons to have Cloud Native for your app development enterprise: 

• Advanced tools for Monitoring & Management
  
  

An app developer can use various tools for the auditing and monitoring of cloud-native apps. Also, platforms such as Datalog, AppDynamic, and Newrelic can become handy to check Microservices and containers.

Open Tracing and Zipkin are also great tools for debugging your app. And for log aggregation, use Splunk, Fluentd, and Elasticsearch.  

• Auto-Scaling for Connectivity 
  
  

Auto-scaling is the major reason why more and more software companies are switching to cloud-native. The piece of code where to apply the auto-scaling feature will scale-out without manual interrupt as the traffic spikes.  

• Affordability of the Application Development
  
  

Another big reason to choose cloud-native is the cost factor. One can achieve consistency of tools and infrastructure by using specific cloud-native tools such as microservices. Hence, it includes low cost because of this factor and, as we all know, cloud-native application for an ‘open source’ model. You will not get pay-per-use costing time in milliseconds support in any other server. So cloud native is easy on your budget.  

• Reliability
  
  

Any company would anticipate the utmost reliability from their software development platform. That’s exactly what you can expect from cloud-native applications. The microservice architecture and Kubernetes offer developers a robust and secure app production method that would bear faults without crashing. The self-healing property of cloud native applications make them special and the most reliable. Besides, one can easily move to a new data centre in the middle of failure. This automatically lowers failure chances and increases reliability on cloud-native.       

Major Cloud-Native Applications for Software Development

 Following are the major cloud-native applications:

Microservices

As we discussed earlier, microservices is the combination of small apps that work collaboratively to provide functionality to your system. Each microservice focuses on single functionality and contains limited APIs and boundaries, and managed by a small team of professionals. Hence, a single package of microservices can help you handle & control the multiple functionalities of your app.  

Application Program Interfaces (APIs)

API works as connectors that unleash the functionality which other apps can use. API has this magical power to customize or extend an application without reaching or changing the code. It is the best way to ensure code security. API also helps developers to use the best functionality of other applications as well.

For example, Google Maps in the digital world. A developer can easily merge mapping functionality to any app by requesting geographic information through API. They simply just don’t develop a map from scratch to match the digital standards because API makes things easier. Great, isn’t it?   

Software-defined Infrastructure & Security  

Do you ever imagine if you could transform the hardware such as switches, plugs, dials, etc. into the app to get the virtual feel? It’s possible with advanced cloud-native application. This system considers the underlying infrastructure as the fuel and adapter to all the requirements. It gives you the freedom to automatically scale up or down the capacity, start & stop the services, and relocate the resources through the app. So nifty!   

Do Cloud-Native Applications Hold the Future of App Development?

The obvious answer is ‘Yes.’

Cloud native application development brings so many continuous benefits to the table that a developer can shun half of their efforts required to develop an application that runs efficiently on the Internet. Its properties such as microservices offer an advanced level development experience.  

But let’s just keep all the benefits aside and have a look at the potential challenges that a developer might face while using cloud-native for application development.

Data Storage in Cloud-Native Apps

When you have the power of serverless containers and functions in immutable infrastructure, the permanent storage might become insufficient. This could lead to continuous internal data disruption when the system or app is turned off. So cloud-native could lead to data storage issues as well.  

Service Integration into App

Cloud native application development comes with a variety of services that might perplex a developer. They have to ensure that each service is sized accurately. They might even lower the number of services because these could convert into increased integration and complexity, which nobody wants in their app.   

Complexity Working in Synergy

Cloud-native tools such as DevOps support developers or a team of developers to build, test, and deploy an app synergically, but it can become complex sometimes to work with one another.

Do all these challenges make cloud native applications any less? Nope!

Cloud-Native is an extraordinary and evolving technology that eases the app development process. Only the time and coming challenges will define if cloud native applications will change the way we develop apps. But for now, cloud-native is changing our work style and helping developers to build excellent apps inexpensively.    

Final Words

 The idea of serverless Cloud Native applications is to support an easy way to implement scalable and complex systems and provide huge storage for apps elements.

Containers ease up the way an app is distributed.

Microservices allow you to accurately structure your system.

You get security for your app, and any data disruption will not stop your app is guaranteed. And if you have decided to partner with a software company for cloud native services, you must also consider orchestration and docker as well to manage everything harmonically.

