Search
Posts for July 2016
Five reasons Poland could be your perfect IT outsourcing destination
July 11, 2016
As a small business owner, it's very unlikely you'll be able to design all the software you need using your own in-house resources. There will come a time when you will need to consider outsourcing.
So, when you think about your perfect IT outsourcing partner, what do you look for? There are many issues to consider - cost and technical expertise are probably most important, but you will also need to think about communication, distance and travel cost. Mutual trust and reliability are also critical. But does your IT partner have to be local?
If you are familiar with the term off-shoring, you'll know it's the relocation of the business to a foreign country. In terms of IT development, off-shoring usually means outsourcing to Southeast Asia, North or South America.
Near-shoring, on the other hand, means your outsourcing partner is located on the same continent and is relatively close to you. Near-shoring is increasingly used by Western European companies as a way to outsource their software development to Eastern and Central European countries. The costs are much lower and the distance is not such a big issue. But which country should you consider?
If the quality of expertise and service are key factors for you, Poland could be your best option. Here's why:
1. Cultural similarities
Poland has been an EU member since 2004 and its economy has reached the maturity stage. Polish firms understand changing business needs and offer a process-driven approach. You'll work with people who share your business standards and you'll find them committed, goal-oriented and ready to build strong relationships with clients.
2. Cost effectiveness
Although Poland has one of the strongest economies in the region, IT specialist rates are at least 50% lower in Poland than they are in the UK.
3. Technology expertise
The majority of Polish software engineers are graduates of technology universities. Poland has a strong engineering education tradition and technical universities are very popular among students. Polish programmers have deservedly gained an excellent reputation within the industry.
4. Time difference and distance
Poland is in Central Europe and so it shares the CET with Germany, France and Italy. It is just an hour away from the UK. Travel is easy as there are many low-cost airlines and the list of destinations is impressive. Almost every major city in Poland has direct flight connections to the UK and Ireland. And you don't need visas.
5. Security and collaboration issues
As far as security is concerned, Poland shares security measures with other EU countries. English language literacy among professionals is common and advanced technology infrastructure makes long-distance communication easy.
So, if you are looking for a reliable IT outsourcing partner, try Poland. You'll be glad you did.
Copyright © 2016 Edyta Szczęśniak of SolDevelo solutions development.
Can you run your business entirely online?
July 04, 2016
The digital age has made it easier than ever to run a business, with everything you could ever possibly need just a click away. At the same time, environmental concerns are rising, with more businesses aiming for a paperless office to reduce their impact. But do we even need an office any more - or is it possible to run your entire business online?
Obviously, it all depends on the nature of your business - a hairdresser, for instance, isn't going to be able to offer virtual haircuts - but assuming that your business model allows it, it's surprisingly easy to go virtual.
Get started online
Let's start at the beginning. When you first set up your business there was lots of paperwork to file, right? Well no. In fact, setting up a limited company is not only quicker online than by post, it's also cheaper. If you file by post, it can take 8-10 days and cost £40 to register with Companies House. Go online with a formations agent and you can have it done the same day, and depending on the package you choose it could cost less than half that price.
Once your business is up and running, you can also file things like your annual returns and company accounts online.
Take advantage of the cloud
Cloud-based software is rapidly becoming the norm for many applications. Most small businesses are already moving towards online accounting solutions, and as the applications are tested and improved, more sizeable businesses will be able to follow suit.
Cloud-based spreadsheet, word processing and database applications make it easy for staff to collaborate without ever needing to be in the same room, and if they need to communicate face-to-face, a video conference can be conducted online. As more businesses move towards the cloud, digital security for these applications is constantly being improved.
Build an online presence
With a good website as your digital doorstep, backed up by a strong presence on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, your customer interactions can be quick and easy. Email and instant messaging allow for easy communication, and for customers who like to speak to a "real person" you can implement VOIP systems to take their calls.
Can your products or services themselves be delivered digitally? If so, then you really can have a business that's entirely online. Just make sure that your internet connection can take the strain.
Sponsored post
Copyright © 2016 Rapid Formations, specialists in online company formations, rated #1 in the UK by Trustpilot.
Small business technology advice, tools and resources | IT Donut
Copyright © 2010-2016
