The Ultimate Guide to IT Outsourcing: How to choose between Nearshoring, Offshoring and Onshoring

Companies looking to grow are always met with difficult decisions, and for many, the question of IT outsourcing is one of them. A strategic approach to business growth is more important than ever, because success is no longer determined by simply improving efficiency and cutting costs — how you cut costs matters, too.

This is where outsourcing comes in.

Although very common in 2023 (with 92% of G2000 companies outsourcing IT services), the term still causes confusion.  Industry trends also predict that by the end of 2023, IT outsourcing should exceed a total of $1.3 trillion spent as companies search for digital transformation experts.

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When faced with the decision of whether or not to outsource, you should be aware of the three IT outsourcing models available to you:  

• nearshoring,  
• offshoring, and  
• onshoring.  

But first, you need to assess if you need IT outsourcing, or if in-house activities are right for you.

The decision to outsource part of your IT or keep tasks in-house depends on various factors:

• Cost Analysis: Evaluate the overall cost of outsourcing compared to in-house development, including long-term expenses and potential cost overruns.
• Core Competencies: Determine if the task aligns with the company's core competencies and if outsourcing would free up resources for strategic initiatives.
• Capacity and Expertise: Assess the company's existing talent pool and capabilities to handle the project efficiently in-house. ‍
• Project Complexity and Scope: Consider the complexity and scope of the project, as well as any required specialized expertise. ‍
• Risk Assessment: Identify potential risks associated with both options, including security, intellectual property, and long-term dependencies. ‍
• Flexibility Needs: Evaluate the need for scalability and adaptability to changing project demands. ‍
• Time-to-Market: Examine the urgency to launch the project and the benefits of faster delivery through outsourcing. ‍
• Industry Norms: Research industry norms and practices, as some sectors may lean more towards outsourcing or in-house development.

By carefully weighing these factors and considering the specific requirements of each project, you can make informed and strategic decisions on whether to outsource or keep tasks in-house to maximize efficiency, quality, and overall success.

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Things to consider when choosing an IT outsourcing model

When considering an IT outsourcing model for your business, several factors play a crucial role in making the right choice.

These are:

1. Costs saved ‍
2. Access to talent ‍
3. Scalability and agility

Firstly, the costs saved through IT outsourcing can significantly impact on your bottom line and overall profitability. Different IT outsourcing options vary in terms of cost-effectiveness based on factors like labor rates and currency exchange rates, so careful financial analysis is essential.  

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Secondly, consider access to a talented and skilled workforce when making this decision. Offshore locations may offer cost advantages, but language barriers and time zone differences could affect collaboration and communication. On the other hand, nearshoring provides proximity, cultural alignment, and ease of communication, contributing to better talent acquisition and seamless cooperation.  

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Lastly, the scalability and agility of an IT outsourcing model matter, especially in dynamic industries where flexibility is crucial. The ability to rapidly ramp up or downsize teams to meet project demands can be a game-changer.  

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An additional thing to consider is the nature of your industry, regulatory compliance requirements, and your company's specific needs. For example, you may consider border and customs policy when choosing where to outsource, in the case that you need to regularly ship physical materials or hardware to different locations.

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Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s delve deeper into what makes each IT outsourcing model unique.

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What’s the difference between Nearshore, Offshore, and Onshore?

According to Merriam-Webster, outsourcing is procuring goods or services needed by a business from outside sources. In practice, these types of contracts and out-of-house work help organizations improve efficiency, control costs and focus on their core activities without wasting time on areas that can be done by external workers.

It stands opposite to in-house projects and initiatives and includes nearshoring, offshoring, and onshoring.

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These are similar strategies, and they offer many benefits, but differ in three key areas:

• Distance ‍
• Costs ‍
• Degree of control.

When outsourcing IT services, the relative distance between you and the company you’ve partnered with is what will determine if your business is onshoring, nearshoring or offshoring.

