With digital communication evolving at an unprecedented rate, businesses are rethinking their approach to customer interactions, looking beyond the limitations of traditional SMS. Enter Rich Communication Services (RCS) technology—a step up that offers advanced messaging capabilities to build deeper engagement with customers. But is the investment worth it? In this blog, we’ll break down the cost-benefit analysis of transitioning from SMS to RCS messaging and explore how RCS’s richer features can deliver a far greater return on investment.

What is Rich Communication Services Messaging? 

Rich Communication Services is the next-generation evolution of SMS. While SMS has been a staple in business-to-customer (B2C) communication for years, its simplicity limits its effectiveness in our increasingly digital world. RCS messaging opens up a new range of possibilities with interactive features, multimedia content, chatbots, and read receipts—offering companies a way to create dynamic, engaging experiences right in the customer’s messaging app. 

For companies looking to enhance customer interaction, RCS business messaging is a game-changer. But switching from SMS to RCS does involve a transition cost, so let’s dive into a cost-benefit analysis to see how the technology can deliver substantial long-term advantages.

Breaking Down the Costs of RCS 

Switching to RCS requires a few upfront investments. Here are the main costs to consider:

1. Infrastructure and Technology Costs

• Transitioning to RCS may require updates to the company’s messaging platform to support the new features. This could mean investing in an RCS-capable messaging API, adapting systems for chatbot integration, and handling multimedia files. 

• Partnering with a provider like Yameo can help businesses avoid the complexity and expense of going it alone. With an experienced partner, the infrastructure setup is smoother, and businesses can integrate RCS without overhauling their entire communication framework.

2. Training and Implementation Costs

• Employees involved in managing customer communication will need training on how to use the new RCS features effectively. 

• Messaging workflows may need to be restructured, particularly if chatbots or automation are introduced. Initial training and adjustments are typically minimal but necessary to ensure seamless operation.

3. Ongoing Operational Costs

• • RCS may have slightly higher per-message costs than traditional SMS due to the added features. However, RCS messaging allows for reduced frequency by bundling more information into a single interaction, which may offset the cost per message over time. To give an example: if you send a SMS message to a customer which requires 320 characters you send 2 SMS messages of 160 characters each. With RCS you send just one message as there is no character limit. Depending on your use case, communication message and volume, RCS could well be cheaper than traditional SMS.

The Benefits of Switching to RCS 

The upfront costs are manageable, but the benefits of RCS messaging deliver a long-term payoff that can revolutionize customer engagement and drive higher returns. Here’s why: 

1. Enhanced Customer Engagement

RCS messaging enables companies to communicate through visuals, videos, interactive buttons, and more—all within a single message. This level of interactivity provides a far more engaging experience than SMS, leading to improved customer satisfaction and loyalty. 

Example Benefit: An online retailer can use Rich Communication Services to send personalized recommendations with images and “Buy Now” buttons. Customers can complete purchases in just a few taps, reducing friction in the buying process and boosting conversion rates.

2. Higher Conversion Rates

Unlike SMS, where customers receive plain text with a link, RCS messaging allows businesses to send messages that act as mini-applications. By embedding quick-response buttons or interactive carousels, companies can reduce the steps needed for customers to act on a message, leading to higher conversion rates. 

Example Benefit: A travel agency can send RCS messages with flight booking options, accommodation details, and payment options. Customers can explore, select, and book—all in one go, right in the chat. This streamlined approach significantly increases the likelihood of completed transactions.

3. Improved Brand Recognition and Trust

RCS business messaging supports branding features, such as verified sender identities and logos, which increase customer trust. With branded messaging, customers know they’re interacting with the legitimate company, reducing concerns around security and potential scams. 

Example Benefit: A financial institution can use RCS messaging to communicate sensitive account details, reminders, or verification steps, with its logo and a verified sender status visible. This approach fosters customer confidence, especially in sectors like banking where trust is paramount.

