Related: Why Startups Shouldn't Rely Solely on Gig Marketplaces for DevelopersThe double-edged sword of the gig economyLet's be clear: The gig economy isn't going anywhere. Staff augmentation: Flexibility with backboneThat's where IT staff augmentation comes in. Unlike gig platforms, staff augmentation isn't about short-term help — it's about embedding vetted engineers into your team as if they were full-time employees. Key benefits of the right augmentation partnerTo be clear, not all staff augmentation firms are created equal. Staff augmentation — especially when it's outcome-focused and nearshore-enabled — represents the next evolution.