The backend team is responsible for all the behind-the-scenes stuff that keeps a company running. They develop and maintain the systems that make sure data is stored and processed correctly, user accounts are created and managed, and website functionality works as it should.
In a nutshell, the backend team makes sure the company’s technology infrastructure is solid. This is a critical role, as any system failures can have a devastating impact on a company’s business.
If you are looking for a backend team for your project, you should never skimp on quality. Hiring true professionals is the key to success and a means against unjustified expenses.
So how do you choose the right backend developers for your project? This post will help you get started.
Why you should consider outsourcing backend development
The old adage, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” rings true when it comes to your business.
To ensure the success of your company, it’s essential to have a well-functioning backend infrastructure. Your best bet is to find reputable and skilled developers who can provide the services you need. Outsourcing these services may be the most cost-effective solution, as you can get high-quality work without breaking the bank.
Not only that, but it also gives you more time and resources to devote to other important aspects of your business. If you’re looking for an efficient and cost-effective way to manage your backend development needs, then outsourcing is definitely worth considering.
Evaluation criteria used for selecting backend teams
When selecting a backend team for your project, there are a few essential factors to keep in mind. Here are the criteria you should use to evaluate them:
Technical capabilities. The backend consists of three main parts: a database, server, and application. It is essential that the backend team be expert in setting up all the mentioned components and that it be able to pick up appropriate backend technologies considering the project needs. The most used backend technologies now are Java, Python, Spring, Django, Node.js, Docker, etc. Knowledge of cloud technologies and experience of working with cloud providers such as AWS and Microsoft Azure are also crucial for a reliable backend team.
Experience. You want to partner with a team that has a proven track record of developing products in your niche. For example, if you want to develop a banking app, ask for references and case studies for mobile banking projects. If you need to create a real estate app, make sure to check the company’s experience in developing property management software. If you are looking to take your retail business to the next level, check the company’s expertise in e-commerce development.
Scalability. The team should be able to support your project’s growth as well as reduce the project capacity if required by the circumstances. This can be done by using cloud technologies and on-demand IT infrastructure tools. Partnering with cloud service providers allows backend teams to extend server space and databases in no time. And the ability to instantly respond to growing user traffic provides a seamless user experience and engages customers to interact with the brand.
Project management. When you outsource backend development you have a choice to keep management on your side or to outsource managerial tasks to the software development provider. If you choose the second option, you should be confident that the company has qualified PMs who can prioritize tasks and keep you informed. Given this, make sure to ask how the development process is organized in the company, what project management frameworks are used, and what professional background the PMs have.
Communication. Value strong communication skills and established communication channels. Ask the company representatives how you will stay in touch with the team, how often you will be updated about the work progress, and who will be responsible for conducting negotiations. Additionally, make sure to define the collaboration tools for setting and tracking development tasks. This will keep you up-to-date about the team’s achievements and possible issues.
Culture fit. It’s also crucial that your company has a cultural fit with outsourcing developers. You want them to share your values and be excited about the same things you are. At Softency, we value punctuality, efficiency and professionalism. Our team capitalizes on their knowledge and experience when working on a project and does everything possible to deliver the agreed functionality within the established deadlines.
Cost. Of course, you’ll need to consider the cost of working with the backend team. But don’t just focus on the initial investment. Make sure you also account for potential maintenance and support costs down the road.
Why a dedicated team is ideal for long-term projects
When it comes to long-term projects, a dedicated team is the best way to go. These teams are made up of professionals solely focused on your project throughout its duration. This ensures they have a thorough understanding of the goals and nuances of your project, allowing them to deliver business-tailored solutions efficiently.
You’ll also benefit from not having to manage two different teams or dealing with handoffs. This minimizes hiccups and gives you more time to focus on quickly getting your product to market.
In addition, having a dedicated team makes it easier for you to communicate directly with the developers and guarantee that they are delivering exactly what you need on time with no misunderstandings.
Overall, if you’re in need of a backend development team for your long-term project, then hiring a dedicated team will provide you the assurance that the work is being done correctly and can ultimately save you both time and money.
Why “time and material” best fits short-term projects
Time and material contracts are ideal for short-term projects because they allow for more flexibility under a limited budget.
With a time and material contract, the client agrees to pay for a set number of hours at an agreed-upon rate. This allows the contractor to staff the project with the most appropriate backend team for the job, and makes it easy to scale up or down depending on the project’s needs.
Another great advantage of time and material contracts is that they can be used for projects that are too short-term or risky to commit to a full-time employee. By outsourcing on a time and material basis, companies can get access to top talent without making a long-term commitment.
If you’re looking for more flexibility and backend outsourcing options for your next short-term project, time and material contracts might be the right solution for you.
How to manage a backend development team effectively
Now that you know what to look for when choosing the right backend development team, let’s talk about how to manage them effectively.
When it comes to managing and overseeing the team, a few tips to keep in mind include:
- Be clear on your needs and expectations. Make sure you communicate exactly what you’re looking for to get the best results.
- Stay organized. Have a clear workflow and timeline outlined, so everyone is aware of their responsibilities from the very start. This will help minimize misunderstandings and miscommunication down the line.
- Establish open lines of communication and develop a relationship with your backend development team members. This way, everyone will be on the same page in terms of goals, expectations, timing, and deliverables.
- Monitor progress regularly in order to ensure that everything is going according to plan.
- Be transparent and provide feedback when necessary. Doing so will help keep everyone productive and motivated throughout the project and beyond.
Backend development: Softensy expertise
Backend development is essential for any software project. It’s the foundation that ensures everything runs smoothly and efficiently with no interruptions and downtimes.
At Softensy, we have extensive experience in building reliable and scalable backend systems. Here are just some of the projects we’ve recently completed.
Mobile banking Ecobank
For one of our latest projects, we developed a mobile banking app for a major financial institution Ukrgasbank. Our team was responsible for the backend and frontend development, working closely with the client to ensure a smooth and successful rollout.
The application we developed is a comprehensive system that connects to the bank’s servers and processes transactions. We also built an admin panel for the bank managers, and native iOS and Android apps for the bank customers.
The technology stack included Java/Spring, Java, Objective-C, React, Angular, and AWS.
The app has been a huge success, with over 1 million active users on Android and iOS. We’re proud to have played a role in such an important project, and we’re excited to see how it continues to grow and evolve.
BPA for Agrocom
Recently, we had the pleasure of working with Agrocom, a mid-sized agricultural enterprise. We worked together to implement backend and frontend parts of business process automation (BPA) software that would improve Agrocom’s efficiency and productivity.
The BPA provided for the presence of several user groups, such as owners, economists, agronomists, and engineers. For each group, we had to develop specific functions that would streamline the company’s business processes and minimize manual work at the enterprise.
The challenge of the project was to enable the app to work in offline mode since the users were often in the fields without an Internet connection.
We completed all the tasks in time and rolled out software that is now used by all Agrocom employees.
The project tech stack included Java, React, Electron, and Swift.
We are happy to have played a part in helping Agrocom achieve its goals and we look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.
Looking for skilled backend developers?
As a CEO or founder, you know that having the right backend development skills is critical to your company’s success. Outsourcing can be an amazing method to find the specialized developers you need quickly and proficiently. However, not all outsourcing providers are created equal. You should ensure you partner with a provider who has the necessary experience to understand your project requirements and pair them with the appropriate development specialists.
At Softensy, we have 8+ years of experience implementing complex software projects. We spend time grasping business’s unique requirements and setting project’s objectives, and after that we select the best developers for the job.
So if you’re looking for reliable backend developers with proven expertise in the industry, reach out to us today! We’d love to assist you!
