Top Mexico Nearshoring destinations for software engineering 2023

Top Nearshoring Destinations for Software Engineering in 2023

The field of nearshore software engineering is always changing. It’s critical to comprehend the trends that will drive the market in 2023 if you want to keep one step ahead of the competition, especially when considering a nearshore destination.

The nearshoring of jobs to other nations has received a lot of attention. According to a recent report by Grand View Research, the global nearshoring market size is expected to reach 525.2 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR 9.4% from 2023 to 2030. The survey also discovered that nearshoring is most common in the manufacturing, healthcare, and IT services sectors.

And for US companies, the obvious choice is Mexico. Why?

Mexico’s Economy Overview

Mexico is at the top of Latin America’s rankings for innovation, business accessibility, and competitiveness. The Mexican government started a series of changes in the middle of the 2000s to promote competition and expand the nation’s energy and telecoms markets.

Telecommunications expenses have decreased significantly as a result, and service accessibility has grown, providing the groundwork for a developing digital economy. Furthermore, denationalization of the energy industry has boosted foreign investment, raised production, and sped up the transition to renewable energy sources. INADEM (the national institute for the entrepreneur) put government funding in a different project to kick-start the venture capital sector.

US firms are well-protected in Mexico with regard to patents and other intellectual property rights. These efforts were strengthened even further with the assistance of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that Mexico has with other nations with the signing of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The USMCA has a number of provisions that modernize the mechanisms for protecting and enforcing intellectual property (IPR) in Mexico, including registration, preservation, and enforcement systems. The agreement guarantees that rights holders in the United States will obtain IP protection equal to that found in the United States, even though the regulatory institutions that oversee IPR in Mexico differ from those in the United States.

Moreover, findings reveal that during the majority of the years considered, nations like Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Panama, and Cuba have held the top spots in the quality-of-inventions rankings. Yet, it is clear that Mexico contributes significantly to the region’s patents and has held the top spot in the overall ranking for nine out of the twenty years of the study. Also, out of the seventeen nations, the nation has never fallen below third rank since 2000.

So, where do most US-based IT companies primarily operate?

Best Nearshoring Destinations for IT Services in Mexico

In 2023, there are several top nearshoring destinations for software engineering that stand out from the rest, based on factors such as quality of talent, cost-effectiveness, and cultural alignment. Here we will explore the top three nearshoring destinations for software engineering in 2023:

1. Tijuana, Baja California

The magnitude of investment in Tijuana, Ensenada, and Mexicali, which takes advantage of the region’s proximity to San Diego and California, is what distinguishes Baja California from other regions. This has made it possible for the Cali-Baja region, as it is known locally, to have a vibrant cross-border business.

Tijuana is quickly emerging as a top nearshoring destination for software development in 2023. According to a recent report by Tholons, Tijuana is ranked among the top 50 digital nations in the world, ahead of other well-known nearshoring destinations like Costa Rica and Chile. The city boasts a strong technical talent pool, with a growing number of graduates from local universities specializing in computer science and engineering. In addition, top-tier educational institutions are well-known for their software engineering programs and high achievement rankings, plus the state has 32 universities offering 103 professional degrees. 

One of the key advantages of nearshoring to Tijuana is cost-effectiveness. The cost of living in Tijuana is significantly lower than in major U.S. cities like San Diego, which is just 20 miles away. This means that companies can benefit from lower costs of living and costs of offices while still maintaining a close proximity to their operations in the United States. In addition, the Mexican government offers several tax incentives to companies that set up operations in the country, including a reduced corporate tax rate for software engineering companies.

Another advantage of nearshoring to Tijuana is its growing reputation as a hub for innovation and technology. In recent years, the city has seen a surge in the number of tech startups and incubators, which has led to a more dynamic and entrepreneurial culture. This, combined with the strong technical talent pool, makes Tijuana an attractive destination for companies looking to stay on the cutting edge of innovation in software engineering.

2. Guadalajara, Jalisco

Jalisco is the fourth-largest economy in Mexico after Mexico City, the State of Mexico, and Nuevo Leon. The state shows strong rankings for innovative companies and startups, trademark and patent applications. Furthermore, 40% of Mexico’s IT firms are located in the manufacturing-heavy state of Jalisco, which is also a home to businesses that specialize in BPOs, software engineering, and other leading industries.

In Guadalajara, there are more than 1,000 high-tech companies supporting 150,000 jobs, plus significant clusters in the fields of technology, e-commerce, financial services, healthcare, and transportation. Moreover, Guadalajara, in contrast to other regions in Mexico, has a strong R&D foundation.

The government, universities and industries have consistently aligned and collaborated to create projects like Consejo Jalisco 4.0, the Jalisco Institute of Information Technology (IJALTI), the Jalisco State Council of Science and Technology (COECYTJAL). These organizations had helped to attract international investment and companies to Guadalajara, despite the location far from the US border.

