Software Testing & QA Blog

"Applications crash when the operating system induces automatic shutdown. Mobile app crashes significantly impact performance and user retention. Apps that crash frequently are uninstalled, often never to be used again. Mobile app testing plays a significant role to bring down app crashes and giving better usability and performance. According to an analysis by Uninstall.io, 94% of users uninstall mobile apps 30 days after downloading them. Mobile app users find mobile crashes highly disturbing, and 62% of users remove an app after experiencing crashes or issues. It is important for app developers and testers to focus on app performance optimization for seamless use. Here are the common reasons behind a mobile app crash. 6 Reasons why mobile apps crash In a poll conducted by Dimensional Research, respondents stated that they expected mobile apps to launch in four seconds and receive input answers in two seconds, even despite factors like multiple apps running in the background. Here are 6 main reasons testers must focus on to render a smooth, uninterrupted app experience. Memory Management When multiple apps open on a mobile device, the app may use memory resources. when structuring a mobile app code, it must be designed to accommodate the system’s performance needs and the device ecosystem. Some issues with apps designed in Java tend to have technical performance issues when loading storage-heavy images and processing bitmaps. Usage of heavy and demanding Javascript code can place a further strain on processing power. These issues can be solved when testers focus on load and performance testing for mobile apps to identify whether they can efficiently function and manage device memory and run themselves. Software Lifecycle With its continuous cycle of frequent releases, the iterative app development approach creates opportunities to launch a minimal viable product and gradually upgrade it as an audience grows. Due to reliance on the operating system and external APIs, the loss of the conventional software lifecycle, however, brings about serious issues. Apps also tend to crash  while adapting to the most recent software updates on the OS. The divide arises as the app may not be optimized for running on a brand new build of the OS. APIs can also bring about unforeseen changes. Factors like API latencies, error rates, data bandwidth, the version of the API being used, and the volume of API calls can cause little problems to grow into larger ones. The chain of dependencies for the APIs is another factor that calls for the need for specific tools to keep track of everything. With adequate API testing for various operating systems, and using appropriate tools to test Native mobile apps, such crashes can be avoided. Inadequate Testing The necessity for testing is apparent, but achieving enough coverage can be difficult, especially given the wide range of Android devices and versions. Adequate testing and benchmarking of user expectations with continuous testing should also take place. Testers must also track performance, listen for user input that can indicate issues, and address them as quickly as possible. Network Management Network management is a crucial factor in preventing app crashes. Poor network connectivity can induce app crashes, as some require consistent data upload/download from the internet to function. Going from 3G to 4G entering and exiting elevators, losing reception, or changing networks can all result in losing or jumbling data packets. Testers can use simulation testing to assess app performance under such conditions. Errors and Exception Handling Some errors are unavoidable due to the difficulties in developing mobile platforms, whether it be an API change, an undetected memory issue from the past, or a network issue that results in losing connectivity or simply slows data transmission when sending large files like images or videos. Good error and exception handling are what prevent a crash in such a scenario. Testers with the knowledge and skill to identify errors efficiently with knowledge of potential risks can tackle such failures and help render a seamless user experience. Excessive Code The best piece of advice is to keep the app code simple, but efficient. Offer the specialized tool users desire and limit coding to requirements. When developers use lesser code, there is a low probability of errors and bugs, making the testing process easier and faster. Automation testing for apps with simple code helps businesses launch apps with a reduced crash rate of 1%-2%. QAonCloud Elevating Mobile App Quality With End-to-End Testing Services QAonCloud mobile app testing experts drive efficiency and accuracy for app testing by practicing industry best practices. We enable businesses with thorough app testing using strategic techniques that identify maximum bugs and errors early on. Our QA experts are skilled, trained and equipped with modern technology, resources and industry knowledge to meet evolving testing needs of mobile apps to cater to a crash-free user experience."

"Blockchain Technology is the next revolution in the digital sphere. A blockchain is a shared distributed database or ledger between computer network nodes, and it serves as an electronic database for storing data in digital form.  The novelty of a blockchain is that it fosters confidence without the necessity for reliable third data. Blockchain testing assists to deliver a high-quality product and meeting specific requirements. In a blockchain, data is gathered in groups called blocks that include data sets. Blocks have specific storage capabilities; filling of which, seals and connects it to the block to create the data chain. When decentralized, this creates an irreversible chronology of data by design. On the completion of input of a block, it is added to the timeline, and receives an accurate time stamp. Use Cases of Blockchain Tech Across Various Industries Decentralized security and trust are made possible by technology in several ways. This has led to several industries introducing this modern technology into their processes and operations. Here are some use cases across various industries. Banking and Finance Banking is one sector that could stand to gain the most from incorporating blockchain into its corporate processes. Through this technology, users can make transactions and deposits at any time. Customers can make transactions using blockchain in as little as 10 minutes. Banks can now safely and swiftly transfer money across organizations. Healthcare Healthcare providers may use blockchain to safely preserve their patients' medical records. The ability to write a medical record onto the blockchain once we create and sign, assures patients that the alteration of records is not possible. These sensitive encrypted health records contain a secret key so that only authorized people can access them, maintaining their privacy. Real Estate We can use Blockchain technology for maintaining and signing property records which can be highly challenging for buyers and sellers today. Blockchain stores property records accurately and permanently in blocks with transparency and a clear description of timelines and ownership. Owing to its framework and operational policies requiring authentication/validation at every stage, it also reduces the possibility of fraudulent transactions. Supply Chains Businesses and consumers expect brands to ensure the authenticity of their products, while supply chain actors want improved visibility and responsible sourcing to reduce conflicts. Blockchain-based supply chain solutions assist executives in using data to manage current disruptions and fortify resilience for the future. One-up/one-down visibility can be a constraint for supply chain networks. Smart contracts operate on the Blockchain supply chain solutions, which allows business owners to track and maintain operations and ensure visibility in real-time. Voting Blockchain facilitates a contemporary voting system. As demonstrated in the West Virginia midterm elections in November 2018, voting using the technology can end election fraud and increase voter turnout. Tampering with votes would be next to impossible. Blockchain technology will also uphold electoral openness while lowering the number of people required to carry out an election and giving officials access to results almost immediately. As a result, there would be no need for recounts and no legitimate reason to be concerned that election fraud would occur. Blockchain is also ideal for preventing fake votes and fraudulent voter registration. Testing Blockchain Applications Testing a blockchain is essential to ensure that any errors in all ledgers are removed. This eventually shields a company from the drawbacks of a poorly functioning app. Implementing testing enables verification of the many parties the blockchain system depends on for operation and verification that the built ecosystem is operating as intended. Testing will help lower the risk of introducing error-free new apps and ensure a seamless installation. Testing assures the delivery of high-quality goods and improves consumer experiences. It is crucial in the case of public blockchain as real money is at stake. A single error in smart contracts might result in significant financial losses. In a nutshell, testing blockchain apps involves inspection of every aspect of the chain from the ground up. This includes the chain itself and all the associated ledgers. Challenges of Testing Next-Gen Blockchain Apps & Ways to Overcome Blockchain testing is irreplaceable and lacks technical, functional, and legal competence. It encounters many problems due to developers' weak conceptualisation, standardization, and abstraction skills. Blockchain end-to-end testing necessitates a heterogeneous tool set for testing applications, without which the testing can be inadequate. Additionally, evaluating blockchain may be costly and time-consuming. Currently, very limited advanced tools or strategies are available for testing. Because there are so many different frameworks like Ethereum, Hyperledger, etc., it might be challenging to test them all. Failure to do performance and load testing provides little to no insight into how the Blockchain application operates in real-world settings and under specific workloads and network circumstances More effort should be applied on teaching and training QA specialists about blockchain testing to get the most significant outcomes. Testing teams must improvise on testing methods and strategies to meet the requirements for the testing. Performance and load testing can help testers understand the capacity of the app under peak conditions. This helps in improving the performance of the app. Ensuring the blockchain is free of errors also helps enhance user experience and platform reliability. An experienced team with an aggregate knowledge of this technology can guarantee a thorough testing process across industries. Experienced QA Testing Teams for Enhanced Blockchain Testing Although blockchain technology is new to the digital sphere, an experienced testing team like QAonCloud can drastically enhance the quality of products through software testing and accuracy with their robust knowledge and subject matter expertise on the advanced technology. Additionally, QAonCloud testing teams can perform high-quality testing with suitable testing tools. Our testing solutions can be highly beneficial in rendering a secure and fail-proof technology for businesses across industries."

