Many outsourcing vendors operate at arm’s length. Their engineers feel like a separate unit, disconnected from the company’s mission. Tasks get completed, but the collaboration that drives innovation never develops.
"The contract relationship traditionally has been a big barrier because there can be an us-versus-them attitude. Language and cultural differences can also make it harder to build a true team feel. Instead of a shared investment, you sometimes get that separation." — Nate Eide, VP of R&D at SimSpace
Why invisible teams hold companies back
When engineers are treated as outside resources, they lack context, ownership, and the confidence to suggest improvements. Projects move forward mechanically, but opportunities to innovate are lost. Over time, this "vendor mentality" makes teams less effective and harder to manage.
Integration Snapshot
- Invisible teams: limited context, minimal collaboration, no shared investment
- Integrated partners: full visibility, active collaboration, commitment to mission
"One of my concerns with outsourcing was ending up with contractors, especially in distant time zones, who wouldn’t fully integrate with the team or feel comfortable suggesting improvements. With Howdy, our engineers have become true team members, contributing ideas and collaborating just like full-time staff." — Luke Zilioli, Lead Engineer at Prism.fm
Howdy’s nearshore solution
"We wanted shared investment, in the mission and in engineers’ career growth, something to rally around. That’s been hard to find in subcontracting." — Nate Eide, VP of R&D at SimSpace
Teams that act like partners
Howdy engineers don’t operate in the shadows. They work alongside your team, with the context and trust needed to drive meaningful results. That integration turns outsourcing from a transaction into a partnership.