Case Study: How Near Coding Empowered Source 360 Group With Long-Term Technical Expertise and Business Continuity
Introduction: A Trusted Partnership Built on Results
Building lasting business value takes more than just technical skill, it takes the right people, the right strategy, and a partner who understands what long-term success really means.
Since 2017, Near Coding has been the Staff Augmentation and Custom Software Development partner for Source 360 Group, a respected U.S.-based software implementation services company.
Founded in 2008, Source 360 Group helps clients maximize their software investments through deep technical knowledge, strategic consulting, and tailored software implementation solutions.
With a portfolio that spans Fortune 500 companies like Dell, PEGA Systems, Water Smart, and other enterprise-class organizations, Source 360 Group needed a partner they could rely on to provide technical excellence, continuity, and flexible talent acquisition.
Near Coding stepped in to provide exactly that — and more.
Over eight years into the collaboration, Source 360 has enjoyed sustained growth, unparalleled team consistency, and savings exceeding $500,000, all while delivering mission-critical software to major clients.
This case study dives into the story of that partnership, what made it successful, and the value Near Coding brings to organizations looking for high-performance, bilingual development teams from Latin America.
The Solution: Long-Term Staff Augmentation With Expert Developers and Designers
The partnership began with a simple but pressing need: Source 360 Group required a reliable team of developers for ongoing projects involving complex technologies such as Java, .NET, K2, and C#.
Additionally, they needed specialized talent in Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) to execute high-stakes design and user experience goals for enterprise clients.
Near Coding responded swiftly, assembling a team that included:
Two full-time software developers highly skilled in Java, .NET, C#, and K2, selected for their ability to integrate into existing teams and quickly add value.
One Senior Adobe Experience Manager Designer with over 12 years of experience, previously working for one of the largest banks in Costa Rica. This specialist brought a blend of visual design acumen and technical AEM know-how, rarely found in the market.
From day one, Near Coding’s talent integrated seamlessly into Source 360’s delivery model, providing not just technical execution but also cultural alignment and proactive collaboration.
The Challenge: Scaling for Growth Without Losing Control
Source 360’s leadership team, including CEO Charles Rich, faced a familiar challenge:
“We needed to scale to meet demand from major clients. but without the overhead, delays, and risks of hiring full-time employees in the U.S.”
Despite being fully trained in partner technologies, Source 360’s internal team was too small to meet the aggressive timelines and technical complexity required by large-scale software implementations.
The stakes were high:
Delays could impact contracts with enterprise clients.
Hiring in the U.S. was expensive and time-consuming.
Outsourcing to the wrong provider could erode client trust and derail projects.
That’s where Near Coding’s value proposition stood out.
The Pain Points: Cost, Talent Scarcity, and Continuity
Source 360 had previously considered working with Costa Rican software development agencies. However, those experiences highlighted several major limitations:
Lack of continuity: Developers often switched mid-project, causing loss of knowledge and delays.
Cultural mismatch: Offshore teams from other regions often struggled with English fluency and lacked understanding of American business expectations. Mr. Rich was also planning on moving to Costa Rica, as the country is a major technological hub, so having a team next to him was a major qualification.
Low quality control: Technical expertise was inconsistent, and managing the work required micromanagement.
These pain points were not just inconveniences — they were real threats to Source 360’s brand reputation and client relationships.
The Turning Point: A Nearshore Partner That Gets It
When Source 360 discovered Near Coding, they were immediately impressed by the company’s recruiting methodology and ability to attract top-tier developers from Costa Rica, a country known for its high-quality education system, English proficiency, and stable business climate.
More than just a staff augmentation agency, Near Coding positioned itself as a strategic extension of Source 360’s engineering and design teams.
Key Differentiators:
Bilingual Senior Talent: All team members provided by Near Coding were fluent in English and had extensive client-facing experience.
Deep Technical Expertise: Developers and designers had years of specialized experience in the exact tools Source 360 required.
Retention Focus: Near Coding maintained long-term contracts with its developers, ensuring they remained engaged and committed.
Business Alignment: Teams were onboarded not just on technical skills, but also on Source 360’s business values and client expectations.