3. El Bajío, Central Region of Mexico

The Bajío region in central Mexico provides intriguing potential while not being as far along in its efforts to create startup and innovation ecosystems. This region includes parts of the states of Zacatecas and Jalisco as well as all or part of the following four states: Aguascalientes, San Luis Potos, Guanajuato, and Querétaro, which is a significant manufacturing hub that has had stronger growth than much of Mexico.

Particularly among the Mexican states, Aguascalientes, Guanajuato, and Querétaro have high levels of economic competitiveness. The region has emerged in recent decades as one of the top investment destinations for foreign capital, second only to the northern border states, particularly in the automotive and aerospace industries. A sizable IT sector is expanding thanks to a robust university and public technology research infrastructure.

To sum up, nearshoring is a fantastic opportunity for US companies to continue their operations in a place with vast talent pools, with cost-effectiveness, same time zone, and cultural proximity. Mexico is becoming a more popular location for nearshoring, and this growth is expected to continue in 2023. You just have to choose your nearshoring destination.

Contact us at ITJ to learn more about how we can make that happen.

About ITJ

ITJ is devoted to serving fast-growing and high-value market sectors, particularly the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), working with innovative medical device companies looking to improve people’s lives. With a unique BOT (build, operate, and transfer) model that sources only the best digital talent available, ITJ enables companies in the US to create technology centers of excellence in Mexico. For more information, visit www.itj.com.

Software engineering myths vs realities

Software Engineering: Myths vs. Realities

Being a software engineer is one of the most rewarding and challenging careers in the world. If you’re considering a job in software, do you worry that you won’t be a good fit for the field? Perhaps you’re concerned about the industry’s demand and requirements of such a role.

For instance, as technology continues to play a crucial role in practically every aspect of modern life, the demand for software engineers has been gradually rising in recent years. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of software engineers is projected to grow 21% from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by the increasing use of software in business, healthcare, and other industries, as well as the need for mobile apps, cybersecurity, and cloud computing.

Now that you know that you are needed in this field, there may be many preconceived notions and misconceptions related to careers in software engineering out there. Here we are pointing them out so you know exactly what you are getting yourself into.

Myths vs. Realities of pursuing a software engineering career

Myth #1: Being a software engineer is just about writing code all day

While coding is a vital part of a software engineer’s job, it is just one of the many responsibilities they have. Software engineers work with project managers, stakeholders, and other team members to understand requirements and goals, test and debug code, and constantly learn about new technologies and software engineering practices. According to this study, the average software engineer spends only 35% of their time writing code.

Myth #2: Software engineering is a solitary job

Software engineers work in teams and collaborate with others regularly. They communicate with project managers, stakeholders, and other team members to ensure that the final product meets the business’s and its users’ needs. Furthermore, they work with other software engineers to review code, troubleshoot problems, and share knowledge and best practices.

Myth #3: All software engineers are the same

Software engineers come from a variety of backgrounds and have different skill sets and areas of expertise. Some software engineers specialize in front-end development, while others specialize in back-end development or data science. Some engineers are experienced in specific programming languages or technologies, while others have a broad range of skills and experience.

Myth #4: Software engineering is an easy job

Software engineering can be quite challenging. Software engineers must be able to think critically, solve problems, and write efficient and effective code. They must also be able to adapt to new technologies and software engineering practices, as the field is constantly evolving. In addition, software engineers must be able to work well under pressure and meet tight deadlines.

Myth #5: Software engineers require a degree

You don’t need a college degree to begin a career in software engineering. It’s no longer required to have a computer science degree to succeed in this industry because there are so many other ways to learn how to code.

There are various methods to start your career in coding, whether you enroll in a coding course, teach yourself, or begin an apprenticeship.

To sum everything up, working as a software engineer is a lucrative and difficult job that entails much more than just creating code. It needs collaboration, critical thinking, flexibility, and a desire to continuously learn and advance. 

Software engineering is a dynamic and fascinating profession that offers many prospects for both personal and professional advancement, despite the fact that there may be some misconceptions about it.

If you’ve been thinking about diving into this world, or are already learning to code, visit https://bit.ly/3hAgkth. There you will find open positions, courses, and bootcamps for you to keep on track towards your goal.

About ITJ

ITJ is devoted to serving fast-growing and high-value market sectors, particularly the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), working with innovative medical device companies looking to improve people’s lives. With a unique BOT (build, operate, and transfer) model that sources only the best digital talent available, ITJ enables companies in the US to create technology centers of excellence in Mexico. For more information, visit www.itj.com.