Many people prefer to choose custom services. Are you familiar with photo prints and print on demand services? Or are you new to the concept? Either way, you will find answers to all probable questions about this concept. 

This guide provides you with an insight into the concept of print on demand services. You will find out how these services work and how you can use them. Let’s Find out! 

What are photo print services? 

Before delving into the concept of print on demand services, it is best to understand photo print services. 

Photo print services help you to create high-quality prints of digital photos. It allows you to beat the hassle of acquiring expertise or purchasing costly products. Likewise, you won’t have to spend as much as point-of-sale printing operations. 

Whether you are an artist or an art lover, you would have to use printing services one day. They print on various materials like frames. You can also have prints on custom materials like T-shirts, mug cups, caps, etc. 

Some printing services make digital prints available for sale, while some prefer to print when there are orders. Hence, the concept of print on demand services. 

What is Print on Demand Services? 

Print on demand services uses a similar concept to regular printing services. The main difference is the order fulfillment method. Items and images are only printed after an order is made. Print on demand also allows you to create custom designs for varieties of products and make them available under your brand. 

There is no limit to what you can print on demand online, from frames to other custom materials. It allows you to work with a supplier to customize white-label products, including frames. You will also get the opportunity to sell the products on preorder under your brand. 

So, you won’t have to pay for your prints until you already sold them. The supplier handles all needs, from printing to shipping. So, there is no need to buy the materials in bulk for sale. 

Uses of Print on Demand Services 

The increasing popularity of print on demand services is because of their increasing uses and benefits. Here are some of the uses of print on demand services. 

1. It helps you to test a business idea without risking your capital 
2. Allows you to make money from your existing audience 
3. It helps you to explore a niche to create an original product 
4. Print on demand services allows you to sell your photos and other artworks online 
5. Allows you to print one-off items with ease 
6. Shipping and other process is handled by the manufacturer, making it relatively easier 
7. It is useful for creating quick products with minimal investments and risks

Cons of Print on Demand Services 

There is no doubt about the benefits and uses of print on demand services. Regardless, it has its shortcomings. But understanding these limitations helps you to handle and explore this service better. 

The cons of print on demand services include; 

• It gives you lower control over the shipping process 
• Limited customization control over products 

Summary 

Print on demand services is a good way to market your brand with minimal risks. It helps you to make prints as fast as possible. It also comes with minimal risk. If you want to have a more creative idea about photo prints, check this link https://www.elephantstock.com/collections/photo-prints. 

Anybody who has used internet or visited a website must have encountered the term ‘website crash’. What exactly it is, have you ever explored? In a simple language, it is the inability of a website or a webservice to withstand load. The traffic surge puts pressure on the website server and it may fail to respond to all commands and queries received. There can be other reasons, too, like bandwidth issues, etc.

In this post, we intend to walk you through:

1. What is load testing?

2. How to do load tests

·         Creating and performing load tests

·         Other important steps in load testing

3. Load testing strategies

So, let’s begin!

a. What is load testing?

Load testing is nothing but performance testing. It involves testing how the web service or API will work in a given set of conditions. Load testing services create simulated environments to find how the web service will work in response to various types of external and internal factors.

b. How to do load tests?

Load tests require creating different types of loads that may impact functions first. The load testing services have a full-blown repertoire of loads to create. Not only do they design load testing strategies of various kinds, they also offer the intelligence of validating the tests done to their clients. The process is demarcated into various parts, such as:

·         Create a new load test

Load testing services employ automated tools to do performance tests. The tool comes with a navigation panel. Common steps involved in creating a new load test are:

a.    Go to Navigator Panel

b.    Right click on the test instance or case

c.    Select ‘New Load Test.’

d.    Enter the load test name in subsequent dialog box, for example, SampleLoadTest

This opens the LoadTest editor. Now you are all set to configure and perform the created test.

