Curated by: Sergio A. Martínez

For example, let’s take the “Software-as-a-Service” (SaaS) model. An increasingly common way to offer software products with continuous support, it’s made possible by the widespread adoption of Cloud technology, allowing businesses to access software applications remotely through the Internet, on a pay-as-you-go basis. There are many advantages to this approach, including increased flexibility and scalability, but it also brought its own challenges. As this article puts it:

“Suddenly, engineers had to master 10 different tools, Helm charts, Terraform modules, etc. just to deploy and test a simple code change to one of multiple environments in your multi-cluster microservice setup. The problem is that throughout this toolchain evolution, the industry seemingly decided that division of labor (Ops and Devs), which proved successful in virtually every other sector of the global economy, was not a good idea. Instead, the DevOps paradigm was championed as the way to achieve a high-performing setup.”  

This approach, however, while making sense for companies the size of Amazon or Google, can also create something of a rift when it comes to more medium-sized organizations, where the resources and manpower can’t quite match the scale of modern SaaS and Cloud-based development, and “developers (usually the more senior ones) end up taking responsibility for managing environments, infrastructure, etc.”, putting a strain on the team that can doom the outcome of a project. The expectations regarding the number of tools and frameworks that a team must master to create effective products today are sky-high, and as such, a new approach for comparatively smaller organizations must be found elsewhere. With that in mind, let’s talk about the rise of platform engineering.

The glue binding development together

Platform engineering is a term that is used to describe the process of designing, building, and maintaining platforms that are used by other applications, and it’s all about creating systems that can be reused and repurposed, emphasizing flexibility and modularity. In other words, the industry is leaving behind the idea of designing systems with specific functions in mind as a result of the world becoming more connected, demanding a shift toward system design that can be adapted to changing needs. And platform engineering is at the forefront of this new paradigm. 

This is because platform engineering responds to the popularity of “self-service” as a development approach. To put it simply, self-service tools and platforms enable teams to have “the ability to create and configure resources” by themselves, away from more traditional models like a ticket system, which are a source of friction in the face of modern development methods. The trick, however, is that a good self-service platform is often developed and deployed internally, meaning that a lot of resources must be directed away from client-facing development, and toward the organization itself, and that can be a tough challenge to overcome.

There are real benefits to investing in internal tools and platforms, of course. For one thing, it can create a more efficient workflow that allows for greater collaboration between developers, helping to build a deeper understanding of the software development process because these platforms are tailor-made to the needs of a specific company. Perhaps most importantly, though, developing internal tools can give medium-sized companies a competitive edge, allowing for better efficiency in the software development process through the use of more effective and all-encompassing tools. 

“If you’re a software development company, chances are you’ve considered developing your own internal tools and platforms. And there’s a good reason for that; doing so can be game-changing”, says Luis Aburto, CEO, and Founder of Scio. “For starters, developing for self-service allows you to optimize specifically for your company’s needs, meaning they’ll be more efficient and effective than any off-the-shelf solution. And by controlling the development process from start to finish, you can ensure that your tools have the flexibility necessary for more and more complex operations. Having proprietary tools and platforms gives any company a competitive edge.” 

Coming back around, this is why platform engineering will be one of the most important trends of 2023. The process of creating an internal foundation upon which other applications can be built, is conceptualized as a sort of “glue” that binds every element of the development cycle. This can help many organizations to streamline their tools and frameworks, automatizing plenty of tasks that can increase the workload necessary to bring a SaaS application to life. This relatively new field is only now beginning to gain recognition, but it’s expected to become one of the most essential engineering disciplines in the years to come. 

And as the world becomes increasingly digital, the need for platform-based applications will only continue to grow, with internal tools and platforms enabling software development companies to boost their efficiency, saving time and money, and improving the quality of their products. However, to meet this demand, engineers will need to be familiar with platform engineering principles, and those who can master this discipline will be very valued members of a team in the years to come.

