Information Technology
A Brief History of Outsourcing
Outsourcing involves hiring independent contractors or entering into an agreement with another company to perform services on behalf of the hiring organization. Today outsourcing and offshoring are associated mostly with remote IT jobs, and offshore software development is considered to be among the best remote jobs. However, the history of outsourcing dates back to the time of the Industrial Revolution, which began in Europe in 1750. In this article, we will highlight the most important moments of this history, give some interesting facts regarding the evolution of outsourcing, and discuss how it affected the IT industry.
The History of Outsourcing: Key Moments
Here are the most remarkable moments in the history of outsourcing:
- 1750 – 1900: The Industrial Revolution lead to the mass production of goods and caused the growth of markets and profits. Many companies experienced a shortage of local human resources, so they started contracting with third-party firms to delegate the accounting, legal, and insurance tasks.
- 1920s-1980s: The two wars devastated and changed the world. At the same time, they resulted in technological progress because of an urgent need to rebuild the destroyed infrastructure. The technological progress required more workforce, and this caused the further development of outsourcing. For example, in 1921, outsourcing of salary calculations helped General Motors to get out of the crisis. The 1970s can be considered as a period when remote work was born. In 1972, the term “telecommuting” was first coined by Jack Nilles who was working remotely for
- 1980s-1990s: In 1981, economist Ronald Coase invented the term “outsourcing”. The term consists of two words: “outside” and “resourcing”. The publishing industry was one of the first industries to actively outsource such services as composition, printing, and fulfillment. Besides, the evolution of computers initiated outsourcing in the IT industry, when IBM and EDS started lending their high-capacity hardware to other companies. In the 1990s, application service providers (ASPs) started renting software applications to other companies. This was close to modern software development outsourcing.
- Modern outsourcing trends: Nowadays a wide range of companies in the textile, automotive, electronics, and IT industries establish offices or move their production capacity to other countries. For example, Apple outsources manufacturing to China, and software companies hire remote developer teams from other countries because of cost efficiency and access to the tech talent pool. Today, you can even build a distributed dedicated team which is significantly different from outsourcing but just hasn’t gained wide popularity yet.
Jobs Lost to Outsourcing Statistics and Other Facts
Unfortunately, the rise of outsourcing can impact the US economy. Specifically, it can increase the job loss rate. According to the jobs lost to outsourcing statistics report by George Faraday for Good Jobs Nation, more than 93,000 jobs were lost due to outsourcing as of 2017. In total, this number is higher than the average job loss rate of 87,576 between 2012 and 2016.
The results of the Global Outsourcing Survey by Deloitte show that IT still remains the most outsourced industry, as specified by 29% of survey respondents. According to the State of Remote Work 2018 Report by Buffer, most remote workers also belong to the IT and software development industry. It means that the remote tech jobs are on the rise now, thus disrupting the outsourcing trend.
Is Remote Work the Future?
Modern technologies simplify remote team communication and thus increase the number of remote software developer jobs, which are especially popular with young startups. Remote team collaboration has the following advantages both for the employers and employees:
- Larger talent pool. There’s a limited number of local developers at certain locations. Outstaffing opens new horizons for companies because now they can choose from a wide range of skilled tech talents across the world.
- Cost efficiency. The cost of living in offshore countries is lower than in the US or Western Europe. As a result, the cost of offshore software development is also relatively low but the quality of work is still high.
- Increased team productivity. Remote team members do not spend time on commuting to work, thus being more efficient with their tasks.
- Remote team management software. Today’s technology market offers a wide variety of project management tools such as JIRA, Trello, Asana, etc. that are tailored specially to remote team communication.
Working with remote teams can also be a real challenge both for the employers and distributed team members due to the following reasons:
- Lack of knowledge on how to manage remote teams. It’s not easy to work with people whose faces you’ve never seen. You can read tons of instructions on how to manage a remote team and still not be prepared for unexpected issues such as the sudden disappearance of team members without any explanations.
- Time zone differences. Being located in different time zones is common for any distributed team. This leads to asynchronous communication issues, making it necessary to choose optimal time slots for meetings. However, it is possible to fix those issues with special team communication tools that consider the time zone differences.
- Team efficiency analysis. Lack of face-to-face communication makes it difficult to monitor the efficiency of remote teams. Again, specialized project management software for distributed teams can handle this problem.
