You may be wondering who provides product development services. The answer is that there are many different service providers, each with its strengths and weaknesses. Here is a brief overview of some of the most popular options:
Offshore Development Centers
Offshore development centers (ODCs) provide offshore software development services. ODCs typically have many employees and can offer a wide range of services, including custom software development, web development, and mobile app development.
There are many benefits to working with an ODC, including access to a large pool of skilled workers, lower labor costs, and increased efficiency. However, some risks are associated with offshore development, including language barriers, cultural differences, and time zone differences.
When choosing an ODC, it is important to consider your needs and objectives carefully.
Make sure you select a reputable provider with experience in developing the type of software you need. You should also be aware of the potential risks involved in offshore development and make sure you have a plan in place to mitigate these risks.
ODCs can be a great option for organizations looking to reduce costs or increase efficiency. First, however, it is important to choose a reputable provider and be aware of the potential risks.
Product Development Firms
Product development firms are companies that specialize in helping businesses develop new products. These firms have a team of engineers and product managers who can help you design, prototype, and launch your product. They also offer services such as marketing, manufacturing, and distribution.
However, these firms can be expensive and may not always have the expertise you need. Consider working with a product development firm when you’re ready to take your product to the next level. These companies can help you turn your idea into a reality.
First, however, make sure to do your research and choose a reputable firm with experience in your industry. Otherwise, you may end up wasting time and money. Product development firms can be expensive, but they offer expertise and resources. So if you’re serious about taking your product to market, it may be worth the investment. Just make sure to do your homework before signing on the dotted line.
Freelance Developers
Freelance developers are individuals who offer their services to businesses on a project-by-project basis. This option can be cheaper than hiring a product development firm, but it can also be more difficult to find qualified developers. You’ll need to do your due diligence to make sure you’re working with a reputable developer. Ask for references and check out their work online.
The best way to find a freelance developer is through word of mouth. Ask your friends, family, and colleagues if they know anyone who freelances development work. You can also post a job listing on websites like Upwork or Craigslist.
When you’re interviewing potential developers, be sure to ask them about their experience with the project you’re working on. Also, ask them how they would approach solving certain problems and what kind of timeline they think they could complete the project. Make sure you have a clear idea of what you want before hiring a freelance developer. This will help ensure that everyone is on the same page and that there are no surprises down the road.
Open Source Platforms
Open source platforms are websites and software free for anyone to use. These platforms allow you to develop your product without hiring any outside help. It would help if you considered a few things before using an open-source platform.
First, ensure the platform is free and not just free for personal use. Second, be aware that most open-source platforms do not offer support or documentation. It can be difficult to figure out how to use the platform and customize it to your needs.
Finally, be sure that the open-source platform you choose has a large user base and an active development community. This will ensure that someone is available to help you with any problems you may encounter and that new features and updates are released regularly. If you decide an open-source platform is right for you, take some time to research which one would best meet your needs.
Freelancers
Freelancers are individual contractors who can provide various product development services, depending on their skills and experience. Freelancers can be a great option if you’re looking for a specific skill set that isn’t available from other service providers.
They are individuals who work on a project-by-project basis for various clients. This option can be cheaper than using an ODC or a product development firm, but it also has drawbacks. First, it cannot be easy to find qualified freelancers with the right skillset. Second, managing a team of freelancers can be time-consuming and challenging.
If you're considering using freelancers to help with your next project, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Make sure you have a clear understanding of the project scope and requirements before posting any job listings.
- Be prepared to interview several candidates before making your final decision.
- Ask for samples of previous work and check references carefully.
- Put everything in writing to avoid misunderstandings down the road.
With careful planning and execution, working with freelancers can be a great way to get the help you need without breaking the bank. Remember that it’s important to do your homework upfront to ensure a smooth and successful experience.
Software Development Companies
Software development companies are organizations that specialize in providing software development services. These companies typically have a team of experienced developers to help you build custom software applications, websites, and mobile apps. They also offer a wide range of additional services, such as project management, QA testing, and support and maintenance. Software development companies are often more affordable than ODCs and provide faster turnaround times.
IT Consultants
IT consultants are experts in information technology (IT) and can provide various product development services, including software development, website design, and mobile app development. IT consultants are a great option if you need help with specific aspects of your project or are unsure what type of service provider to choose.
When choosing an IT consultant, it’s important to consider their experience, skills, and rates. It would help if you also asked for referrals from friends or business associates who have used an IT consultant in the past. Once you’ve found a few potential candidates, be sure to schedule a consultation so you can discuss your project in detail and get a sense of their personality and working style.
Takeaway
So, who should you choose for your product development needs? Of course, it depends on your specific requirements and budget. But, overall, software development companies are often the best option because they offer a wide range of services at an affordable price.
They also have experience developing custom applications, websites, and mobile apps for various businesses. So, if you’re looking for a reliable and experienced service provider, then a software development company is worth considering.
As you can see, there are many different types of product development service providers to choose from. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so it’s important to do your research to find the right one for your needs. Contact Peterman Design Firm today to learn more about product development services.
Your Next Steps
Related Conscious Design BLOG Posts
3 Reasons you Should use a Firm and Not Just a Freelancer
A firm (like the Peterman Firm) can grow with you because it will have a team.
