Atlas Search Grows Faster by Outsourcing Software Development

Is Outsourced Software Development the Solution for Growing Businesses? How Atlas Search Used Software Development Outsourcing to Scale

Outsourced IT is no longer just an option for cutting costs or plugging a talent gap. For many growing companies, it’s the backbone that keeps operations lean and competitive. Atlas Search, an executive recruiting firm, started as a small team with a big vision and faced a familiar fork in the road: build an in-house tech team or outsource their software development and IT needs.

What unfolded is a real-world story of trade-offs, lessons, and insights every business leader can use when weighing IT outsourcing for software development and managed IT services. In this post, discover how Atlas Search went from a six-person startup to over 100 employees while keeping their tech agile, secure, and cost-effective with outsourced IT partnerships.

The Atlas Search Growth Story

Atlas Search launched in February 2015 in New York City. Pablo Ismael, partner and COO, and his co-founders came from another firm with the belief that they could do recruiting better by changing both operational and technological approaches. Starting with just six people in a small Manhattan office, Atlas has grown to more than 110 employees, working across 10 divisions and serving a wide client base with both permanent and temporary placements.

From the beginning, Atlas embraced a “startup mentality,” with everyone pitching in across roles. This hustle wasn’t just about grit, though. Stretching resources and making smart investments were key to their survival and growth.

Why Atlas Search Chose Outsourced Software Development

The company’s startup mindset drove an early decision to outsource their coding. Pablo summed up the move simply: bringing in full-time, in-house developers would have been too expensive during those pivotal early years.

Key Reasons Behind Software Outsourcing:

• Cost savings: Hiring in-house developers or IT pros was cost prohibitive.
• Flexible scaling: Outsourced teams could be ramped up or down as projects changed.
• Broader experience: Agencies offered a variety of backgrounds, so Atlas could tap into the collective knowledge of multiple experts.
• Intellectual continuity: If a key external developer left, another could step in quickly, reducing risks tied to losing a single in-house hire.
• Operational focus: The core business could stay lean and focused on recruiting, rather than getting bogged down hiring and managing IT talent.

This decision set the foundation for how Atlas managed all things tech as they scaled.

Building the Right Technology: Why Off-the-Shelf Tools Fell Short

Before Atlas launched, the founders knew that no off-the-shelf applicant tracking system (ATS) met all their needs. They tried several major vendors but found gaps that slowed their recruiters down. A temporary solution worked at first, but within three years, it was clear: software tailored to their unique process would deliver a bigger advantage.

That’s when Atlas partnered with Atiba for custom software development, building “Neo,” their custom ATS. Outsourcing development meant they didn’t have to take on one or two expensive employees with narrow skill sets—instead, they got a whole team with a broad range of technical knowledge.

The Benefits and Drawbacks of Outsourced Software Development

Outsourcing isn’t just about saving money. Pablo and the Atiba team shared what worked well and what challenges can arise.

Benefits

• Scalable expertise: Agencies employ specialists in different areas—so when Atlas needed to implement full-text search or sophisticated indexing, Atiba already had experts in those fields.
• Continuity: If an Atiba developer left, there was immediate coverage. In-house, losing a lone developer could have meant disaster.
• Broader perspective: With a partner serving other industries, Atlas could borrow ideas from outside their recruiting world.
• Cost flexibility: Monthly fees for external teams adjusted with changing needs and new projects.

Drawbacks

• Less control over team culture: External teams aren’t embedded day-to-day, which means less direct oversight.
• Communication: Success depends on regular, open communication to ensure everyone’s aligned.
• Trust: You must trust your partner’s advice is focused on your best interest, not just their profit.

Decision Table: In-House vs. Outsourced IT

Trust and Intellectual Capital: Choosing the Right Partner

Trust is at the heart of outsourced software development. Pablo underscored that knowing his partner was giving honest advice—not just the quickest or most profitable answer—was critical. While contracts and NDAs add legal protection, actual trust builds through consistent delivery and clear accountability.

He also prefers to speak directly to decision makers and keep communication clear, skipping ticketing systems where possible. Measurable goals and regular check-ins help ensure both sides keep the relationship productive and focused on common outcomes.

Security and Risk: Staying Ahead in a Rapidly Changing World

Security is always front of mind. Atlas leans on its IT partners for more than day-to-day troubleshooting—they rely on their experience with ransomware, scams, and evolving threats from across industries. What affects one client today may hit another tomorrow, so Atlas benefits from lessons learned elsewhere.

