Offshore Outsourcing
Form & Pattern can transform your software development by matching your firm with a qualified vendor overseas. Once projects are assessed for the optimal approach, vendors are matched by skill, price, experience, and availability. To optimize the integration of the vendor's output, consulting services are offered. Requirements documentation, project management, and final analysis are specialized consulting options to optimize the process of going offshore.

Offshore outsourcing services:
Offshore FAQs
How much will I save if I use your offshore team?

Overall savings may vary from up to 30%, compared to the traditional project based outsourcing model, and up to 60%, compared to in-house development. Moreover, there are no infrastructure, benefit or payroll tax expenses.


I don't believe an off-site team can be as effective, or even more effective as my on-site team. You're saying the costs will be lower, but how do I know your team will provide the same or better performance as my on-site team?

The performance of your dedicated team will be continuously monitored by you and us. First, you assign a Manager from your staff to supervise the development process and report to you on a regular basis. Second, you establish the communication processes and frequency you require. Third, task management and reporting is a top priority. This way, you will be able to effectively supervise the development process and gain trust in your dedicated team?s performance.


You claim that the offshore team will work as an extension of my company. Where does the responsibility of the offshore company lie then?

The offshore company is responsible for providing office space as well as infrastructure set-up and maintenance - these are the issues that our customers don't have to worry about at all. The offshore company is responsible for personnel recruitment, payroll and all HR issues. Additionally, the offshore company is responsible for comprehensive security that is extremely important for offshore outsourcing. On the whole, the offfshore company is responsible for ALL the organizational issues related to offshore operation.


Will I own all of the source code produced by an offshore company?

Yes, you will. ALL work products created by an offshore company are considered "work made for hire," and the intellectual property rights embodied in it are your sole and exclusive property.


Does the billing rate depend on the team members' experience, skills, language proficiency, etc.?

If you need a team with skills and expertise that are in great demand (e.g., SAP, Lotus Applications, or Cisco), it may cost you more.


Can you put together a team to work for me onshore?

Usually, the offshore company can do it. Note, however, that onshore outsourcing doesn't save nearly as much as offshore outsourcing does because the wages and infrastructure expenses are significantly high.


How do I make sure that programmers, managers, and other specialists on the team have appropriate experience?

The best way to make sure all of the team members have appropriate experience is to personally participate in the team selection process (i.e., review the resumes of all potential team members and interview the candidates via the telephone).


Is it possible to establish a test period for an offshore team? Say, three months?

Usually, the offshore company is able to do this. This arrangement shall be discussed on a case-by-case basis.


What if I'm not satisfied with the performance of a team member?

If you are not satisfied with the performance of a team member, the offshore company will replace that employee within a specified period of time at no cost to clients.


What should I do to increase the efficiency of the offshore team?

Most importantly, manage offshore team as part of your in-house team. Also, you should use management tools for planning and reporting, project tracking, task management, and change request management. The tools that usually are available:


How will I communicate with an offshore team?

Telephone conversations, e-mail, and instant messaging allow you to establish prompt and reliable communication.


Is the difference in time zones a problem?

The difference in time zones is a natural consequence of the situation when the development team is in another area of the world. The best way around this challenge is setting mutually acceptable times for online meetings.
Also, note that the time difference may be an advantage, if you are interested in "round-the-clock" programming. Working with the overseas team in shifts, so that programming goes on 24 hours a day, is extremely efficient if you need to reduce the time to market.


Will all of the team members be able to communicate with me? Are they fluent in written and spoken English? Can you set up a test in English for the team?

Usually, all employees of the company must successfully pass an English proficiency test before they are hired.


How is reporting arranged? How often will I be updated?

Normally, formal reporting is done on a weekly basis via e-mail or one of the communication / collaboration tools. Also, you can always review the progress of the project yourself by using the common repository that is continuously updated. If you want to change the reporting procedure, it's up to you. After all, you run the show.