The Bottom Line
The IT outsourcing trend began in the 1980s when IBM and EDS started renting their computers and acting as data centers for other companies. In the 1990s, IT companies started outsourcing not only hardware but also software, calling themselves application service providers (ASPs). The trend of remote work, which is close to outsourcing, has its roots in the 1970s when a NASA employee created the term “telecommuting”. Today outsourcing, offshoring, and remote work are extremely popular with software developers. Working remotely has both advantages and challenges, but the latter can be solved with remote management software. Anyway, it’s up to companies to choose if they need outsourcing.
Technology is making big changes in architecture. In 2024, new tools and materials are helping architects design and build better. Here’s how technology is helping make architectural designs better and more exciting.
1. 3D Modeling
3D modeling lets architects create detailed digital models of their designs. Software like AutoCAD and Revit helps make virtual versions of buildings.
Benefits:
- Better Visualization: See what the building will look like before it’s built.
- Easy Changes: Make and view design changes quickly.
- Accuracy: Ensure the design matches the final construction.
2. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) let you experience designs in new ways. VR lets you walk through a virtual building, while AR adds digital elements to the real world,while playing casino real money games
Benefits:
- Immersive Experience: Explore and interact with the design as if it were real.
- Client Engagement: Helps clients understand the design better.
- Design Testing: Find and fix problems before construction starts.
3. Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Building Information Modeling (BIM) combines all parts of a project into one digital model. It helps architects, engineers, and builders work together more easily.
Benefits:
- Better Collaboration: Everyone involved can see and update the same model.
- Cost Savings: Spot issues early to avoid expensive changes later.
- Sustainability: Check how the design performs and find ways to save energy.
4. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) helps in design by analyzing data and suggesting improvements. AI can help make designs more efficient and creative.
Benefits:
- Optimized Designs: Get suggestions to improve the design based on data.
- New Ideas: Discover creative solutions that might not be obvious.
- Efficiency: Automate tasks and speed up the design process.
5. Advanced Materials and Construction Techniques
New materials and construction techniques make it possible to build in new ways. Innovations like 3D printing and smart materials offer more options.
Benefits:
- Eco-Friendly: Use materials that are better for the environment.
- Durability: Build with materials that last longer.
- Customization: Create unique designs with 3D printing.
6. Generative Design Software
Generative design software uses algorithms to create many design options based on set parameters. It helps architects explore various solutions.
Benefits:
- Innovative Designs: Find creative solutions that meet specific needs.
- Quick Alternatives: Generate and compare many design options fast.
- Improved Functionality: Optimize designs for better performance.
7. Smart Building Technologies
Smart building technologies use sensors and automation to manage a building’s systems. This includes things like lighting, heating, and security.
Benefits:
- Energy Savings: Reduce energy use and lower costs with smart systems.
- Comfort: Adjust settings to keep the building comfortable for occupants.
- Data Insights: Use data to improve building management.
8. Digital Fabrication
Digital fabrication includes techniques like laser cutting and 3D printing to make building parts. This allows for precise and customized elements.
Benefits:
- Precision: Make parts with high accuracy.
- Customization: Create custom pieces for unique designs.
- Efficiency: Produce parts quickly and reduce waste.
Tips for Using Technology in Architecture
1. Stay Updated
Keep up with new technology trends to use the latest tools and techniques.
2. Get Training
Ensure your team knows how to use new software and tools effectively.
3. Work with Experts
Consult technology experts to make the most of new innovations.
4. Focus on Users
Design buildings that meet the needs and preferences of the people who will use them.
5. Think About Sustainability
Use technology to make designs more environmentally friendly and energy-efficient.
Conclusion
Technology is changing the way architects design buildings. From 3D modeling and VR to AI and smart technologies, these tools are helping create better, read more innovative designs. By using these technologies, architects can build more efficiently and sustainably, making the future of architecture exciting and bright.
My experience of cooperation with Union Permits
Getting a second EU passport has opened up a whole new world of opportunities in my life, the most important of which is access to the European market. It has been a dream of mine for a long time because my retail business required expansion and Europe was the perfect place to do it.Union Permits, an immigration company I chose on the basis of its website description and positive reviews, helped me achieve my goal.
Initially, I wanted to obtain a second EU citizenship through repatriation in Slovenia on my own. However, when I started preparing for the relocation, I realized that I did not have enough time to organize everything. Translating, notarizing and submitting my documents to Ljubljana — it would take too long time for me. Therefore, after reading reviews of many legal organizations, I chose Union Permits and entrusted them with managing my immigration.
Immigration advice from Union Permits
Choosing an immigration company that met my requirements was not easy. Many of them had decent reviews and benefits of cooperation that I was interested in. However, Union Permits stood out from the rest based on the following features:
- Services are provided remotely;
- Initial consultation is free;
- Official agreement of cooperation is available;
- Legal assistance is provided up to registration of EU documents.
