6 Telltale Signs It’s Time to Outsource Your Software Development

Brian Seery
Last Updated: January 23, 2025

You're running a growing business, but despite your best efforts, your software development team is falling behind. Deadlines are getting missed, projects are delayed, and budgets are stretched thin to cover unforeseen issues. Innovation has stalled, and competitors are gaining ground while your team fights to keep up.

On top of this, you're drowning in technical debt from outdated systems, quick fixes that have turned into long-term problems, and an ever-growing backlog of unresolved issues. It's becoming clear that your in-house expertise isn't enough to meet the increasing demands. These are all telltale signs that you may need to outsource your software development needs.

Outsourcing has emerged as a vital strategy for businesses, with 66% of U.S. companies outsourcing at least one department. IT outsourcing, including cloud services, cybersecurity, and software development, has become particularly prevalent due to the specialized expertise and complexity these areas demand.

The IT outsourcing sector is expected to grow at a rate of 8.48% annually from 2024 to 2029, reaching a market volume of US$812.70 billion by 2029. (Source: Statista)

In this article, we will examine six telltale signs that outsourcing your software development could be the right choice for your business, along with the strategic advantages it offers.

1. Lack of In-House Technical Expertise

Building a full-stack development and engineering team requires substantial investment in hiring, training, and retaining talent. Specialized roles, such as those in front-end, back-end, and advanced analytics, are often difficult to fill due to a shortage of qualified professionals. The IDC predicts a developer shortfall of four million by 2025, underscoring the challenges of keeping up with the rapid pace of technological advancements. In contrast, outsourcing can be a more cost-effective solution, as it eliminates the need for large upfront investments in hiring and training, and allows you to pay for the specific services you need.

Outsourcing provides access to a global talent pool of specialists with the skills and experience your projects require. Instead of overburdening your internal team or struggling to recruit niche experts, outsourcing allows you to efficiently leverage external expertise to meet specific technical needs. Outsourcing partners bring extensive experience from working across various applications and coding styles, which gives them unique insights into what works best—both from a technological and process standpoint. By leveraging this diverse knowledge, businesses can use the most effective technologies while benefiting from proven processes that support innovation and align with strategic goals, all without the delays associated with in-house development.

2. Recurring Project Delays and Missed Deadlines

Project delays can disrupt operations, harm customer satisfaction, and erode your competitive edge. Internal teams, often juggling multiple priorities, may lack the bandwidth or expertise to deliver projects on time.

Outsourcing can streamline project management and improve delivery timelines by providing access to dedicated teams with proven workflows and methodologies. External partners bring experience in handling complex projects efficiently, reducing bottlenecks so milestones are met on time. By staying on schedule, businesses can improve customer satisfaction and strengthen their market position.

3. Ballooning Software Development Costs

Maintaining an in-house IT team can be expensive, with costs extending beyond salaries to include benefits, office space, tools, and training. For example:

  • Director of IT & Application Development: $90,000/year
  • Software Developer/Engineer (Level 1-5): $65,000–$160,000/year
  • UX/UI Designer: $70,000–$110,000/year

Outsourcing can help control these costs by providing access to talent without the need for full-time hires. Fixed contracts and clear deliverables allow businesses to forecast budgets more accurately, avoiding unexpected expenses. Additionally, outsourcing eliminates overhead costs such as infrastructure and recruitment.Here’s a quick comparison of costs and efficiency between in-house and outsourced development models:

Outsourcing also means access to top talent globally, providing the expertise needed for high-quality development at a fraction of the cost.

4. Inability to Keep Up with Technology Changes

The tech landscape evolves rapidly, and staying updated with the latest tools, frameworks, and methodologies is crucial to maintaining competitiveness. For in-house teams, this often means constant retraining, which is both time-consuming and expensive.

Outsourcing partners invest in staying current with emerging technologies and best practices, enabling businesses to benefit from cutting-edge solutions without the need for internal expertise. By leveraging advanced tools and frameworks, outsourcing helps companies stay ahead of the curve and deliver innovative solutions to their customers.

5. Difficulty Scaling Development Resources

Scaling an in-house team is a complex and time-intensive process. Recruiting, onboarding, and training new employees require significant resources, and downsizing can be equally challenging. These constraints limit a company’s ability to adapt quickly to changing project demands.

Outsourcing provides unparalleled flexibility to scale resources up or down as needed. Whether handling a short-term project requiring additional manpower or adjusting to seasonal demands, outsourcing allows you to modify team size and composition without long-term commitments. This agility ensures you're prepared for growth opportunities or market shifts without the financial burden of maintaining a permanent workforce.

6. Desire to Focus on Core Business Activities

Managing software development in-house can divert attention from strategic business priorities. Internal teams often juggle critical tasks with development responsibilities, reducing their capacity to focus on innovation and long-term growth.

Outsourcing allows businesses to delegate software development tasks to trusted partners, relieving internal teams from the burden of development responsibilities. This enables organizations to channel their energy into areas that drive value, such as improving customer experience, expanding market share, and launching new products. By offloading development tasks, companies can maintain their competitive edge while ensuring operational efficiency.

Case Study: Premier-Comp Solutions

Challenge

PremierComp Solutions (PCS), a national provider of workers’ compensation containment solutions, relied on a proprietary system developed in the early 2000s. While the system provided a strong foundation, its aging technology, high maintenance costs, and limited usability made it difficult to scale.

PCS needed a partner capable of modernizing its system to support future growth without disrupting ongoing operations.

Solution

Infoshape Software partnered with PCS to deliver a modern, scalable solution to meet their needs. Key components of the solution included:

  • System Modernization: Infoshape redesigned PCS’s application so both the legacy and modernized systems could run simultaneously until the older platform could be fully retired.
  • Process Automation: Manual processes for sending and receiving claims from insurance companies were automated, significantly reducing the time employees spent on data entry and improving data accuracy.
  • Client Portal Development: A secure, self-service portal was created for PCS customers. This portal allowed clients to access patients, claims, and other critical information online without needing to contact PCS employees.

Result

PCS experienced transformative improvements, including:

  • Greater Scalability: The modernized system supported future growth while allowing for uninterrupted operations during the transition.
  • Increased Efficiency: Automation of claim processes freed employees from manual tasks and improved the reliability of claim data.
  • Improved Customer Experience: The Client Portal empowered customers with immediate, secure access to information, reducing dependence on PCS staff and accelerating service delivery.

For more information on how Infoshape Software helped PCS achieve operational excellence, explore the full case study here.

Unlock Innovation and Growth with Strategic Software Development Outsourcing

Outsourcing software development is more than just a cost-effective solution—it’s a strategic move that empowers businesses to access specialized expertise, scale resources flexibly, and focus on innovation and growth. The success story of PremierComp Solutions demonstrates how partnering with a trusted provider like Infoshape Software can lead to significant improvements in efficiency, scalability, and customer satisfaction.

With over a decade of experience, Infoshape Software has been a reliable partner for businesses across industries, delivering tailored, scalable, and secure software solutions. Our expertise has helped companies modernize outdated systems, streamline operations, and improve the way they engage with customers and teams.

Whether you need to tackle technical debt, upgrade your legacy systems, or leverage new technology to seize emerging opportunities, Infoshape Software can provide the expertise and solutions to propel your business forward. Partner with us to build a stronger, more innovative future for your company.

Don't let technical debt constrain your business. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step towards liberating your business from the burdens of technical debt.