Software Development as a Service: Benefits and Use Cases
One of the widespread terms in IT is “SaaS” – “software as a service,” referring to a software delivery model.
However, there is another term gaining popularity recently: “SDaaS” – “Software Development as a Service.” It stands for a software development model that is highly beneficial for a company considering outsourcing a software development project.
SDaaS is an on-demand software development service that aims to ensure the software development process is fulfilled in the same way as with a team of in-house developers.
This model allows companies to reduce costs and risks associated with IT system maintenance and enhancement while still ensuring that their systems can respond to changing market requirements.
What Is Software Development as a Service?
Software Development as a Service (SDaaS) is a service model that provides businesses with access to a dedicated team of software development professionals, infrastructure, and tools delivered over the cloud.
SDaaS allows organizations to outsource their software development needs to a third-party provider, who can take care of the entire development lifecycle – from conceptualization to deployment and maintenance.
This model allows businesses to focus on their core competencies while leaving full-service software development to the experts.
Why You Need SDaaS
According to a Coding Sans report, in 2021, hiring in-house employees is the biggest challenge. In 2020, capacity was the main concern among managers, but it still accounts for a fair part of the challenges.
Since hiring and capacity are the main problems, outsourcing to a dedicated software development team appears to be a quick resolution, promising a high level of quality.
Cost-Effectiveness
SDaaS is a good option when you have a number of projects to complete and scale but have just a brief idea of the scope or no requirements at all. If this is your case, a dedicated software development team will be a great choice.
It will provide you with an efficient cost & time estimation and cooperation model that will help you successfully deliver your projects and support them while they grow.
Your Staff Lacks Necessary Skills
Perhaps your company is working on a new product that requires skills you don’t have in-house, or you need additional competent workers but don’t want to take time away from your existing core team.
These are some of the most common scenarios in which companies may need to augment their team.
Hiring a dedicated development team gives you complete control over the developers, as they typically work full-time and exclusively for you. Having them focus solely on your project reduces team management issues and boosts productivity.
Hiring Seasoned Developers In-House In Your Area Would Blow Your Budget
When it comes to developing your product, you have high standards that require skilled software developers. But the developers of this level may be expensive in your area, with rates far exceeding what you’ve budgeted for.
In that case, your best bet is to outsource your project to a vendor in a more cost-effective location. With the same budget you’ve allocated, you can hire top talent and get access to a pool of other project-specific resources. What makes this option even more appealing is that it is not a temporary financial fix.
If the outsourced software development team proves to be effective, you can make a long-term arrangement with a specific monthly cost allocation that can be increased or decreased depending on the team’s needs during that time period.
You Need to Stay Flexible
Time is money, particularly when it comes to software application development services. Therefore, the last thing your company needs is a lengthy hiring procedure. If it appears that recruiting the right people will take longer than actually building the product, you’ve got a problem there.
Reliable software development outsourcing companies can quickly provide you with the specialists you need as they have an adequate pool of available resources.
A software vendor can ramp up a development team for you in a matter of weeks or even a few days and easily scale the team up or down to meet your needs.
You Have a High In-House Turnover
Many countries, such as the United States and Australia, are experiencing a shortage of tech talent. Given that the tech industry has the highest staff turnover rate, this isn’t surprising.
This means that even if you succeed in attracting and hiring seasoned specialists, there’s a good chance they’ll leave within a year.
A dedicated development team is reliable and committed to the success of your project. With a dedicated team on board, you don’t need to worry about the attrition rate because that’s the concern of your vendor.
While the departure of a team member will have an impact on your project, it will be minimal because your vendor will be prepared to replace that specialist with another talent.
Benefits of SDaaS
Imagine being able to scale your software development capacity up and down as needed, hire developers with any level of skill on demand, and pay a monthly price like for any other SaaS service.
Results-Based Pricing
In today’s world, an agile business model with transparency and scalability is a must. In-house software development teams face large expenses with no guarantee of efficiency.
There is no fixed fee with SDaaS; you just pay for the tasks you assign and the work that is delivered. Software development service providers frequently use “Task List Methodology,” which allows them to provide accurate estimates for each project.
In a fast-paced business environment, such improved pricing models lead to better planning and faster software development times.
Shorter Hiring Process
The hiring procedure for any development company takes many corporate resources, including taking a long time and costing a lot of money.
The client monitors the progress of the development team and decides whether the number of specialists should be reduced or increased. When a project requires more specialists, the client can hire new members, and the knowledge will be transferred to them.
But you won’t need to engage HR specialists or recruiters to manage your dedicated team – the vendor will find the required talent on their own.
Complete Provision of Resources
You can also save money on other administrative costs, such as physical facilities, hardware, and software. With a dedicated team, you get not only a skilled team but also all the necessary software and hardware on the vendor’s side.
Quality Control
Unlike freelancers who don’t have a quality control team, software development vendors have dedicated quality assurance teams who assess the development results after each completed stage, run manual and automated development tests, and conduct acceptance tests. And only then do they deliver it to you.
Reduced Time to Market
The IT industry is evolving fast, and to get a competitive advantage, the time spent on software development should be minimized.
Since the dedicated team is engaged with one project full-time, its progress is quite impressive, and, as a result, your company has a better chance of succeeding in the market.
Comparing SDaaS and Outsourcing IT Development
Comparing SDaaS and traditional outsourcing IT development can give valuable insights for businesses looking to make informed decisions regarding their software development needs.
While both models involve third-party providers, they differ in some aspects, which should be carefully considered based on specific project requirements and organizational goals. Let’s move on to a detailed comparison:
Focus on Development
SDaaS and traditional IT outsourcing differ in their specialization. SDaaS providers are focused exclusively on software development, ensuring a deep understanding of development processes, tools, and methodologies.
In contrast, traditional IT outsourcing encompasses a wider spectrum of IT services, which may include infrastructure management, technical support, and more.
Scalability
SDaaS’ scalability is a defining feature. It allows businesses to swiftly adjust their development resources in response to project demands.
In contrast, traditional IT outsourcing often involves longer-term contracts and may be less responsive to changing project requirements.
Expertise
Specialized expertise is a key advantage of SDaaS. These providers assemble teams of professionals with in-depth knowledge of software development, which ensures the delivery of high-quality software solutions.
In traditional IT outsourcing, while expertise is available, it may be spread across a broader range of IT services, potentially resulting in less specialized support for development projects.
How to Start Using SDaaS
Hiring a dedicated software development team to manage and complete a software development project is the ideal option as it proved to be effective, time-saving, and flexible in terms of staff augmentation.
We at SCAND provide a progressive approach to the software development process. Our approach includes taking the time to learn about your company’s goals and objectives.
All of the services across the board – from architecture to DevOps – are linked to the client’s goals pursued under the SDaaS model. If a client only has one person in charge of software development, we can manage the entire process.
Of course, we understand that not every client needs the complete set of SDaaS services. Clients may also choose individual services that match their specific needs.
Regardless of what our clients choose, a full range of SDaaS services or individual services, we deliver solutions that are centered around objectives – not simply selling hours.
If you’re seeking to hire an experienced, dedicated team, contact us to learn more about what we can do for you.
Conclusion
Software Development as a Service (SDaaS) is a wonderful option for businesses that look for well-planned, cost-effective, and scalable solutions for their software development needs.
With its focus on expertise, cost control, and rapid time-to-market, SDaaS offers numerous benefits that can help organizations stay competitive and quickly adjust to dynamic market conditions.
To make the most of SDaaS, carefully evaluate your requirements, select the ideal provider, and begin a path to improved software development, innovation, and growth.