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As the names suggest, nearshoring is when a business has outsourced IT services in countries close by. On the other hand, offshoring refers to working with countries far away, off shore. Onshoring is contained within national borders and means a company has relocated parts of its business to a different area in the same country.

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When it comes to costs and savings, offshoring usually offers the most inexpensive way of securing different services. Although all outsourcing is a way to save your business money, offshoring has the most potential in this regard. Nearshoring and onshoring offer savings, depending on the country or area where you’ve decided to outsource.

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The degree of control you have over your outsourcing efforts represents how involved you’ll be able to be during the whole process. Distance, cultural differences, and language barriers all affect the level of control you have over projects, and if you’ll be able to provide direct inputs that steer it in the right direction.

So, how do you know which is right for you?

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Nearshoring: pros and cons

Nearshoring might be for you if:

• You want to have a higher degree of control over projects
• Wish to significantly save costs without compromising the opportunity for in-person feedback
• Need a less noticeable language and cultural barrier to integrate IT outsourcing into your business
• Don’t want to deal with drastically different time zones  

Pros of Nearshoring:

• Proximity and Time Zone: Nearshoring allows companies to work with partners in countries that share similar time zones, leading to better communication and collaboration. This proximity also facilitates easier travel for face-to-face meetings and team building.
• Cultural Affinity: Nearshore destinations often share similar cultural and language backgrounds, fostering better understanding and alignment between teams. This similarity helps reduce miscommunication and increases the overall efficiency of the project.
• Cost Savings: While not as cost-effective as offshoring, nearshoring can still provide substantial cost savings compared to hiring local teams. Reduced operational costs and competitive wages in nearby countries contribute to these savings. ‍
• Talent Pool: Nearshore locations often have well-educated and skilled professionals who can provide high-quality services. Access to a diverse talent pool enables companies to find specialized expertise more easily. ‍
• Legal and Regulatory Alignment: Nearshore countries might have similar legal frameworks and regulatory compliance standards, reducing legal complexities and risks associated with cross-border operations.  

Cons of Nearshoring:

• Cost Comparison: While nearshoring is usually more cost-effective than onshoring, it may still be costlier than traditional offshoring to countries with lower labor costs.
• Language Barrier: While cultural affinity can be beneficial, language differences might still pose some communication challenges. Companies need to ensure effective language proficiency among team members, which can be difficult depending on the region you operate in.
• Scalability: Nearshoring locations might have a smaller talent pool compared to offshore destinations, but this would be the case in very rare occasions when extremely big teams are needed.  

For example, if you’re a company from Switzerland looking to outsource IT services in the area, you might find many European countries as potential candidates. Although offshoring projects to areas like China or India can provide massive savings, the distance created between you and external team members can end up costing more than nearshoring.  

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This doesn’t mean you are sacrificing potential savings, but instead trading them for other benefits like control, feedback, and proper communication. The strategic power of nearshoring is further highlighted by the fact that, according to Delolitte, 87% of IT businesses considered nearshore outsourcing to cut costs. Furthermore, 59% of all companies choose nearshore software development specifically as a cost-cutting tool.

Nearshoring is the option to consider if you seek to strike a balance between cost savings and proximity, prefer collaborating with teams in similar time zones, and value cultural affinity to foster better communication and efficiency in your projects.  

Additionally, if you are looking to access a diverse talent pool with specialized expertise and want to minimize legal and regulatory complexities associated with cross-border operations, nearshoring could be an ideal fit for your business needs.

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Offshoring: pros and cons

Offshoring might be for you if:

• You want to significantly cut costs
• Don’t have a need for high control and lots of in-person contact
• Find language barriers to be a non-issue
• Aren’t as concerned about potential quality control challenges  
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Pros of offshoring:

• Cost savings: Offshoring often provides access to a large talent pool with lower labor costs, leading to significant savings on operational expenses.
• Diverse skill sets: Offshore locations can offer specialized skills and expertise that may be scarce or expensive in the domestic market.
• 24/7 operations: Time zone differences can enable around-the-clock productivity, ensuring tasks progress even when the onshore team is not working.  

