Bridging Borders: 7 key lessons learned over 18 years of serving US Clients

Bridging Borders: 7 key lessons learned over 18 years of serving US Clients

Curated by: Rod Aburto

For over 18 years, I have had the privilege of working with software development teams in Mexico and other countries in Latin America, while serving clients based in the United States. This unique professional journey has provided me with invaluable insights and experiences, highlighting the benefits and challenges of the Nearshore model in the realm of software development. In this blog post, I will share some of the key lessons learned and the remarkable advantages that emerge from this collaborative approach. 

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1. The Nearshore Advantage: 

The Nearshore model refers to the practice of outsourcing software development services to neighboring countries with geographical proximity and cultural affinity. Latin America, with its rich pool of talented professionals, has emerged as a preferred destination for US clients seeking high-quality software solutions. The proximity offers significant advantages such as overlapping time zones, cultural similarities, and ease of travel, making collaboration seamless and effective. 

2. Cultural Alignment: 

Latin American countries, including Mexico, share cultural affinities with the United States, such as a similar work ethic, business practices, and familiarity with American market dynamics. This cultural alignment fosters effective communication, shared values, and a deep understanding of client requirements. It also helps create a harmonious work environment that facilitates collaboration, trust-building, and successful project outcomes. 

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3. Proximity and Time Zone Synergy:

Latin American countries, including Mexico, offer a nearshore advantage to US clients by being in the same or similar time zones. This proximity allows for real-time collaboration, agile development cycles, and seamless communication. The ability to address client queries, provide timely updates, and resolve issues promptly has been instrumental in maintaining high client satisfaction levels and fostering long-term partnerships.

4. Cost-effectiveness and Value Proposition:

The Nearshore model in Latin America provides a cost-effective alternative to onshore development while ensuring the delivery of high-quality software solutions. The region offers competitive rates for software development services compared to the US market, without

compromising on talent and expertise. The cost advantage is complemented by the region’s robust infrastructure, technological capabilities, and access to a skilled workforce, making it an attractive proposition for US clients.

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5. Language Proficiency and Communication:

Proficiency in the English language is a key strength of Latin American software development teams. English language skills are highly emphasized in education and professional settings, enabling effective communication and seamless collaboration with US clients. The ability to comprehend complex requirements, actively participate in discussions, and articulate ideas fluently has been a significant enabler of successful project outcomes and client satisfaction.

6. Agile and Collaborative Approach:

Latin American software development teams have embraced agile methodologies and collaborative work environments. They prioritize close collaboration with clients, iterative development cycles, and frequent communication to ensure that project goals are met effectively. This agile approach, coupled with the Nearshore advantage, allows for rapid adaptation to changing requirements, quick decision-making, and accelerated time-to-market for software solutions.

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7. Knowledge Sharing and Professional Growth:

The Nearshore model in Latin America has created opportunities for knowledge sharing and professional growth, both for the software development teams and the clients. The exchange of best practices, industry insights, and technological advancements between the US and Latin American professionals has fostered a mutually beneficial learning environment. This continuous knowledge transfer has elevated the skill sets of the software engineers, enabling them to deliver cutting-edge solutions.

Conclusion:

The experience gained over 18+ years of working with software development teams in Latin America, particularly Mexico, while serving US clients, has reaffirmed the remarkable advantages of the Nearshore model. The cultural alignment, time zone synergy, cost-effectiveness, language proficiency, agile approach, and knowledge sharing have collectively contributed to the success of this collaborative model. Through bridging borders, we have witnessed the power of diversity, innovation, and efficient project execution. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the lessons learned from this experience will continue to shape the future of software development, encouraging global collaboration for mutual growth and success.

SysAdmin

SysAdmin

ABOUT THIS ROLE 

We are seeking SysAdmin Senior. The ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise across a range of platforms, with a strong technical background in system administration, networking, and security.