"In the last few years, the development of web3 apps has grown exponentially. Web3 apps are decentralized applications that run on a blockchain or peer-to-peer network. A user workflow for end-to-end testing is more challenging to establish in web3 applications than it is with typical internet applications. It is due to the two primary reasons unique to their nature. The first reason is web3 apps running on an ever-evolving backend, described mainly as blockchain-powered, by one or more smart contracts. The second is that users must sign transactions using wallet-like third-party software like Coinbase, MetaMask, Rainbow, and Trust Wallet and transmit them to a provider to interact with any web3 app. How Testing Web3 Apps is Different The fundamental difference between web2 apps and web3 apps is decentralization. Because of this, web3 apps are more transparent and lack third-party interference in transactions. Which leads to security and scalability being the highest risk. From a testing perspective, web3 apps require greater attention and effort toward security testing when compared to web2 apps. We must test Web3 apps for attacks against hard forks, DDoS, DNS hijacks and scraping bots. Targeted hacker attacks can also pose a severe threat to financial assets, increasing testers' workload. Web3 apps also require a more advanced or perhaps knowledge of new programming language, additional frameworks and a better understanding of the logic behind smart contracts. Which can only mean that testing, debugging, and auditing can be more time intensive and require more resources than web2 apps. End-to-End Web3 App Testing End-to-end testing helps verify an entire system's functionality from start to finish. We have to consider all dependencies to perform end-to-end testing, including hardware, software, databases, and networks. End-to-end tests aim to identify system dependencies and ensure proper maintenance of data integrity throughout the system. To write end-to-end tests for web3 apps, we need to understand how they work and their key components: Components of Web3 Apps A web3 app has three key components: The front end The front-end component is the user interface that allows users to interact with the app. We usually write in HTML, CSS and JavaScript. The back end The back-end component is the blockchain or peer-to-peer network that the app runs on. One or more smart contracts implement the back-end, and later deployed as a shared network. The data layer The Data layer allows transactions and storage to occur on the blockchain network. IPFS is a peer-to-peer file system protocol that allows users to store data in a network of machines with the help of private or public gateways to connect to a network. SWARM is a system supported by smart contracts in the Ethereum blockchain network. Why is interoperability the key for web3 apps? For two web3 apps to be interoperable, they must be able to interact with each other. This means that the data and functionality of one app must be accessible to the other. The Application Programming Interface (API) is the common way to attain this. An API is a set that governs how one software program can interact with another. There are many reasons why interoperability is vital in web3 apps: The most obvious reason is that it allows users to access the data and functionality of multiple web3 apps from a single interface. This makes it much easier for users to find the information they need and perform tasks requiring multiple web3 apps. Another important reason for interoperability is that it allows web3 app developers to focus on their core competencies. By relying on other web3 apps for specific functionality, developers can avoid having to re-implement these features themselves. This saves time and resources and allows them to focus on adding value in other areas. Finally, interoperability also makes it possible for web3 app developers to create new business models based on combining data and functionality from multiple web3 apps. Conclusion In this article, we have looked at what web3 apps are and why interoperability is essential. End-to-end testing is a vital part of the development process for any web application. Software testing of web3 apps ensures that the exchange and storage of data, including the transactions that occur on the blockchain network are smooth and secure. QA testing can be essential to increase user reliability of the blockchain network and also to enhance user experience with a firm front-end and back-end integration. By keeping the points discussed in this article in mind, you can ensure that your tests are effective and cover all necessary scenarios."

