How BetterEngineer Helped SecureLink Build a Skilled Engineering Team in Costa Rica

SecureLink, an Imprivata company leader in critical access management, faced challenges scaling its engineering team to meet its expanding needs in the international market. After months of searching for senior software engineers in Austin, Texas, with no luck, the executive team decided to outsource their tech team. 

Their search led them to Costa Rica, a country recognized for its emerging software and technology industry and a talent pool of software engineers. Given the rich potential offered by this Central American country, the company found a partner with proven expertise in LATAM outsourcing and talent acquisition: BetterEngineer.

Why Costa Rica? 

Costa Rica has rapidly emerged as one of the most popular countries for outsourcing software development. Several key factors contribute to this:

English is spoken fluently.

English is widely spoken in Costa Rica. The country has been ranked highly on the English Proficiency Index (EPI) for several years now. The Education First English Proficiency Index (EF EPI) often places Costa Rica among the top English-speaking countries in Latin America. It’s a country that can boast of a linguistic edge when it comes to software development to tap its international clientele.

Investment in tech education.

While traditionally known for its tourism industry, Costa Rica has invested heavily in education and technology. The country has a growing number of universities offering computer science and engineering programs. As a result, a skilled workforce with expertise in various programming languages (such as Java, Python, C++, and JavaScript) and technologies (like cloud computing, AI, and cybersecurity) is emerging. According to research, their growing pool of highly-trained engineers ranks #1 in highest-quality service talent and digital tech skills in Latin America (CINDE).

Cost savings without compromising quality.

When it comes to cost, outsourcing software development to Costa Rica has numerous advantages over most of the other countries. On average, software development costs in Costa Rica are about 3 times less than in the United States. This cost-effectiveness is attributed to a combination of lower labor costs and favorable economic conditions.

US-based time zones.

Costa Rica is in Central Standard Time (CST), which is only one hour ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST), hence making it very easy to work with teams based in North America.  This time zone proximity enables real-time communication, agile development methodologies, and efficient project management.

Happy employees = Productive employees

Costa Rica's reputation as a "happy country" is well-deserved. The country has a stable political environment and low incidences of crime, coupled with its focus on environmental conservation, making it an ideal place for both citizens and foreigners to live. This high quality of life also helps outsourcing companies in terms of talent acquisition and talent retention as employees.

The BetterEngineer Solution

To establish a remote development center in Costa Rica, the company partnered with BetterEngineer. Our in-depth knowledge of the Costa Rican nearshoring ecosystem makes us the perfect fit for companies such as SecureLink. Our services helped to translate their vision into reality by offering end-to-end support in their international expansion. Our tailored approach involved:

• Strategic Partnerships: Dedicated consultants worked with SecureLink's team to align their business objectives with Costa Rican market opportunities.
  
  
• Talent Acquisition: Our expert recruiters identified and delivered top-tier software engineers to accelerate team growth. Our talent acquisition process included comprehensive technical assessments, cultural fit evaluations, and salary benchmarking.
  
  
• Operational Support: We provided cultural insights and local expertise to streamline the setup and management of the Costa Rican operation. To facilitate cross-cultural collaboration, we tapped into Costa Rican work culture, communication styles, and team dynamics.
  
  
• Compliance: We ensured that SecureLink's hiring practices and employee benefits were in full compliance with Costa Rican labor standards. That included staying updated on legal changes, conducting regular compliance audits, and providing guidance on data privacy and security. 

Proven Expertise. Better Results.

The full range of operations and recruiting services we offered at the time allowed SecureLink to build its engineering team at a fast pace. Thanks to BetterEngineer, SecureLink was able to focus its resources on what it does best—developing new products and expanding its market. 

By integrating our services, SecureLink entered the Costa Rican market, avoiding the common pitfalls of remote team building. We handled all the details, including providing HR support and virtual activities and training to facilitate team building and culture integration.

Looking to accelerate product development while keeping costs low? Partner with BetterEngineer and experience the benefits of nearshoring. Contact our experts today!