4. Cost Efficiency Through Automation

The technology supports chatbots, allowing companies to automate a wide range of customer interactions. Automated responses for frequently asked questions, appointment bookings, or order updates help reduce the load on customer service teams. While there’s an initial setup cost for chatbots, the reduced need for manual intervention translates to long-term savings. 

Example Benefit: A healthcare provider can use an RCS chatbot to help patients schedule appointments, confirm medical visits, and receive medication reminders. This automation cuts down on staffing costs while delivering a convenient customer experience.

5. Detailed Analytics for Optimized Campaigns

RCS messaging provides insights that go beyond the basic SMS metrics. With RCS, businesses can access read receipts, interaction data, and customer responses to interactive buttons, enabling a more comprehensive view of message performance. This level of analytics makes it easy for companies to refine their messaging campaigns, optimize content, and maximize ROI. 

Example Benefit: A telecom company could analyze RCS message engagement to see which features drive the most customer interest—like video tutorials or quick-reply buttons—allowing them to tailor future campaigns based on real-time data.

Calculating the ROI: Why RCS Offers a Greater Return on Investment 

By investing, companies can achieve far greater returns than what traditional SMS can offer. Here’s why Rich Communication Services delivers a stronger ROI: 

• Higher Engagement and Conversions: Rich, interactive messaging directly impacts customer engagement and conversion rates, which can increase revenue more effectively than SMS ever could.

• Cost Savings Through Consolidation: Since RCS messages bundle multiple features into one interaction, they can often replace several individual SMS messages, reducing frequency and helping offset per-message costs.

• Enhanced Customer Retention: Customers are more likely to stay loyal to brands that offer seamless, engaging experiences. RCS messaging allows companies to provide the type of communication that keeps customers engaged long-term, which is essential for retention.

• Reduced Operational Costs via Automation: Automated chatbots handle repetitive tasks, freeing up customer service teams to focus on more complex queries, further reducing operational costs.

Partnering with Yameo for a Smooth Transition 

Switching to Rich Communication Services may seem daunting, but with the right partner, the process can be streamlined and efficient. Yameo specializes in helping European companies make the leap to RCS business messaging, providing the infrastructure, expertise, and support needed to maximize the benefits of RCS technology. 

Yameo works alongside your team to ensure the transition from SMS to RCS is smooth, from setting up the right messaging workflows to integrating advanced RCS features like chatbots and multimedia sharing. With Yameo, companies can avoid the pitfalls of a complicated implementation, ensuring that Rich Communication Services becomes a valuable part of their B2C communication strategy.

My Final Thoughts 

RCS messaging is more than an upgrade from SMS; it’s a strategic investment in the future of customer engagement. By offering interactive features, automation, and a branded, secure experience, RCS business messaging delivers a more meaningful connection between companies and customers. Although there are costs to consider, the long-term benefits in terms of engagement, conversion rates, and operational savings make RCS a wise choice for companies aiming to stay competitive and build lasting customer relationships.

In a time when customer engagement can make or break a brand, businesses are continuously seeking better ways to connect with their customers. The world of messaging is no longer limited to SMS or simple text-based alerts. Rich Communication Services (RCS messaging) technology is here to bridge the gap between companies and customers, creating a more engaging, interactive, and multimedia-rich communication experience. 

So, what is RCS messaging, and why should it be on your company’s radar? Let us dive into the benefits of RCS business messaging and how it enhances both corporate strategy and customer satisfaction.

What is RCS Messaging? 

Rich Communication Services, or RCS, is a modern messaging protocol designed to upgrade traditional SMS, delivering a more dynamic and interactive experience. RCS messaging allows brands to send messages that are visually engaging, offering multimedia elements like images, videos, carousels, and even interactive buttons. Imagine being able to complete an entire purchase, book an appointment, or get customer support without ever leaving the messaging app. That is the promise of RCS. 

For businesses, RCS business messaging means adding efficiency, consistency, and a touch of personality to customer interactions. For customers, it means a more seamless, enjoyable experience with the brands they know. 