5 Tips to Creating Your Product Launch Plan
NASA isn’t the only place that should have a launch plan! After all of your time and money spent polishing your product the launch is a crucial step between your investment and your profits- NOT something you want to wing. It may feel like the end of a development process but it’s also the beginning of your next phase of business. At the Peterman Firm we support you through this stage, because creating a product launch plan can make or break a product in the market. We’ve seen many products flop because they didn’t have a plan at all. These are things you’ll need to be thinking of whether we help you or you launch on your own. Run the numbers When you have a final design that has been prototyped and you are looking to manufacture, you should be getting quotes from manufacturers for full production. Look at every cost you might have and give yourself an idea of what it is going to take to buy the first 100, 1,000, or even 10,000 units of your product. Knowing your numbers will help if you need to get financial help with the launching of your product. Have backup suppliers As any good developer or sourcing agent should tell you, you need backup suppliers. I’ve see production lines go down because a company didn’t get a backup supplier for a single bolt. Without the bolt, the product wasn’t made. Having primary, secondary, and even tertiary suppliers is important to make sure your products are made in time and you are able to deliver. We work with our clients to ensure multiple sources are provided for projects. Sourcing is a very important part of developing your product. Decide your launch platform This doesn’t just mean crowdfunding. Is your product going into large box stores, online marketplace, your own website, or some type of crowdfunding/launching platform? This can help decide what quantities you will be ordering in, and your marketing strategy. Are you going to use Amazon or another ecommerce site not run by you? If you are using a crowdfunding platform, there are definite differences and you need to research similar products and which is best for your industry and market. Set realistic goals It’s a good rule in general, but make sure that your goals are measurable and achievable. Especially while you are going through the process of launching an entire new product, keeping focus and having success happen is important. have a marketing strategy You need to know the who, where, and how of your marketing. There are lots of templates and website dedicated to discussing marketing. Who are you marketing to? It may be someone other than the user (such as baby toys). Where are you marketing? Online, radio, TV, billboards, etc. How are you marketing? Paying someone else, friends, or doing it all yourself? It doesn’t matter, just know what you are doing. BONUS: Keep your product launch plan flexible Don’t forget to create the actual plan! Just kidding, I’m sure you remember that. A quick note on plans, though. They never survive contact with the real world, so keep it flexible. Especially if you are a bootstrapping startup. Keep these things in mind as you create your product launch plan. This part of your project is something you want to start on as early as possible. As a last tip, make sure you have the right partnerships. They can bring you down or raise you up, and are largely outside of your direct control. As a full development firm instead of just a freelancer, we link our clients with the best possible partners for every stage of the process. Your Next Steps Struggling to create your own plan? Sign up for our free tutorial and learn about our course 4 Weeks to Launch + free tutorial Impressive Products Why Product Demos Must Go Beyond Impressions better product demos Related Conscious Design BLOG Posts Author Mr. Peterman View all posts
What is Design for Manufacturability?
Logically, you could figure out what Design for Manufacturability means in a broad sense. What does it really mean for you and your product? Design for Manufacturability, or DFM for short, is where Design meets Production. The DFM process takes a design and produces a final design that can be manufactured properly, and at the desired cost. This step is often skipped by those developing their first product. They end up costing more. Investing more on time and money than it should. We’ll go over some of what DFM does for your product and why it is a very key component to developing a great product. Manufacturability This is the first step in DFM. An engineer or designer takes a design and reviews it to ensure the product can be manufactured as efficiently and effectively as possible. Draft angles for injection molded parts, machinable areas for CNC, stacking tolerances, fit checks, and many more items are part of this DFM checklist. BLANK Ian Peterman, CEO Tweet Costing This is where things can get interesting, such as actually increasing part count, decreasing reusable parts, etc may be required to put a product into a certain price window. Costing looks at every cost of a product, from hardware selections, country of production, materials, and how each part needs to be made. A Sourcing Agent is closely tied into this part of the process, and works with the designer through this process. Part Count BLANK Ian Peterman, CEO Tweet How many parts does it take to make your product? I’ve worked on products ranging from just one to the thousands. A part count is a balancing act, sometimes you can make 4 parts into 1, but the cost would be 10 times greater. The part count is an easy way to estimate product complexity, assembly costs, et. Usually more is more expensive, and so a lot of work can be done to decrease the part count, make assembly easier, and take less time. Reuse and Replacement For those businesses who are sustainably minded, which every business should be, designing a product for reuse is something that happens in the DFM stage. Which components can be reused, which need to be replaced, even what parts can be recycled or not are also influence in the DFM process. Material and Finish blank Ian Peterman, CEO Tweet DFM also looks at what materials and finishes are used in a product. Sometimes a material might be chosen that doesn’t work well with a certain manufacturing process or is extra expensive. Changing a material, or finish can change the perceived quality, actual quality, and the cost of a product drastically. Lead time is also influenced by finishes as they add extra time to production. Lead Time A lead time of a product determines how quickly a business can turn its manufacturing investment into a profit. If it takes 10 weeks to produce a product, that means a business is going to wait at least 10 weeks before it gets paid. Decreasing lead time also falls within the DFM process. Shorter lead times mean quicker product turnaround, as well as usually less costly. Through selecting processes, materials, and finishes, the DFM process can save businesses from having long costly lead times on their products. Your Next Steps manufacturing Products Kickstarters and Manufacturing: What to Pay Attention to manufacturability Conscious Design Choosing a Manufacturer choose a manufacturer Related Conscious Design BLOG Posts Author Mr. Peterman View all posts
