DevOps Outsourcing vs In-House Teams: Understanding the Differences

When considering DevOps implementation, companies have two options: building an in-house team or outsourcing the services to a trusted provider. Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages that need to be carefully evaluated.

In-House DevOps Team

Building an in-house DevOps team offers complete control over the product development process. Companies can tailor the infrastructure and tools to their specific needs and have direct oversight of the team’s tasks. However, there are drawbacks to consider.

One challenge is the high cost associated with maintaining an in-house team, including office expenses, perks, and benefits. Additionally, recruiting and retaining qualified DevOps specialists can be difficult, especially in areas with limited talent pools. It takes time to set up the necessary infrastructure and build processes from scratch, and the team may get distracted by internal tasks, leading to a loss of focus and efficiency. Furthermore, in-house experts often have limited opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills beyond their specific tasks and working conditions.

Remote DevOps Team

DevOps Outsourcing services to a remote team offers several advantages. Firstly, it provides access to top-tier talent at a reasonable cost. The average annual salary of a DevOps engineer in the USA is around $105K, while in Ukraine, for example, it is around $39K. Additionally, remote teams have experience working on diverse projects, enabling them to handle various issues and unforeseen situations efficiently. This expertise can be crucial in complex deployments.

Outsourcing also allows for faster deployment without the need to recruit and train additional staff. Project management is typically performed on the vendor’s site, reducing administrative expenses. Furthermore, outsourcing minimizes the risk of employee turnover and attrition since the provider’s team has a mature DevOps culture and high levels of experience. Finally, companies can easily scale up or down without incurring additional administrative costs.

However, outsourcing also has its drawbacks. Complex deployments may incur higher costs, and inexperienced vendors can compromise application security. Communication mechanisms need to be established from the ground up, and building good working relationships is essential for successful collaboration.