"A seamless gaming experience is essential to stay competitive in the gaming industry. Bugs and glitches in a game build can not only become a hurdle to achieve superior game functionality and controls of the game but also lead to serious issues and data compromise. Game testing especially for new age games with advanced technology require more sophisticated testing to enable a smooth gaming experience. What is Game Testing? Game testing is the process of identifying bugs and issues in a video game. It helps ensure the game is fun and playable for everyone. The only disadvantage is that it can be time-consuming and expensive. However, the benefits outweigh the disadvantages, hence game testing should not be overlooked. Game Testing Techniques There are many types of testing techniques we can implement while we try to improve game functionality game testing, some of which are as below: Functional Testing Functional testing is when a game is tested to see if it works as intended. The advantage of functional testing is that it can identify any issues with the game's mechanics and gameplay. For example ,a functional test might check if the sports racing game's collision detection is working correctly. Compatibility Testing Compatibility testing ensures that that game can function in different devices and operating systems. For example, a compatibility test might check if a game can be played on an iPhone and an Android phone. Performance Testing Performance testing is essential to guarantee that the game can run on a low-end computer without any issues including testing load conditions and speed. Usability Testing Usability testing is when a game is tested for its ease of use and if the game is easy to navigate. Compliance Testing Localization testing is a process where QA testers ensure that the localized and translated releases of the game are consistent, clear and free of errors and mistakes. They also ensure that the game’s translation is consistent to the original version. Localization testing ensures that gamers experience similarity in tone and feel with other players globally and game versions in other languages. Soak Testing Soak testing, as it applies to video games, entails running the game for extended periods of time in a variety of modes, such as idle, paused, and at the title screen. This type of tests are one of the compliance requirements. This testing does not require any user interaction beyond initial setup and the load testers will handle the load tests. Testers may use automated tools to simulate repetitive user activities like mouse clicks, scrolling etc., Performing soak testing may reveal memory leaks or rounding errors that only arise over time which can help in achieving superior game functionality. Regression Testing Regression testing is done after the developers have fixed a bug or when a new functionality has been developed. Testers perform regression tests to see whether the problem has remained (regression) and then run similar tests to verify that the solution did not break anything else. Halo testing involves testing around a bug for further bugs. Load Testing Load testing simulates a system's capacity to cope with strain, such as the maximum number of players on an MMO server, the number of sprites visible on-screen, or the number of threads executing in a given program. The capability of an application to function correctly under pressure is also determined by load testing. Multiplayer Testing As the name suggests, Multiplayer testing is when we test the game's multiplayer functionality. Usually, developers or a small group test the game. The advantage of multiplayer testing is that it can identify issues with the game's multiplayer mode. Benefits Of Game Testing Partnership Getting a fully managed QA testing partner for game testing has several benefits: Access to expert testers When you have a dedicated QA partner, you have access to a team of expert testers who are gaming domain experts. This can be beneficial as they provide insights and guidance on improving the game. Flexibility Fully managed QA allows for more flexibility as you can choose the type of tests, tools and the testing process that can fully integrate with your internal processes. This can be beneficial if you only require to test certain aspects of the game. Increased efficiency By on-boarding a QA partner, you can focus on other aspects of game development, such as design and coding. This can lead to increased efficiency and a better overall product. Improved quality You can ensure that experts will carry out the testing process and this can lead to achieve superior game functionality and overall quality of the game Faster turnaround time Q A partnership can lead to a faster turnaround time as the testers can carry out the testing process in parallel with other aspects of game development. Conclusion Game testing is a vital part of the game development process. It helps ensure that the game is playable and does not crash—QA tests for bugs and issues with the game's performance, stability, and compatibility. In addition, QA may also test for localization issues and soak test the game. On-boarding a dedicated QA partner for game testing has several benefits, such as saving time and money for the development team, ensuring that experienced people test the game, and helping speed up the process of releasing a game. QAonCloud is a one-stop solution for all game testing needs. We have a team of experienced testers who can test games for bugs, compatibility, performance, and stability. In addition, we can also test for localization issues and soak test the game."

"The competition in the mobile game industry has significantly increased over the years. In 2018, there were only 1.7 billion downloads. This number shot up to a whopping 11.5 billion downloads in 2021 from Google Playstore alone. This indicates that a mobile game must appeal to the user and stand out in the competition among the million other mobile gaming apps. When billions of users log onto a single app, the app must show high performance and speed with the high loads. A single bug in the mobile gaming apps could lead to a massive crash on a global level, leading to a severe hit to the company’s reputation. Such incidents can be fatal to a newcomer in the industry, especially for gaming startups. Previously, game testing was limited to only manual testing to evaluate game stability and performance. With recent advancements, automation testing has created a new horizon for testing teams to create apps with higher performance and flawless interface, product developers. Automated testing facilitates a cost-effective and time-saving QA process compared to manual testing. This article brings insights into how automation testing for mobile gaming apps is a game changer. Perks of Automation Testing Requires less time and effort on QA. Automation scripts can be run on large codes faster than manual testing which results in timely delivery of clients' products. Automated testing is far more efficiently than manual testing in finding game errors. For instance. automation scripts running on large data units can identify more errors and bugs that sometimes could be neglected due to human errors. An automated tool can run the tests 24 x 7 without any human intervention. This reduces the burden on testing teams who can now focus on other core activities or manual testing requirements. Test automation reduces the possibility of errors due to human intervention and negligence. Test reports created after running test suites or scripts may be used to quickly assess the evaluation of executed test results. Automated tests enable testing across several platforms concurrently, accelerating test execution and significantly enhancing the value of game testing. Reduces corporate expenses and aids in optimised workforce utilisation for core duties associated with game production. Increases test coverage for complicated and complex cases by using automated testing. Strategies used for Automation Game Testing QA Experts can design test strategies based on the requirements at hand. Some popularly used automated game testing tools are Unity, Unreal Engine, Appium, Selenium, and LumberYard and LY Test. These tools are used for both video game testing and web app game testing. Irrespective of the tools used, test automation for mobile gaming apps involves these common strategies. Hand-written Scripts Using a programming language (Java, C#, or Python), competent test engineers build, maintain, and run test scripts to create and implement testing frameworks from scratch. The key benefit of this strategy is that the engineers are free to create a well-organized framework using scripts that aid in giving the game full QA coverage. Record-Playback This method is less prone to errors because it executes without writing handwritten code, but its usefulness is often more constrained. This method enables easy recording and playback of tests against various OS versions and device setups. Some Challenges with Automation Testing for Mobile Gaming Apps Despite having several advantages, test automation has some challenges in evaluating mobile gaming apps. Read further to know the challenges to ways to tackle them. The fact that games are inherently unpredictable and might have an endless number of gaming scenarios and permutations presents automation engineers with their toughest hurdle when automating game test scripts. As a result, one cannot simply depend on the framework. Lack of qualified personnel with experience in creating and implementing proper frameworks. The game's performance may change depending on the hardware and software configuration. Only testing on actual mobile devices makes the game reliable. Emulators and simulators cannot be used to anticipate the degree of accuracy in game code. For certain web-based games, locator techniques such as "Xpath," "id," "class name," etc. cannot always be evaluated using automation testing. The fast-paced user interface (UI) and responsiveness of games make it often challenging to synchronise gameplay with test scripts. Automating software and data complications, including audio, cinematic effects, massive data, and localisation, is complicated. Scenarios involving the control of a device's rotation or movement mechanism are challenging to automate without extra resources. Automating the game-play mode of AR/VR-related games, graphical user interface (UI) (graphics that blink or change position), and arbitrary animation that appears in-game is challenging. Tackle Automation Hurdles Skillful QA Experts The only way to successfully automate a gaming product is if the scope is planned from the beginning. Businesses require qualified teams enrolled for the task with industry knowledge and subject matter expertise. QA Experts must also be aware of their duties and responsibilities, followed by the skills to employ a standardised testing method with the correct selection of tools for successful project execution and delivery. QAonCloud specialises in automation game testing for mobile games with expertise in various other testing areas in the gaming industry. Our QA teams deploy tailor-made test strategies to enhance performance testing for your mobile game with efficient tools and methods. Reach out to us for more details."

