Nowadays, fierce competitions are the common business context in western business world. Companies have to continuously build up the core competency while slash down the operation costs in order to maintain the relative competitiveness. As a result, more and more companies choose to outsource the business processes, which are supportive, repetitive or cost-intensive. Whatever types of outsourcing, the companies have to maintain long-term cooperation, interactive communication and partnership with the other side.

Chinese software companies have high motivation to become key players in the international software outsourcing markets. However, they have to learn how to understand their western partners’ needs. One of the major targets of seeking outsourcing is to achieve cost-saving. The overall costs cover not only the development of software program, but also the integration into whole system and upgrading thereafter. The second major concern is the credibility. Companies with large scales, tracked records of outsourcing, often enjoy less challenge. However, the key elements of credibility are the quality and process management, and abilities of continuing improvement. Last but not lest, Chinese companies should put it ready for smooth communications.

On the other hand, Chinese companies should well be prepared to be well understood. Companies have to learn to exhibit their company image and profile by the generally accepted business ways. They have to think thoroughly what kinds of uniqueness they own.

Here come to our suggestions for Chinese software companies:

l        prepare well the company: their mission & vision, business strategy, competitiveness, selling points, the history of outsourcing projects;

l        actively promote through international conferences, exhibitions;

l        construct a concise and interactive company website;

l        monitor outsourcing portal for any sourcing clues. We recommend the English website of Shanghai Software Industry Association.