What Is an Offshore Development Structure? Types of Team Setups and Key Tips for Building One

Remote Type

The remote type is the most common communication setup in offshore development. All basic communication is conducted remotely using online conferencing tools. It is important to note that significant time differences can make prompt communication challenging.

Onsite Type

The onsite type involves having employees stationed at the development company’s local office to work closely together during the development process. This allows for smoother integration of your company's development style and knowledge sharing.

Key Points for Building a Solid Offshore Development System

Now, let’s explore the key points for building a solid system for offshore development. The following five points are crucial when establishing the system:

1. Smooth communication
2. Quality standardization
3. Advice and suggestions
4. Security measures
5. Post-release operations and maintenance

Let’s take a closer look at each one.

1. Smooth Communication

In offshore development, communication gaps due to time differences and cultural differences are a major challenge. Achieving smooth communication is the most critical factor for a successful project. To achieve this, it is essential to proactively use IT tools to enable real-time communication.

For example, using web conferencing tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams allows for regular online meetings where progress reports, issue sharing, and Q&A can be conducted. Additionally, introducing chat tools like Slack enables smooth sharing of work status via daily and weekly reports.

It is also important to eliminate language barriers. Choosing a development company where local staff are fluent in Japanese can significantly reduce the risk of miscommunication.

At our company, Solashi Co., Ltd, we have local staff fluent in Japanese, and Japanese project managers well-versed in our clients’ businesses. We build flexible development systems tailored to your needs. If you’re interested, please take a look at what we offer.

2. Quality Standardization

Quality standardization is also essential. A structure where project success depends heavily on individual skills should be avoided. The key is how well quality can be standardized and stabilized.

It is important to conduct thorough reviews and validations from the requirements definition and design stages. Setting quality KPIs and numerical goals, and continuously monitoring them, can help maintain a certain level of quality. Close collaboration with the development company enables stable quality realization.

3. Advice and Suggestions

When choosing a development partner, it is important to select a company with extensive knowledge and expertise that can provide accurate improvement proposals and advice.

This is especially important for clients with limited experience in offshore development, as they may face issues like insufficient requirements definition or poor communication. In such cases, appropriate advice and proposals from the development company can help supplement any shortcomings and keep the project on track.

When selecting a partner, be sure to evaluate not only their technical capabilities but also their advisory skills.

4. Security Measures

Thoroughly check the development company's security system. It is crucial to carefully verify the security setup of the company you are outsourcing to and choose a highly secure partner.

You should conduct interviews with the development company and check the following items:

• Physical security measures (entry restrictions, surveillance cameras, etc.)
• Status of employee security training
• Implementation and updates of the latest security tools
• Rules and monitoring systems for data handling
• Restrictions and monitoring systems for access to confidential information

In addition, you should also confirm whether the development company has acquired any international security standards or certifications, such as ISMS or the Privacy Mark, as these can serve as indicators.

As the client, carefully select a partner and establish a solid security system.

5. Post-release Operations and Maintenance

System development truly begins after the release. To ensure stable operation of the developed system, establishing a proper post-release operation and maintenance system is extremely important.

If in-house operations and maintenance are difficult, it is advisable to outsource these tasks to the offshore development company responsible for the project. Since they are already familiar with the system, they can respond promptly to any issues that arise. Their deep understanding of the system’s internal structure allows for quick identification and resolution of issues. They can also handle advanced technical challenges that may be difficult for your company to address alone.

However, not all offshore development companies offer operation and maintenance services. Therefore, it’s important to select a development partner with post-release support in mind.

Solashi’s Four Strengths as a Vietnamese Offshore Company

Lastly, let us introduce our company, Solashi Co., Ltd (hereafter referred to as Solashi).

Solashi is an offshore development company based in Vietnam. We have established a solid development system equipped with all the necessary elements for successful offshore development. Specifically, we offer the following four strengths:

1. Smooth communication with Japanese-speaking bridge engineers
2. Proposal of optimal development processes tailored to your business roadmap and challenges
3. Comprehensive support from strategic planning to maintenance and operation
4. Extensive development experience across various industries and sectors

• Physical security measures (access restrictions, surveillance cameras, etc.)
• Implementation status of employee security training
• Introduction and update of the latest security tools
• Establishment of rules and monitoring system for data handling
• Restriction and monitoring system for access to confidential information

Additionally, you should check whether the development company has obtained international security standards or certifications. Standards such as ISMS or the Privacy Mark serve as indicators for evaluation.