"The gaming industry is one of the largest and most popular forms of entertainment. It constantly evolves and changes with new technologies, genres, and platforms. Over the past few years, there has been a massive increase in the popularity of VR game (virtual reality games). Virtual reality games are the ones that will let players experience immersive gaming experiences through VR headsets and controllers.In the past, most games were played on a 2D screen, limiting the immersion and connection that players could feel with the game. VR games provide a much more immersive experience, leading to a more intense and enjoyable gaming experience.Game testers had to manually play the game repeatedly, looking for bugs and errors. This was a very time-consuming and tedious process. However, with the introduction of VR games, testers can now test the game in a virtual environment. This allows them to quickly identify any issues and report them to the developers. At the same time, due to the complex gaming hardware, VR game Testing may possess some challenges that the testers have never faced while testing PC or mobile game. Different Types of VR Games There are many different types of VR games. Some are first-person shooters, while others are puzzle games or experiences. A growing number of multiplayer VR games allow players to compete against each other in real-time. First-person shooters are some of the most popular VR games. They provide an immersive experience that allows players to feel like they are in the game. There are a lot of VR games available today, such as Half Life, Hitman3, Stride, Microsoft Flight Simulartor, beat saber, Resident evil , Project cars 2 etc., Apart from the above-mentioned games, many popular shooter franchises, such as Call of Duty and Halo, have released VR versions of their games. Each of these games is unique in its own way and offers very excellent graphics and features. Puzzle games are another popular type of VR game. These often require players to use their hands to solve puzzles or interact with the environment. A well-known example is the hit game Job Simulator. Experiences are becoming more popular as people look for VR games that are not as intense or competitive: Fully Immersive Fully immersive VR games allow players to be wholly immersed in the game world. This means they can forget the outside world and focus entirely on the game. These VR games are usually very intense and can be quite physically demanding. Non-Immersive Non-immersive VR games, on the other hand, do not provide this level of immersion. Players are still aware of the outside world and can see their own bodies. These types of VR games tend to be less intense and more relaxing. Semi-Immersive Semi-immersive VR games allow players to be partially immersed in the game world. This means that they are still aware of the outside world but can focus more on the game than they would be able to in a non-immersive VR game. Augmented Reality Augmented reality (AR) is a VR game that combines the real world with the game world. This can be done by overlaying computer-generated images on top of the real world or by providing information about the game world that is not visible to the naked eye. Collaborative VR Collaborative VR games are those that allow two or more players to interact with each other in the same virtual environment. This can be done either in person or online. These VR games can be very social and provide a unique gaming experience. VR Game Testing vs. PC/Mobile Game Testing The main difference between VR and PC or mobile game testing is the level of immersion. VR game testing requires testers to fully immerse in the game world, while PC or mobile game testing does not. Testers need to use specialized equipment, such as headsets, controllers, and sensors. Additionally, it can be more time-consuming than on PC or mobile. Complexities of VR Game Testing Several complexities need to be considered when testing VR. These challenges include:1. Need for specialised equipmentVR game testing requires specialized equipment, such as headsets, controllers, and sensors. This equipment can be expensive and difficult to obtain.2. Need for skilled testersVR game testing requires testers to have a strong understanding of how VR games work, and this can be difficult to achieve.3. Need for TimeThis testing can be time-consuming. Testers must spend significant time playing the game and looking for bugs or glitches.4. Risk of motion sickness:VR games can cause players to feel nauseous or dizzy. Testers need to be aware of this and take precautions to avoid it.5. Challenge of automated testingAutomated testing can be challenging to achieve with VR games. This is because VR games are complex and often have many different moving parts. Benefits of End-to-end Testing of VR Games Despite the challenges, there are also several benefits to VR game testing. These benefits include:1. The ability to catch bugs and glitchesIt can help developers catch bugs and glitches that they may not have been able to find otherwise.2. The ability to make improvements to the gameIt can help developers understand how players interact, which can then be used to improve the game.3. The ability to save time and moneyVR game testing can help developers save time and money by identifying issues early in development.4. The ability to improve player experienceIt can help developers improve the player experience by identifying issues in graphics, sound, and gameplay.5. The ability to experiment with various aspects of the gameVR game testing can help developers test various aspects of the game, including the graphics, gameplay, and audio. Types of VR Game Testing Tools Test Environment A test environment is a simulation of the game environment that allows for testing without disrupting the live game environment. Test environments can be used to test game mechanics, gameplay, and other aspects of the game. Simulators Simulators helps in creating a realistic VR experience for testing purposes that tests the game mechanics, gameplay, and other aspects. Emulators Emulators simulate the hardware and software of a particular gaming platform and they can help in testing the game mechanics, gameplay, and other aspects of the game. Debuggers These are the tools that helps in finding errors in software code. Debuggers can test game mechanics, gameplay, and other aspects of the game. Profilers These tools help in analyzing the performance of software code. Profilers can test game mechanics, gameplay, and other aspects of the game. Static Code Analysis Tools Static code analysis tools are used to examine software code without executing it. These tools can test game mechanics, gameplay, and other aspects of the game. Final words VR game testing is a process that is used to test VR games. VR game testing is crucial because it helps developers catch bugs and glitches, improve the game, and save time and money.QAonCloud is a cloud-based testing platform that helps developers catch bugs and glitches, improve the game, and save time and money. Many challenges come with VR game testing, but QAonCloud can help developers overcome these challenges."

"The industry's competition is getting more intense. Game developers for RPG, indie, and VR games would find it vital to do QA testing using improved methodologies to enhance the gaming experience and increase its success. QA testing before market release can help make pertinent revisions. QA for new gaming trends is essential at every stage to find issues and offer players a responsive action with high speed and performance. Emerging Trends in Gaming Industry The ever-changing landscape of the gaming industry offers new challenges for game developers. Some of the latest trends in gaming include: Virtual Reality (VR) Virtual reality (VR) is a computer-generated environment that simulates a physical presence in a real or imaginary place. VR games provide an immersive experience for entertainment, education, or training purposes. The QA needs for VR games differ from traditional games, as we must test VR games for compatibility with various VR hardware and software platforms and also for usability, functionality, and performance. AR/MR Games AR/MR stands for augmented reality/mixed reality. These games are similar to VR games because they provide an immersive experience. However, AR/MR games use real-world environments and objects as part of the game. The QA needs for AR/MR games are similar to those of VR games. Gaming startups should test their AR/MR games for compatibility with various hardware and software platforms. In addition, we have to check for the usability, functionality, and performance of AR/MR games. Cloud Gaming Cloud gaming or “gaming-as-a-service” or game streaming are a form of online gaming that streams video games on remote servers and runs them directly on the user’s device. These gaming services provide users with the accessibility to an extensive library of games we can play from any location with an internet connection. The QA needs for cloud gaming are similar to those of traditional gaming. Cloud gaming must be tested for compatibility with various hardware and software platforms. In addition, cloud gaming must be tested for usability, functionality, and performance. Mobile Gaming Mobile gaming is one of the most popular trends of the gaming industry. These are the games we can play on smartphones or tablet computers, and mobile games are often smaller and more casual than console or PC games. The QA needs for mobile gaming are similar to those of traditional gaming. Mobile games must be tested for compatibility with various hardware and software platforms. In addition, mobile games must be tested for usability, functionality, and performance. Metaverse Gaming Metaverse gaming technology embraces VR technology, where users can use their avatars to play games in the virtual space. Although metaverse is in