Responsibilities

  • 3+ years experience in either development, implementation, or maintenance of small and mid-scale systems, across multiple hardware and software platforms
  • Proven technical knowledge and experience in cloud technologies such as IaaS and PaaS.
  • Proven experience adopting and implementing DevOps practices in close collaboration with software development teams.
  • Proven technical knowledge and experience in IT infrastructure Telephony (IP and TDM), Data Networking (LAN, WAN, and VPN), Network Management and Monitoring, and Security Infrastructure (perimeter, endpoint, intrusion detection, control systems, etc.)
  • Significant experience in new computing architecture and implementation of networked computing structures
  • Experience in Intranet development and implementation
  • Relevant experience developing efficient and effective IT solutions to complex business problems
  • Ability to work as a hands-on technology manager in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
  • Detailed knowledge of Internet protocols and service operations
  • Strong hands-on experience with installing and configuring Linux/Unix, windows servers, Microsoft SQL, Oracle, and MySQL databases, VoIP enterprise solutions, storage, networks, security, infrastructure management/monitoring tools, disaster recovery procedures, IT governance
  • Knowledge of the ITIL principles
  • Detailed knowledge of networking and security management tools and best practices
  • Innate sense of urgency to complete projects on time and with high quality
  • Experience managing customer’s private and secure data

Communication Skills

  • Advanced English communication skills
  • Strong communications skills to deal with company customer and all levels of the organization including senior management

Preferred Skills

  • Proactive
  • Self-motivated
  • Committed
  • Team player
  • Technical insight
  • Ability finding creative ways to solve problems efficiently

Desirable

  • Fully bilingual English/Spanish
  • Experience working with clients in the US or English-speaking clients
  • Certification in Microsoft Technologies

WHAT WE OFFER

  • Mexican Labor Law benefits package. 
  • Medical Insurance. 
  • Life Insurance. 
  • Profit share (PTU). 
  • Performance bonus. 
  • Christmas bonus (15 days). 
  • Performance evaluation twice a year. 
  • A coaching program in Leadership and effective work management skills. 
  • Remote Work: We know the benefits of working from home and flexibly arranging work around our lives. Scio is proud of its mission: to help other people experience the same freedom and still effectively organize their work and reach business and personal goals. 
  • We also like to have fun while working so we constantly get together to play games, organize team-building activities, etc. 

THE JOURNEY

We know your time is valuable, so we like to keep this process short. There will be 4 interviews and a possible technical test from our client: an initial culture fit interview, a technical interview with one of our senior developers, an interview with the Account Manager of the project, and a final interview with our client. These will run for about 2 weeks, but we will let you know if we need to ramp it up. Be yourself and have fun! 

We will also keep you regularly updated with the development of your application. You can also communicate with us directly to ask about the status of your application at any time. If all goes well, we will offer you the job and require you to get the pre-hiring requirements from us within 5 days. 

Are you interested already? Send your resume in English to humancapital@sciodev.com. We are looking forward to hearing from you! 

Data Engineer

Data Engineer

ABOUT THIS ROLE:

We are looking for a Data Engineer to bolster our data warehouse operations and Segment integrations. This pivotal role involves maintaining and enhancing our data systems to guarantee our company’s data integrity and reliability. As part of our team, you’ll leverage cutting-edge technology while complying with industry best practices.

Responsibilities

  • Engage primarily with Segment “Customer Data Platforms” (CDP), an ongoing GA4 migration, and aspects associated with real-time data integrations
  • Facilitate the discovery, analysis, and implementation of these data integrations and pipelines to serve the company, specifically the Marketing, Sales, and Finance departments.
  • Collaborate with various target systems, including Google Analytics, Google/Bing/Facebook/LinkedIn Ads, TikTok, Amplitude, Iterable, and others.
  • Learn and apply the latest best practices in managing and maintaining data infrastructure.
  • Over time, responsibilities will broaden to encompass supervising specific data warehouse operations and modifying existing, and configuring new, data pipelines using Matillion-ETL and Snowflake when necessary.
  • Assist in the onboarding, training, and setup of end users to utilize various SQL capabilities through different tools such as SQL tools, PowerBI, or SnowSight.

