Kirk LaughlinAs we’ve discussed previously on this blog, the trend of companies turning to Nearshore providers to develop enterprise software and web applications has given way to more and more organizations looking to Nearshore partners to develop mobile apps. And it’s not just development – Nearshore providers are being sought as partners to aid in the creation of companies’ entire mobile strategies, from ideation and UX (user experience) design to post-production (including support, metrics and governance).
There are a number of reasons for this, and as we head into the fourth quarter of 2011 and start looking ahead to 2012, I think it’s safe to assume that mobile development will continue to be a core driver in the growth of Nearshore IT outsourcing in the years to come. Here’s why:
• Growth of Mobile Apps as a Business and Marketing Engine: Rather than being viewed as simple time-wasters, mobile apps are now being used by global organizations as vital marketing vehicles and business tools. While the nature of these apps varies from games to simple productivity apps (my own company has developed a number games as marketing vehicles for global companies), organizations are realizing the ability of mobile apps as a significant contributor to their achievement of business goals.
• The Rise of Tablets: Many consumers and business professionals first viewed Apple’s iPad with an attitude of “So what?” But with more than 28 million iPads sold worldwide through Q3 2011, CIOs and IT managers can no longer ignore the potential for tablets as a game-changer for businesses. As these sales continue to grow and tablets continue to rise in prominence for both consumers and businesses, those companies that have held out in developing mobile apps will relent, turning to Nearshore partners to provide the development and marketing expertise their new apps demand.
• Consumerization of IT: This is a phrase that is heard often, but it’s no joke – the line between consumer and business technology is becoming increasingly blurry. Many companies have now implemented “Bring-Your-Own-Device” programs, enabling users to leverage their own smartphones or tablets with the expectation that it will increase productivity and performance. Many have turned to Nearshore providers to build apps for internal use that will ensure that these productivity and performance metrics are met, a trend that shows no signs of letting up.
Rather than simply being a fad, mobile has emerged to truly change the face of computing. And because Nearshore has proven to offer significant advantages in terms of speed and agility in software development, I think it’s safe to assume that we can expect mobile app development – and the strategy behind it – to continue to drive the Nearshore market in the years to come.
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