Is PHP good for outsourcing?

[Ming]

Compared with Java or .NET, do you think PHP is better for
outsourcing?

[NC]

On Jul 22, 4:18*pm, Ming <[e-mail]:

>
I mean starting an offshore business dedicated for PHP outsourcing.

OK, we're finally getting somewhere... :)

It seems to me that PHP projects usually do not cost too much,
while Jave projects usually have a big pocket.

True (primarily because most of Java projects out there are not for
Web-based software; companies want Java, because they need
customizations for their ERP systems based on Oracle Applications or
SAP), but PHP coders are not as expensive as Java coders, either. And
Java universe is nowhere near as rich in high-quality open-source
products.

As to big pockets, there are plenty of projects that have decent
budgets, but are completely technology-agnostic. Usually, those lie
deep within the bowels of large companies. When a large company wants
a Web-based collaboration solution or an employee portal, they don't
care what it runs on; they just want it on time and within the
budget. That's where leveraging an open-source platform can come in
handy...

Speaking of bowels of large companies, this is why it is critical to
have sales people (and probably some implementation and support as
well) on the ground; you can't sell big-ticket stuff over e-mail.
Look at Infosys, for example; the company is (mostly) in India, the
North American sales department is in California, and there is a good
chunk of technical support in Canada...

Cheers,
NC

[Ming]

On Jul 24, 2:42 am, NC <[e-mail]:

On Jul 22, 4:18 pm, Ming <[e-mail]:

I mean starting an offshore business dedicated for PHP outsourcing.

OK, we're finally getting somewhere... :)

It seems to me that PHP projects usually do not cost too much,
while Jave projects usually have a big pocket.

True (primarily because most of Java projects out there are not for
Web-based software; companies want Java, because they need
customizations for their ERP systems based on Oracle Applications or
SAP), but PHP coders are not as expensive as Java coders, either. And
Java universe is nowhere near as rich in high-quality open-source
products.

As to big pockets, there are plenty of projects that have decent
budgets, but are completely technology-agnostic. Usually, those lie
deep within the bowels of large companies. When a large company wants
a Web-based collaboration solution or an employee portal, they don't
care what it runs on; they just want it on time and within the
budget. That's where leveraging an open-source platform can come in
handy...

Speaking of bowels of large companies, this is why it is critical to
have sales people (and probably some implementation and support as
well) on the ground; you can't sell big-ticket stuff over e-mail.
Look at Infosys, for example; the company is (mostly) in India, the
North American sales department is in California, and there is a good
chunk of technical support in Canada...

Cheers,
NC

Thank you for your insightful feedback.

The reason why I think PHP is a good start for outsourcing start-up is
that PHP is relatively easy to learn (and to teach). Provided system
analysis and design by an expert, provided life is good, a PHP project
can be well split into method implementation level.

It is still too far for me to form a company dedicated in PHP offshore
projects. However, I will work towards it.

You hit the point that without a local (national wide) existence, it's
very difficult to get big projects. I think I would start from
university market.

Cheers,

Ming

[NC]

On Jul 23, 2:49 pm, Ming <[e-mail]:

>
I think I would start from university market.

Not necessarily a good idea, unless you have a sales team that has
experience selling to higher education... Universities often have a
unionized workforce (which includes in-house software developers),
which usually is an impediment to outsourcing. Additionally, many
universities are state-funded (and some states have regulations
prohibiting offshore outsourcing by state-funded institutions).
Universities take full advantage of academic pricing and site
licensing (so their cost savings from deploying on open-source
platforms are less than those of businesses or governments would be).
Finally (and this could be either an opportunity or a problem,
depending on whether you have the requisite competence in your
organization), PeopleSoft is very common in universities, so their
internal applications must integrate with PeopleSoft.

Cheers,
NC

[Ming]

On Jul 24, 7:27 am, NC <[e-mail]:

On Jul 23, 2:49 pm, Ming <[e-mail]:

I think I would start from university market.

Not necessarily a good idea, unless you have a sales team that has
experience selling to higher education... Universities often have a
unionized workforce (which includes in-house software developers),
which usually is an impediment to outsourcing. Additionally, many
universities are state-funded (and some states have regulations
prohibiting offshore outsourcing by state-funded institutions).
Universities take full advantage of academic pricing and site
licensing (so their cost savings from deploying on open-source
platforms are less than those of businesses or governments would be).
Finally (and this could be either an opportunity or a problem,
depending on whether you have the requisite competence in your
organization), PeopleSoft is very common in universities, so their
internal applications must integrate with PeopleSoft.

Cheers,
NC

Unions do have a very strong presence in universities :-)

I think you do point out several key issues when it comes to take
university projects. Yes, government funds usually have sort of
regulations. A local presence is required, I think.

I worked for a few different academic units within a university. I
find that many units do not have dedicated IT staffs, and the
recruiting of IT people is significantly constrained by university
budget.

Maybe start from website design & development? PHP is the best in this
domain; or start from customizing Moodle for colleges which cannot
afford expensive WebCT/Vista?

Anyway, a local presence is always required. Maybe need to in-shore
outsource call centers ?

Thanks,

Ming

[Jerry Stuckle]

Ming wrote:

Compared with Java or .NET, do you think PHP is better for
outsourcing?

Which is "better" - a hammer or a screwdriver?

The answer depends on the job to be done.

Jave, .NET and PHP are all tools. Each has their advantages and
disadvantages. Without a specific context, none are "better".

--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
js*******@attglobal.net
==================

[Ming]

On Jul 25, 11:06 am, Jerry Stuckle <[e-mail]:

Ming wrote:

Compared with Java or .NET, do you think PHP is better for
outsourcing?

Which is "better" - a hammer or a screwdriver?

The answer depends on the job to be done.

Jave, .NET and PHP are all tools. Each has their advantages and
disadvantages. Without a specific context, none are "better".

--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
[e-mail]
==================

Well, the specific context is for a start-up dedicated on software
outsourcing. A small start-up with a few people$B!$(B very limited budget,
and few proven successful case stories.

:)

Ming

[Jerry Stuckle]

Ming wrote:

On Jul 25, 11:06 am, Jerry Stuckle <[e-mail]:

>Ming wrote:

>>Compared with Java or .NET, do you think PHP is better for
outsourcing?

Which is "better" - a hammer or a screwdriver?

The answer depends on the job to be done.

Jave, .NET and PHP are all tools. Each has their advantages and
disadvantages. Without a specific context, none are "better".

--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
[e-mail]
==================

Well, the specific context is for a start-up dedicated on software
outsourcing. A small start-up with a few people$B!$(B very limited budget,
and few proven successful case stories.

:)

Ming

As I said - they are all tools. The job should determine the tools to
be used, not vice versa.

There is no "best" tool for outsourcing or anything else.

--
==================
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
js*******@attglobal.net
==================