Building a platform with the best talent

With all of this in mind, why don’t more software development companies focus on internal tooling? There are a few reasons. First, it’s often seen as a low priority compared to client work, especially for medium or smaller-sized organizations with a more limited pool of resources. And second, it can be expensive and time-consuming to develop these tools, further straining a development team. But in 2023, overcoming these obstacles can be the difference between success and failure for a company.

The biggest challenge, then, is building a great platform engineering team that can bring these tools to reality. This year will not only see platform engineering as a critical approach for most software development companies, but the talent necessary to bring these kinds of applications will be in huge demand, with a strong engineering team becoming essential to develop high-quality products. However, it’s not always easy to find talented engineers who are also a good fit for your culture and values, which is why Nearshore augmentation holds an answer for a company wanting to remain competitive in the face of this new reality.

“More than ever, having developers at your disposal with a DevOps background will be critical to building a proper platform engineering team that could change the way your company approaches development”, continues Luis. “And Nearshore partnerships are a great way to access the kind of talent pool you need to bring this vision to life. Latin America has an amazing array of experienced and talented developers that companies of all sizes, or even a start-up, can harness to success.”

So, if you’re looking to build a platform engineering team, partnering with a Nearshore company is the best way to do it. With a Nearshore partner, you’ll get access to top talent, be able to scale quickly, and maintain the kind of communication necessary to bring these kinds of projects to fruition. Choosing a self-service approach is a choice that has virtually no downsides for a company looking to keep ahead of the curve in the current technology landscape and bringing developers with talent and communication skills to your team is always the smart path to follow. As a result, you’ll be able to build a world-class platform engineering team that can help take your business to the next level.

The Key Takeaways

• The software industry is increasingly moving towards more complex development environments, thanks to the rise of technologies such as cloud platforms.
• The number of resources needed to effectively work in this environment may not be too much for a big company, but for a smaller organization, it can be a challenge to overcome.
• Among other things, this is why platform engineering and a self-service approach will keep growing in popularity in the coming year, popularizing the development of internal tools.
• However, this will also increase the number of experienced developers needed to bring these platforms to fruition, and a Nearshore partnership can be the answer to reach these goals.

Scio is an established Nearshore software development company based in Mexico that specializes in providing high-quality, cost-effective technologies for pioneering tech companies. We have been building and mentoring teams of engineers since 2003 and our experience gives us access not only to the knowledge but also the expertise needed when tackling any project. Get started today by contacting us about your project needs – We have teams available to help you achieve your business goals. Get in contact today!

Curated by: Sergio A. Martínez

Selecting the best for you

• First, think of your company’s needs. What kind of software development do you need? Do you need someone with experience in a specific programming language or platform? If you have a good understanding of this, you can start to narrow down your search.
• Although cost is an important consideration, the quality of the work will make a difference, so going for the cheaper option might not always be advisable, especially with the type of expertise required to develop complex software products that might need a trustworthy team behind it.
• And finally, don’t forget to factor in language barriers. Unless you’re looking for talent in a country where English is widely spoken, you’ll want to make sure the developers you’re considering are fluent in the language your company uses and ease up communication between everyone.

With these factors in mind, you’ll be well on your way to finding the best talent for your software development needs, with a few options out there that are important to understand. For example, you might see the term “Employer of Record” (EOR), alongside alternatives like offshore outsourcing, or Nearshore augmentation. So, if this is your first time giving it a go working with an outside team, then knowing what to expect and how to approach each of these options is the best course of action for you, so let’s break down what they offer you and what advantages you might get with either approach. 

What kind of team do you need to set up?

Any company in the business of developing software knows that having talented developers on staff is crucial to success, which is why many companies choose to tap into a global pool of talent. Developers from different parts of the world can bring a unique perspective to the table, which can help create better products and can help to foster a sense of diversity and inclusion. This, in turn, can make the workplace more creative and innovative.