its early stages, it can be considered the next generation of gaming technology. QA is essential for Metaverse gaming as the user interface is pivotal to a satisfactory gaming experience. Along with usability, functionality, and performance testing, it is recommended that compatibility testing and API testing be implemented for metaverse applications to ensure seamless integration and a smooth interface on all platforms. Role of QA in the future trends of gaming industry Game QA testing aims to evaluate, pinpoint, record, and fix any software flaws that can negatively impact the gaming experience. Several gaming platforms require different testing strategies to ensure a smooth gaming experience and set benchmarks in the gaming market. When proceeding with QA for gaming technology, there are several QA testing that comes into play: Functional Testing Functional testing is evaluating a game to determine whether it functions as intended. This sort of testing is usually done by developers or a small team of individuals. The advantage of functional testing is that it identifies any problems with the game's mechanics and gameplay. Automation Testing Automation testing is using a software tool to execute repetitive tasks automatically. This type of testing help in testing game mechanics, gameplay, and other aspects of the game. Automation testing is generally used to supplement manual testing efforts. Security Testing Security testing is assessing a game to identify any vulnerabilities attackers could exploit. This testing is essential for any online or multiplayer game and any game that uses sensitive data. API Testing API testing assesses an application programming interface (API) to determine if it meets functionality, reliability, and security expectations. This type of testing is often used in conjunction with other types, such as functional or regression testing. Agile Testing Agile testing involves carrying out tests in short, iterative cycles. It is often used in conjunction with the agile development methodology. The advantage of agile testing is that it allows for faster feedback and easier identification of bugs. Compatibility Testing Compatibility Testing helps to improve and prepare the user interface for different sizes of devices, such as PCs and smartphones. While performing Compatibility testing, testers will also test the game's compatibility with the gaming environment. Providing a satisfying gaming experience, prompt identification and repair of graphics, software, or hardware keeps the user satisfied and prevents user churn. Regression Testing Retesting of the feature's functionality is what the regression testing is all about. It determines the possibility or presence of flaws or mistakes following the game's new updates or releases. This testing strategy ensures that the game’s quality and functionality are stable or progressive with every release. Conclusion The gaming industry is constantly evolving, and new trends are always emerging. As a result, the QA needs for games are constantly changing. QAonCloud helps you keep up with the latest trends in gaming industry and provide the tools you need to ensure that your games are of the highest quality. QAonCloud is the perfect solution for game developers who want to stay ahead of the curve."

"With the constantly evolving technology, industries anticipate a $300 billion increase in mobile gaming revenue by 2025. Businesses are increasing their learning pace by considering this development and expansion. Users will undoubtedly seek quality as gaming applications expand in popularity. Testing games was essential and mandatory for all gaming companies, especially gaming startups. The technique's necessity and knowledge rose to the fore lately when certain major league players encountered backlash from fans after playing games that had bugs.For instance, Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, an action RPG game developed by Bethesda Game Studios, faced significant losses due to the lack of quality QA testing. Bethesda Softworks published the RPG game in November 2011. The game was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Despite being a top-ranked RPG game, it had several technical issues that could have been eradicated with adequate QA testing. Users reported several crashes and fatal bugs in the PS3 version, along with frame rate issues and texture down-scaling, making the game unplayable.The above case study proves that QA testing for gaming applications becomes as vital for the industry newcomers as it is for the big sharks. Entering this highly competitive yet competent market will yield success when gaming applications and software are developed and tested for bugs, issues, and errors. Gaming applications also require a seamless interface, quality usability, and technical competencies to offer users a positive and satisfying gaming experience. With this in mind, outsourcing QA can benefit gaming startups as it can yield better results with an increased ROI in the competition. Types of QA for Gaming Performing different types of game testing techniques, can help in assessing several aspects of the game. Here are some QA testing types that can be useful for gaming startups: Functional Testing Functionality testing corrects stability issues and errors in the game's mechanics, including flaws in the game's aesthetics and content. Functional testing for video games can be challenging as it takes too long to find audio-visual and graphical errors.Testers will also examine various other things, such as menu organization, font size, alignment issues, screen orientation, screen resolutions, background checking, colour monitoring, dialogue messages, animation, loading time, sorting, confirmation messages, timeout and display, audio elements, etc., with functional testing. Compatibility Testing​ It is crucial to make the app compatible with various browsers and platforms, like PCs and mobile phones. Game testers have to consider compatibility concerns in addition to bugs and errors.Quality graphics troubleshooting, timely detection, and hardware or software malfunction are all essential to provide a positive gaming experience for gamers. Testers must also validate the game's compatibility with various gaming systems with compatibility testing. Localization Testing When aiming for a global market, localization testing can be crucial. The gaming software needs to be simple to read for gamers from various nations. Test automation and cloud-based QA can be handy for such testing requirements.The test cases for game localization should be well-prepared with considerations such as The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) area, Arabic localization (Right-to-Left text support, Bi-directional displays), local time/date, address formats, currency with the help of pseudo-localization testing. Security Testing Security is a vital concern for all businesses, and online gaming startups are no exception. With the increased cyber-attacks, it has become essential to strengthen the security of gaming applications with comprehensive QA testing.Startups can take various measures to reduce the risks of data breaches and hacks. They must focus on session management, user authentication, authorisation, data encryption, and more.Security testing was essential and mandatory for payment gateways to ensure that the confidential financial information of the user is safe from hackers. Testers use various tools and techniques to assess security, such as penetration testing, vulnerability scanning, and code review.Testing for SQL injection loopholes and cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerabilities are also necessary. Testers can use automated security testing tools to scan for such risks. 3D Testing Recent gaming trends include life-like games such as RPG, MMORPG, and VR games, especially the ones for mobile devices that incorporate details from real life in the game.Now-a-days, use of realistic animations in 3D games like character reproductions, natural elements (such as waves, wind, and clouds in the sky), bullet movement, and more, has become an essential part of games.QA engineers must have necessary knowledge and training to evaluate the performance of 3D objects or any other models included in a mobile game. This ensures highly efficient testing that guarantees a positive gaming and visual experience. Compliance Testing Breaking gaming regulations may result in the removal of game and lead to incurring additional costs for testing and re-submitting the app to app stores. For gaming startups this can be a huge overhead. Compliance testing investigates whether the gaming application complies with all applicable global gaming standards, laws, and specifications.IEEE P2861 to regulate the standard for Mobile Gaming Performance Evaluation and Optimization.IEEE P2861.1 regulates standards for Troubleshooting Touch Operation Issues for Mobile Gaming. International Gaming Standards Association (IGSA) recommends 3 standards: Game-to-System (G2S), Certification Database Interface (CDI) and Regulatory Reporting Interface (RRI). Installation Testing Game installation must be as simple as possible, regardless of whether it is for novice or seasoned gamers. Installation testing can give a competitive edge because it helps to ensure that the game installation is quick and easy, without any errors. This can help to attract and retain more users, as a complicated or time-consuming installation process will not put them off.  Elevate Gaming Experience to Global Standards with QAonCloud QAonCloud is one of the pioneers in QA testing for gaming apps. We at QAonCloud have a pool of QA experts who can understand the nuances and niches of the gaming industry. With expertise, knowledge, and competent teams, QAonCloud aims to meet user requirements and deliver high-quality gaming applications to the global market. Contact Us to Learn More."

