Nearshore software development is becoming a preferred way to provide outsourcing for tech companies that need quality services. Partnering with nearshore entities allows tech companies to strike a favorable balance between offshoring and onshoring.
Costa Rica has emerged as a favored nation for nearshore development for a number of reasons, including lowered costs, their highly educated and skilled developers and professional level of English proficiency, to name a few. Let us show you why this Central American nation is such a popular option for companies interested in nearshoring.
Costa Rican Software Developers Operate in a Similar Time Zone
Time is everything in the world of software development. Last-minute changes or problem-solving can be the difference between a successful delivery and a bungled job. Fortunately, Costa Rica operates in Central Standard Time, which aligns closely with the time zones in the United States.
Having the opportunity to hire people that are awake and working during the same hours as one’s business is a major reason that tech companies are so happy to work with developers in Costa Rica.
High-Quality Standards of Education
The Costa Rican software developers’ high level of education is another significant benefit of a partnership with their teams. The country is known for having the best education system in all of Latin America. As a result, the software developers are often highly capable within their areas of expertise, which may include:
- UI/UX
- Backend development
- Web development
- Mobile platforms
- DevOps
The schools and universities in Costa Rica provide a powerful foundation for technological learning. High literacy rates along with the significant percentage of post-secondary graduates ensure that software developers are fully prepared for the tasks required.
A fair number of people in Costa Rica speak and write in English. According to a bilingual jobs fair report, 75% of test-takers spoke enough English to secure a job in a bilingual setting.
The ability to communicate effectively with people from Costa Rica makes it a highly desirable source of nearshore software developers. When communication barriers are eliminated, projects can run more smoothly, even when they deal with complex topics.
A Booming Tech Infrastructure
Costa Rica is a country on the rise. Its tech infrastructure is far superior to that of other countries in Central America, as well as many other offshore nations.
When we talk about tech infrastructure and the relationship that it has with nearshore tech operations, the real conversation is about reliability. A CTO needs to know whether their partners will have access to high-speed Internet, power and other infrastructure elements that are necessary to maintain the project timeline.
Costa Rica’s technological infrastructure is constantly modernizing. There is reliable, fast Internet available in their cities. Working with developers from this country lowers the risk of missed deadlines due to Internet outages, a common problem in less-developed, offshore countries.
Nearshore Staff Augmentation with a Similar Work Culture
The adaptability of the business culture in Costa Rica makes it perfect for working with all sorts of clients. Costa Rica’s business culture is unique, but it shares enough similarities with U.S. cultural standards to provide a solid compatibility. Here are some of the common features between the two work cultures:
- Respect for the chain of command and titles
- Certifications, such as Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) and AWS Certified Developer are highly respected
- Flexibility on projects fosters an agile environment
- Professional communication and appearances are valued
Having a similar work culture can lead to better collaboration between teams. When nearshoring teams mingle with in-house teams, it might be difficult to tell the two apart.
Software developers from Costa Rica are known for being professional, knowledgeable and willing to contribute unique ideas and solutions in business environments.
Costa Rica Has Robust IP Laws
Perhaps the greatest challenge that comes with outsourcing is IP protection. Nothing is worse for a software developer than to have their intellectual property stolen and then to discover that they have no recourse.
On one hand, offshore companies tend to struggle in this area, even though it may happen for reasons that are outside of the control of the outsourced software developers. Their countries simply have weak IP laws that do not protect those who do business in their areas.
On the other hand, Costa Rica has robust IP laws that share a number of qualities with those found in the U.S. In fact, Costa Rica was removed from the U.S. Intellectual Property Watch List in 2020. Not only does that show an increase in trust between the two countries, but it also demonstrates the ongoing development of the nation.
Nearshore Software Development Occurs in a Stable Setting
When considering options for the nearshore staff augmentation, companies must consider the country that staff members work within. For better or worse, some places around the world are not politically or economically stable enough to work with.
Costa Rica is a peaceful nation that has recently emphasized its economic development. The country does not have the internal or external strife that is common in some offshore nations. As such, sourcing workers from this country is a very safe bet in terms of ongoing stability.
Using Costa Rica as a source for nearshore development is an attractive option for many tech companies. Whether your business wants to diversify its staff or needs to bring in nearshore staff members to complete a project, Costa Rica is a safe and effective choice.
The highly educated, hard-working, professional Costa Ricans that operate in this industry are valuable assets to any business. Best of all, they work close by, so they can always fly directly to the U.S. to handle in-person business, as needed.
When it comes to nearshore sources for software development, First Factory is a market leader. With a number of specializations and years of experience as software engineers, our team members are poised to handle any challenge that comes our way. Contact us today to start the process and get the team members that you need.
