The demand for software development talent is soaring. Research shows that software engineers and software developers are the most in-demand professions in 24 countries1. Meanwhile, a widespread talent gap and the speed of evolution in programming languages means finding the right professionals can become a real challenge.
As a result, high-quality talent-as-a-service (TaaS) companies have never been more sought-after. Providing a flexible, on-demand talent network, software development outsourcing companies are playing a pivotal role in helping tech leaders manage their end-to-end tech requirements – from full stack development to chip-to-cloud IoT services.
There are huge benefits to relying on specialist support for software development – from lowering workforce costs and gaining access to more niche skills, to greater resource flexibility.
However, not all TaaS providers are equal, and finding the right match is critical. By answering the following questions, you’ll be able to have a clearer idea of your goals and needs, and ensure that you and your chosen TaaS provider are a good fit for each other when outsourcing software development.
What specialist software skills can the company provide?
With global competition for tech talent fiercer than ever - last year, 70% of organisations were still experiencing a tech skills shortage2 - the ability to tap into a global talent pool of software specialists holds real value. But to make the most of it, you need to ensure your partner’s talent portfolio is wide enough to provide the specialist expertise you need – no matter how niche – at the level you require.
For example, at Mobica we employ over 700 talented specialists who can help with full stack development – from low-level firmware and drivers, to middleware on embedded systems, and from cloud-based back-end services to the mobile front-end application. Some key technologies include operating systems (e.g. Linux, RTOS, Android), languages (e.g. C/C++, Go, Java, .NET C#, Swift, Kotlin, Python, JavaScript and many others), and methodologies such as DevOps. From chip to cloud, we can provide the right support in all technology frameworks and languages.
By ensuring your talent partner offers a wide and varied portfolio of specialist skills, you avoid the need to coordinate multiple service providers and contractors – which can create time and cost inefficiencies and lead to less than ideal outcomes. With Mobica, all your software needs will be addressed under one roof, providing the depth and breadth of capabilities to support you in delivering even the most complex projects.
How can I make sure my chosen TaaS provider has a track record of success?
Qualifications are important, but when it comes to evaluating success, there’s no better guarantee than a happy customer. The ability to demonstrate long-term partnerships with renowned brands is a hallmark of trustworthiness for software TaaS providers.
Ideally, you want to make sure that your chosen partner regularly collaborates with the best names in your industry. In particular, look out for customer success stories, case studies and testimonials to hear what those brands say about the specialists they’ve worked with.
At Mobica, we are already supporting world-leading innovators, and have long-standing partnerships with brands such as BMW, Google, Meta, Vodafone, Samsung, ARM, Intel, ABB, Dyson, Ingenico and more. They trust us to provide the service they need, even when unforeseen challenges have the potential to cause disruption.
This is because Mobica customers know they can depend on consistently high levels of competence and expertise, and on a supportive and dedicated team where people are empowered to act quickly and can adapt to change.
How does the company approach a new project, and set it up for success?
“Success does not look the same for everybody, so the number one priority when tackling a new project is to take the time to listen and understand our customer’s requirements,” comments Mariusz Stolarski, Global Head of Technology Office at Mobica.
Getting under the skin of a business is essential for developing the best software to help a company achieve its objectives. So, it’s always a good sign when a TaaS partner has in-depth kick-out sessions at the start of a project. This can help gain a deeper understanding of your opportunities, risks, challenges, short-term goals and long-term ambitions.
It’s also important to make sure that regular feedback and reporting sessions are part of the deal. Your goals and priorities might change, or new developments might open the door to better processes that were not available just a couple of months ago. So, it’s always a good idea to make sure your TaaS partner is not only listening to your feedback, but also being proactive in recommending the best ways to progress on a project.
At Mobica, our Customer Success approach focuses on building organisational processes and team structures that put our customers right at the heart of our culture. It means that your goals become ours and your success is always our number one priority. By understanding your business goals, focusing on your needs, bringing in the right team and talent, and sharing your goals, we can ensure your project is a success.
I like being flexible. What collaboration options does the company offer?
The beauty of TaaS is the ability to call on the specialists you need, when you need them. This is what makes this model cost-effective and hassle-free. There’s no point in delegating work you have the expertise and capacity to do in-house. At the same time, it’s frustrating when you think you can delegate a project and then realise that your team will have to take responsibility for a large chunk of it. That’s why it’s important to ensure that your chosen provider offers different options for flexible collaboration.
Mobica, for example, offers a three-level structure to help businesses grow: enrich, scale and delegate. Designed for maximum flexibility, this model allows our customers to extend the capabilities of their team by topping up with some of our specialists, relying on one of Mobica’s teams to test and scale ideas, or delegate a project entirely to our expert team.
What if the TaaS provider I choose can’t integrate with my teams?
When outsourcing all or part of a software development project, it’s important to rely on engineers who are easy to work with and can collaborate effectively with your internal resources. Collaboration – or lack thereof – can make or break your project, and poor communication between your teams and your TaaS provider can lead to wasted time, missed business objectives, missed revenues, and the necessity to allocate time and cost to rework. Relying on TaaS providers who are used to working collaboratively with their clients’ teams is the best way to avoid a lot of frustration.
At Mobica, we like to think of ourselves as partners, not providers, and this mindset informs our whole work ethos. In fact, we have developed workflows to allow our processes to integrate seamlessly with yours.
Our enrich and scale service levels, in particular, are based on our Mobicans’ ability to boost your software development capabilities if and when needed, working with your teams to maximise the potential of internal resources while providing the know-how you need. Our strength lies in creating a community of talented professionals who have deep technical knowledge as well as the aspiration to self-develop and grow. That’s why, when you scale up with Mobica, you’re doing so much more than accelerating delivery – you’re also getting access to the most innovative ideas and technology practices.
How do I know if my TaaS provider invests in innovation and continuous improvement?
With coding evolving at lightning speed, it’s crucial the talent specialist you rely on has the best resources to stay abreast of the latest developments. Look out for tech affiliations and partnerships that demonstrate a commitment to innovation, and ask whether team members have access to a solid lifelong learning programme.
It’s also important to make sure that less experienced members of the team are properly supported by senior colleagues, so that you can expect the same quality and reliability regardless of who will undertake the job.
At Mobica, all our engineers have access to ongoing training and mentorship schemes, so our clients can benefit from the latest tech intel, while our team members can work collaboratively to upskill each other.
“One of my favourite parts of my role at Mobica is participating in the growth of others,” comments Mobica Project Manager, Karol Grządziel. “I had a chance to see junior engineers join Mobica over the years and through multiple projects completed, become valued consultants.”
If you’re thinking about collaborating with a trustworthy software TaaS provider and would like to know more about it, why not get in touch with our team? With a global network of over 700 expert engineers, finding the best talent has never been easier.
1 Michael Page, ‘Software engineer is the world’s most in-demand profession, new analysis reveals’, https://www.michaelpage.co.uk/news-and-research-centre/media-releases/software-engineer-is-the-worlds-most-in-demand-profession-new-analysis-reveals
2 Statista, ‘Does a skills shortage prevent your organisation from keeping up with the pace of change?’, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1269776/worldwide-organizations-talent-shortage-skills-tech/