"The traditional in-house testing model is no longer feasible for modern software companies. The ever-changing landscape of technology has made it nearly impossible for in-house testing teams to keep up with the latest trends and tools. The high cost of maintaining an in-house testing team has become a burden for most companies. Outsourcing testing to QAonCloud is the smartest way to ensure your products are released on time and within budget. Benefits Our Clients Got By Outsourcing Testing To QAonCloud Tokopedia Tokopedia needed to ensure that the program was ready for millions of users in Indonesia, so they turned to QAonCloud. After understanding customer needs, the Delivery manager drove the initiative, and the assigned QA Architect quickly produced a solution. Within a few days, they organised a group of testers for each Tokopedia buyer and seller portal across device platforms - Android and Web. The team seamlessly integrated into the existing development process and aided faster release cycles by working within it. RedBlackTree With its QAonCloud partnership, RedBlackTree sought assistance in performing a comprehensive end-to-end testing coverage of its HRMS system, concentrating on QA procedure set-up and regression services. QAonCloud has extensive knowledge of RBT's product needs and created a comprehensive QA solution for the SaaS-based Human Resource management system. Daily, they became an extended QA arm for RBT, providing significant insights and ensuring that all bugs were discovered. The testing team discovered a wide range of problems, including login difficulties, crashes and errors, which were very useful in flexibility and agility. The team was able to test the core functions for several versions and ensure that the application’s bugs and errors were minimal. AT&T Cybersecurity AT&T Cybersecurity chose to use the Fully Managed service delivery approach offered by QAonCloud. The QA architect researched the client's web and API needs and produced a suitable QA solution. They assigned highly-skilled testers and a project manager to this work. Since 2016, the project has evolved into a long-term collaboration. So far, they have created 2000+ test cases for 12 modules. Over 1200+ faults have been discovered and verified; 30% were significant bugs. They automated approximately 70% of the test cases using Selenium. Prompto QAonCloud planned the correct QA method after studying the client's product needs. Started with one dedicated offshore tester and a delivery manager for this project which has been increase to two resources on client’s request to scale. Communication through frequent meetings with the customer helped to understand the application and development process. The major drawback was the high-end system requirements, which required a more powerful graphics card to display the pictures correctly. QAonCloud organised the team's high-end desktop machines. The existing test cases were updated to reflect the change in requirements and to create new test cases for additional features. They also suggested a few features that could add value to the product. The regression cycles before every release helped prevent significant issues. AroundMedia AM purchased an application that another company created, and they had to maintain it. After a few months, they struggled to keep up with the number of regression bugs. There were several critical issues that were discovered when the product went live, which were not found in the previous cycles. QAonCloud joined the project as an extension of AM's team. It hired three offshore testers using the Aptitude Test specified by the customer and trained them within 2 weeks. A delivery manager was also assigned. They also looked at the test cases and found that they were not covering all areas of the application. Out of the 243 test cases written, 127 bugs were found. 95% of the bugs raised were accepted, while the SLA was 90%. Aol Media Aol media had an app in the store that was not being updated for quite some time. The client wanted to update the app, but before that, they wanted to ensure there were no significant bugs. For this purpose, QAonCloud was onboarded to perform a regression test on the app. Two testers were assigned, along with a delivery manager. The team reviewed the existing test cases and updated them according to the new versions. They also created 848 new test cases for the additional features. Of those, 104 (56%) significant bugs and 21% minor bugs were found. 70% of the test cases were automated using selenium and Java. Connectworxs Connectworxs is an IT company that provides solutions for secure communication and collaboration. The client approached QAonCloud seeking help in testing their web application. The team was assigned a project manager and two testers. They used the Agile methodology to deliver the project in 2 sprints. In total, 526 test cases were executed over 8 weeks. Of these, there were 41 major bugs and 67 minor bugs, and they met the bug acceptance rate SLA of 90%. Stabilitas Stabilitas is a startup that provides solutions for mental health. The client had an MVP of their product and wanted to get it tested before releasing it to the public. QAonCloud was hired for this purpose and assigned two testers and a project manager. They used the Agile methodology and delivered the project in 2 sprints. They wrote 842 test cases and found 45 significant bugs. The bug acceptance rate was 90%. As you can see, QAonCloud has worked with various clients, each with its own needs and requirements. QAonCloud is up for the challenge no matter what the project entails. SaaS-Based Cruise Management System The client is a $10 billion Swiss Cruise Company that uses cutting-edge technology like SAAS-based ERP to increase operational efficiency and provide convenience to passengers. The product was an online cruise management system that allowed its staff to create cruises, choose ships, and arrange itineraries. This corresponded with their online booking system, which tourists used. QAonCloud studied the customer’s product requirements and devised the appropriate QA solution. They hired 3 offshore testers using the Aptitude Test specified by the customer and trained them within 2 weeks. A delivery manager was also assigned. Delivered test cases, bug reports and an analytics report. Of the 305 test cases written, 173 bugs were found, of which 17% were significant. The tests met the bug acceptance rate SLA of 90%. Conclusion The software industry is complex and ever-changing. To ensure that your company is keeping up with the latest trends, it is essential to partner with a quality assurance provider that can offer various services and is adaptable to your company's needs. QAonCloud is a reliable and experienced provider of quality assurance services. They have worked with various clients, each with its own needs and requirements. No matter what the project entails, QAonCloud is up for the challenge. Bonus: Read all our CaseStudies here."

