Offshore Software Development

Given the current economic climate, I'm not a big fan of offshore software development. I've ranted and raved about overseas IT outsourcing before. I don't think it's a good for America, certainly not at this time. Offshore software development takes jobs away from the people and communities that deserve them. Sending programming jobs overseas hurts us. Before I get taken to task by the international community, please know I'm not completely against offshore software development ...

I absolutely believe that folks in other countries deserve a higher standard of living. But I don't feel that their jobs should come at the cost of jobs lost here in the states. While I believe in free trade, I also believe that companies shouldn't be encouraged by our government to use offshore software development shops while in a period of economic stagnation.

Unemployed programmers and other high-level techies deserve jobs that are appropriate to their level of expertise. We shouldn't expect them to have to take a job at Wal-Mart to stay afloat, while their old job is being done at an offshore software development house that under-priced the domestic competition. It's just plain un-American.

Once our economy is back on track and every programmer that deserves to be employed is employed, we can look at offshore software development as a way to keep the engine running at full speed. Until then, we need to apply a bit of choke until it's warmed up. If your company is considering an overseas software development operation, look closely at the companies that are after your business. Can they really deliver the goods? Will you save a few dollars but lose a whole lot of control?