In the past, most of the Software was develop inside the firm by teams of
Software Developers. Firms still retain sizable IT Staff but they are no longer exclusively in the Software business..
In year 2006, firms have turned over about one-third of their Software Development to outside Software Developers, including Enterprise Software firms, who will sell them Pre-packed Software solutions customized to their needs.
A firm contracts Custom Software Development or maintenance of existing Legacy Programs to outside firms, frequently firms that operate offshore in low-wage areas of the world like India.
Outsourcing Services may give a company access to highly trained technology specialists that were not available internally.