·         Perform the load test

Performing the load test involves following steps:

·         Creating a dedicated test environment for starting the load test

·         Determine load test scenarios, by preparing following criteria:

o   Prepare data report transaction-wise

o   Predicted number of user at any instance

o   Types of connections plausibly used by people

o   Types of operating systems and browsers users are likely to use

o   Web, application and DB server configurations

·         Execute tests scenarios in various combinations, monitor and collect various metrics

·         Result analysis and recommendations

·         Apply all system fine-tuning procedures

·         Repeat the performance test on all chosen grounds

Best load testing strategies

Load testing services adopt different strategies to test web service performance. Load testing is done in simulated conditions. However, there are some strategies that can help perform load tests as realistically as possible. These strategies are:

a.    Adding more virtual users: In real conditions, the web service is utilized by several virtual users simultaneously. The load testing services may create bottlenecking conditions at the login point. And, keep adding the users simultaneously.

b.    Adding different use instances:The real working capacity of the web service can be checked by exposing it to various use instances. Load testing experts can employ user data in different combinations in the web service fields. However, the focus is to be on testing service by putting different information each time. Playing back the results for the same person using various information fields interfere with the sanctity of the result.

c.    Switch from simulated to real browsers: It is nothing but leveraging the virtual users on real browsers. The process involves:

·         Understanding and assessing how the web service will work in different devices and browsers.

·         The performance check on different bandwidths plausibly used by the web service users.

·         Since the users may spend different times on various pages, the page performance comprising load time, think time, etc. can be found out.

d. Set the load duration:All users don’t access the web service concurrently. Some may have just logged in, others may be at the checkout page, and so on. The users enter their scenario, complete it, and also, the load is maintained for that duration. The tester may have run the scenario for ten minutes for a 2 min long instance. So, experience of 5 concurrent users can be assessed by using load duration time of 10 mins.

How to analyze the load test results

Load means how well a system or application can handle multiple requests coming from concurrent users. The load test results are analyzed based on the following parameters:

1. Page Load Time
2. Request and response throughput
3. Response load time
4. Errors and warnings
5.   Hosts

a.    Page load time: A short page load time means better user experience and engagement. The web service does not take more than a second to load. Thus, the web service may enter an SLA with the developer where they agree upon having a page load time. There is a challenge of bottleneck to combat too. It arises when the page load time differs due to the nature of content.

b.    Request and response throughput: It is dependent on the amount of data the web service is required to handle. Bandwidth reaches a plateau after a certain point of data handling. The point of reaching the highest use is mostly due to firewalls. Load test allows to find what setting will be required to ensure that the bandwidth does not reach the maximum use.

c.    Response load time: This analysis-worthy point helps understand the reason why any page behaves the way it does. The response load time helps find which activity or instance is consuming the most time or resource. All the tests done in load test can be integrated into various kinds of web service performance monitoring tools.

d.    Errors and Warnings: This point of analyzing loads gives an overview of what kind of errors occur on any web service’s page and at what instance. Load testing services may make a list of all the errors and warnings that occur. Further, the analysis is done to find how the errors occur and change when the load intensifies or cools down.

e.    Hosts: The current ecosystem of web service comprises ads and analytics servers, content delivery networks, social media and syndicated content, multiple hosts are put to use. The hosts serving the web service may be a source of lag due to the response times involved in processing requests. All those lags need to be understood to take appropriate action. When any host is found painfully slow, the factors and the remedies need to be outlined.

Important tips for load testing

Online retail faces the most load on Black Friday. It is the day after Thanksgiving and is no less than an acid test for web services or applications. To manage the unprecedented situations like this day, load testing is essential. Important tips are:

a.    Test the load well in advance

b.    Test the web service’s full stack

c.    Monitor the backend results

d.    Gauge user experience

e.    Test in real life scenarios too, after testing it in simulated conditions.

Summing up,

The load is a challenge as well as the opportunity. Makers of web service find the load handy in understanding the design and functionality requirements, and any other changes it requires. They can do scaling up or down of resources by taking cues from the results of load tests.

Many sectors have been exploring possibilities on how to personalize their customer’s experience in the effort to cope with the current health crisis. Structural changes across sectors are happening all around the globe. Insurance industry is no exception.

It is known that the most effective communication channels during the pandemic were mobile apps, messaging platforms & chatbots. Several reports from multiple sectors forecasted that AI’s initial impact would primarily relate to improving efficiencies and automating existing customer-facing underwriting and claims processes. Over time, its impact will be more far-reaching; it will identify, assess, and underwrite emerging risks and identify new revenue sources, impacting nearly every aspect of the P&C insurance industry and Medicare.

Demand for tailored products, such as business-continuity cover for small enterprises, pandemic insurance, and event-cancellation policies, will soar. Property & Casualty (P&C) insurance and Commercial insurance will see policies changes. Commercial insurance will face different types of claims resulting from injury or death.

