Should You Outsource SharePoint Development? An Analysis
Introduction
SharePoint is a powerful platform developed by Microsoft that allows organizations to create websites, intranets, and collaborative spaces. It offers a wide range of features and functionalities that can be customized to meet specific business needs. When it comes to SharePoint development, organizations have the option to either develop in-house or outsource the development to a SharePoint development agency. In this article, we will analyze the benefits and drawbacks of outsourcing SharePoint development and help you make an informed decision.
Benefits of Outsourcing SharePoint Development
Outsourcing SharePoint development to a specialized agency can offer several benefits:
1. Expertise and Experience
A SharePoint development agency has a team of experienced developers who specialize in SharePoint development. They have in-depth knowledge of the platform and are familiar with best practices and industry standards. By outsourcing SharePoint development, you can leverage their expertise and experience to ensure the development of a high-quality SharePoint website or intranet.
2. Cost Savings
Outsourcing SharePoint development can be cost-effective compared to hiring an in-house development team. With outsourcing, you don’t have to worry about recruitment, training, and infrastructure costs. The agency takes care of all these aspects, allowing you to focus on your core business activities. Additionally, outsourcing can provide access to a larger talent pool, which can result in better quality development at a lower cost.
3. Time Efficiency
Developing a SharePoint website or intranet requires time and effort. By outsourcing the development, you can save time and allocate resources to other important tasks. The agency will handle the entire development process, from requirements gathering to deployment, ensuring a timely delivery of the project.
4. Customization and Flexibility
A SharePoint development agency can provide customized solutions tailored to your specific business requirements. They can develop custom features, workflows, and integrations to enhance the functionality of your SharePoint website or intranet. Additionally, outsourcing allows for flexibility in scaling the development team based on project requirements.
5. Support and Maintenance
Outsourcing SharePoint development often includes ongoing support and maintenance services. The agency will provide assistance in case of any issues or updates required post-deployment. This ensures that your SharePoint website or intranet remains up-to-date and performs optimally.
Drawbacks of Outsourcing SharePoint Development
While outsourcing SharePoint development offers numerous benefits, there are also some drawbacks to consider:
1. Communication and Collaboration Challenges
Outsourcing SharePoint development means working with a remote team. This can sometimes lead to communication and collaboration challenges, especially if there are language or cultural barriers. It is important to establish clear communication channels and set expectations from the beginning to ensure smooth collaboration.
2. Lack of Control
When you outsource SharePoint development, you are entrusting the development process to an external agency. This means you have less control over the development timeline, decision-making, and implementation. It is crucial to choose a reliable and trustworthy agency to mitigate this risk.
3. Security Concerns
SharePoint websites and intranets often contain sensitive business information. Outsourcing SharePoint development raises security concerns as you are sharing access to your data with a third-party agency. It is important to ensure that the agency follows strict security protocols and has measures in place to protect your data.
4. Dependency on the Agency
When you outsource SharePoint development, you become dependent on the agency for ongoing support and maintenance. If the agency faces any issues or goes out of business, it can disrupt the support and maintenance services for your SharePoint website or intranet. It is advisable to have a contingency plan in place to mitigate this risk.
5. Cultural Fit
Outsourcing SharePoint development to an agency located in a different country or region may result in a lack of cultural fit. This can impact the understanding of your business requirements and the ability to deliver a solution that aligns with your organizational culture. It is important to choose an agency that understands your business values and can adapt to your organizational culture.
Conclusion
Outsourcing SharePoint development can be a viable option for organizations looking to leverage the expertise and experience of specialized agencies. It offers benefits such as cost savings, time efficiency, customization, and ongoing support. However, it is important to consider the drawbacks, including communication challenges, lack of control, security concerns, dependency on the agency, and cultural fit. By carefully evaluating these factors and choosing a reliable agency, you can make an informed decision on whether to outsource SharePoint development for your organization.