Why are Polish companies well-prepared to build modern IT systems in countries on a fast track to digitalisation?

The era of digitalisation is transforming the face of the modern world, introducing new standards in the field of information technology. As countries worldwide strive to modernise their IT systems, Poland is becoming a key player with rich experience in building modern IT solutions.

In the following text, I want to demonstrate why companies from Poland are exceptionally well-prepared to support countries on the fast track to digitalisation and how to approach the process of outsourcing developers and building predictability in IT projects.

I will also share my thoughts on what collaboration with clients from outside Europe – in my case, from the GCC region – can teach us.

The readiness of Polish companies to build IT systems in countries on the fast track to digitalisation

How does the experience of Polish software companies resemble the situation of countries just entering the rapid digitalisation?

Western European countries and the USA have been pioneers in building information systems. In the 1960s, the first systems for automating data processing and accounting processes were already being developed in Western companies. The 1970s marked the beginning of database management systems, and the 1980s introduced the prototypes of ERP systems.

Unfortunately, being a precursor of solutions also has its dark side – today, many Western institutions are grappling with problems typical of legacy systems. Monolithic solutions from before the rapid development of the Internet era are expensive and challenging to maintain, with the costs of their complete modernisation exceeding the capabilities of many companies.

Meanwhile, Poland is one of the countries that transformed from a centrally-planned economy to a market economy in the 1990s. It was during this period that the construction of modern IT systems began, and growing companies entered the era of digitalisation without the need to deal with outdated systems. The economic delay in comparison to the West gave Poland an advantage: native IT companies could build IT solutions from scratch, learning from the mistakes of more experienced neighbours.

In the 2000s, Poland became an attractive destination for foreign investors and large corporations, thanks to favourable investment conditions and relatively low labour costs.

This allowed Polish IT companies to accumulate rich experience in building modern IT solutions, developing a flexible approach to system development that allows for easy adaptation to changing customer needs. Moreover, by dealing with the software of Western companies, they acquired the ability to handle the burden of legacy systems, modernise existing solutions and create entirely new digital products.

Outsourcing IT specialists and predictability in software development results

In today’s dynamic business environment, the desire for greater predictability in software delivery has become increasingly important for companies. They expect their IT projects to meet well-defined requirements, with implementation within the established schedule and budget. However, achieving complete predictability is a significant challenge, especially when outsourcing IT specialists and working with remote teams.

The technological race in countries on a fast track to digitalisation prompts companies to use outsourcing services from countries that have already undergone digital transformation. This is the quickest way to transfer positive experiences from one region of the world to another. However, as decision-makers emphasise, there are many challenges related to predictability in IT project outcomes when using outsourcing services, including:

  • Team unpredictability: In the outsourcing model for providing programming services, IT teams are not always perfectly tailored to the specific needs of the client. A lack of precisely matched specialists, teamwork and often competence can lead to a misunderstanding of business processes and goals, thereby prolonging the time to achieve the expected productivity;
  • Immature delivery processes: In many cases, outsourcing companies do not offer services with well-established software delivery processes. This leads to inefficiencies and delays, as the lack of consistent procedures and standards for the entire production cycle results in instability in the project;
  • Lack of proper monitoring: IT service outsourcing, especially in remote work, is exposed to the difficulties of monitoring project progress and communication between the client’s team and the provider. This can lead to a lack of control over the project and delays in software delivery.

The question is, how do we approach the topic in the face of the challenges of outsourcing and the growing expectations of companies? Not every institution can abandon such services and execute IT projects solely with its own resources. It is also not the most cost-effective solution, especially in countries facing accelerated digitalisation.

Despite everything, finding an experienced technology partner to entrust with the construction of IT solutions has many benefits. Below, based on my own experience, I show what aspects to consider when choosing a software development company. This ensures that they approach outsourcing maturely and that projects are carried out in a predictable and as-expected manner.

What to consider when choosing a technology partner?

