Many tech organizations still proudly claim:
“We don’t hire contractors; everything is developed in-house.”
This stance—meant to protect quality or confidentiality—might seem wise at first glance. But the data tells a different story: 92% of Global 2000 companies outsource IT services in some capacity (Deloitte, 2023).
Even tech giants rely on external partners to accelerate projects and reduce risks. And in a fast-growing field like robotics—projected to expand globally at 18.4% annually (Statista Market Insights, 2024)—clinging to an “all in-house” mindset might just leave you behind.
Let’s explore why rejecting external support might actually hurt your company—and how the right partner can become a real advantage.
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Common Myths About Hiring External Talent (and the Reality)
“They won’t understand our business or match our quality standards.”
It’s valid to worry that an external team might lack domain knowledge or deliver subpar results. But today’s specialized partners are designed to integrate as an extension of your internal team, with transparency and measurable outcomes.
Gone are the days when outsourcing meant losing control: agile methodologies and collaborative tools (Slack, Jira, etc.) allow high-performing remote teams to work side by side with you—without lowering the bar. In fact, they often bring cross-industry expertise that enriches your solution.
According to Boston Consulting Group, diverse teams (e.g., global experts) generate 19% more revenue from innovation than less diverse ones. In other words, the right external collaborator can inject fresh ideas and new perspectives that take your product further.
“We’ll lose control of our IP or become too dependent on a third party.”
This fear is common: “What if the contractor walks away with our knowledge?” The key is choosing partners who offer clear IP ownership agreements.
For example, at Ekumen, all code and IP developed belongs 100% to the client—no hidden clauses, total peace of mind. A good partner doesn’t just deliver code—they transfer knowledge to your internal team. Instead of creating dependency, they strengthen your capabilities.
In fact, over half of companies that outsource to experienced providers improve regulatory compliance and risk management. A skilled external partner doesn’t increase your risks—they help you manage them better.
“Time zones and cultural differences will make things harder.”
In a post-pandemic world, this excuse no longer holds. Digital tools and a global mindset have erased geographic barriers. Silicon Valley teams now work daily with counterparts in Europe, Asia, or Latin America as if they were in the next room.
The key is cultural and time zone proximity. Ekumen, for instance, operates with engineers across Europe and Latin America to align in real time with clients in the U.S. and EMEA—minimizing time zone friction.
As for culture, a serious partner will invest in understanding your corporate context. Constant communication and frequent demos ensure everyone stays in sync. Far from being an obstacle, well-managed multicultural collaboration can be enriching—and even fun.
“Hiring external teams is more expensive.”
This argument often comes from comparing a contractor’s hourly rate to a full-time salary. But that’s a shallow comparison. Outsourcing turns fixed costs into variable ones and avoids recruitment, training, infrastructure, and overhead expenses.
According to Deloitte, 59% of companies outsource to control or reduce costs, with savings averaging 20–30%. A well-known example is Atlassian: by expanding its global team externally, it cut operational costs by 35% while increasing customer satisfaction by 60%.
Moreover, specialized providers usually implement robust security and quality protocols—often exceeding those of the average startup. Certifications, best practices, and automated testing come standard. Outsourcing, when done right, doesn’t sacrifice security—it saves money and boosts quality.
The Tangible Benefits of a Specialized Partner
If we let go of outdated beliefs, the advantages of working with an expert ally become clear. Here’s what partnering with robotics specialists like Ekumen can unlock:
Innovation and speed to market
An external, highly skilled team helps you develop and launch faster. And we’re not just saying that: 78% of companies globally outsource to improve efficiency and drive innovation.
In a fast-paced field like robotics, where tech evolves rapidly, agility is the difference between leading the pack or falling behind.
Access to scarce global talent
Top engineers in ROS, simulation, computer vision, or autonomous navigation are hard to find. The tech talent shortage is real: by 2030, the world may face a deficit of 85 million skilled workers, risking $8.5 trillion in unrealized revenues.
Instead of fighting for the same inflated local talent, smart companies look where the best talent is—be it in Latin America.
Gartner predicts that by 2025, 85% of large companies will outsource highly specialized roles like cybersecurity—up from 65% in 2020. The trend is clear: to get the skills you need, open the door to global talent.
Flexibility and resilience in unpredictable times
External partners allow you to scale teams up or down quickly based on project needs—priceless in uncertain environments.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, companies that already outsourced were 20% more resilient and agile than their peers.
That ability to pivot—ramping up during high-speed phases, or scaling down during maintenance—gives you a strategic edge. Without rigid structures, your company can weather crises or demand spikes without sacrificing quality or continuity.
Focus on your core business
Delegating complex areas (like robotic software development or simulator integration) to a specialist frees you and your team to focus on what sets your product apart.
Your in-house engineers can keep building your unique value, while your partner handles the specialized “heavy lifting”.
This boosts productivity and reduces team burnout. As studies show, outsourcing today is a smart growth strategy just a cost-cutting tactic. It lets your leaders focus on vision and strategy, while the implementation is in trusted hands.
Cost savings and operational efficiency
As mentioned, outsourcing helps control costs. But it also brings economies of scale and battle-tested expertise .Having done dozens of similar projects, a specialized partner brings best practices that cut rework, shorten timelines, and increase ROI.
Less trial-and-error means fewer wasted hours and dollars. The right partner helps you do more with less—faster, and with greater quality.
Ekumen: Your Robotics Partner
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The takeaway is clear: saying “no” to all external collaboration out of fear may end up costing more than saying “yes” to the right expert.
At Ekumen, we’ve seen it firsthand. We were built to help robotics teams go further, faster, and with less risk.
So, what sets us apart from traditional providers?
Proven experience in complex robotics projects
With over 12 years of experience, we’ve delivered 90+ successful projects across 50+ clients worldwide, from autonomous vehicles to industrial robots.
Our open-source contributions (to ROS 2, Gazebo, and more) and industry insights become part of your team the moment we join.
Frictionless, flexible collaboration
Need a few dedicated full-time engineers? Or ad-hoc advice from a senior expert? We tailor agile squads to fit your workflow, with lightning-fast ramp-up.
Think of us as a satellite team—present when needed, autonomous when not.
Future-focused, quality-driven
We’re passionate about tech and stay ahead of the curve—exploring AI, photorealistic simulation, XR, and more.
We contribute to open-source and tech communities to keep our knowledge fresh. And we never compromise on quality: agile workflows, CI, automated testing, and peer reviews are our standard
You’ll also get professional documentation and version control, ensuring your IP is protected and transferable. We work as if the robot were ours—because we truly care.
Cultural fit and full transparency
Building advanced tech is a team effort. That’s why we prioritize clear communication and empathy
Our engineers are used to working with global teams and adapting to each client’s culture and language context.
We aim to feel as close as your internal team—while bringing the extra layer of specialization you need.
In Conclusion
Next time you hear someone say, “We don’t hire contractors”, remember—it’s not about “contractors” in the traditional sense. It’s about building strategic partnerships.
In a field as competitive as robotics and automation, refusing external help can mean falling behind
But the right partner gives you instant access to top-tier talent, fresh ideas, and the execution power to fast-track success.
As Michael Jordan said, “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships.”
If you want to play in the big leagues of innovation, maybe it’s time to rethink those old policies—and bring a few star players into your team.
We’re ready when you are. Let’s talk.