Why you should always choose a development team for software projects

As a Dutch organization, you might be deciding between hiring an individual IT specialist or partnering with a full nearshore development team. In this article, you’ll discover the advantages of a development team in software development. The decision often seems to come down to cost, but the real value goes far beyond the hourly rate. Successful software development requires technical skills, domain knowledge, continuity, scalability, and strategic thinking. Read on to learn why choosing a development team makes all the difference for organizations that truly want to move forward.

Where a freelancer, also referred to as a self-employed specialist, typically brings expertise in a limited set of technologies, NetRom provides direct access to over 500 highly skilled IT professionals with experience across virtually all technologies and industries. Whether it’s cloud, AI, DevOps, cybersecurity, or custom software development: for every IT challenge, there is a specialist available with the right domain knowledge and hands-on experience.

This scale allows us to assemble the right mix of experts for each project. Need an e-commerce platform? We deploy specialists who understand the interplay between payment systems, inventory management, and user experience. Operating in healthcare? You’ll work with developers who are well-versed in medical data complexity, privacy regulations, and compliance requirements.

Extensive domain knowledge 

An individual freelancer may have deep expertise in a specific programming language or technology, but cannot keep up with developments across all sectors at once. Our developers bring not only technical proficiency, but also a broad understanding of market-specific challenges. This is possible because we have over 500 developers actively working for a wide range of clients across various industries. When it comes to sector knowledge, an individual freelancer simply cannot match this scale.

Our IT experts, for example, understand the compliance requirements in the financial sector, how data protocols operate in logistics, or which specific security standards are needed in healthcare. This industry-specific expertise helps prevent costly mistakes and ensures your solution meets all relevant laws and regulations from day one.

Guaranteed continuity

What happens if your freelancer falls ill, goes on vacation, or decides to take on another project? With an individual specialist, there’s always a risk that progress comes to an unexpected halt. At NetRom, you work with dedicated teams that ensure continuity. Our team-based approach preserves knowledge within the project and allows us to continue working without interruption in the event of illness or other unforeseen circumstances.

Additionally, we offer flexibility to scale up or down as your project needs evolve. Need more front-end developers on short notice? Or require specialised knowledge in machine learning? With a network of 500+ professionals, there’s always someone available with the right expertise for your specific challenge.

NetRom has been active for over 25 years, and in that time we’ve learned that successful software development is about more than just writing code. We understand that every organisation is unique, and that the technology used must align with your business processes and strategic goals.

Strategic collaboration

When working with a freelancer, you are often dependent on their individual way of working and personal processes. At NetRom, we continuously invest in knowledge development and process optimisation – including through the NetRom Academy and our certified quality and security systems (ISO 9001 & 27001). Our teams follow proven methodologies and integrate seamlessly with your internal workflows, ensuring higher quality and predictability than is typically possible with an individual specialist.

Hiring a freelancer may be suitable for small, well-defined tasks. But for complex projects, sector-specific requirements, or long-term initiatives, NetRom’s integrated approach offers clear advantages.

Developers work from the NetRom Campus

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many developers have continued working remotely. At NetRom, we see a different trend: nearly all of our developers work from our dedicated NetRom Campus in Romania. By working on-site in multidisciplinary teams, they are able to share knowledge and exchange experiences on a daily basis. This approach strengthens team cohesion and has a direct, positive impact on the quality and consistency of project outcomes.

Unlike many freelancers, our developers do not work on-site at the client’s location. However, this is not a disadvantage. Through the use of blended teams, composed of both NetRom and client-side specialists, we achieve the same level of integration. Supported by modern collaboration tools, blended teams work together as if they were in the same physical space.

No concerns about DBA enforcement

Dutch legislation on false self-employment (the DBA Act) is making it increasingly complex and risky to work with freelancers. Partnering with NetRom as a nearshore provider offers a transparent and legally sound alternative, without the compliance burdens associated with DBA enforcement. An added benefit: Romanian developer rates remain significantly lower compared to those of Dutch freelancers.

NetRom operates from both the Netherlands and Romania, in the same time zone and with a Western European work ethic. Our IT specialists are fluent in English and experienced in collaborating with Dutch teams. At least twice a year, clients and development teams meet in person, strengthening cooperation and ensuring smooth communication throughout the project.

Working with NetRom Software  

Partnering with NetRom means more than gaining access to top IT talent, you benefit from a proven collaboration model that has delivered consistent results for over 25 years. We become an extension of your team, develop a deep understanding of your domain, and work toward solutions that drive real business impact.

Choosing NetRom Software as your development partner means:

• Immediate access to broad technical and industry-specific expertise
• Continuity, scalability, and built-in redundancy
• Proven quality assurance and process control
• Flexible collaboration without DBA compliance risks
• Competitive developer rates compared to freelancers

Make a future-ready choice for your IT projects. Discover the value of nearshore development with NetRom Software.