Minimizing in-house developer resources while providing a streamlined integration tool is one of the top reasons companies turn to hosted software development. Hosted software-as-a-service (SaaS) development products have shifted the burden of maintaining a platform from a single in-house option to a combination of an in-house and remote hosting service. Although the niche for hosted development is growing rapidly, there are pros and cons to full outsourcing.
Companies with programmers that are scattered around the world will reap the most benefits of hosted software development tools. They enable seamless, remote integration of various aspects of coding, while giving all programmers the same access to the tools they need to get the job done. Some hosted software development companies include a variety of tools in their hosted software bank that are designed not only to make the programmer’s job easier, but work together to create fewer programming errors. In fact, some hosted software development systems include bug tracking software that alerts the programmer to potential problems early in the coding process.
Traditionally, development tools have been designed and run solely as internal operations. They have included the integrated development environment (IDE) as well as the repository. The infrastructure required to maintain both components can put a strain on company resources, especially for a small business. So it’s no surprise that hosted software development systems offer full IDE and repository hosting, and partial repository-only hosting. The needs of each company will vary depending on their infrastructure resources and the ability of their developers to provide programmers with a world-class software development tool.
Although the burden of maintaining both aspects of the programming platform can be removed, some concerns remain about hosted software development. The concern of placing intellectual property on an external server is perhaps the biggest concern for companies. The potential for data loss as well as encryption compromise are real concerns. However, most hosted software development companies provide safeguards that work to eliminate these concerns. Superior firewalls and physical blocking of servers help provide security from external threats.
Hosted development systems are quickly becoming the choice for programming teams, increasing team efficiency by freeing up internal resources. Many companies still choose to keep their IDE based in-house, but outsource repository hosting and tools to a remote company. This allows them to retain control over more of their intellectual property, but frees up the time and resources of system developers, as well as programmers. This streamlined approach saves the company time and financial resources.
As more hosting companies spring up, corporations need to look at the full package of services and the reputation of each hosting site. Not all hosting software development companies have the same ability to work with customers and their unique coding needs. Fully integrated systems with a high degree of customer support will always be the best choice for programmers and the companies they work for.
