Maximizing IT resources for Australian SaaS businesses: A guide to staff augmentation

The IT team is the lifeblood of SaaS businesses. Software developers are responsible for building and maintaining the product itself. A solid IT team usually guarantees success. 

However, the reality is that competent devs are hard to find. The Tech Council of Australia reported that despite the technology industry being the country’s seventh biggest employer, the numbers still don’t meet economic demands. 

To add to that, the tech industry already has a high attrition rate, with LinkedIn noting a rate of 12.9%, among the highest in business sectors. 

This is where IT staff augmentation can be beneficial. Arcanys, a top software development outsourcing firm, is willing to be your partner in this venture. 

Benefits of IT staff augmentation

IT staff augmentation supplements a company’s existing IT team with external resources. The demand for digital skills is growing rapidly, and outsourcing has opened the world to a larger talent pool. 

Team additions can be in the form of contract developers, engineers, or specialists. 

Outsourcing staff augmentation brings several benefits, such as: 

• Flexibility and scalability – IT staff augmentation allows businesses to adapt quickly to changing requirements and workloads. You can also scale up or down as needed by only hiring more professionals when the project calls for it. 
• Access to specialized skills – Sometimes, companies require specific technical expertise or knowledge that their current teams cannot provide. IT staff augmentation gives them a wider pool of talent to work with who are capable in data analysis, cybersecurity, cloud computing, UI/UX design, and other software development matters. 
• Faster time-to-market – Through IT staff augmentation, companies can expedite project timelines and accelerate time-to-market. The additional resources lead to a sped-up development cycle. 
• Cost-efficiency – Employing full-time developers can be expensive. IT staff augmentation is a cost-effective alternative where you’re assured the same (or perhaps an even higher) level of quality despite paying less. 
• Knowledge transfer and collaboration – IT staff augmentation brings the knowledge and expertise of external IT professionals into your fold. This is a valuable opportunity for knowledge transfer that benefits your internal team in the long term. 
• Risk mitigation – With that knowledge exchange comes better strategies for mitigating risks associated with project delays, skills shortages, and attrition. 
• Focus on core competencies – By leveraging IT staff augmentation, companies can delegate non-core IT functions to external resources. This allows the internal team to focus on core business objectives. 

What IT resources do you need? 

To know what IT resources you need, you must understand your project requirements, goals, and the skills and expertise required to reach them. The following will serve as your guide:

• Define project scope. Understand your project’s size, duration, complexity, and the specific objectives you want to achieve. Arcanys provides guidelines on how to do this effectively for a development team.  
• Conduct a skills gap analysis. Assess your current IT team’s skills and compare them with the project’s requirements. Identify any gaps where skills need to be augmented. 
• Identify required roles and expertise. Create a list of roles you need to fill through IT staff augmentation. Consider specializations and expertise as well. 
• Determine resource allocation. Estimate the amount of time or effort required from each role or resource and allocate accordingly. Think about what your team can handle and what to assign to your offshore developers. 
• Assess the project timeline. Evaluate the project timeline and determine the duration you’ll need the extra resources. This will help define the engagement duration of the additional IT staff. 

The IT resources you’ll need will naturally evolve throughout the life cycle. It’s good to reassess your project at every stage and adjust accordingly. 

Regular collaboration with your IT staff augmentation provider will ensure you always have the right resources for success. 

How to choose the right staff augmentation partner

Choosing the right IT staff augmentation partner is critical to success. Outsourcing is a viable strategy nowadays, but it only works if you find the right firm with skill, experience, and professionalism. 

Consider these factors when selecting an IT staff augmentation partner: 

• Evaluate their skills and track record in providing specific technical knowledge. 
• Assess their recruitment process and the talent pool they’ve assembled. A reliable partner should have a diverse range of professionals. 
• Your IT staff augmentation partner should be committed to maintaining high-quality standards. 
• Can they scale to accommodate your existing needs?
• When possible, find a partner that fits your company’s values, work ethic, and communication style. 
• Communication and transparency are critical when working with offshore teams. Your IT staff augmentation partner should remain visible and maintain regular correspondence, including updating you on concerns and reports. 
• A trustworthy partner prioritizes data security and has protocols to safeguard your information. 
• Determine the value that your IT staff augmentation brings from their cost. Look for a partner that offers competitive pricing while providing value-added services.
• Finally, research their reputation in the industry. 

You may also read further here for a more comprehensive guide on choosing a software development outsourcing partner. 

Arcanys is a leading choice for Australian companies seeking IT staff augmentation. Let them assist you in hiring skilled Filipino software developers for your tech projects. Contact Arcanys today to get started!