Software development is a cutting-edge industry that can provide excellent compensation and career growth for anyone who is into programming and coding. But due to the recent economic recession, the industry trend has shifted offshore. Moreover, emerging markets in Asia like India and Philippines has seen this economic downturn as an opportunity.

Software development is profitable and productive in terms that software development companies in the west can lessen their operation expenses because software companies in the Philippines or India, for example, proposes “value” (cheaper rates and quality product).

Alongside this industry shift, another question that is usually raised is: which is better? Pre-packaged software or software done in-house? The answer is relatively depending on the end-user’s need. Usually, a software done in-house are customized. This kind of software relies on the need of the end-user. For example: a company has commissioned a software development company to produce a “transcribing program” that can be edited real-time by supervisors or employees. On the other hand, pre-packaged software like Photoshop has features that are already affixed with update done annually for its end-users.

The trend now is into custom software development. This way companies can add which specific feature or function they are into. According to research, most custom software developed are for companies engaged in data processing or conversion. One particular product that is considered a hot commodity is a “transcription program.” Such program can be integrated on both local network (intranet) and internet so that supervisors or managers can check-up, update, and follow-up on transcription projects on real-time.

So now that custom software development is leaning offshore, how do you know that software development companies employ software programmers or engineers competent for the job? These companies conduct programming tests or pre hiring tests and in-depth interviews, or conduct online software development tests, which is, by the way, gaining popularity in the industry.