The decision whether IT services should be internal with its own product or performed by external providers is crucial and there is no correct answer.

For larger IT companies, it often makes sense to develop their own product. For companies with fewer resources, outsourcing appears to be the more suitable option. But what about mid-sized companies? What is the best option for them?

IT Function in Mid-Sized Companies

In most mid-sized companies, IT plays an important role. The main IT functions include:

• Data center operations
• Application development
• IT staff support
• End-user support

In these companies, data center operations are often seen as a commodity. However, with software as a service (SAAS) and cloud models continuing to dominate, data centers are not as important as they once were. As for user support, automation is quickly replacing human support and changing the way this function is outsourced.

Set of IT Professional Skills

Many companies are starting to view IT as a strategic function. An IT specialist must possess a unique set of skills:

• Quality assurance, which is crucial for software and system development.
• Documentation to mark processes and products for fellow IT professionals.
• Databases, as they are at the core of most software programs.
• Networks, as everything is connected, and understanding them is crucial for problem-solving.
• HTML for web coding as a last resort.
• Microsoft Office, as it is essential and widely used in the workplace.

Additional skills often desired by IT specialists include:

• Programming/application development
• Project management
• Technical support
• Security management
• Website development
• Business intelligence/analytics

Pros and Cons of IT Outsourcing

Now that we have looked at IT functions in most organizations and the desired skill set, let’s dive into some advantages and disadvantages of IT outsourcing:

Advantages:

• Operational costs: Outsourcing any function in the organization reduces the costs associated with hiring employees to perform that function. The company may have fewer expenses and gain advantages such as group purchases for necessary software through their IT provider.
• Freeing up internal resources: If IT is not central to a specific product or service, it may make sense to outsource it to an external provider and free up resources for key internal functions. Then, more resources will remain for other elements directly related to the company’s products or services.
• Hiring experts: Outsourcing makes sense when the company needs a team of IT experts to handle specific needs. IT outsourcing firms often work hard to hire and retain the best and brightest IT specialists, passing that expertise on to the company looking for external providers.
• Risk reduction: Business management technology can be expensive. IT outsourcing providers work with many clients and are up-to-date with best practices and software, which can reduce risks for the company.

Disadvantages:

• Finding the right vendor: Finding the right IT outsourcing provider is easier said than done. Since IT affects everything in most organizations, a provider that is suitable for all needs and corporate culture must be found.
• Loss of control: Even when IT is outsourced to external providers, the company cannot (and should never) distance itself from the IT function. It will need an employee who is familiar with IT to supervise the provider and make sure they are doing what they are hired to do.
• Delay: A good IT provider will have a plan for rapid response in emergency situations. However, the needs of a larger client may take precedence, pushing the “emergency” in question to the back burner.
• Network familiarity: Internal IT will be better informed about the company’s network. If outsourcing is used, the external specialist will need time to develop and learn it.
• Security and accountability: Bringing in an external company may make issues around information and security a larger concern. This is potentially a bigger issue with foreign companies where laws regarding privacy and security may differ. It is important to ask many questions about how the vendor will protect sensitive data, including employee and product-related information.

The first course at Code Academy, Back-end Junior Developer with SQL, PL/SQL, Java, and Spring, funded by CODIX and free for approved participants, started in January 2020. Behind their success lies a lot, incredibly hard work and a desire for success: nine hours of in-person classes per week, additional time dedicated to daily coding, communication, problem-solving, and finally presenting their group projects.

200+ hours of lectures

Behind these juniors are 200+ hours of lectures, hours during which they absorbed theory and practice in Java, Spring, SQL, PL/SQL. The full course covers the necessary foundation in several technologies, sufficient for a programmer to start working as a junior.

In addition to specific IT skills, we managed to lay the foundations of effective communication, which was at the heart of the success of their group projects. Good communication is what makes a team successful. In the IT sphere, things are no different. To succeed, you need to rely not only on your technical skills but also on excellent communication with the team.

1000+ hours of preparation

But without their perseverance, it wouldn’t have been possible. Our students, on their part, dedicated 4-8 hours daily to self-preparation. Minute after minute, hour after hour – each one of them put in a lot of effort, spent countless hours coding and assimilating theory to apply in practice. A quick calculation shows that they devoted 1000+ hours to writing, practicing, and reading during their training as junior Java programmers. Outside lecture hours, we were in constant contact with those being trained in the course.

Success is in your hands

It was a challenge for us to lead them towards their new career development, and we thank them for succeeding together. We also thank the mentors from CODIX for their assistance to our students. Today, over 80% of those who successfully completed the course work as juniors, precisely with them.

We tell you all this so that you, those who are about to cross with us in the next training sessions, know that without YOU, it’s impossible to succeed. You are the ones who have to bring the unwritten codes from under your fingertips. You yourselves have to craft your future. Those girls and boys we told you about did it. Now it’s your turn! Check out our courses here.