Why RCS? Benefits for Companies and Customers 

1. Enhanced Customer Engagement 

Customer engagement is all about connecting with customers in a way that keeps them interested and involved. RCS takes that to a new level by enabling visually compelling messages that stand out. With features like images, GIFs, quick-response buttons, and even mini-applications, RCS messaging brings mobile messaging to life in ways that were once only possible within dedicated apps or websites. 

Example Use Case: A retail company could send customers an RCS message featuring a carousel of the latest product collection. Customers can swipe through products, tap to learn more, and even make a purchase—all within their default messaging app. No download of an additional app, no logging-in, just immediately right there and then in their default messaging app. 

This interactive style boosts engagement significantly because it is easy, intuitive, and reduces friction in the user journey. In short, RCS business messaging brings the brand experience directly to the customer, making engagement natural and effortless. 

2. Automation and Efficiency 

RCS is a perfect fit when it comes to automating customer interactions. With RCS technology, companies can design automated workflows that handle frequent inquiries, such as booking requests, customer support questions, and payment processing. 

Automated chat flows within RCS business messaging can reduce the burden on customer service teams while also giving customers fast, on-demand answers. This creates a streamlined, efficient way to provide 24/7 support without requiring additional human resources. 

Example Use Case: A bank can use RCS to set up a virtual assistant that helps users check account balances, get information about loan options, or troubleshoot issues with their credit cards. Customers get their questions answered immediately, without needing to wait on hold. 

For companies, this translates to fewer support calls, a faster resolution rate, and a more efficient allocation of resources. For customers, it means faster, easier access to the information they need—no long waits or navigating complex websites to get the information they need.

3. Building Trust Through Rich Media 

Trust is important for companies looking to build long-term relationships with customers, and RCS messaging helps convey credibility through high-quality visuals and secure interactions. Unlike SMS, RCS includes read receipts, sender verification, and branding elements that create a reliable, recognizable environment for customers. This reduces fraud possibilities and gives customers peace of mind that they are communicating with their trusted brand. 

Example Use Case: An insurance company can send RCS messages featuring a customer’s Auto insurance package options with all benefits and insights—all with the verified branding of the insurance company. This reassures customers that they are getting accurate, up-to-date information from a trusted source. 

This combination of branded content, real-time updates, and verified sender status helps reinforce a brand’s credibility. Customers are more likely to trust a service that keeps them informed in real-time with visually appealing, interactive messages. 

4. Improved Conversion Rates 

RCS technology can increase conversion rates significantly by reducing the number of steps in the customer journey. Since RCS messages are multimedia-rich, customers can receive all the information they need to make a purchase within a single message. 

Example Use Case: An e-commerce brand can send a customer a reminder of items left in their cart, with a direct “Purchase Now” button. With the seamless checkout process integrated into the message, there is less room for distraction, leading to higher conversion rates. 

For businesses, the fewer steps between customer interest and purchase, the higher the likelihood of conversion. For customers, the ease and convenience create a better shopping experience. A win-win. 

5. Reduced Costs Compared to App Development 

Developing and maintaining a mobile app can be costly and time-consuming, not to mention that getting customers to download it is an ongoing challenge. RCS messaging offers companies the benefits of app-like experiences—without the need to invest in app development. 

Example Use Case: An insurance claims agency can provide claim reminders, enable immediate actions, and allow customers to track their claim status—all through RCS messages. Customers get the experience of an app without the need to download anything, and the company saves on development costs. 

For companies, this is a more cost-effective solution, and for customers, it is a hassle-free way to interact without committing to another app on their device. 

How to Get Started with RCS 

Implementing RCS business messaging is a strategic decision that can offer significant rewards but finding the right partner to help you navigate the transition is essential. As a trusted software partner, Yameo has helped numerous European companies implement RCS technology, enabling them to automate, streamline, and enhance their B2C communications. 

From strategy to deployment, Yameo ensures that businesses can make the most of RCS to foster relationships, build engagement, and drive conversions—all while delivering an exceptional customer experience.