Innovations in software engineering 2023

Innovations in Software Engineering 2023

More people are jumping on the software engineering wagon to meet the increased demand. Nowadays, every job out there requires at least a little bit of coding experience. What was once a highly specialized skill is becoming the new literacy. 

Software engineering is the new “doctoring” or “lawyering”. It’s now the kind of clever career with stable predicted growth and high wages. And as software shapes our daily lives more and more, the demand for skilled individuals to design our future has only increased.

Main Software Engineering Innovations for 2023

The course that software engineering development followed in 2022 will be continued in 2023. 

1. Cloud computing as a top tech skill

In 2022, governmental agencies and organizations as well as startups and established companies all adopted cloud computing. The importance of the technology is acknowledged by hospitals, security agencies, legal authorities, and even the Pentagon. By the end of 2024, it’s possible that a sizable number of organizations and institutions will have switched to the cloud globally.

New technologies are becoming more widely accepted across a range of industries, requiring the training of software engineers to work with them. In 2020, when the epidemic was at its worst, computing solutions stood out amid other digital transformation efforts. According to Gartner, global spending on cloud services will climb from $313 billion in 2020 to $482 billion in 2023. Additionally, this pattern is anticipated to continue: cloud spending is anticipated to increase by 20% annually.

Thus, one of the most in-demand technical talents in 2023 will be cloud computing. As we have seen since the 2000s, this technology is revolutionizing how software functions, including how experts create and develop products.

2. Programming languages are becoming more abstract

The use of more abstract programming languages is one of the most glaring trends in software engineering. Software engineers are engineers for a reason. Surely, more abstract programming languages are ideal for the work since it calls for creative problem-solving and unconventional thinking.

Python is now used for more than just data science. Due to its open source nature and large pre-built library that supports machine learning, big data, and cloud computing, Python is quickly becoming the most popular language for computer programming. Therefore, nearly any external dependencies are unnecessary because of the extensive library and strong support.

Besides for web development, Java is also a very helpful language in general. The cloud computing industry uses Java more than any other language. In fact, development of cloud software has skyrocketed over the past several years as a result of the rise in remote work. 

It’s a fantastic time to study high level programming languages like Python and Java since IT startups and companies need engineers who are adept in those languages.

3. It’s wise to move towards AI

Despite the fact that artificial intelligence has been listed as one of the “future trends of software engineering” for a while, it is obvious that the time has come. Artificial intelligence applications range from chatbots and voice assistants to machine learning, and they are becoming more prevalent.

The ability to manage large amounts of data effectively has risen thanks to machine learning, which has also revolutionized speech recognition. Moreover, the Internet of Things is one of the main users of artificial intelligence development. IoT technology is now dominated by Amazon and Google, but as IoT expands to more devices, such as home appliances, expect to see new players emerge. Since the IoT industry is expanding quickly, learning AI abilities to power IoT devices is a wise investment for the future.

4. No-code engineering?

Yes, no-code engineering. It’s understandable that many platforms are causing some concern among software engineers because they enable users with little to no coding skills to create apps and experiment with new products.

You might be worried about the state of coding as a necessary skill as a software developer. We have good news: The introduction of no-code and low-code platforms allows software professionals to do what they do best, which is to drive innovation.

Low-code platforms are excellent tools for creating prototypes and testing concepts, but they frequently run into functional bottlenecks and are unlikely to ever have robust integration capabilities. For example applications, they eventually outgrow their low-code platforms, and software professionals are required to advance the program. That’s why these platforms have a long way to go before the majority of software solutions can be created without the use of code, thus it’s unlikely that they will severely challenge the demand for software engineers.

5. Not DevOps, but DevSecOps

Development, security, and operations, or DevSecOps, is a methodology for creating software that integrates security into each step of the DevOps pipeline.

Organizations continue to place a high premium on security in the face of expanding threats and the most expensive data breaches in history, costing over $4.24 million on average. As a result, it puts pressure on developers to provide safe software that is both internally utilized and used by end users.

Choosing DevSecOps in software development  is the idea that security needs to be included into each step of development rather than being put off until the very end. Moreover, it indicates that the code is created with security in mind rather than being made secure. Therefore, involves changing one’s mindset as well as acquiring the tools necessary to identify security flaws and vulnerabilities in software, dependencies, the runtime environment, database, or APIs.

There are many exciting career paths for software engineers, but in order to take advantage of these lucrative positions, you must acquire the necessary abilities. We can help! Check out our trainee program.

About ITJ
ITJ is devoted to serving fast-growing and high-value market sectors, particularly the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT), working with innovative medical device companies looking to improve people’s lives. With a unique BOT (build, operate, and transfer) model that sources only the best digital talent available, ITJ enables companies in the US to create technology centers of excellence in Mexico. For more information, visit www.itj.com.