Qualifications

  • 2-3 years of professional experience, ideally with an emphasis on Customer Data Platforms (CDP), Cloud Data Warehousing, and various ETL tools.
  • · Proficiency in SQL and Relational Database Management Systems (RDBMS).
  • · Basic understanding of Python, JavaScript, and Amazon Web Services (AWS).
  • · Familiarity with data integration through APIs, custom functions, pipelines, and data streams.

Preferred skills

  • Prior experience working with APIs such as Stripe, Google Ads, Bing Ads, Iterable, Facebook, TikTok, etc.
  • Familiarity with MongoDB (or other No-SQL databases), Redshift.
  • Experience in eCommerce, Marketing, or Ed-Tech sectors.
  • Experience with Business Intelligence (BI) tools like PowerBI or SnowSight.

WHAT WE OFFER:

  • Mexican Labor Law benefits package. 
  • Medical Insurance. 
  • Life Insurance. 
  • Profit share (PTU). 
  • Performance bonus. 
  • Christmas bonus (15 days). 
  • Performance evaluation twice a year. 
  • A coaching program in Leadership and effective work management skills. 
  • Remote Work: We know the benefits of working from home and flexibly arranging work around our lives. Scio is proud of its mission: to help other people experience the same freedom and still effectively organize their work and reach business and personal goals. 
  • We also like to have fun while we work so we constantly get together to play some games, organize team-building activities, etc. 

THE JOURNEY:

We know your time is valuable, so we like to keep this process short. There will be 4 interviews and a possible technical test from our client: an initial culture fit interview, a technical interview with one of our senior developers, an interview with the Account Manager of the project, and a final interview with our client. These will run for about 2 weeks, but we will let you know if we need to ramp it up. Be yourself and have fun! 

We will also keep you regularly updated with the development of your application. You can also communicate with us directly to ask about the status of your application at any time. If all goes well, we will offer you the job and require you to get the pre-hiring requirements from us within 5 days at the most. 

Are you interested already? Send your resume in English to humancapital@sciodev.com. We are looking forward to hear from you! 

What Is The Meaning Of True “Craftsmanship” In Software Development?

What Is The Meaning Of True “Craftsmanship” In Software Development?

Curated by: Sergio A. Martínez

Craftsmanship is timeless, being an integral practice to human history since the dawn of our species. It represents a quality of uniform excellence, often characterized by removing unnecessary elements from a design and bringing out the best in the crafted object. And although craftsmanship is often associated with aesthetic pursuits like painting or sculpture, its importance goes beyond; it serves as a powerful reminder of the value of hard work and skilled ‘hands-on’ effort, a notion that helps us tap into our creativity and realize our ambitions. Mastering craftsmanship, therefore, is not only a source of motivation but also a means to change our current place for the better.

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And considering how technology is the biggest agent of change in our world, it might be interesting to find out if the idea of craftsmanship has a place in this modern computer-driven reality. Is there craftsmanship to be found in software development? After all, programming consists of a combination of hard skills, innovative techniques, and a love for constantly perfecting processes that translate into high-quality products. It can be said that developers practice a craftsmanship approach in every project, taking pride in the details and focusing on making changes that have a clear impact on performance, stability, scalability, and many other aspects of development. 

However, for most people, it’s easy to overlook the art behind software development, but the craftsmanship is present in every little task. From developing feature-rich designs and diagrams to writing clean and error-free code, the job of a software developer involves multiple levels of precision and detail that demand proper diligence. A well-crafted software is an accomplishment, just as a well-crafted painting or sculpture would be, with each step involving thoughtfulness, attention to detail, and careful consideration. There’s an almost creative element to writing software since developers must find ways to solve programming puzzles with innovative ideas and stylish solutions, so designers must have some artistic understanding of how users interact with technology. Nonetheless, this approach must coexist with the demands of an industry that is always moving forward, making today’s software development an incredibly ingenious and complex task that must always rise to the challenge.

The balance between craftsmanship and business

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Crafting software is an attempt to capture a responsive balance between the idealistic embrace of artistic virtue and the practical needs of a business environment. On one hand, developers want to use their creativity to build something meaningful that reflects a sense of usefulness and long-lasting quality. On the other hand, there are ever-present realities that require careful decisions about timelines and budget, and finding harmony between these factors while developing software can be hard to navigate. However, it’s by solving this creative tension that developers ultimately can create elegantly well-rounded solutions.