My Final Thoughts 

RCS technology is transforming the way companies communicate with their customers. By allowing for richer, more interactive messaging, businesses can enhance customer engagement, automate routine inquiries, and increase efficiency—all without needing complex app development. 

As companies move forward, RCS business messaging will continue to play a key role in bridging the communication gap, offering a messaging solution that truly meets the needs of both businesses and customers. Embracing RCS now is not just an upgrade; it is a strategic step towards creating a better customer experience for the digital age. 

With help from The Collins dictionaries, let’s define what expertise really is. The collins dictionary can help us in this matter – the online version states:

“Expertise is special skill or knowledge that is acquired by training, study, or practice.”

Now that we have the definition, let’s focus on its contribution to Software Houses. So why is it so important?

Expertise opens up an opportunity to develop expert power in a specific field of work. When approaching a Software development house, you want only the best of service available – what traits should you look for in your potential partner then? Is it the price of the service? Maybe. Is it their PR? Likely. But the most important thing You should watch out for is whether they’re experts in their field or are they just a general Software House. It is crucial to choose a partner known for such qualities. That allows you to experience the highest quality of development and allows for easy ideation in the future. And if you’re looking for a partner for your MVP projects – that is of key importance. Also, working with a company with expertise reduces the risks involved with outsourcing the work – they know exactly what they’re doing and know how to assess and approach a certain part of the project you’ve given them to handle. Lastly – expertise builds trust. You simply know that you can count on this company, and You can focus on other parts of the project.

What are the benefits for a Software Development House to have Expertise as one of their core traits?

They know the market in n’ out and need no guidance in your part of the industry – from knowing the software compliancy, data management to know-how regarding implementation of the solutions in accordance to their use by customers and employees. They are always thinking a few steps ahead and can predict future challenges that may occur before introducing your product. That means that they’ll prepare proper countermeasures that will allow you to correct your course after the product launches. However, to reap those benefits, You’ll need to have a focused, dedicated approach to the matter at hand – having even the greatest developers on your side, will mean very little when your company goals are unclear.

An expert on the subject will also give you the much-needed edge of foreseeing troubles that may come along the way – avoiding some of the possible bottlenecks in code’s structure while preparing to minimize the effect of the ones that’ll be unable to avert. Secondly, a skillful software house like that will also avoid possible risks (maybe even all of them) and exploit any chances or random occurrences that may turn up at any stage of development.  

And let’s not forget about the security it gives – Working with seasoned professionals who know your industry gives you a very needed peace of mind that everything turns out into a success in the end.

How to identify software houses with expertise in a particular field?

Checking their customer base, reviews and taking a look into their portfolio will surely help you spot the right people for the job. 

Being shown a history of successful projects and a list of happy clients is a sign of a solid and steadfast partner. 

Engaging a Software House in a discussion about solutions and insights regarding the topic is also a great way to test your potential partner before starting any “real” talk about a collaboration. Based on their response, you’ll be able to evaluate if that company will suit your needs. And if they’ll respond with a set of solutions prepared in advance – even better. That means that the company has a preordained framework for approaching such topics.

Also, check their certificates regarding your field of work, and don’t forget about security once again. Certificates are outside proof of validation that a company is well suited for the job they’re about to perform. As for security and attitude towards it – it’s a great indicator of how seriously they treat their job and business in general. Carelessness in that subject is not a good sign – consequences of negligence in this matter can be dear.

Do Software Houses need expertise?

That’s a rhetorical question. If you want your money well spent, then specializing is your answer. Of course, any general Software House can do a decent job. However, some of the software houses having the expertise in a particular field (especially yours) will surely offer services a lot better than general software houses. This expertise-driven approach to product development and problem-solving will add more value than a general, classic approach, and You can expect it to significantly boost your product experience for the years to come

Interested to read some Use Cases? Click here.

Software development can be as easy as you like – it all depends on who you ask for help.

Yameo has been active since 2005 and we have helped 45 organisations build over 100 solid software solutions. You will note that we have over 100 projects, yet 45 customers. This is intentional, because what we do is build solid software for top leaders – end2end software development. People understand value and what we deliver is value. Reflected in the fact that on average we are building 2 to 3 solid solutions for a customer. Of course our relationships with customers starts with 1 project, but as is often the case this becomes a second and third project.