Doing business in the insurance industry will change, as doing business is changing in all industries in all sectors lately. Insurance brokerage will be digitalized, but already there are so many changes that are inevitably leading us to the up-to-date modern insurance agencies. Self-service applications are literally your portal to all policies, documents, pink-slips, etc. Customer support is becoming so customized that you somehow create a really strong bond with your insurance agency (or agent) even though we all seek a digital (and “further”) approach.

These structural changes will interlace, on the other side, with people who use wearable technological devices. From wearables like Google Glass to internet enabled home automation devices like Nest, internet-connected devices will allow insurers a novel personalisation of services.

To rethink the offer is to survive and thrive in the business. Property and casualty insurers will need training to have a deep understanding of new potential threats for small businesses. Similarly the insurance industry will see some significant mergers and acquisitions in 2021.

Let’s see how the sector is going to be transformed from the more advanced use of trigger emails to new technological frontiers:

Triggered email campaigns

Studies show that companies using triggered emails enjoy a 34 percent increase in revenue and earn 53 percent more conversions. Similar to retention efforts, AI can also facilitate marketing efforts to target customers most effectively.

Digital services and phygital experiences

The ability to combine the physical and digital experience is to provide customers unique, highly-personalized experiences while stipulating a contract through mobile devices. Some reports even forecasted that AI’s initial impact will primarily relate to improving efficiencies and automating existing customer-facing underwriting and claims processes. AI algorithms can process data and use this data to identify potential or existing customers for re-engagement campaigns.

The switch to usage-based coverage

Working remotely will change the requirements and specifications of many insurance types. The reduced movement of people will incentivize insurers to create usage based coverage.

Security and privacy

Blockchain technology accounts for the issues of security and trust in several ways. Personal insurance data or health records could be encoded and stored on the blockchain with a private key, so that they are only accessible by certain individuals.

Green sustainability

“Sustainable insurers” will outshine competitors. They’ll strengthen their brand and update fast. Commercial insurance will be impacted. Car insurers are likely to introduce more incentives for their customers to switch to electric cars. Some may advertise their intention to stop providing cover for petrol and diesel vehicles. The fear of “greenwashing” recently started progressing, after several affairs. Today companies can’t just say that they are green, but there has to be a proof of that. Insurance agencies also need to persuade the market that, if they claim the sustainable approach – that those practices are in deed – green.

Bitcoin as a new asset class

MassMutual recently invested US$100 million in Bitcoin for its general investment fund. Plenty of other carriers will start adding cryptocurrencies to their investment portfolios.

Life and health insurances

Carriers that quickly establish a strong presence across the health ecosystem will gain a big advantage over competitors. There will be a wider insight into customer’s needs. Digital health, wellness products and services will be emphasised.

Market expansion

The insurance coverage will expand beyond traditional markets. The flat premium revenues and low investment returns predicted for 2021 will accelerate this trend.

Considering these 8 factors in time will enable insurers to align their businesses to the changing needs of their customers and deliver new lucrative products and services.

We’re living in exciting times where technology will allow us to have a complex tailormade interaction, allowing us to execute operations that were impossible beforehand without not only our physical presence, but also the physical presence of an external entity to validate the desired contract stipulation or change.

Running a sustainable enterprise in 2021 is a priority for a variety of reasons. First, sustainable and frugal often act as synonyms. After all, spending fewer resources to get the same job done will benefit your budget, as well as your eco-friendly image. The second reason for going green is your PR and being able to label your brand as green.

Lastly, from both an ethical and strategic standpoint, you need to acknowledge that our planet is on the brink of an ecological disaster. This means that it won’t be long until government regulations force your business (and your entire industry) to go greener. Why not do this ahead of time and provide yourself with a sizable competitive edge?

One of the best ways to achieve this is by adopting new tech trends. Some of them are meant to make your business model more efficient. Others can outright reduce your enterprise’s carbon footprint. Let’s check some of the most relevant green tech trends to adopt in 2021.

Remote Work is Reducing Carbon Footprint

In the era of COVID-19, many people were forced to work from home for the first time. Still, even before this unfortunate series of events, there was a large and expanding population of telecommuters out there. Now that they’ve seen all the benefits of the business model, the chances are that many entrepreneurs won’t fully return to the old ways, even after the pandemic is over.