Still, it’s no small feat: both angles need to be taken into consideration when pursuing a successful project. It takes careful forethought, planning, and collaboration from everyone involved (developers, project managers, stakeholders, etc.) to prioritize craftsmanship over profit while still satisfying the business demands. The biggest challenge here is maintaining quality while meeting time and budget constraints; if a product is rushed out the door too soon or neglected too long, users will pay the price with buggy applications or poor feature implementation, so it’s important to have an experienced team of professionals who understand their collective responsibility to craft perfect software while keeping in mind all other key objectives.

As we have already mentioned, the importance of craftsmanship in software development can often be overlooked. It’s easy to rush through a project to meet a deadline and sacrifice quality, but this doesn’t end well in the long run. Quality software is efficient, minimizing user frustration and increasing overall productivity, and crafting robust software requires an investment of time and thought that demands an eye for details both big and small. High-quality craftsmanship requires rigorous testing before deployment, as well as regular updates after implementation to ensure maximum efficiency at all times. In other words, software craftsmanship may involve an initial extra effort, but it pays off by creating an outstanding user experience for years.

Thus, craftsmanship is an idea that one should take care of and pride in when writing code. Being a software craftsman involves learning, understanding, and researching best practices to write amazing code, with a developer constantly asking themselves questions such as: are there better ways to refactor this piece of code? How can I make this easier to maintain? Is there an accepted design pattern that I could use here? By taking the time to ask these questions themselves, developers can ensure that their software is of higher quality and more robust than it otherwise would be, the result of putting your knowledge, dedication, experience, and passion for problem-solving at the forefront. Craftsmanship in software development requires attention to detail, continual refinement from iteration to iteration, and an interest in learning new technologies for their work and aims for excellence when building quality products.

Craftsmanship at every level

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True craftsmanship in software development can be seen in its intricate details. Developers who take their time to create their projects with a focus on the elegance of style and precision when producing games, websites, or applications that stand out from the crowd. Crafting a piece of software to be efficient and durable takes skill and talented developers to understand the importance of meeting user expectations, and making sure their work lives up to those standards by adding creative touches wherever possible. Part art, part science—true craftsmanship in software development makes the difference between an ordinary application and one that really shines when developers care about…

  • Writing clean and maintainable code: Craftsmen developers strive to write code that is easy to read, understand, and maintain over time. This means using meaningful variable names, avoiding duplication, and following established coding standards.
  • Building scalable software: Good software craftsmen know how to design and build software systems that can scale to meet the needs of a growing user base. This means understanding how to distribute workloads across multiple machines and designing software with horizontal scaling in mind.
  • Emphasizing testing: Crafting software means placing a strong emphasis on testing. Developers who practice craftsmanship ensure that their code is thoroughly tested and they use automated testing tools to make sure that any changes they make to the code do not break existing functionality.
  • Being efficient with code: A software craftsman understands the importance of being efficient with code. They know that every line of code that they write has an impact on the overall performance of the application, so they strive to write code that is as lean and efficient as possible.
  • Continuous improvement: Finally, software craftsmen are always looking for ways to improve their skills and the quality of their work. They stay up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques, and they are always looking for ways to improve their code and their processes.

In short, software development is an ever-evolving understanding of how coding works and communicates with different systems. By developing software, coders, and engineers are constantly pushing the boundaries of what can be done, learning from a variety of sources, and tackling complex tasks in efficient ways. It’s hard work, but the craftsmanship exhibited within can be extremely rewarding, as it offers an opportunity to create something useful and marketable that solves a problem or makes life easier for everyone. By continuously pushing their own boundaries of excellence, software developers are able to develop projects that achieve unprecedented levels of quality while ensuring usability and scalability. It’s this iterative approach that separates the best software projects from those just good enough—and it’s the commitment to continuous improvement and craftsmanship exhibited by software developers that allow users to seamlessly interact with highly sophisticated products.