We like seeing our customer’s succeed, because in the end it means we succeed.

End2end Software Development – explain it to me

Throughout our history and what you can read in our Use Cases is that we have always been of value in supporting a customer from beginning of a project with things like ideation, critically analysing their idea, infrastructure planning etc – all the way through development and deployment & launch. This is only half of the value we offer, and where other software houses often end their relationship with a customer. Where we go further is not just in SLA’s, maintenance and hosting of solutions – but in being a partner who understands your industry and the trends that are important to you and offer up-front recommendations, feedback and ideas on how you can continue to grow.

Hardware

Although not our speciality we work with partners who can help with hardware – such as our Tellma use case where together with Tellma GmbH we provide a full software and hardware video banking kiosk terminal solutions to banks in Europe.

Read the use case!

“Customer success is our success”

This can be such a cliche saying to use – however in our case this is reality. Like I said we only have 45 customers yet we have done over 100 projects. Time and time again customers return to us to develop new solutions after they were satisfied with our previous work and the results they achieved.

We therefore focus on building solid software for top leaders.

“At Yameo we focus on delivering exceptional work not just because we know a customer expects it, but because we know there is always more to develop. And if a customer remembers you and sees you as a valuable and trustworthy partner – they will return to you when they have new ideas. This is our focus at Yameo and this is how we have built long-term partnerships with some of the biggest organisations in the world like DEKRA, WorldVision International and AON. And above all we pride ourselves on being expertise in healthcare, finance and insurance solutions where we have a lot of domain expertise and experienced development teams.” – Maciej Krajewski, CEO Yameo

We focus on the whole customer journey

We understand that end2end software development has to make sense for both customer and end-user. We therefore try to understand the full customer journey, all processes involved and all use cases that are possible. Only then can you truly be a valuable partner for your customer. If you adopt the customer journey and all its processes and keep this in mind while being an ideation partner, developing or even launching and maintaining a solution you will know what is relevant and effective for a customer and what is not. With this mentality we have approached our customers for 17 years and why we have 45 customers but 100+ successful projects.

Software development can be as easy as you like – it all depends on who you ask for help.

Who will you ask for your next software project?

Interested to read some Use Cases? Click here.

With 2022 already two months in, we’ve had an opportunity to look at several reports from giants like Deloitte, EY, PwC, and Accenture, as well as our clients who are industry leaders themselves. Here are our 5 predictions for the remainder of the year.

A new, customer-driven basis of competition: Open insurance ecosystems

Across all lines of business, there is an increased demand for affordable, transparent, and customized insurance that will better suit evolving conditions and can be easily adjusted to changing circumstances. Insurers must retool their platforms around APIs and microservices to enable secure and seamless connections among partners. Based upon current trends, we expect that ecosystems will become a major business model in the relatively near future. 

Workforce transformation: human-centered, tech-enabled enterprise

For the last few years, the conventional approach in insurance held that workers would lose their jobs as insurers adopted more technology and automated more processes. Yet a profound shift was underway even before the COVID-19 pandemic, with business leaders working to address skills gaps, update their talent practices and instill more dynamic and agile ways of working. Now, competition has intensified for the most talented workers, who are more empowered to work in a way they choose – when, where, and how they want.

Today, a more nuanced and interdependent human-tech dynamic has emerged. The consensus among forward-looking executives is that human talent is every bit as important to future success as AI, machine learning, and modernized processing platforms. Yet the scarcity of essential skills and “the Great Resignation” means that insurers must address the traditional view of the industry as slow-moving and dull if they are to become employers of choice.

Insurers will have to take a stronger position on the social issues that matter most to rising generations (e.g., diversity and inclusion, sustainability) and provide meaningful work. In addition, enhancing their benefits, performance recognition, and compensation models is a must. Younger workers are also looking for more purposeful work, which gives an advantage to insurers who can articulate a solid and meaningful story about how their products and services will benefit society as a whole.