Cons of offshoring:  

• Communication challenges: Differences in language, cultural norms, and time zones can lead to miscommunication and hinder collaboration.
• Quality concerns: Offshore teams may not always meet the same quality standards as in-house teams, leading to potential rework and delays.
• Data security risks: Working with remote teams may raise concerns about data privacy and intellectual property protection.
• Management complexity: Coordinating and managing offshore teams may require additional effort and resources.
• Legal and regulatory issues: Compliance with international laws and regulations can add complexity to offshoring arrangements.

For example, if you’re situated in the US, you may find you need to look farther off-shore to meet your outsourcing needs. Depending on why you’ve decided to outsource, you may find the best experts for the job are located in Europe, across continents, as opposed to neighboring countries.

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Consider offshoring if you are seeking substantial cost savings, have a clear strategy for effective communication and collaboration across time zones, and are willing to invest in proper management and oversight to ensure a successful partnership with the offshore team. Additionally, if you aim to tap into specialized skills and expertise not easily available locally, this is a viable option to enhance your project capabilities.

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Onshoring: pros and cons

Onshoring might be for you if:

• Savings aren’t your primary goal
• You prioritize familiarity and control
• Want to be in charge of all project areas

Pros of Onshoring:

• Cultural and Language Compatibility: Working with companies in the same country ensures smooth communication and cultural alignment, reducing potential misunderstandings.
• Similar Time Zones: Operating within the same or similar time zones allows for real-time collaboration and quicker response times.
• Legal and Regulatory Familiarity: Dealing with local companies ensures compliance with domestic laws and regulations, minimizing legal risks.

Cons of Onshoring:

• Higher Labor Costs: Onshoring can be more expensive compared to offshoring due to higher labor costs in developed countries.
• Limited Cost Savings: While onshoring may offer some cost savings compared to in-house development, it might not be as cost-effective as offshoring or nearshoring.
• Talent Availability: Depending on the location, finding highly specialized or niche expertise might be challenging, leading to potential skill gaps.
• Capacity Constraints: In regions with high demand, onshoring companies may face capacity constraints, potentially impacting project timelines. ‍
• Lack of Diversity: Onshoring might not provide the same level of cultural diversity and global exposure as offshoring or nearshoring.

Onshoring might be for your company if you prioritize close collaboration, cultural alignment, and adherence to domestic regulations and standards. Additionally, if you seek to support local businesses, foster job creation within your country, and value real-time communication and response times, onshoring could be a suitable outsourcing choice for your company.  

However, it's essential to carefully consider the potential higher labor costs and limited cost savings compared to other outsourcing options and assess whether the availability of specialized talent aligns with your project requirements.

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Choosing how to outsource IT services — final thoughts

It’s evident that outsourcing and all its variations offer unique benefits and challenges. Deciding which option is the right fit for your company requires a careful analysis of various factors, but provides long-term benefits and can help your company stay competitive.

Nearshoring emerges as a strong contender for companies seeking a balance between cost-effectiveness and proximity. Offshoring, on the other hand, proves attractive for those prioritizing significant cost savings and diverse skill sets. Meanwhile, onshoring remains a viable choice for businesses prioritizing close collaboration, cultural alignment, and adherence to domestic regulations.  

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Ultimately, the choice between nearshoring, offshoring, and onshoring depends on your company's unique requirements, industry norms, and strategic goals.  

When selecting an IT outsourcing model, remember that what works best for one company may not necessarily suit another. Embrace the opportunity to explore what works best for your organization and find the perfect partner for your business needs. Whether it's nearshoring, offshoring, or onshoring, a well-chosen outsourcing strategy can propel your company toward growth, success, and a competitive advantage in today's dynamic business world.  

The journey of IT outsourcing is a promise of transformative growth, but with the right partner, it becomes a tangible reality for your business.