Employees who telecommute don’t have to be paid commute reimbursement. This also allows them for a larger potential talent pool, seeing how reasonable commuting distance is no longer a factor when hiring. From an environmental standpoint, this makes a huge difference since private transport is one of the world’s biggest sources of greenhouse gasses. Since most business interactions in the digital world are paperless, this is another item in favor of this business model.

Accounts Payable Automation Helps Create a Paperless Business World

Old-school invoices heavily depend on the use of paper. However, with the help of processes like accounts payable automation, it’s a lot easier to make a paperless business world. An average company may send hundreds and thousands of invoices annually, which significantly contributes to the enterprise’s carbon footprint. By digitizing and switching to eco-friendly, paperless alternatives, going green becomes a lot easier.

Fortunately, this is far from being the only benefit of going for AP Automation. This high-tech accounting process also helps elevate your accounting’s reliability to a whole new level and ensures that your enterprise always makes its payments on time. In a modern enterprise, an accountant’s involvement in business processes goes past their traditional role. Many of them hold tops spots in small and medium enterprises, while some are getting actively involved in digital marketing. Keeping an eye on everything with the help of accounts payable automation will help increase their efficiency.

Cloud Storage and Green Hosting

Another way to ensure sustainable development in the business world is to turn towards cloud storage. For starters, it reduces the cost of doing business. Compared to the alternative, storing information on these servers is a lot greener in nature than the alternative. Sophisticated as they are, additional HDD and SSD drives are costly (for the user) and take resources to produce (from the manufacturing standpoint). When compared to servers that the cloud storage runs on, this option is quite power-hungry. If the server in question is also using green hosting options, this solution becomes even more environmentally-friendly.

Employee Training and Development

The concept of employee training and development has drastically evolved over the course of the last decade. Online courses and webinars have introduced a revolution in the world of e-learning. These concepts have evolved alongside tech trends that made them possible, efficient, and accessible. Some are even using webinars to drive their sales or get feedback on their products/services. The key thing is that this form of learning doesn’t require printed materials and a commute to the conventional classroom. Materials like e-books, whitepapers, case studies, presentations, and instructional videos are eco-friendly.

Digital Marketing

The concept of digital marketing is superior to its traditional counterpart in two significant aspects. First, it’s measurable in a way that old-school marketing never was. John Wannamaker, one of the pioneers of modern marketing, once said: “Half the money I spend on advertising is wasted; the trouble is I don’t know which half.” With present-day analytics, this is no longer the case.

Another advantage of digital marketing is the fact that it has a significantly lower use of paper. Email marketing and social media marketing are paperless. The same goes for blog posts. What do you think happens to billboard posts once they get worn out and have to be replaced? Promotional materials of all kinds (eventually) create waste, and not all of them are recyclable. Simply put, digital marketing is both more efficient and eco-friendlier.

More Efficient Local Collaboration

When talking about the benefits of hyper-connectivity, the majority of people focus on the bigger picture. What about being able to connect to other local businesses effortlessly? With the help of local SEO and business databases like Google My Enterprise, it is a lot easier to find local partners. In the case of local suppliers, the carbon footprint of all interactions is drastically reduced since goods and raw materials need to be transported over shorter distances. This concept also strengthens local economies, which is a significant benefit on its own.

The Breakthrough of VR

VR has all but revolutionized many industries, and one of the most prominent examples is real estate.Instead of traveling long distances to visit a home that they are interested in, people can just put on a headset and have a virtual tour of the place. This lowers the carbon footprint produced by the traffic within the real estate industry.

In terms of training and education (something we’ve already discussed), VR can provide trainees to experience simulations without any use of resources. For instance, pilots can fly without spending tremendous quantities of fuel. Furthermore, heavy construction machinery operators can practice without the risk of damaging any materials that they’re handling in the simulation. Overall, as VR technology further expands, we can expect these benefits to grow even further.

Wrap Up

By adopting new technological trends, companies are gaining a significant competitive edge. However, they’re also making their contribution to the good fight. All of the above-listed trends have more to offer than being just eco-friendly. This creates that unique win-win scenario where an entrepreneur gets to do the right thing and gets rewarded for it. Still, this is a never-ending process. There are always new ways to innovate and make your business more sustainable. Therefore, you should always be on the lookout.