Sustainability: an opportunity to lead, innovate and grow purposefully

Climate change and sustainability have re-emerged across the board in pair with C-suite agendas as the direct impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have receded. Previous discussions about sustainability were largely theoretical and centered on making public pledges of support. Today, leading insurance companies are taking tangible steps and adopting hard metrics to tackle the oncoming challenges – Be it environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and opportunities.

For most insurers, the focus is squarely on the “E” in ESG, as climate change will have the biggest and most immediate impact on the industry’s financial performance. But social issues are now nearly as urgent. 

Insurers can take meaningful steps in the near term to help advance the transition to a more sustainable model of economy. Mapping action plans to specific targets and establishing quantifiable performance metrics relative to sustainability are two ways insurers can live their purpose. Within a broader ESG strategy, insurers must identify priority focus areas, clarify why they are allocating resources to them, and determine what benefits they expect to achieve.

A clear road map must also reflect the impacts on different parts of the business and how ESG strategies will be executed. In tracking performance against sustainability targets, insurers should monitor risk exposures, value creation, and progress toward specific goals. As reporting and disclosures become standardized, the most transparent companies will benefit from easier access to capital, increased customer loyalty, and better share price performance.

We believe that sustainability, workforce transformation, and open insurance are three of the most powerful forces reshaping the market in the near term. Read the full report to learn how insurance leaders can respond to these megatrends with urgency, creative thinking, and bold action.

Insurance operating models will adjust to seismic shifts 

The insurance industry now operates on the fault line of two tectonic plates: COVID-19 and the Great Resignation. In 2022, the pressures and shifts they create will force insurers to disrupt long-standing apprenticeship models that the industry has relied on for skilling in essential functions like claims and underwriting. They also exacerbate ongoing struggles to attract and retain talent in roles critical to insurance workforce transformation like technology, analytics, and actuarial. Insurers will always need humans. But with fewer employees, they’re increasingly dependent on human workers operating the machines, transforming how work gets done regardless of who’s doing it or where.  

Sustained supply chain and inventory management risk will accelerate product redesign

The disruption of supply chains caused by COVID-19 will likely continue well into 2022. But the associated disruptions in businesses and the frustrations they cause may subside with the reinvention of traditional freight and cargo insurance products. The digitization of cross-border trade and the proliferation of sensors and other IoT and connected technologies across supply chains allow for real-time access to risk data. Advanced analytics and AI now enable insurers to offer risk mitigation and management solutions along with auto payment of claims when necessary.  

Such insurance offerings accelerated in 2021 as precious shipments of COVID-19 vaccines made their way around the world. In 2022, expect to see more insurers apply these innovations more broadly and go beyond indemnification to help their customers address core operating risk. 

And so with two months gone and 10 more to go until 2023 we see a lot of changes taking place in the Insurance industry. The continued changing demands of customers, but now also of employees mean insurance companies have to be evermore focused on the human side of business. There is a great need for a seamless immersion of human and technology to lead companies through the challenges, shifts and opportunities that the industry faces. We at least find it interesting trends and are eager to share our own insights into the tech part of the equation

Interested to read some Use Cases? Click here.

Why do so many enterprise companies struggle with finding a good Software Development Partner and how to fix it?

To stay ahead of the competition and keep meeting customer needs, enterprise organizations need to invest in software solutions, digitalization schemes, and innovation. This is well known – however, the challenge here lies in finding a software development partner able to meet your expectations, while remaining trustworthy. How do recognize such a good fitting and reliable in the long-term development software partner? Let’s take a look at some of the most common challenges regarding a good software partner and how to select the one that’ll suit you best. Additionally, we’ll go through the benefits of a long-term development partner, compared to one-time short-term partnerships.

The 4 Biggest Challenges of identifying a good software development partner

• Relevant Technical Expertise: There are numerous software houses and development agencies on the market, each with its own set of expertise skills, and procedures. For your project, you’ve surely set goals you want to achieve – they require specific technical expertise. Whether you want to develop a video-based software solution or an AI or Blockchain focused solution – you need to find a development partner that can provide proper expertise. Your high-level goals should determine the partner you need – not the other way around.

