Software Sweatshop

This is an excerpt from a white paper I wrote about mistakes companies make when they go offshore called "Offshore Outsourcing: 5 Lessons Your Peers Learned the Hard Way"

“Do not learn from your mistakes; learn from the mistakes of others so that you do not make any.”
Sean Karsten

No doubt, offshore software development has made its mark in the industry and it’s safe to say that it’s here to stay. It is estimated that nearly 85% of the worlds top companies have an offshore strategy; so you’re probably thinking, “Isn’t it time I went offshore?” If you’re already offshore, you’re probably thinking of ways to diversify and improve your offshore strategy.
Whether you make websites for non-profits or sell complex financial software, you’re faced with the critical decision of outsourcing parts of your software development. While outsourcing development will allow you to funnel precious time and money into sales and innovation, it’s important to make a sober decision before jumping on the offshore bandwagon. The large companies that paved the offshore trail haven’t done so without failed engagements, breached contracts, and a little bit of resentment on both sides. As small and medium sized businesses prepare to make the offshore leap, it will serve you well to learn from the mistakes of your less fortunate peers.