Developing mobile applications in Mexico is a win-win proposition for US companies looking for nearshoring development opportunities. Migrating mobile development operations to Mexico is a trend in the tech industry that represents many economic benefits and productivity gains.

Mexico is the most desirable option for nearshoring development. There are similarities when comparing nearshore vs. offshore options, but overall, nearshoring benefits development through better agility, flexibility, affinity, and other relevant aspects.

Front-end app development is the client-side application (mobile app) that requires a designated team of developers and designers to build the components that reside on the device and connect with the backend (server-side). Designated teams work together cohesively in nearshoring and have similarities in culture and language that promote collaboration (while teams in offshore locations are usually contractors, who may lack commitment). In addition, nearshoring benefits such as building accountability, trust, and a sense of belonging are difficult to match when choosing other locations.

It’s not only the time zone that’s important. Being located within proximity to the client’s office is desirable, as your teams can fly to Mexico for a face-to-face meeting and return the same day. Developers can also visit your facilities for training, conferences, and other activities that will help integrate the team.

Mobile apps are intensive in iterations and require continuous communication and collaboration between marketing, design, and development teams that can only be effective by working in the same time zone. Teams in the USA and Mexico can sustain their workloads by having the same schedules and working cycles, therefore improving the development cycle by avoiding delays in interaction.

Nearshore development provides access to highly skilled talent and lower rates. Nearshoring to Mexico allows clients to access a large group of candidates to develop stable teams with lower turnover and costs to speed up their development lifecycle.

Nearshore development works best for Agile teams that are flexible and responsive to changes, traits that maximize the benefits of proximity to gain integration and stability to help customers reach their long-term goals. At Krasamo, we follow Lean-Agile methodologies throughout the development cycle.

The following nearshore development benefits are difficult to match by offshore locations:

• Faster adaptation to changes speeds up the development process.
• Cultural similarities help to streamline processes.
• Feedback loop optimization promotes passing information early and often.
• Team incentives for learning and refinement are easily implemented.
• Cohesive team members are committed and focus on delivering high value.
• Collaboration is promoted by self-organized teams.
• Adequate new requirements are established through faster iterations.
• Better human interaction is maintained, requiring less documentation.
• Nearshore teams tend to avoid developer burnout.
• Nearshoring results in lower attrition rates.

A nearshore software development company can enhance the home-based team or create new teams according to the project specifications. A new team can comprise existing developers who onboard new team members with the required expertise. A nearshore company provides the hiring, managing, and supervision of teams.

A nearshore company provides on-site and hybrid working models with dedicated facilities that support cost management, organizational efficiencies, and many other functions.

Nearshoring software development services can offer various engagement options, such as scope-based (fixed costs, time, and materials), staff augmentation, or dedicated teams.

The ideal nearshore company is headquartered in the US, with offices in Mexico that are staffed with teams who have experience with Mexican laws and their business environment.

The Digital Trade chapter in the United States—Mexico—Canada Agreement (USMCA) is key to the success of nearshore software development in Mexico as it provides the framework for the business model—as well as the confidence for growth and opportunities—while also avoiding cost barriers such as payment of customs duties for digital products.

The digital trade chapters in the USMCA provide for high standards in handling Intellectual Property (IP), with robust disciplines like no other international agreement designed to protect trade secrets signed by the US government.

As part of this modernized trade agreement, Mexico promotes protective laws, helping the country develop a powerful software development cluster and even attracting companies from India to set up nearshore software centers in Mexico.