The Key Takeaways

  • When it comes to software development, the value of craftsmanship cannot be overstated; creativity and artistry are critical for any successful piece of software out there.
  • What craftsmanship provides is an inspiration to always become better, strive for a better result, and grow new skills and talents that will result in a more positive outcome for any project.
  • However, finding the balance between craftsmanship and the business needs of the organization can be tricky, and must be navigated carefully.
  • Craftsmanship is found at every level of a development project, and the best developers will take it seriously to build the best possible product at the end.
Planning Realistic Time Frames In Software Development: Is This An Achievable Goal?

Planning Realistic Time Frames In Software Development: Is This An Achievable Goal?

Curated by: Sergio A. Martínez

It’s easy to conceptualize software production as a continuous dance between the long-term goals of a project and the uncertainty of planning for the near future. With rapidly changing technology and a constantly shifting landscape, it’s difficult to accurately predict how much time and effort should be allocated to any given project, and knowing the unknowns of software production is almost contradictory. And that’s without taking into consideration factors like market demands and customer feedback weighing heavily on any project. Even foreseen obstacles can sometimes take a development team down an unexpected path, taking more time and resources than planned to address hurdles that completely wreck the initial outline of the project.

Planning Realistic Time Frames In Software Development: Is This An Achievable Goal?

All these reasons make accurate production planning a critical aspect of successful software development, allowing teams to create realistic estimates and prioritize tasks effectively, ensuring no delays and reducing the likelihood of missing deadlines. Developing accurate timeframes requires understanding all elements involved in the project, such as hardware needs and code complexity, and upon thorough comprehension of this information, organizations can run simulations and plan out an appropriate timeline with clearly-defined goals. 

This process, however, requires the creation, testing, and iteration of multiple complex layers that support the end product. This iterative nature makes it difficult to accurately project timelines, as changes can occur at any step along the way that requires reprogramming or versioning. Building high-functioning software often involves adjusting code far down the line as an outgrowth of earlier iterations; a single change can also have unintended effects on functionality elsewhere which add to both complexity and unpredictability. This iterative methodology indeed allows developers to perfect their products; however, it can create wrinkles when forecasting progress throughout the development cycle.

The tension between iteration and business

Planning Realistic Time Frames In Software Development: Is This An Achievable Goal?

Software development is a complex process and involves constant iteration and refinement to arrive at the best product possible. Designers and developers need time to experiment and refine their code to create an intuitive and user-friendly experience efficiently and effectively; meanwhile, most businesses need immediate ROI from their investment, often seeking quick solutions to their problems. Consequently, there can be tension between the need for thorough development throughout the process and what a business expects as the result.

Creating quality software takes resources, like skilled developers and adequate time for development, to come up with a high-quality outcome, so it’d be beneficial for both sides to find a middle ground that works best on both accounts while still maintaining the integrity of the software created. However, businesses can fall into the trap of expecting instant results when investing in software, which may not be realistic; in software development, iteration is necessary to create a quality product that meets the needs of users. 

Therefore, stakeholders need to understand the importance of iteration, and how designers and developers must strike a balance between testing changes quickly enough so that ROI expectations can be met, while still allowing enough time for improvement and polish. With clear communication between all sides of the project, it builds trust and unity that allows a successful implementation while meeting the demands of both business interests as well as design & development concerns. And accurate planning remains at the core of this issue.

Several constraints and external factors, both known and unforeseen, can muddy the estimates and make it difficult to plan projects with a high degree of success”, says Adolfo Cruz, Partner and PMO Director at Scio. For example, as each new iteration of the software is built and tested, any uncovered bug or user feedback can delay the process significantly. Similarly, sudden fluctuations in workload or resources due to changing market trends can warp time frames as well. All these aspects can make it difficult for project managers to set reliable estimates, putting their teams in scenarios where they are chasing impossible targets or failing to meet customer needs on time. This volatility serves as an unavoidable obstacle in software-related endeavors which, if not tackled head-on with the right foresight, can spell disaster for any development team.