As the client, be thorough in selecting a partner and ensure a robust security framework is in place.

5. Operation and Maintenance After Release

System development truly begins after release. To ensure the system operates stably over time, it's crucial to establish an appropriate post-release operation and maintenance structure.

If it's difficult to handle operation and maintenance in-house, it's a good idea to outsource it to the offshore development company that handled the initial development. Since they are deeply familiar with the system's internals, they can respond quickly when issues arise. Their deep knowledge of the system’s structure allows for smooth troubleshooting and resolution of problems. Even complex technical issues that may be difficult for your company alone can be handled swiftly.

However, not all offshore development companies offer operation and maintenance services. Therefore, it is essential to choose a development company with post-release support in mind.

4 Key Strengths of Solashi, an Offshore Company in Vietnam

Finally, we would like to introduce our company, Solashi Co., Ltd (hereinafter referred to as “Solashi”).

Solashi is an offshore development company based in Vietnam, equipped with everything necessary for offshore development success. Specifically, we have the following four strengths:

1. Smooth communication via Japanese Bridge System Engineers (SEs)
2. Development processes tailored to business roadmaps and challenges
3. Consistent support from strategic planning to maintenance and operations
4. Extensive development experience across various industries and sectors

Smooth Communication via Japanese Bridge SEs

At Solashi, a Japanese project manager who is well-versed in our clients' businesses is stationed to serve as a liaison with the development team. By accurately understanding the client’s intentions and effectively conveying them to the development team, we ensure smooth project management.

Additionally, our communicators in Vietnam are capable of conducting business-level conversations in Japanese. This ensures they can accurately grasp client needs and properly set and manage the direction of development.

By removing language barriers and providing precise follow-up from both ends, this is one of Solashi’s key strengths.

Development Processes Tailored to Business Roadmaps and Challenges

Solashi proposes optimal development processes based on your business's future vision and milestones.

Initially, during short-term projects, we solidify the project direction through interviews, user feedback, and initial screen design. During the subsequent MVP (Minimum Viable Product) phase, we define requirements and design full UI/UX to smoothly transition to full-scale development.

Even when new needs arise or changes in specifications are required, Solashi is prepared to respond flexibly. This makes us an ideal partner for launching new businesses or handling rapidly evolving startup projects.

Consistent Support from Strategic Planning to Maintenance and Operations

As a partner dedicated to maximizing your business value, Solashi supports all phases of system development—strategy formulation, design, development, testing, release, maintenance, and operations. We provide the necessary technical services for each business stage without surplus or shortage, contributing to essential problem solving and goal achievement.

Extensive Development Experience Across Various Industries and Sectors

Solashi has collaborated with clients from a wide range of industries, including finance, manufacturing, distribution, and education. We have handled all kinds of systems, whether B2B or B2C. Leveraging our extensive experience and expertise, we propose optimal solutions tailored to each industry and business sector.

This broad experience is a core strength that allows Solashi to firmly support your business.

Achieve Offshore Development Success with a Robust Development System!

This article provided a comprehensive explanation of offshore development systems. When outsourcing offshore development, it’s important to choose a company that fits your business needs and approach. By selecting the right development company and model, you can build a high-quality system.

Solashi Co., Ltd., a Vietnamese system development company, offers smooth and cost-effective development under a robust development system. With our rich offshore development experience, we develop systems using the most suitable approach for each client.

We also provide language support from staff fluent in Japanese, allowing you to proceed with development without feeling any language barriers. If you are facing challenges with offshore development, please feel free to consult with Solashi Co., Ltd. We will sincerely listen to your challenges and goals and propose the most suitable solutions for you.

Akira Shimazoe

Representative of Solashi Japan LLC. Born in April 1989 in Fukuoka Prefecture. Graduated from the Graduate School of Information and Mathematical Sciences at Osaka Prefecture University. Joined Suntory System Technology Co., Ltd., an IT subsidiary of Suntory Holdings, in 2014. Broadly responsible for the development, operation, and implementation of vending machine delivery management, efficiency improvements, and sales management systems. Founded Yper Inc. in 2017, serving as CTO and CPO. Contributed to the launch and growth of the app-linked delivery bag "OKIPPA." Selected for Toyo Keizai's prestigious "Amazing Venture 100" and Forbes' "Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2019."