IT outsourcing: what you need to know : Subcontracting  ( if you want to know the legal definition ) consists of delegating the execution of a task or even an entire project to an external company, commonly called a subcontractor. There is therefore a principal (company wishing to outsource) and a subcontractor (carrying out the principal’s needs, which may be a company or a freelancer).

In the IT sector the use of subcontracting is very common. Companies specialising in IT services may subcontract for a variety of reasons.

Here are the 3 types of subcontracting:

• Specialty outsourcing: the need to outsource the project to a specialist because there is a lack of technical skills in-house. For example, development of a project on a new framework that is not mastered internally.
• Capacity subcontracting: lack of time in-house to carry out the project even if the technical skills exist within the company. It is therefore necessary to subcontract in order not to waste time.
• Contract subcontracting: When a subcontracted project is subcontracted once again.

How does it work?

IT outsourcing works on the same principle as any other type of outsourcing. The client company draws up a set of specifications specifying everything that is expected, whether functional (what functionalities are required for the programme to be developed?), technical (what programming language should be used, with what framework?) or even the expected delivery times.

Once these specifications have been drawn up, the client company can either :

• Solicit its panel of service providers
• Solicit new service providers via the publication of a call for tender

Large companies generally have trusted partners listed in their purchasing department. Firstly, they will therefore solicit all their identified IT partners in order to find the best technical and financial proposal.

If none of the known partners are available or qualified for the project, the client will generally publish a call for tender.

A platform such as Sendbiz allows you to publish IT tenders. Sendbiz allows you to receive responses from other companies or freelancers ready to respond to these different calls for tender and to put you in contact with each other without any commission.

What type of IT projects can be outsourced?

Subcontracting allows many companies to develop new projects easily and quickly. All types of projects can be outsourced. Whether it is the management of a computer park, the development of customised software or computer maintenance.

Here is a list of IT projects that can generally be outsourced:

• Digital
• Custom software development
• Software architecture for new projects
• IT maintenance
• Management of the company’s cybersecurity
• Artificial intelligence algorithm development
• IT project management
• Technology consulting

What are the advantages of outsourcing?

Outsourcing allows new projects to be developed more quickly. Indeed, companies often resort to subcontracting due to a lack of time or internal skills.

Subcontracting therefore makes it possible, for example, to cope with a temporary peak in activity without having to recruit or expand in the long term. Subcontracting therefore allows you to gain in flexibility and agility. It opens the door to all possible and imaginable skills.

For example, you want to create a new design for your website? It’s possible thanks to outsourcing! All you have to do is find a design expert and then subcontract your project to him.

With Sendbiz you can receive responses from several companies or freelancers and study their responses, contact them for more information and choose the one you feel is the most qualified for your project, without paying any money to Sendbiz. Sendbiz puts companies in contact with each other free of charge to help them develop their business.