 Employers of Record (EOR) and Nearshore Development Companies are both business models that provide foreign companies with the ability to hire employees in another country, with a few key differences between the two. On one hand, an Employer of Record provides various employment-related services to client companies which can include payroll, benefits administration, workers’ compensation, and compliance with employment laws, typically working with companies that do not have their own human resources departments or that outsource their HR functions. An EOR is responsible for hiring, onboarding, and paying employees on behalf of a client, and this type of arrangement is often used when a company wants to hire employees in a country where they don’t have an established presence.

By working with an EOR, companies can save time and money on HR-related tasks, as well as help companies navigate the complex world of employment law, especially in different countries where these practices might look very different. For these reasons, EORs are an increasingly popular solution for companies looking to outsource their HR functions.

A Nearshore augmentation option, on the other hand, refers to a group of software developers who work close to their clients, typically in the same country or region, in an arrangement that offers several benefits, including improved communication, faster turnaround times, and a deeper understanding of the client’s needs. Nearshore development teams are often used for complex projects that require close collaboration between developers and clients, taking advantage of time zone differences and tapping into a talent pool that may be difficult to access otherwise.

“One of the best things about working with a Nearshore team is the chance to build strong relationships with other professionals”, explains Luis Aburto, CEO, and Co-Founder of Scio. “Unlike working with an offshore team, you’re much more likely to have regular face-to-face interactions with your colleagues, giving you the chance to get to know them as people, rather than just co-workers. As a result, you’re more likely to develop a strong sense of trust and camaraderie.”

Expertise matters

In other words, EORs typically handle all payroll and compliance-related matters for their clients, whereas Nearshore teams focus primarily on developing software, and thus, have vastly different scopes and objectives when considered on their own. An EOR typically acts like the middleman between a company and the talent pool in another territory, locating employees to work for your organization, and taking care of everything on the more legal side. Beyond that, things like career paths, growth, and training are still the responsibility of the company hiring these services.

A Nearshore company, however, is more like a partner, whose expertise and roster of developers and engineers are ready to integrate with your project, understand it from top to bottom, ready to share knowledge to arrive at the best solution possible for any challenging product development. And this comes from the experience and growth that we share as part of our organization’s culture, offering the people with the perfect skill set from the get-go to join your team right away.

“Any software development project comes with a certain amount of risk. There’s always the chance that something will go wrong, or that the finished product won’t meet the client’s expectations. That’s why it’s so important to seek out experienced people who can help to minimize the risk and ensure a successful outcome”, says Adolfo Cruz, Partner and PMO at Scio. “Seasoned developers have seen it all before, and they know how to anticipate and avoid a problem and have a wealth of knowledge and technical expertise that can be vital in ensuring the success of any project. And more importantly, they also know how to communicate with other members of the development team and can provide valuable insights throughout the project.” 

In that sense, looking for a Nearshore partner that not only is close enough geographically to ensure synchronization and easy collaboration between teams, but also can offer tailor-made teams for every challenge of your product development is the best option to choose. This is more difficult to achieve when setting up a remote office through an Employer of Record, whose advantages lie in creating branches or new offices overseas, but still require bringing a team up to speed in matters of preparation and skill sets. Ultimately, the right partner for your business will depend on your specific needs and goals. But by understanding the difference between these two types of providers, you can make an informed decision about which one is right for you.

The Key Takeaways

• Working with remote talent is becoming the better option these days, and you should always have your organization’s needs as a priority.
• Among all the options, Employers of Record and Nearshore development companies are some of the most popular, and they have key differences.
• An EOR lets you set up a remote team and take care of the HR side of things, making it easy to navigate the compliance rules of another country.
• While a Nearshore partnership offers developers and engineers ready to join and collaborate with a project, ready to offer experience from the get-go.

Scio is an established Nearshore software development company based in Mexico that specializes in providing high-quality, cost-effective technologies for pioneering tech companies. We have been building and mentoring teams of engineers since 2003 and our experience gives us access not only to the knowledge but also the expertise needed when tackling any project. Get started today by contacting us about your project needs – We have teams available to help you achieve your business goals. Get in contact today!