Esteban and Felipe are two of the developers Source 360 Group has been using as part of their Nearshore Software Development team.
Implementation: Not Just Hiring, But True Integration
The onboarding process was a critical step in ensuring success. Rather than “placing” resources into projects, Near Coding worked closely with Source 360’s internal stakeholders to:
Understand existing workflows and systems.
Conduct technical and cultural alignment interviews.
Assign team members who not only had the right skills but also the right mindset.
Over time, these developers became trusted members of Source 360’s extended team. Communication was smooth, progress was consistent, and, most importantly, the quality of deliverables exceeded expectations.
One of the key highlights was the onboarding of the AEM designer — a rare profile in the region. Thanks to Near Coding’s expansive network and selective recruitment practices, we sourced a professional with over a decade of hands-on experience in AEM, design systems, accessibility, and UX.
This hire had a direct and measurable impact on the success of multiple projects for Source 360’s enterprise clients.
Source 360 Group and Near Coding’s team having dinner as a Get-Together activity.
Results: Cost Savings, Team Stability, and Business Continuity
After over six years of continuous collaboration, the benefits are clear and measurable:
1. Over $500,000 in Cost Savings
By leveraging Near Coding’s nearshore model, Source 360 Group saved approximately $40,000 per developer, per year. With multiple full-time resources over several years, total cost savings exceed $500,000, all while maintaining exceptional quality.
2. Zero Turnover in Six Years
Every single team member placed by Near Coding remains with the project. In an industry plagued by turnover and brain drain, this level of continuity is almost unheard of.
3. Accelerated Delivery
Source 360 was able to meet tight deadlines, take on more client work, and reduce time-to-market for their software implementation projects — leading to increased client satisfaction and higher revenue.
4. Trust and Flexibility
Our partner, Charles Rich, shared:
“While many of our employees and contractors in Central America work from home, we have decided to make Costa Rica a more permanent home for part of our team. Since then, we have developed some of the most rewarding relationships and creative talent in the world. We are proud to call Costa Rica our 2nd home”
Source 360 Group has been saving over $84.000 yearly on staffing developer.
What We Learned: Lessons for Companies Seeking Nearshore Partners
This partnership is proof that nearshore software development can work beautifully when the right elements are in place.
Here are some takeaways for other companies considering this path:
✅ Prioritize Communication and Culture Fit
Don’t just hire for skills. Hire for alignment. Developers who understand your business context will always outperform those who don’t.
✅ Long-Term Beats Short-Term
Choosing a partner who can deliver stable teams over years — not months — makes all the difference when it comes to quality and business growth.
✅ Invest in Onboarding and Integration
A nearshore team isn’t “outsourced”, it’s extended. Treat them like part of your company from day one, and you’ll reap the rewards.
✅ Work With Partners, Not Vendors
The word “partner” gets thrown around, but Near Coding lives it. We co-create strategies, share goals, and provide continuous value, not just bodies.
The Secret Sauce: What Makes Near Coding Different?
At Near Coding, we go beyond just filling roles. Our approach to Staff Augmentation and Custom Software Development is guided by five core principles:
Human-Centric Recruiting: We hire people, not profiles. Every developer is vetted for mindset, curiosity, and commitment.
Technical Depth: With deep experience in .NET, Java, legacy system migration, MVP development, and more, we bring top-tier skills.
Business Alignment: We understand our partners’ business goals and proactively shape our contributions around them.
Retention Focus: Our unique compensation model and cultural initiatives ensure long-term retention.
Continuous Training: Our engineers and designers stay ahead of the curve with certifications, workshops, and hands-on learning.
Conclusion: A Partnership That Scales With Trust
The success of the Source 360 Group and Near Coding partnership is not just about great code, it’s about building something sustainable, collaborative, and future-proof.
If you’re a U.S.-based company looking for a dependable partner to scale your development capacity, integrate long-term experts into your team, and save on costs without compromising quality, Near Coding is ready to help.
We’ve done it before. We’re doing it now. Let’s build something great together.
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Near Coding
Nearshore Software Services Partner
Service oriented, cost-effective, reliable and well-timed specialized in Software Development and located in Costa Rica