3 Advantages of Outsourcing the Development of Your Connected Product

Outsourcing is a process that has skyrocketed in popularity in the last decade. Today, most companies rely on third-party experts to help them bring their products to market. In the UK, for example, seven in ten businesses outsource rather than keeping their processes in-house, demonstrating the widespread appeal of the practice.

Of course, when it comes to companies which specialise in the development of physical products, the situation is a little different. These businesses naturally view themselves as a builder of things, which might cause them to regard outsourcing as unnecessary or anomalous. However, there’s no need for them to micromanage every part of the process and engineer every detail, especially if their under-the-hood technology is not a core differentiator from rival products on the market.

If that description sounds familiar to you, here are four reasons why it makes sense to outsource the development of your connected product to a third party, both from a functional and a financial point of view.

Prioritising UX

When it comes to the market appeal of connected devices, there are two main aspects which demand particular focus: technological capability and user experience (UX). By taking advantage of connected devices development services, product companies can leverage their existing ecosystem technology solutions (such as proven approaches and components) and concentrate on experience differentiation instead of technology differentiation.

This will allow them to set their product apart from their rivals by appealing to their target audience’s enjoyment of the finished article. Leave the tech to the experts, while you dream up new features and functions to make your product stand out from the crowd.

Boosting Efficiency

An efficient business is a well-run one. While it might be tempting for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to save money by keeping all aspects of their product development in-house, it’s often the case that their own staff would be better suited to other roles. As such, trying to force development duties on them is akin to putting square pegs in round holes – and leaving the square holes unattended in the process.

Instead, by outsourcing the process, you can ensure that every member of the time has the time and freedom to tackle the challenges at which they excel. This enhances the efficiency of your business model and ensures you’re always one step ahead of the competition.

Accelerating timelines

Part of the issue with product development, especially with connected devices, is the time it takes to get from the design stage through the various development phases to the finished article. For many companies, it can take a year or more to get from A to B, and that’s with an experienced product developer working on a moderately complicated concept.

The problem with this is that you can’t start earning money until the product is available in-store or online. Outsourcing is an ideal compromise, because you get access to a team of expert developers who can take care of every step of the process. As a result, the prototype won’t only be high-quality, but it’ll be ready sooner, allowing you to begin generating revenues more quickly than if you handled each phase yourself.

Outsourcing isn’t a flash in the pan. It’s becoming increasingly popular and has shown its intrinsic value time and time again, so it’s time to consider whether it will help the development of your connected product.