"Digital Assurance Myths There are several internet-related stories about software failures that resulted in disasters. After reading numerous case studies, the primary cause is poor software testing and maintenance. Software quality audit is critical to enhancing the application's quality and boosting the company’s value by building reputation and trust with its customers. Software Testing and Its Outsourcing Software testing or Quality Assurance is a technique for verifying or testing the technical aspects of a piece of software. QA testing ensures that the software meets all specified specifications and is free of errors. It entails using sophisticated tools to engage software testing services. Its goal is to find faults to improve the software's actual requirements. Outsourcing software testing is becoming increasingly popular. Although it hasn't been completely immune to the pandemic, analysts expect that the IT outsourcing business will grow at a rate of 20% per year for the next 10 years. As a result, an increasing number of firms are turning to outsource service providers for assistance. Still, certain misunderstandings appear to prevent other organisations from benefiting from what the global market offers. Busting Software Testing Outsourcing Myths Let's take a look at some of the software testing outsourcing fallacies that may prevent businesses from reaping the perks of QA outsourcing: MYTH #1: Outsourcing leads to Loss of IP and Internal Knowledge Non–disclosure agreements (NDAs) and non–compete clauses (NCCs) will safeguard all interests in situations like this. The NDA limits access to all proprietary knowledge or information businesses must share with the other company for the project's sake.. At the same time,e NCC ensures that the other party does not compete with you by launching a similar trade. All NDA and NCC documents can be modified to your business's needs and represent the project's specifications. MYTH #2: Outsourcing takes over the control There is frequently a misunderstanding regarding the outsourced party's function in relation to the client. When engaging with a software testing business, you and the company will work together to construct a Service Level Agreement in which you determine who is accountable for X, Y, and Z. Still, you will always be in charge of your project or product. When a good tester discovers inefficiencies or suggests feature enhancements, they will speak up but not deploy them without prior approval. To maintain control, work with the outsourced team in the same way as you would your internal staff. MYTH #3: Outsourcing Depletes Quality of Testing The difference in wages between countries can easily explain lower costs. At the same time, the average income for IT workers varies from country to country. So, not only does outsourcing software testing save you money, but it also allows you access to the greatest QA specialists because of easy access to high–quality education and expertise in their respective home locations. MYTH #4: Outsourcing is only for Giants While large corporations are known for using outsourcing to decrease expenses, there's no reason why fast-growing startups and SMBs can't benefit from the same strategy. When outsourcing software testing, you'll have access to all of their testers, who have a wide range of skills in areas like test automation, performance testing, mobile testing, and so on. Furthermore, the services can be completely customised to meet your specific needs. Essentially, instead of having only one tester on hand, you use a Swiss army knife of testers, lowering overhead personnel costs. MYTH #5: Outsourcing Partner will not understand Business needs Third parties can learn about your specific situation and quickly build the optimal test plan for you. Software testing experts can identify errors or gaps in software development that developers would have missed. Some errors are identified only months or years after they were developed. There are a lot of outsourcing companies to pick from, one for every niche, sector, and business. Find a vendor familiar with your company's goals, issues, and constraints. As a rule of thumb, pick a testing organisation with experience in your industry, a similar culture, and the proper technical skills. MYTH #6: Outsourced Remote Teams Kills Productivity Many opponents of outsourcing believe that having employees in multiple places will hinder communication and diminish production, yet this is a myth. A benefit of outsourcing is that you can hire the best and brightest minds from anywhere because you are no longer limited to dealing with people in your local area. An in-house team of less qualified workers who require more coaching and training to get up to speed will always be less productive than a talented team of skilled and experienced remote individuals. Outsourcing QA Testing: A Convenience to Businesses There can be several testing requirements for a business’s IT solutions. Outsourcing QA can be beneficial when weighing in all the factors and costs. QAonCloud specializes in QA testing with various tools and technologies based on client requirements and needs. We have also worked with businesses in versatile industries to render high-quality software testing for your business."

"A tester usually gets the client requirements document for the function that requires QA. There may be an issue of insufficient requirements or lack of documentation which leaves testers with no documentation to proceed with. The testers can always request documentation from the project manager, developer, product owner/engineering manager or also from the client. However, this process may take time, ultimately leading to missing deadlines. But, with agile teams and expert QA analysts, software testing can be performed by using efficient and proven techniques even when there is no documentation available. Technically, there cannot be applications without proper documentation, and an application without requirements would resemble software with no specific function but simply possess lines of code. Here is a step-by-step guide to help perform testing without documentation when facing such a scenario. Step #1 Start with available data It is highly unlikely to get all the requirements. It could be as simple as checking the backlog, a help file, an email, an older version of the BRD/FRD, or old test cases, user stories, product demo videos, etc which we can even find in ALM tools. Testers can use these pieces of data to begin the informal testing process. Step #2 Collect data from other teams Testers can ask specific questions to developers, project managers, or product managers about the functions of the app and find out what they have to do. For instance, questions like “when a user presses this button, what must the app do?” can be framed to understand the various functions of the software even without the requirements. Pay attention to team meetings, participate in client meetings, and ask queries about the app and its functions. Take data from user needs and their approach towards the app to understand the app requirements. Testers can also approach developers to learn about the app's logic and intended functionalities. When an app has an error, it will reflect in the front end by preventing certain app functionalities from performing smoothly. Testing experts can conduct an inspection to eliminate the errors by running tests. Step #3 Explore the software QA testers can perform exploratory testing on the software to determine its function and capabilities. Analyze the functions that work perfectly and those that don't. Approach the software from the user’s perspective and explore the critical functions and highly used features. Testers can also learn the software behavior, users, workflows, and product properties. Sometimes in the absence of documentation, QA specialists can also take the help of product owners who can provide a product demo with product demo videos and data to help frame a new documentation. Step #4 Translate the collected requirements into test cases After understanding all the available requirements, testing teams must write all possible test scenarios. Use emails, notes, recorded data, and marketing material to create the test cases. Testing teams must begin to write test scenarios based on the available requirements documentation, app screenshots, user stories, etc. A test case is then written for each scenario. Ensure that every requirement is documented progressively as more documentation complies with the testing process. Once the QA lead reviews the test cases, QA testers can execute them. Testing without requirements with QAonCloud Testing without documentation has its risks. 100% test coverage is not possible anytime. But, experts with testing knowledge and skills can work their way up from having no documentation to establishing adequate documentation to perform testing. QAonCloud has worked on sophisticated projects and has catered to several software testing needs for versatile industries. Our expert teams can enhance app quality with testing without requirements to create a better end-user experience at competitive prices."

"Any QA expert will agree that for a product and its functionalities to perform optimally and render a good user experience, it must be flawless in the front-end and the backend. While development teams work their best tools and techniques to build great products, it falls on the QA expert’s shoulders to identify defects or issues in the product build or code. Automation testing is a great tool to test large codes that are repetitive. However, writing clean automation codes requires not just knowledge of writing code but also a comprehensive skill of writing clean codes and following test automation best practices. Why Write a Clean Code?Irrespective of the programming language, QA testers must ensure that they write clean code for the following reasons:It is readable for anyone who is taking a look at it, and they must be able to find what they are looking for easily. When working with test automation scripts, anyone who joins the team later must understand the existing scripts to help the development of further processes for updates or use them as templates to write new scripts. It is easy to maintain a  clean code. QA testers can easily navigate and locate the necessary piece in a clean code to make updates or changes whenever needed. A clean code is simple, making it fast and easy to make updates and study the changes' effect on the remaining framework. Making the code reusable is the most prominent attribute of automation test scripts. Test scripts check whether all the frameworks using the specific code are updated as the source code is updated. Having a clean code makes the debugging process simple and fast. Testers can find the problem areas quickly and make breakpoints wherever necessary without making the process long and slow. Ways to create automation test scriptsA Test script is a code that runs automatically to execute a user interface test. The code identifies the elements in the User interface, navigates to the component required, and simulates user input. The code identifies the output elements and verifies the output element and its results. The code then reads the result from the output elements and assesses the output value. The code then writes the result in a log for documentation. There are different ways to write automation scripts. Here are some commonly used methods:Record/PlaybackThe tester writes a code instead of recording the user’s actions. If any issues or fine-tuning are required, the tester must do the coding himself. Testers use simplified programming languages such as VBScript for this purpose. Keyword/Data-Driven ScriptingIn this method, testers do not have any underlying knowledge of the code but define the test using keywords, and the developer simply implements the test script for the keywords and updates them with the code. This method does not require the tester to worry about the system, but they will rely on development teams. Coding in Real Programming LanguageCreating a test script using this method allows you to have the ability to record or playback and generate a simple script. As a tester, it is vital to go beyond record/playback and learn coding languages to write simple scripts. We can do coding or write test scripts in any language like Java, JavaScript or Ruby, and testers can choose between the coding languages based on their complexity and understanding.Tips for writing test scriptsWriting clean test scripts can be easy when testers follow simple tricks and practices such as the following:Clear ScriptsThe test script must be clear, concise and coherent in every step, and it must be verified to ensure that the testing process is smooth. If the tester cannot understand the script, it can waste time and resources. Simple ScriptsA test script must contain a single or specific action for testers to take. It helps ensure that every function is tested correctly and testers do not miss steps in the software testing process. Well Mapped ScriptsThe tester must ensure that the test plan is mapped correctly and strategised when writing a test script. The testers must use collective data and insights to predict intuitive user paths to address every aspect of the application for testing.Scriptless Automation TestingTesters can use tools to automate testing instead of writing test scripts. The tools are usually based on automation frameworks like Selenium. Scriptless testing is a widespread technique where testers use the record/playback method, and the actions on the screen are recorded and then played back as a test. Scriptless testing limits the tester’s interaction with UI elements and allows them to verify all the scenarios and critical components to remove glitches. The tester also has the advantage of reusing the test cases in multiple scenarios. It also is a considerably more straightforward process for setting up and starting up the testing process. Scriptless Automation Testing also offers a good ROI with a lower cost of operation.  Test Automation with QAonCloudQAonCloud applies years of expertise and knowledge to writing every automation test code. Our expert QA testers use industry best practices to write clean code and scriptless automation testing by understanding the application, development languages, and user flows. This helps us ensure high-quality products for our customers with a seamless user interface for the end-user."