Regular brainstorming, real-world examples from other industries, and honest assessments ensure Atlas’s systems remain secure. For Atlas, outsourcing software and IT operations means gaining access to a cross-section of problem-solving experience rarely found in one internal hire.

Managed IT Services: What’s Included (and Why It Matters)

While Atiba manages Atlas’s software, Atlas relies on a separate company for their managed IT services. Jeff Johnson of Atiba explained the typical components:

• Antivirus and security software
• Network security, audits, and updates
• Server management (maintenance, backups, upgrades)
• Cloud infrastructure (Office 365, AWS, cloud storage)
• Device setup, rotation, and support (new laptops, office moves)
• Supporting hardware—everything the software runs on

Managed services go beyond a help desk. The focus is on preventing issues before they start, maintaining strong security protocols, and keeping everything running smoothly in the background. When issues arise—like moving an office or rolling out dozens of new machines—a managed services team can scale up instantly in ways an in-house person never could.

Addressing Concerns: Security, Access, and Trust

One common worry with outsourced IT: security and control. You’re handing over keys to the digital kingdom. Pablo’s advice? Treat your relationship as a partnership, reinforced by legal agreements and trust, but also choose providers with proven security protocols, encrypted storage, and business continuity plans.

The tradeoff is clear—service providers support multiple clients, so their security standards tend to be higher and more consistent than those managed by a small in-house team. Daily interactions and practical experience help judge if promises made during sales pitches hold up in the real world.

How Does Outsourced Software Development and Managed Service Pricing Work?

Jeff shared several models for outsourced IT costs, aimed at transparency and predictability:

• Flat rate per user: Standard support, paid monthly by headcount.
• Project-based fees: Large, unusual projects (like setting up 80 new computers during an office move) may incur separate fees.
• Security add-ons: Companies handling sensitive data may need stronger security layers at an additional cost.
• Licensing pass-throughs: Tools like antivirus and remote management are included as line items.

Most clients prefer the predictable monthly cost rather than being billed for every issue or call. This keeps budgets stable and avoids surprises, but can be adjusted after a few months if the number of calls or users changes significantly.

Getting Started with Outsourced IT: Advice for New Businesses

Pablo encouraged anyone launching a business to lean on their network for recommendations and honest feedback. Outsourcing choices aren’t final—you can adjust as your business, needs, and team grow.

He recommends focusing on:

• Clear communication: Know exactly what you want from your provider.
• Specific outcomes: Is your top focus cost, quality, flexibility, or reliability?
• Peer advice: Ask other business owners to share what’s worked and what hasn’t.
• Adjust as you grow: Your needs will change, and so can your support.
• Location and hours: Consider whether you need onsite help, remote support, or some hybrid mix for scattered offices or unique schedules.

The Flexible Side of Managed IT: Onsite, Remote, and Hybrid Support

Most managed IT support can be handled remotely, but some situations call for boots on the ground—especially during office moves or big rollouts. For companies with multiple locations, a hybrid solution often works best: an outsourced team manages the tech with one or two in-house “helpers” providing onsite support for smaller or physical needs, like fixing conference rooms or plugging in new monitors.

Atlas Search operates headquarters in New York City, with team members spread out—including a satellite office and remote staff. Support hours and onsite needs shift by division and work style, so flexibility is built into their IT partnerships.

What’s Next for Atlas Search?

Pablo’s sights are set on growth. Atlas plans to expand into more divisions and new office locations, all while keeping operations lean and efficient. That means continued reliance on the flexibility, knowledge, and strategic advantages of outsourced IT.

Conclusion

The Atlas Search story shines a light on the real-world power of outsourced IT for growing businesses. By outsourcing software development and managed IT, Atlas kept costs down, maintained flexibility, scaled faster, and improved security—all while staying focused on their core business.

Even better, outsourced IT isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether you’re a startup or a company ready to scale, working with the right partner can transform headaches into smooth-running, secure operations. Atlas’s journey is a reminder that with the right outsourced IT support, you’re not just buying a service. You’re gaining a team of experts who help you grow.

Learn more about Atiba’s outsourced IT managed services and custom software development if you’re ready to explore how your company can use outsourced IT to level up.