Finding the Right Talent, Wherever It Is
US companies looking to outsource IT services have a world of options. The three main models – Onshore, Offshore, and Nearshore – offer different cost/benefit trade-offs.
Onshore
What: Outsourcing to a company within the US.
Pros: No time zone issues, shared language and culture, easier legal recourse.
Cons: Highest cost.
Offshore
What: Outsourcing to distant countries like India, the Philippines, or Eastern Europe.
Pros: Lowest cost, access to a vast talent pool.
Cons: Significant time zone differences (10-12 hours), potential cultural/language barriers.
Nearshore
What: Outsourcing to countries geographically close to the US, like Canada, Mexico, or Latin America.
Pros: Minimal time zone differences (0-3 hours), often lower cost than onshore, growing talent pool with good English proficiency.
Cons: Costs are higher than offshore.
The Blended Model
Many US firms use a mix: Nearshore for daily collaboration, Offshore for cost-sensitive, less time-critical tasks, and Onshore for project management and client-facing roles.