  • Clearly defined procedures and processes that enable the provision of IT solutions at a high, repeatable level of productivity and quality. Regular implementation of market methodologies, tools and practices to accelerate the software delivery process and minimise the risk of errors;
  • The ability to measure the effectiveness of developer teams’ work and manage their potential to deliver business value to the client;
  • Investment in training, skills improvement and the development of expert knowledge in teams;
  • Offering additional competencies beyond developer teams (IT consulting, security, system performance, network management or cloud-based solutions);
  • Knowledge of the industry and advice on solving unique industry problems, providing insight into the latest trends and innovations;
  • Flexibility and openness to solving or complementing process imperfections on the client’s side.

Additionally, it is worth evaluating the time commitment of a future partner. Ideally, a given project or order engages the IT company in 5 to 15% of its annual turnover. Projects that are too small may not be treated with the necessary attention, and overly large ones carry the risk of concentration or depletion of the organisation’s single-topic focus (which, in the long run, reduces the diversity of experiences gained from cooperation with other clients).

Furthermore, a mature technology partner should know the importance of references in acquiring new clients. Therefore, they should focus on customer satisfaction and the efficient completion of projects without unnecessary collaboration extensions.

What can cooperation with clients from the GCC region teach?

With over 20 years of experience in building IT systems for the Polish market and Western European markets, both I and the Altkom Software teams have learned how to effectively monitor, measure and control the software delivery process. However, recent years have brought new projects and clients from markets we were not familiar with, especially from a business perspective.

From the perspective of time, implementing IT projects for clients from the GCC region has proven inspiring and encouraged openness to cultural diversity. For our teams, it became an opportunity to participate in projects based on different regulations and services, often unavailable in European countries. But most importantly, new markets and challenges allowed us to further refine the processes related to software delivery.

  1. Working with clients from the GCC region teaches us how important it is to understand the specifics of the target market. Cultural differences, industry regulations and client preferences affect project schedules and expectations. Understanding and accepting that we now operate in a different business environment helped us better prepare and plan projects, as well as increased our flexibility (despite the continued emphasis on predictability of results).
  2. Time and cultural differences between Poland and the GCC region require effective communication. Such cooperation undoubtedly teaches us how to communicate effectively at a distance, maintain regular contact and resolve any misunderstandings. Most importantly, implementing projects for Middle Eastern markets allowed us to re-evaluate the benefits of direct contact with the client. We realised that being present on-site, within the company, strengthens business relationships, helps to understand the values and project requirements better and adapts to the partner’s expectations.
  3. Each GCC country has its own unique regulations in the areas of data protection, security and financial and legal security. Thanks to cooperation with clients from this region, we have created procedures that allow for a smooth adaptation to local requirements, enhancing the safety of projects.

Are you looking for an IT partner?

In summary, Polish IT companies, shaped during the economic transformation and digitization process in the 1990s, have gained invaluable experience building modern information systems. Their mature approach to IT solutions, adaptability to changing client needs, and an understanding of the challenges posed by legacy systems make Poland an attractive destination for finding a technological partner for countries rapidly advancing their digital initiatives.

However, to achieve complete predictability in IT projects, it is advisable to choose a partner who offers transparent procedures carefully, can measure the results of their work, and is open to meeting your business needs. If you, the reader, are currently seeking an IT company in Europe but have doubts about which one to collaborate with, start by examining the references of potential partners on Clutch, check their experience in your industry, find out the scale of projects they have undertaken in the past, and whether they have worked with the technology of your interest.

It is also worth following the company on LinkedIn. Observe its business activity, awards, employee growth and commitment to sharing knowledge through webinars, blog entries or conference appearances. All this will allow you to assess whether this partner is trustworthy. At least enough to start a conversation.

Adam Lejman
Adam Lejman
CEO Altkom Software & Consulting Sp. z o.o. A graduate of the Warsaw University of Technology and its former researcher. He started to implement his first large commercial projects in the late 1990s, working in the structures of Altkom. Until 2006, he was the director of the Enterprise Risk Services department at Deloitte, responsible for projects implemented for the banking sector. Since 2006, he has been at the helm of the Altkom Software development company, first as the COO and currently as the CEO. Since 2019, he has also managed the Altkom Experts company.