Outsourcing Embedded Software Development:
Is It for You?

What Exactly Is Embedded Software?

Let’s start with the basic definition of embedded software first. 

It is any specialized program that runs on specific hardware. Its purpose is to execute a task in the physical world over and over again.

What Makes Embedded Software Unique?

This physical aspect is what makes embedded software unique. Its design always includes interaction with the physical world. 

Embedded software is not the same as application software. One notable difference is that apps usually run on an operating system. That OS is separately installed on a device. 

As for embedded software, they often serve as the device’s OS. Thus, you embed them on the hardware, as opposed to installing them as an app on a device’s OS.

Great, we now know what embedded software is. This time, let’s discuss the meaning of embedded software outsourcing.

Embedded Software Outsourcing Defined

It is a service offered by various embedded software outsourcing companies. It means they’re developing embedded software for another company.

Of course, not all companies will choose embedded software outsourcing. Those that did must have done it for various reasons. 

So why should you have a third party take care of developing embedded solutions for you? That’s what we’re going to tackle next.

Why Go for Embedded Software Development Outsourcing?

There are many reasons why you should choose embedded software development outsourcing. Let’s discuss them one by one.

You Don’t Have an In-House Development Team

Not all companies can afford to assemble an in-house development team. 

Software talent, after all, costs money and resources. Not to mention the time required to do recruitment efforts.

With embedded software outsourcing, you don’t need to do it in-house. You can hire an agency to handle the embedded software development for you. 

You Only Need Embedded Software Development Services for a Limited Time

Let’s discuss a specific scenario. You’re a startup with limited resources. But you’re building a product that needs embedded software on its hardware. 

It makes super sense for you to go for embedded software outsourcing. 

For one, you can enjoy more flexibility. You hire embedded software developers when you need to. After launching your product, you can just stop the engagement.  

You’re in Need of Firmware Expertise

Firmware development happens to be a specialized skill. And not all companies can field their own in-house firmware experts. So what are your options if you need firmware expertise?   

Embedded software outsourcing to the rescue! Leverage the skills of experienced firmware developers to bring your project to life.

You Want Embedded Software Security You Can Trust

There is one more reason you should go for embedded software outsourcing. And it has something to do with security.  

Like any other program, embedded software can fall prey to hackers. So it’s more vital than ever to value security for embedded systems.

But here is some good news. Embedded software outsourcing providers usually adopt structured security policies. They need to if they want to survive as an outsourcing partner. 

Moreover, their embedded software engineers are familiar with security protocols too. You can hit two birds with one stone then. You get security in policy as well as in practice.

Benefits of Embedded Software Development Outsourcing

Embedded software outsourcing can provide many benefits for businesses. They include the following advantages below.

Cost-Effective Embedded Software Solutions

You’re paying only for the embedded software development services rendered. You don’t have to worry about overhead, equipment, or recruitment costs.

Also, you can do away with extensive training. Embedded software engineers can get up to speed with minimal training. Insert them into your project and they should be good to go.

Faster Firmware Development

Your embedded software outsourcing partner can focus on your firmware project. 

Meanwhile, your team can concentrate on other important things. Let your partner do their job while you look after your business.

Remember that embedded software developers are the best at what they do. Let their expertise get your project up and running in no time.

Access to Better Technical Skills

Recruiting top talents in embedded software development isn’t easy. It’s a highly competitive field. So hiring one may prove tricky.

Enter your software development outsourcing partner. Odds are: They already have access to elite technical skills. If not, they sure would know how to find the skill set your project needs.

Compliance and Security Standards

Ensure the security of your embedded software. Find a software development company with experience in upholding security standards. 

Better yet, partner with an agency with an excellent HIPAA compliance track record. It also won’t hurt if they have ISO certification.

Scalability

You can easily shift the size and structure of your development team. Thanks to a partnership with a software development outsourcing company.

Yes, you might encounter changing business goals or needs in the future. With an outsourcing partner, though, you get more flexibility in handling expanded requirements.

What To Pay Attention to When Picking an Outsourced Embedded Software Development Team

Be strategic in choosing your embedded software outsourcing company. Attention to detail is always needed. So exactly which details should you pay attention to? They are:

Technical Skills of Embedded Software Developers

Find out if their embedded software engineers have the necessary skills. 

We’re talking, of course, about programming languages for firmware. These include C++, C, and Assembly, to name a few.

Strategies in Embedded Software Services

Ask about their planning process. Then inquire about their quality assurance (QA) procedures. How well do they execute the SDLC for embedded software?

Past Projects in Embedded Software

Look into their track record. Browse their portfolio and look for previous embedded software projects. Then read feedback from past clients via Clutch or GoodFirms.

Fundamental Rules of Outsourcing Embedded Software Projects

Not all companies outsource embedded software to a partner. But if you do, make sure you follow these five rules.

1. Review Your Partner’s Experience and Expertise

Have they had experience working with consumer products? Or are they experts in industrial automation only? How many years have they been doing firmware and hardware development?

A background check never hurts. But it can be crucial in determining if your partner can indeed deliver the goods. 

The little things can matter too. Yes, they can promise innovative solutions for your business. But can they provide technical support when it’s needed?

2. Determine the Technical Stack Ahead

Your developers should be familiar with the tech stack your project needs. 

Prior experience with real-time operating systems (RTOS) is definitely a plus. So is knowledge in general purpose OS.

Yes, skill in C or C++ programming languages is a given. But they should know how to work with data structures and control systems as well.

3. Go for Software Developers Who Know How Hardware Works

Embedded software development is all about leveraging hardware capabilities. So pick developers who are as comfy working with hardware as they are with the software. 

They are gonna navigate things like data processing, storage capacity, or memory size. So make sure they’re not good with coding only.

4. Leverage Agile To Be More Efficient

Agile is all about speeding up the product development lifecycle. It makes super sense, of course. Longer cycles tend to invite burnout, delays, and quality issues.

So ask your partner about their product development services. Are they making the most out of the Agile approach in software outsourcing? Do they value efficiency in their process?

5. Embrace Flexibility

Hire embedded software engineers who are flexible. Wait — what does flexibility mean in embedded software outsourcing?

It means they can be adaptable, especially when dealing with sudden changes. 

Of course, experience helps a lot. If they know their event-driven systems and architecture concepts, they’ll be okay.

Why Outsource Embedded Software Development Services to BIT Studios?

We offer a wide range of embedded software services. 

We can provide embedded software development as a separate service. Or we can include it in our custom software development offering.

But why should you outsource embedded software development services to BIT Studios? We give you several reasons:

Our Extensive Experience

It ensures that we can solve any issue and find innovative solutions for your needs.

Our Diverse Expertise

Our team consists of skilled onshore and offshore developers. We deliver quality embedded software that helps you achieve your business goals. 

Our Unique Process

We pioneered a UX-first rapid prototyping process. It’s an approach that guarantees efficiency and reduces risks.

Are you looking for embedded software development services? Contact us today.

Conclusion

Embedded software outsourcing is as in-demand as ever. More and more businesses are choosing it because of the benefits it offers.

It is cost-effective. It speeds up firmware development. You can hire better firmware developers too through an embedded software partner. 

You get better security too. Lastly, it gives you scalability.

However, choosing an embedded software development partner is not easy. But if you follow best practices, you can forge a fruitful partnership.

Do you want to learn more about embedded software outsourcing? Talk to us today. We would be happy to help you.