Best Practices For Using Nearshore Software Development In The Healthcare Industry

[Jenny Astor]

Software is the backbone of most businesses/professions in this fast-paced digital world. The healthcare industry is no different! The rise in the demand for healthcare tech has been immense in the last few years. With the focus on value-based care increasing, the role of technology is constantly on the rise. A capable, agile software development company can help with such a requirement. But the question is- Should you opt for nearshore software development or not? The answer is very specific. Yes, choosing nearshore software development has a multitude of benefits when compared to offshore outsourcing. When you cross the border, there are a lot of regulatory considerations that come into play. Nearshore software development teams are located near your company, minimizing hassle.

Best Practices While Opting For Nearshore Software Development

Niche Developers

Healthcare software differs immensely from any other software that a team may have previously developed. From understanding regulatory laws to making a UI, keeping in mind doctors and patients, a lot goes into developing healthcare software. You should select an agile software development company for nearshore software development. This will ensure the first significant thing- Timely delivery! The following requirement is that of selecting a niche development partner. Pick a nearshore software development company with experience in the healthcare industry. If they have worked on previous gigs in the healthcare or biotech industry, they will have an idea of the gravity of the project. You can expect better results from them as they focus solely on healthcare tech solutions, which is a significant benefit.

Team Composition

Before finalizing, check out the team composition of the chosen nearshore software development company. The development team should comprise a diverse range of professionals, including software engineers, data scientists, healthcare domain experts, and quality assurance specialists. With such professionals at work, you can expect a holistic service from the company. The team is capable enough to drive through the development process and also take care of possible roadblocks. After you check the team, it is time to review the experience and qualifications of the members. Every healthcare software deals with critical information and functionalities; hence, having highly skilled, experienced, and qualified professionals is recommended. While adding talented folks to the team might cost you, it will increase your ROI later. When developing software, the more significant the initial investment, the better the result!

Communication

Here comes the biggest benefit of working with a nearshore software development company- "communication." You and the team share the same time zone, making the communication seamless. However, setting up a fixed routine for communication is a best practice. Schedule meetings in advance to know about the status of custom software development services. Also, set weekly scrum calls to know the status of the entire project and the delivery timeline. Monitor the person-hours used for the project; it will help you understand the project's cost directly. Remember, timely updates and feedback will make the software seamless and usable by its real users.

Market Research

When you are developing healthcare software, it requires a lot of market research. From a business perspective, you should be the one doing this initial research. However, when it comes to the technical part, the development team needs to undertake research duties. In agile software development, research plays a significant role in enhancing user experience. Your partner nearshore software development company needs to research the target audience. They need to check the kind of software competitors are developing and the tech stacks used. From software layout to the functionality and overall look & feel, they have to take up extensive market research to get these correct. The more accessible part of this market research is that the development team is nearshore. This means they share the same location as yours and are well aware of the rules & regulations.

Connect with Ex-clients

The former clients give the best reviews of a company to the business. Check out the website of the nearshore software development company to find reviews from ex-clients. Such customer testimonials are great for understanding whether they are worth your hard-earned money or not. Check the social media, Google My Business, and the company's website. There will be client reviews through which you can reach out to them. Once you connect with former clients, ask them about their experience in completing the project. This will offer you ample clarity on whether you should opt for such a nearshore software development company.

Compare

When you follow the above-mentioned best practices for nearshore software development, you will end up with a list of companies. With this list, you should have a clear comparison of which company is offering a better service than others (on paper). You must also consider the charges because not going overboard with the budget is the key here!

Most agile software development company will more or less offer similar features. All you need to check closely is the quoted budget and delivery timeline.

Pro tip- Do not try to cut down on the budget too much. It will end up in developing healthcare software that hardly performs. Evaluate the charges as per the features and benefits on offer and then make the final decision.

Conclusion

Nearshore software development is a great option for healthcare companies looking to develop high-quality, custom software solutions. By following the best practices outlined in this blog post, you can select the right nearshore software development partner for your needs and ensure a successful project outcome. Here is a summary of the key best practices:

• Select a niche development partner: Choose a nearshore software development company with experience in the healthcare industry.
• Check the team composition: Look for a team with a diverse range of skills and experience, including software engineers, data scientists, healthcare domain experts, and quality assurance specialists.
• Set up clear communication channels: Schedule regular meetings and scrum calls to communicate effectively with the team.
• Conduct market research: Make sure the development team researches the target audience, competitors, and the latest trends in healthcare technology.
• Connect with ex-clients: Read reviews from former clients better to understand the company's work ethic and quality.
• Compare different companies: Once you have a shortlist of potential partners, compare their services, pricing, and delivery timelines.

By adhering to these best practices, you can increase your chances of success with nearshore software development for your healthcare company.