Case Studies
IBT Apps
IBT Apps is a financial technology company specializing in software solutions for community banks. With a core platform that includes both modern and legacy components — including mission-critical COBOL code — IBT Apps supports banks in delivering reliable, compliant, and customer-focused digital banking experiences.
The Challenge:
When IBT Apps first engaged EC Group over 12 years ago, the company faced a persistent challenge:
- Talent acquisition struggles — In the competitive market, IBT Apps could not consistently hire high-quality developers. Interviews often looked promising on paper, but performance in practice fell short.
- Staffing instability — Past experiences with offshore vendors were almost entirely project-based. Developers rotated in and out frequently, with no long-term knowledge retention or consistency.
- Specialized skill needs — The company’s technology stack included legacy COBOL systems alongside newer platforms. Maintaining and enhancing these systems required rare skill sets, and experienced COBOL developers often only wanted part-time, high-compensation roles.
- Risk in going offshore — At the time, the idea of hiring overseas developers raised concerns about communication, quality control, and integration into the in-house team.
Goals:
IBT Apps set out to:
- Build a reliable, long-term development team without the turnover issues of typical project-based offshore engagements.
- Reduce hiring risks by partnering with an organization skilled in vetting and onboarding top-tier developers.
- Integrate offshore developers seamlessly into their workflows as if they were in-house employees.
- Support both modern and legacy systems with skilled talent capable of maintaining mission-critical code while also innovating on new projects.
Solution:
IBT Apps partnered with EC Group to establish a dedicated offshore software team. EC Group’s approach stood out from other outsourcing models:
- Permanent placement model — Developers worked exclusively for IBT Apps, functioning as an extension of the in-house team rather than cycling through on a per-project basis.
- Rigorous vetting process — EC Group identified and recruited top-tier developers whose long-term contributions became invaluable to IBT Apps.
- Cultural and communication alignment — Developers were integrated into IBT Apps’ processes, meetings, and development culture, minimizing the typical barriers of offshore work.
- Adaptability to evolving technology — Over the years, EC Group’s team worked across IBT Apps’ modern platforms while respecting the performance and architectural constraints of legacy systems.
Results:
12 years of partnership with consistent, high-quality development support.
- Stability and retention — Key hires delivered years of institutional knowledge and technical leadership.
- Improved development velocity — With a reliable offshore team, IBT Apps overcame hiring bottlenecks and reduced the ramp-up time for new initiatives.
- Strategic flexibility — The partnership allowed IBT Apps to focus on innovation (including AI initiatives) while maintaining stable legacy systems.
- Positive internal recognition — Over time, leadership realized the exceptional value of EC Group’s developers.
Summary:
For over a decade, EC Group has been a trusted development partner for IBT Apps, helping them overcome persistent staffing challenges in a competitive and specialized market. By delivering a stable, integrated offshore team,
EC Group enabled IBT Apps to innovate on modern projects while sustaining critical legacy systems. The collaboration exemplifies how a long-term, relationship-based offshore model can outperform traditional project-based outsourcing — delivering both reliability and strategic value.
