IT outsourcing: much more than cost reduction
IT outsourcing involves entrusting all or part of your IT activities to a specialised provider. But reducing outsourcing to a simple cost question would be a mistake. It's above all a strategic partnership that must be built for the long term.
The three outsourcing models
Onshore (same country)
- Advantages: cultural proximity, same timezone, easy communication
- Disadvantages: high costs, similar talent shortage
- Ideal for: projects requiring regular physical presence
Nearshore (neighbouring country)
- Advantages: close timezone, moderate costs, good quality
- Disadvantages: possible language barrier, travel required
- Ideal for: projects requiring close collaboration with an optimised budget
Offshore (distant country)
- Advantages: significant cost reduction (50-60%), large talent pool
- Disadvantages: timezone difference, cultural differences to manage
- Ideal for: dedicated teams on long-term projects
At Neoshore, we've developed a hybrid model that combines the advantages of offshore (optimised costs, talent pool) with those of nearshore (cultural proximity, French-speaking, timezone overlap).
7 criteria for choosing your provider
1. Technical expertise
Verify real competencies: certifications, completed projects, mastered tech stack. Ask for client references in your sector.
2. Team stability
Turnover is the bane of outsourcing. Ask the provider about:
- Their annual turnover rate
- Their retention policy (salaries, benefits, training)
- The average duration of their consultants' assignments
3. Process quality
A serious provider has:
- Rigorous recruitment processes (technical tests, multiple interviews)
- Documented working methodologies (Agile, DevOps)
- Monitoring and reporting tools
4. Security and compliance
Check certifications (ISO 27001, SOC 2) and data protection measures, especially if you handle sensitive data or are subject to GDPR.
5. Communication
Communication is the #1 factor for success or failure. Evaluate:
- The team's French/English level
- Communication tools used (Slack, Teams, Jira)
- Reporting frequency and quality
6. Flexibility
Your provider must be able to:
- Scale up quickly (2-3 weeks)
- Adapt team size to your needs
- Offer different contractual models (time & materials, fixed price, dedicated team)
7. Value for money
Never choose the cheapest. Evaluate the total cost including:
- Consultant daily rates
- Management and coordination costs
- Hidden costs (rework, bugs, turnover)
Mistakes to avoid
Why choose Neoshore
Our centres of excellence in Madagascar, Tunisia and Mauritius offer:
- French-speaking and English-speaking consultants
- A turnover rate below 10% (vs 25-30% in the sector)
- A 5-step recruitment process with technical tests
- Full integration into your tools and processes
- 50-60% cost savings without compromising quality
