Nearshore Software and Mobile Development in Mexico

First, define your nearshoring needs and set clear expectations regarding the cooperation with developers in Mexico. For this, answer the following questions:

• What task scope would you like to outsource: the entire development project, particular processes (design, coding, testing, etc.), or specific solution components?
• If you seek to add talents to your in-house team, which sourcing model would you prefer: a dedicated team or staff augmentation?
• What development roles and technology competencies do you need?
• What are the mandatory and good-to-have hard and soft skills you expect to see with the nearshore experts?
• What are your requirements for the collaboration mode, communication format and pace, success measures, progress control mechanisms, etc.?
• Do you have any specific security and compliance requirements, e.g., related to sensitive data protection or risk control during software development?
• What are your business priorities (cost optimization, fast development, minimized cooperation risks, etc.)?

ScienceSoft’s consultants can help you define the in-house skill gaps, determine the nearshoring scope, choose the fitting sourcing model, and compose detailed requirements for easier vendor evaluation. We can also suggest the optimal team performance KPIs and project control mechanisms or check if the nearshore team bears any compliance risks.

When shortlisting potential development vendors in Mexico, pay attention to the following aspects:

• Experience with the software type, industry, development model, and technologies relevant to your case.
• Physical location, time zone difference, readiness for on-site visits.
• Development infrastructure (hardware, network, bandwidth, security mechanisms, etc.).
• Approach to managing quality, data protection, change requests, and risks; relevant certifications proving the maturity of the vendor’s procedures (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO 27001).
• Adherence to regulatory frameworks (e.g., HIPAA, PCI DSS, GLBA, NYDFS).
• Collaboration practices (communication models, language skills, knowledge sharing, service transparency, etc.).
• Estimated time to start the cooperation (critical if you seek an urgent ramp-up).

This is the stage where you actually pick your nearshore development partner:

• Send a request for proposal specifying your development needs and cooperation requirements to the pre-selected vendors in Mexico.
• Compare the received quotes and decide on the best candidate.

Depending on the chosen sourcing model, this stage may involve interviewing potential talents, negotiating the cooperation terms, and choosing between the software technical design options. ScienceSoft usually offers an introductory call prior to the proposal to understand your needs more deeply and avoid irrelevant pitches. We are ready to sign an NDA before the introductory call to ensure the full safety of your business data.

A service agreement between your company and a development provider in Mexico legally fixes the cooperation terms, the dispute resolution flow, and the framework to assess vendor performance. In addition to the core contract, ScienceSoft can sign an intellectual property (IP) rights protection agreement to guarantee that you retain legal ownership of the code developed throughout our nearshore engagement.

At this stage, it is crucial to set up straightforward collaboration and knowledge exchange so that your nearshore team doesn’t spend an extra few months getting up to speed with the project.

• Define the persons responsible for knowledge transfer and regular communication on your side.
• Give the vendor access to your IT infrastructure, software documentation, and existing software assets (wireframes, prototypes, source code, etc.).
• (for staff augmentation) Transfer the responsibilities from your development team members to the vendor’s talents.
• Agree on the communication modes, frequency, and channels.
• Define the project KPI tracking toolkit and reporting schedule.
• Share any relevant knowledge that may help the outsourced development provider minimize the risks and deliver more efficiently.