• Assessing software development skills: An obvious challenge is assessing the skills and know-how of a software development company. Are they good at what they do? Do they have reputable customers and reviews? Do they have valid experience? These are important factors to learn and judge.

• Understanding the market: Finding a suitable software development partner means also having some insight into the tech trends of your industry. Knowledge of which digital solutions shape your market niche and form customer opinions is a good way to start!

• Reliability: Knowing how reliable a software development company is. This one seems obvious – It’s Just as important as knowing how reliable the environment they’re working in is. Do they have a healthy stream of qualified developers for example? Are they getting positive reviews? What’s the “word on the street” saying about them? These along with other factors determine if a software development company is a good choice. You can read more on these factors in our other post about doing software development in Poland.

How to select the right software development company for a long-term partnership?

Below is a short overview of 5 steps you can take to assess if you have found the right partner.

• Define your Scope. First, knowing what specific software you need and what functions it will perform is important. The IT services you plan to outsource will be determined by what software needs must be met.

• Do research. Seems obvious, but this is a vital step that needs to be done properly. Search through the web, find review websites like Clutch to see what other enterprise companies have said about them. The value of such websites is that they offer verified references and unbiased reviews on the software development company.

• Review Case Studies. It is always good to review case studies published by or regarding your prospective software partner. Checking their portfolio is an easy way to determine their expertise performance and what kind of customers they already work with. Especially if they can prove they have long-term partnerships with other enterprise companies.

• Look at their testimonials. This is a simple way to learn more about the reputation and reliability of your prospective software partner. Even trying to contact their customers for reviews is a genuine way of getting steadfast feedback on the quality of their work.

• Interview them! It’s time to talk directly with developers and project managers. You may have already met (via video) a sales rep or C-level manager, however, it is good to also meet a developer or a Project Manager – as they will be in charge of the software development for your project. It would be a mistake not to invest time to meet them.

So why are enterprises still struggling?

Enterprise organisations still struggle with identifying and selecting the right software partner for several reasons.

Big vs Small

Enterprise organizations have a tendency to select software development partners based on their size – are they big enough? This is a common and dire mistake – we already established the goals of a project that should define the partner. Large software development companies have more developers, but a much slower development period while smaller software developers may not have all the scope you need. However, smaller development companies are more flexible, innovative, and agile – and if that is what your project goal needs – size isn’t relevant.

Anti-technology corporate culture

Large enterprises often boast they are innovative and in many cases it’s true. However, large means there is a lot of bureaucracy to tackle when it comes to the decision-making process and it may be centralized. These at times can also be politicized and will delay decisions regarding software development.

Companies don’t have the talent

There are often three elements of talent problems for enterprise organizations:

1. Inadequate internal talent for ERP, Big Data, Innovation & related projects
2. Lack of extended talent pools for ERP, Big Data, Innovation & related projects
3. Inability to leverage skills into effective problem-solving teams

These problems translate into poor, delayed/no decisions on software development projects.

The Benefits of long-term software development partnerships

Outsourcing of IT services can be very advantageous compared to keeping it in-house. Especially when it comes to financial costs. On-site development teams require workspace, software, hardware and are a part of the monthly payroll, all of which disappears when partnering with a software development company – all you have to do is pay them, and wait for the fruits of their labor.

You can change your software development partner depending on your business needs. By working with IT professionals from various fields, you enlarge your knowledge and get access to the latest technologies and innovations.

IT outsourcing enables you to get a variety of services at a time – from design to quality assurance. You don’t need to hire every single specialist and supervise every process in the software development life cycle (SDLC) to receive a viable mobile app or software solution.

What distinguishes the best software development partners on the market? Being sure that you can count on your collaboration with this partner to bear fruits and that you both employ a similar approach to business development and project management. The most successful collaborations are a result of cooperative efforts and shared values.