As such, creating precise timeframes for developing software can be a daunting task. The development process must account for delays due to unforeseen technical issues that may require further resources to resolve; communication between the various stakeholders that must agree on distinct objectives; and deciding which features will have priority due to their technical difficulty or the level of collaboration needed from other departments. All of these problems can contribute to substantial delays in development cycles and cause originally estimated timelines to be undermined or pushed back considerably. Without proper planning and contingencies built into the timeline, it can be incredibly difficult to accurately estimate how long a software project may take before its completion.

Some common challenges

Planning Realistic Time Frames In Software Development: Is This An Achievable Goal?

Creating and implementing software solutions is a tricky and lengthy process, and when striving to stay competitive in the technology sector, companies need to develop detailed strategies to ensure their software projects are completed efficiently and with success. Thus, understanding the need for a planned methodology that allows for continuous improvement is important for businesses wanting to make use of software development within their operations.

But what factors and variables can complicate the process and impede the accuracy of a project’s plan? From unanticipated scope changes to even the software development methodologies themselves, all affect accuracy when trying to implement a realistic timeframe for the product. Budgetary constraints, vendor reliability, comprehensive resource estimates, unmet deadlines, unexpected technical challenges, frequent changes in the technology landscape, and fluctuations in market trends can further create difficulty in determining accurate timelines. The challenge of keeping up with these ever-changing variables while accurately predicting timelines within budget remains immense and requires considerable expertise, so knowing these hurdles in advance can really make a difference in the outcome of a project:

  • Undefined project scope: If the project scope is not clearly defined from the beginning, it can lead to confusion about what the project aims to accomplish, which will lead to delays and misunderstandings between developers and stakeholders. Nailing down the scope, then, is always the first step.
  • Inadequate requirements gathering: If the project requirements are not properly collected and analyzed, it can lead to incorrect or incomplete solutions, which can impact project timelines, budget, and quality beyond the normal demands of iteration.
  • Poor communication: Inadequate communication among team members, stakeholders, or management can cause misunderstandings, delays, and quality issues, demanding an experienced Project Manager to take the lead at all times.
  • Insufficient resources: If the project team lacks the necessary skills, experience, or resources to complete the project, and can’t close this gap with external help, it can lead to poor quality, delays, and cost overruns.
  • Changing requirements: Changes to project requirements can occur during the development process, but they must be managed effectively to prevent delays and cost overruns, requiring clear communication with the stakeholders throughout the process.
  • Lack of testing: Insufficient testing can lead to defects and quality issues that can cause project delays, additional costs, and customer dissatisfaction.
  • Inadequate risk management: Failure to identify and mitigate project risks can lead to issues that can impact project timelines, budget, and quality.
  • Lack of stakeholder engagement: Failure to engage stakeholders can lead to misunderstandings, delays, and quality issues. It is essential to involve stakeholders throughout the project to ensure their needs are met and expectations are managed.

Understanding all the potential issues that may arise during the project and wisely budgeting for them is key to successful planning. Understanding all the potential issues that may arise during the project and wisely budgeting for them is key to successful planning. Understanding all the potential issues that may arise during the project and wisely budgeting for them is key to successful planning.

In short, planning a realistic timeframe for a software development project can be an unpredictable process if approached the wrong way. To accurately estimate how long certain tasks will take to complete, or how quickly any potential complications might be resolved requires the right balance between the technical and the interpersonal, and good organizational practices are key in helping to keep the development estimates on track. By implementing these practices systematically through the course of the project, organizations can significantly reduce the challenge of maintaining a reliable and realistic timeline for their software development projects, leading to better outcomes and more reliable products that benefits us all, both outside and inside the development process.

The Key Takeaways

  • One of the most difficult, yet critical, elements of software development is estimating the correct time frame for the project to be successful.
  • These challenges come from a variety of sources, but the iterative nature of development is one of the most important.
  • This creates tension between the team and the stakeholders that need to be resolved from the very beginning to ensure a positive outcome.
  • But beyond that, mastering all the variables that can come up during development is what a good organization does to guarantee a product comes out on time, and with the highest quality possible.