Offshore rates where they fit
Use offshore developers for the work that doesn't need to be in your time zone, and pay onshore rates only where you need them.
Hybrid Outsourcing
Onshore and offshore developers, one team, one company
Developers in Michigan and in India work on your project together, so you get offshore rates without losing local control.
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Hybrid Outsourcing: Onshore and Offshore Developers on One Team
Hybrid outsourcing combines onshore and offshore developers on the same project. At SharpQuest, that means developers in Troy, Michigan and developers in India work together on your software, as one team, under one contract with a US company. You choose the mix: more onshore for the parts that need close work with your people, more offshore for the steady build and maintenance work.
It isn't the same as hiring an offshore vendor and managing it yourself. Every role, from developers to architects and testers, exists in both locations, so the people who talk to you every day also write code, and the India team is our own staff, not subcontractors. Some companies use "hybrid outsourcing" for their in-house team working with an outside vendor; we do that too, with our developers joining your team (see IT staff augmentation).
- Onshore
- Troy, Michigan
- Offshore
- Our own team in India
- Working hours
- Daily standup; overlap until about 11 AM Eastern
- Terms
- Fixed-price, milestone or hourly
Onshore vs Offshore vs Hybrid
Three ways to staff a software project with an outside partner, and where each fits.
| Item | Onshore | Offshore | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who does the work | Developers in the US | Developers in another country | Developers in both, on one team |
| Cost | Highest | Lowest | In between; you set the mix |
| Communication | Same time zone, can meet in person | Mostly async; depends on the vendor | Daily standup; onshore people in your hours |
| Time-zone overlap | Full | Often little | India team until about 11 AM Eastern, longer in crunch times |
| Control and oversight | Close | You manage across time zones | Onshore team leads and reviews |
| Coverage | US business hours | Their business hours | Work continues across both time zones |
| Contract and IP | Under US law | Often under the vendor's country's law | One contract with a US company |
| Best for | Work that needs constant contact with your team | Well-defined work where cost matters most | Longer projects and maintenance where you want both |
Want a fully offshore team?
We also run dedicated offshore teams in India, managed from Michigan. See offshore software developmentComparing all your options?
Our engagement models, pricing terms and contracts are explained on one page. See How We WorkHow a Hybrid Team Works
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Plan the mix
In a free consultation we agree which work sits onshore and which offshore. Work that needs close contact with your people usually stays onshore; the steady build, testing and maintenance often goes offshore.
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Meet the whole team
You meet the onshore and offshore people on your project at the start, not only an account manager.
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Start small
A first, well-defined piece of work shows you how the team works before anything critical is handed over.
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Work every day, together
A daily standup with both teams. The India team works until about 11 AM Eastern on most days, and into the afternoon during crunch times such as production builds.
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Deliver and support
Regular demos, code reviewed before it ships, and support after launch from the same team.
Why Companies Choose Hybrid Outsourcing
Lower project risk
An onshore team that writes code as well as manages it catches problems early, and offshore work is reviewed before it reaches you.
Free up your own team
Your people stay on the work only they can do; we take the rest.
One accountable company
One contract with a US company, and our own employees in both locations, not subcontractors.
Stay within budget
Agree fixed-price, milestone or hourly terms, and change the onshore and offshore mix as the project moves from build to maintenance.
Work that keeps moving
With teams in two time zones, work continues after your business day ends.
Problems Hybrid Outsourcing Solves
We started SharpQuest to show that outsourcing software development can be done well. These are the problems we hear about most, and how a hybrid team handles them.
The problemUnresponsive development teams
How a hybrid team fixes itA daily standup, and onshore developers in your time zone.
The problemProjects that run out of budget before they're done
How a hybrid team fixes itSmall first deliverables, regular demos and an onshore and offshore mix you can adjust.
The problemPoorly documented code that's hard to maintain
How a hybrid team fixes itCode reviews before anything ships, and the same team supporting it after launch.
The problemSoftware that doesn't do the job
How a hybrid team fixes itOnshore developers working directly with your users on requirements and reviews.
What Our Clients Say
Cynthia G
IT Manager, TKS Industrial Company
When I first began working with SharpQuest, I was really out of my lane. The team has always assisted with providing clear guidance on the projects we have worked together on. We have really updated the use of the sql database, and it continues to evolve. They are very much in tune with what we ask, and can usually create this to work exactly the way we ask. It's a pretty high quality tracking space.
Irv Shiffman
Manager, Information Systems, TKS Industrial
They’re very smart in the tools they use and they’re very responsive in addressing our requests in a timely manner.
One of the challenges of working with us is that things change often, and they’re very good at reacting to those changes and implementing them in a way that's effective for our business.
John Kinnamon
VP of Solutions, MadDog Technologies
We’ve put them in some tough situations, and they’ve exceeded our expectations. They’ve been so accommodating to the ups and downs of our projects.
Hybrid Teams at Work
Graham Healthcare Group
Healthcare
4.9/5
average patient rating
Clinician App Improves Care and Makes Graham Healthcare Group a Top Employer
Web App
UI/UX
American MSC
Manufacturing
10–20%
saved through better productivity and fewer mistakes
Modernized Home Grown MRP System Yields Cost Savings from Improved Productivity and Better Accuracy
MadDog Technology
Technology & Media
MadDog Technology finds a trusted development partner to bring technology ideas to market
TKS Industrial
Automotive
2×
purchase orders in 3 years
TKS Industrial Grows Revenue by Transforming Business Processes with a custom ERP System
Web App
Cloud
Modernization
Hybrid Outsourcing FAQs
What is hybrid outsourcing?
Hybrid outsourcing combines onshore and offshore developers on the same project. With SharpQuest, developers in Michigan and in India work together on your software as one team, under one contract with a US company.
How is hybrid outsourcing different from offshore outsourcing?
With offshore outsourcing, the work is done in another country, and you manage the time difference yourself. In a hybrid model, onshore developers work in your time zone alongside the offshore team, lead the work with you and review what's delivered.
What work stays onshore, and what goes offshore?
It depends on the project, and you decide the mix. Work that needs close contact with your people, such as requirements, design reviews and integration with your systems, usually stays onshore. Steady development, testing and maintenance often go offshore. Every role exists in both locations, so the mix can change as the project does.
Is your offshore team your own staff?
Yes. Our team in India are SharpQuest employees. We don't use subcontractors.
How do you handle the time difference?
Both teams join a daily standup. Our India team works until about 11 AM Eastern on most days, and into the afternoon during crunch times such as production builds, so there is overlap with your business day.
Does hybrid outsourcing cost more than offshore?
It costs more than offshore alone and less than onshore alone. You set the balance: more offshore lowers the cost, more onshore adds time in your time zone. We'll estimate both once we know the scope.
How do you protect our code and data?
We sign your NDA, or use ours, before you share any details, and the contract is with a US company, so US law applies. Who owns the code is set in the contract, agreed before work starts.
Can your developers work with our in-house team?
Yes. Our onshore and offshore developers can join your own team and work under your direction. That's IT staff augmentation.
How do we start?
With a free consultation and a small first piece of work, so you can see how the team works before you commit to more.
Related Services
Offshore Software Development →Dedicated offshore teams, managed from Michigan.
IT Staff Augmentation →Our developers join your team and work under your direction.
Custom Software Development →Business software built for how your company works.
How We Work →Our process, engagement models, contracts and support plans.
Plan Your Hybrid Team
Tell us about your project, and we'll suggest an onshore and offshore mix that fits it.
- A reply within 2 business days
- We sign your NDA before you share details
- Talk to our team in Troy, Michigan