After reading Union Permits reviews and feeling confident about the abovementioned benefits, I called the number listed on the website and requested a consultation. It proceeded over the phone the next day. I was advised by a very competent and friendly lawyer. He explained the procedures for obtaining citizenship and provided details of the assistance offered by Union Permits. Many reviews praised the quality of the initial consultation. It was conducted at a truly high level, and I enjoyed it immensely. Union Permits lawyer demonstrated his competence, which was an important criterion for me. We agreed on cooperation, he sent me an official agreement to sign, and I paid the first part of the amount indicated in it.
What are the reviews of Union Permits?
In my opinion, you can learn much more about an immigration company by reading reviews than what is written on its website. Therefore, I recommend others to rely on customer feedback, as this helped me to find an organization that met my needs.
The first thing I noticed when looking through the Union Permits reviews was the confirmation of the lawyers’ level of competence. The clients described positive personal experiences of working with them, highlighting their in-depth knowledge of international law. According to the reviews, the Union Permits experts are able to advise on any immigration issue and offer the best solution to any challenge.
From the feedback I was able to learn more about the quality and processes of the company’s services. It was emphasized that the lawyers provided great assistance in the collection of documents and, in particular, their preparation for submission (checking for defects, translation and notarization).
Speaking of remote services, reviews of Union Permits emphasized that lawyers do an excellent job of handling immigration procedures in an EU state on behalf of the client. This was essential to me since I could not leave my business and fly to Slovenia to deal with this.
The abovementioned information convinced me of the reliability of Union Permits and the quality of its services. Therefore, based on the reviews, I chose it to assist me in obtaining a second EU passport in Slovenia.
Applying for and obtaining citizenship with Union Permits
Union Permits specialists helped me to collect and submit documents to the Slovenian Ministry of Justice within 4 weeks, which was faster than described in other migrants’ reviews. Then the digitization process started, which took about 4 months. During this period, Union Permits lawyer oversaw the process and communicated with the Slovenian authorities. That was also praised in the reviews. Then I arrived in Ljubljana, took the oath and received a citizenship certificate.
Union Permits experts have been a great help in the registration of a Slovenian passport and other European documents. Our cooperation was completed within 6 months, which was faster than the agreed deadline. I am glad that I chose this company after reading the reviews and I am satisfied with the services provided to me. Now my retail business has a second life in Europe and so do I.
Airtel Nigeria has announced that in the next episode of “Airtel Touching Lives”, the companys TV series that spotlights its efforts to bring succour to underprivileged Nigerians, the focus will be on Timilehin Segun, a visually impaired teacher.
Segun, who Airtel describes as extraordinary, devotes his life to educating and inspiring the youths in his community, despite his own physical limitations.
The upcoming episode, which is the third in the seventh season, was aired on Sunday, 9th July 2023, and took viewers through Seguns journey from a blind pupil to the neighbourhood mentor who now runs a popular programme, “Reliable Link Tutors”, an after-school centre created to help improve the academic performance of secondary school students.
Commenting on the new episode of Airtel Touching Lives, Director, Corporate Communications and CSR, Airtel Nigeria, Femi Adeniran expressed Airtels delight to be a part of the journey of unyielding determination and passion.
“Seguns determination, resilience, and enthusiasm for education demonstrate the spirit of Airtel Touching Lives, and we hope that his story will inspire our viewers to pursue their dreams, no matter the odds”, he said.
This instalment of the programme will also include a segment on Irede Foundation, an Airtel Touching Lives beneficiary from the previous season.
The non-governmental organisation provides young children with prosthetic limbs and helps to prepare them for a self-reliant living and, this Sunday, the series will review the progress the foundation has made since Airtels intervention in 2022.
Airtel Touching Lives continues to showcase extraordinary individuals like Segun, who have not only overcome personal challenges, but have also dedicated themselves to improving their immediate environment.
With Airtel Nigeria’s commitment to empowering lives and making dreams come true through Airtel Touching Lives, the telecom giant has restored hope for countless vulnerable individuals and families across the country, encouraging other corporations to commit more resources towards making positive social impact.
Airtel Touching Lives Season 7 is broadcast on Sundays on four national and cable TV channels, and one streaming app.
The platforms include African Magic Urban at 5:00 pm, NTA Network at 6:30 pm, and Startimes Channel 108 at 6:00 pm.
Re-runs are broadcast on Tuesdays on African Magic Urban at 3:30 pm, and on Wednesdays on Startimes Channel 108 at 6:30 pm. Current and previous episodes are also available to stream on Airtel TV.
