Software Outsourcing To China
China
Offshore Software Development & Outsourcing to China
China provides an excellent supply of low-cost outsourcing resources. Offshore software development in China is booming and there are significant advantages to working with a qualified firm. What should you know when working with Chinese vendors? A well-defined development specification is important. You also need to be cautious of protecting your intellectual property, as the Chinese market has limited IP protection. Finally, there may be a language barrier in working with Chinese vendors. Knowing these facts will assist you in making the right decision and enjoying a productive and collaborative partnership.
Accelerance thoroughly screens members of our Accelerance Global Partner Network (AGPN) from China. References are carefully checked as well as proficiency in spoken and written English. For your protection and security, the AGPN member has agreed to strict intellectual property protection requirements. We know this is critically important and we understand your concerns with working with an offshore partner. But we believe that the advantages far outweigh any potential issues. Working with a Chinese partner can reduce your costs significantly and potentially be a pathway to getting your products and services into the vast and growing Chinese market. Although other vendor screening resources may not be qualified, or use our same comprehensive approach, you can be confident when working with an Accelerance Partner. We stand behind our Chinese partners and their ability to serve you.
Working with outsourcers in China – Pluses
Do you have a well-defined product specification? If so, China is a great location to consider for low-cost software development. Their software engineers and web developers are among the best in the world. However, as copyright and intellectual property protection are not well regulated, you want to be sure your software will be of limited use in the Chinese market. For example, a current Accelerance client is using a vendor in China to help develop mortgage processing software sold in the U.S. The risk of someone being able to use this type of software in China is minimal. With different cultural norms than Americans are used to, it important to understand what’s considered acceptable and unacceptable in this part of the world.
Some Chinese vendors are investing in CMMI certification as a way to compensate for the fact that they are less proficient in English than vendors in some other countries. If you want a high CMMI certification, Chinese vendors should be on you list.
Considering selling your products in the Chinese market? A presence there is usually required if you plan on offering your software or other products in that region. Some companies even consider operating in China. If you build a subsidiary in China, with your own operation and your own Chinese staff, you can then also hire your own engineers for software development. This could prove to be an advantageous move and one that could grow your sales significantly.
Working with outsourcers in China – Minuses
If you need to collaborate frequently in spoken English, it will be a challenge to find a Chinese vendor that is easy to work with. However, the Accelerance Global Partner Network screening assures you of an English-speaking contact.
If your product is not yet clearly defined and you will rely on the outsourced vendor team to help with product specification, user interface, and quality assurance, offshore software development in China is probably not your best option.
If your software has value in the Chinese market, and if the idea is easy to duplicate, be very careful in approaching outsourcing to China. Ultimately, the safety of your software comes down to the integrity of your vendor. Unless there are other compelling reasons to outsource to China, most people will go elsewhere where IP protection is well regulated and enforced.
China is many time zones away. There is overlap with the late afternoon and early evening on the West Coast of the US. From the East Coast, you are 11 time zones away (12 when the U.S. is on daylight saving time). Be prepared for flexible working hours when you need to communicate with your Chinese vendor in real time.
If these potential areas of concern are non-issues for your company, then we welcome your interest and inquiry into finding a qualified partner in this region of the world. Offshore software development in China is growing rapidly and as a true global economic power, China will continue to be influential on the world stage. It only makes sense to find ways to work with our friends to the east.