Hearing a lot of success stories from businesses that have outsourced some of their activities to nearshore and offshore teams? We bet you do. From cost reduction, increased productivity, improved flexibility, and scalability, to growth and profit – businesses of all sizes and from around the globe are preaching about the amazing things outsourcing brought to them.  

According to the most recent report on Clutch, about 80% of small businesses have decided to invest in their near future in this fruitful business model. And why wouldn’t they – it seems like all it does is bring the good and help overcome ongoing challenges. 

Well, not really. Those who have tried their luck with outsourcing know just how many new challenges occur and how difficult it can be to master the art of collaborating with a remote IT team. 

So before you rush to hop on this train, we suggest you first familiarize yourself with this topic by reading a guide on software development outsourcing. And once you have done that you can learn about the pros and cons that come with each. Hopefully, by the end, you will get a rough idea of whether it really would be a smart business move. 

THE GOOD

Increase in profit

Originally, a lowered cost of work was one of the primary attractions attributed to outsourcing, which is why it is so often the very first item on the list of pros. This business model allows you to hire teams from remote locations where the cost of labor is lower but the quality of services remains at a satisfactory level. As a result, you get the same (or even better) team of experts who will complete their work up to your standards and, in the end, cost you far less than a local team would.  

Greater hiring opportunities

By expanding your search for new team members to a global scale, you improve your chances of meeting talented experts who are just the right fit for your business. This approach allows you to look for candidates who tick off literally all points on your list of criteria. 

Forget about settling – continue your search until you get to meet the person who has the necessary skills and experience, and who fits within your company culture. 

Access to remote markets

By setting up remote offices across the globe, you actually build a foundation for potential expansion to that market. Think of your outsourced team as your first point of contact with local clients and customers. And not just that – think of them as a team of people who will help you get to know the target market in terms of demands, needs, and best ways to appeal to local clients.   

Higher productivity levels

Outsourcing is a tactic many businesses resort to when they wish to minimize the grunt work and relieve their in-house teams of wasting their time on repetitive tasks. Delegating them to a competent, remote team means your local personnel gets to focus on more important work. Furthermore, you are likely to see a spike in performance levels simply due to an increase in your in-house employees’ satisfaction. 

24/7 availability

A remote team that works in a different time zone enables you to remain available to your customers at all times. For this reason, the majority of businesses decide to relocate, for instance, their customer support, so that there would always be an on-call person ready to answer any urgent matters. 

THE BAD

Lack of transparency

Outsourcing a part of the business means having to trust that the remote team is performing its part of the deal as promised. Unfortunately, in some situations, it is near-impossible to oversee every step of the process they take which can, in turn, leave you with less than satisfactory outcomes. That is why choosing a reliable outsourcing partner cannot be stressed enough. 

Misunderstandings

Depending on the country you decide to outsource to, you are running the risk of creating a huge cultural and language gap between your in-house and remote teams. And if you think a translator will help you overcome the hurdles – you’re wrong. The cultural impact of one’s understanding of the task/project at hand, combined with their unique approach to an issue can cause misunderstandings and, ultimately, bad results.

Loss of control

The further you travel, the less you’ll feel in control of your team. In-person meetings will either be rare or eliminated since you will not be sitting at the next table or in the next room. To manage a remote team, you will need to employ practical video conferencing and project management tools which will allow you to communicate more clearly and gain insight into each person’s progress. 

27/7 availability

Yes, you read that right but this time, we mean that you need to be available 24/7. Because of all the above-listed cons of outsourcing, you will likely find yourself in a situation where you’ll have to oversee your people at all times. Additionally, making yourself available around the clock will be the only way to solve urgent problems and respond to questions that need immediate answers. 

Security risks

Outsourcing puts you in a position where you need to share sensitive data and thus fear potential breaches. Unfortunately, mishaps happened to others in the past, which is why we are seeing the rise in new cloud and other technologies which will allow us to make all data available to all employees without having to worry about unauthorized 3rd party access.

The pros are there to convince you of investing a part of your resources into testing the outsourcing model; the purpose of the cons is to warn you of hidden “costs” which, if not calculated properly, can prevent further growth of your business or worse – burn it to the ground.

The only question you need to ask yourself now is – are you equipped to cope?

Mike is an Australian business consulting specialist. He’s working with companies that outsource their IT maintenance. He often writes about technology, business, and marketing and is a regular contributor on several sites.