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Software Developers Embracing Remote Work

Software Developers Embracing Remote Work

Software developers are embracing remote work, with 86% choosing to work outside of the traditional office.

Almost half of IT professionals surveyed in a recent report considered working remotely a ‘must have’ feature. But what’s the reason for this shift and is it set to continue?

Read on to learn about software development trends. And how remote work benefits both businesses and developers.

Historic Software Development Trends

Traditional software development teams worked from a central office.

This tied to the technology of the time where local area networks held project files. Workers needed to log in within the network to update source code, etc. as remote access wasn’t viable.

The older-style software development lifecycle also focussed on a sequential approach.

The different stages of development would get completed before moving to the next. Software developers would take their time to create and check each phase until the entire project was completed.

Software Developers and Agile Remote Work

Conventional development models evolved with the dawn of high-speed Internet and cloud computing.

No longer did coders, testers, and QA workers need to stay within a company’s firewall. Now, they could work together remotely.

Tools like Github enabled them to version-control sourcecode and merge it successfully. And communication apps like Slack and Zoom provide a way for teams to talk and share from anywhere in the world.

Agile development became popular because of its fast-paced and flexible approach.

Agile teams aim to create a minimum viable product (MVP) as quickly as possible through sprints. Scrum masters and team leaders work directly with stakeholders to ensure they’re happy with the ongoing product.

Best of all, agile software developers can work in the next room, city, state, or country. There are no longer any geographic limitations.

Reasons for the Remote Work Trends Shift

Large tech firms like Twitter and VMWare are reversing the trend of spending millions on plush offices to using a remote workforce. Mark Zuckerberg stated that Facebook employees will work from home within the next 5-10 years.

What are the reasons for this major software development trend?

2021 Terminal survey found that the top causes of this shift include:

  1. A lack of a commute
  2. A better work-life balance ratio
  3. Boosted autonomy
  4. Increased productivity

The research also discovered that 46% of developers surveyed are considering moving home due to working remotely. They don’t see the benefit of costly living expenses because they can work from any location.

Impact of COVID on Remote Working

The pandemic has driven the remote work movement to a higher rate than previously predicted.

The Terminal survey found that COVID-19 meant employees had little choice but to work from home. However, they soon discovered the many advantages of remote working. As did business managers and owners.

Employees enjoy the flexibility of working on projects without the pressures of commuting. They can complete their assignments safely and communicate with ease online.

Agile teams perform just as well using a remote workforce as having to remain in one central location. Cloud technology offers the perfect platform to complete tasks and all without the fear of infection.

Remote Employment Outsourcing

As the US continues to embrace remote work, companies are more willing than ever to outsource their IT projects.

There are three types of software developer outsourcing options available:

  1. Onshore outsourcing
  2. Nearshore outsourcing
  3. Offshore outsourcing

Onshore or local outsourcing means hiring talent within your own country. For example, hiring number8 to organize your projects from our offices in Kentucky.

Offshore outsourcing recruits team members from different countries and time zones. This is often the model most associated with outsourcing, especially from far-away countries like China or India.

Nearshore outsourcing hires contractors from a neighboring country like Costa Rica or Honduras. It combines the advantages of the other two options through reduced costs, similar time zones, and lower travel expenses.

Benefits of Hiring a Remote Software Development Company

Before the pandemic hit, VMWare recruited from a pool of six regions like the Bay Area and Colorado Springs. Now, they no longer see location as a barrier to recruitment and will consider applications from further afield.

VMWare’s reasons for embracing a remote workforce center on its benefits which include:

  1. Productivity through flexibility
  2. Reduced overheads
  3. Environmental benefits
  4. Higher job satisfaction

We’ve broken down each below to outline how they profit both the worker and employer.

1. Flexibility Leads to Productivity

A more flexible workforce impacts how productive they are. But not in the way you might expect.

Statistics prove that remote workers are more productive than their in-office counterparts.

For example, AT&T remote employees work longer hours at home than their office co-workers. Hardware firm Compaq increased productivity by up to 40% by cultivating a remote hiring approach.

2. Reducing Unnecessary Overheads

Removing the expense of building large offices and paying local property taxes helps a company’s bottom line. Factor in additional costs like insurance and fire-safety training and the savings mount up by shifting to remote methods.

Software developers no longer have a long and expensive commute. Managers ensure the work continues and projects get completed on schedule. Yet they don’t need to stay in the office to perform their role.

3. Improving the Environment

Those long commutes don’t just incur financial expense but also damage the environment.

Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by removing gas-guzzling traffic from the roads. That impacts global climate change and causes less smog in inner-city areas.

4. Greater Job Satisfaction

Many new applicants want the option to work away from the office. They want to contribute to the team but recognize they can do that remotely.

This brings a sense of freedom which in turn creates a high level of job satisfaction. The result is a happier workforce that wants to complete their tasks.

Nearshore Software Development With number8

Now more than ever, software developers are choosing to work remotely.

They can still offer the same quality service no matter their location. Business owners and managers benefit from an agile workforce that can work from anywhere. It’s a ‘win-win’ situation for everyone.

number8 is a nearshore software development firm that recruits exceptional Latin American candidates.

Our clients gain significant advantages by hiring nearshore software developers. Costs average 40% lower than a remote developer located in the United States. Yet the language barrier is non-existent and time zones aren’t an issue.

Contact us to see how we can supply your company with the best-suited IT candidates. With offices in Louisville, Kentucky, Escazú, Costa Rica, and San Pedro Sula, Honduras we offer a complete staffing solution.

Let number8 help you cut costs by adding a versatile and highly-skilled remote developer to your team today.

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