In-house development is done by engineers you employ; outsourced development is delivered by an external provider under contract. The choice weighs control and long-term knowledge against speed to start and access to specialist skills.
IT outsourcing is using an outside provider for technology work such as software development, infrastructure or support, instead of doing it all in-house. Models range from fixed projects and managed services to dedicated teams and staff augmentation.
Project-based outsourcing is handing a defined piece of work, such as building an app or migrating a system, to an outside firm that delivers it end to end. The provider owns the team, the method and the delivery against an agreed scope.
Staff augmentation and outsourcing differ in who directs the work and who carries delivery risk. Augmentation adds outside engineers to a team you manage; outsourcing hands a project or function to a provider that runs delivery.
Custom software development is building software for one organisation's own processes, users or products instead of buying a packaged or SaaS tool. The organisation owns the roadmap and usually the code, and pays for design, build and ongoing maintenance.
A dedicated team is an engagement model where a provider assembles a group of engineers who work full time on one client's product for an extended period. The client sets direction and priorities; the provider handles hiring, employment and retention.
An engagement model is the commercial and working structure under which a company buys technical work from people or providers. Common examples include staff augmentation, dedicated teams, project outsourcing, managed services, fixed price and time and materials.
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