"One of the major downfalls for software and mobile applications is delayed launches. Businesses’ inability to meet customer demands on time is another. Current market trends and the digital landscape require frequent, efficient, and comprehensive software test release cycle to remain competitive. However, by meeting the speed quotient of software test releases, one cannot compromise on its quality. Release management is a process where every stage of the software test release is overseen. It is tracked from development to QA testing to development to estimate the speed and quality of software test release cycles. Avoiding delayed-release can be essential to meet customer satisfaction and ensure product competitiveness in the market. Delayed releases are usually due to 3 main reasons: Wrong Estimation of resources and poor planning throughout the SDLC. Unstable builds that result from failed smoke tests, inadequate or lack of test data, and also late deployment. Poor team interactions can result in broken integrations and a lack of communication between project managers,  testing teams, and dev teams. Tackling these challenges and ensuring quick releases can be easy by addressing the issue with one simple solution: Outsourced QA. Outsourcing software testing accelerates software test release cycles by implementing various strategies and custom-built plans for one’s business. A dedicated software testing  team either collaborates with your in-house team or completely takes over the QA testing responsibilities for a product under a clearly articulated NDA. How Outsourcing Improves Software Test Release Cycle Here are some ways how outsourcing software testing can improve software test release cycles and avoid delayed releases: Well Defined Goals and Requirements Ensuring that the business goals and requirements are refined and clarified before beginning the test process can shorten the test release cycles. Outsourcing teams ensure that they understand the needs of the product and what the QA teams must achieve before running the test cycles. They address questions like: What is the aim of a particular release? What quality requirements the product must meet before deployment? The KPIs and measurement metrics to track the goals of the testing process This helps teams understand the goals and brings alignment across the teams to eliminate unwanted delays. Enhanced Communication and Transparency QA testing teams will have highly efficient communication silos in place. This helps software testers to actively engage in ensuring product quality. Teams ensure that every participant is consistently and frequently informed of every process of the test cycle and reinstate the expected outcome of the test release cycle. This level of transparency can be easily expected out of outsourced software testing teams which eliminates possible errors from miscommunications and also welcomes creative strategy and shared expertise to enhance QA testing processes. Scheduled Releases Outsourced QA teams possess the adequate resources and manpower to perform software testing tasks efficiently and diligently and ensure scheduled releases. Scheduled releases also help customers trust the product with a consistent pattern of new releases and updates. With scheduled releases, businesses can expect higher product quality with continuous regression testing that focus on enhanced user interface and end-user experience. Clear Documentation of Release Cycles Outsourced QA teams make it a priority to maintain clear records and documentation of software test release cycle. This helps them keep track of the goals of the testing process, meet quality expectations, and track the progress of the testing. These records are made available for key members of the project and the stakeholders to maintain transparency and make informed decisions regarding enhancing processes and teams. Automation Opportunities Outsourcing QA opens avenues for software resting testing with expert teams, advanced tools and technology, and the right expertise to handle mission-critical tasks at hand. This means that outsourced QA can handle test automation that accelerates test release cycles for large codes and databases. This helps in increasing test coverage over a short period of time with the help of qualified and trained QA experts. Outsourced QA Enhancing Overall Product Success Outsourced Software testing hastens software test release cycles and also ensures its quality with access to expert teams and highly advanced resources. The flexibility and scalability of outsourcing models and their cost-effective niche are also an added advantage to businesses. Outsourced software testing teams at QAonCloud, for instance, work towards meeting the challenges and goals of the product quality requirements and incorporate tailor-made strategies for QA testing. This increases the success rate of the product post-deployment and also boosts customer satisfaction with improved UI/UX. This in turn increases traffic to applications and their engagement, ultimately increasing the ROI for businesses."

"Having faulty products delivered to customers can seriously injure brand credibility and lead to customer churn. Choosing the software testing partner, especially with testing in an  outsourcing model, is pivotal to the product's success or detrimental downfall.This QA outsourcing guide to selecting a software testing partner has comprehensive insights on the various features and specifics a QA partner must possess to help businesses make informed decisions. Choosing the right software testing partner Before landing on the software testing partner, project managers and business leaders must know the options available for QA testing. Here are some checkpoints to consider before hiring a QA partner. Freelancing or Outsourcing? Freelancing QA gives businesses access to experts for both long-term and short-term goals. Although hiring a freelancer can seem less expensive than other methods, the process can take longer and more challenging to find a qualified and dedicated freelancer with the necessary requirements to deliver software testing solutions. Outsourcing QA to a software testing firm is when a business is in partnership with a QA testing business with the necessary team size, tools, and resources to carry out various types of QA testing projects. Most QA testing firms can cater to full-stack QA testing requirements and are already established with experts. Based on the QA testing needs, businesses can crack a deal by negotiating terms for the project and the suitable costs. Manual or Automated Testing? In manual QA testing, the QA engineer interacts with the software by manually exploring the interface to find errors or bugs. In automated QA, the QA specialist builds test scripts that can assess the software with the help of various tools. Manual testing is best suited for small projects or those that are dynamic in nature. Such projects need varying tools and validation for testing. Automated testing can be possible for big projects that require a high level of accuracy or those that can take a long time and extensive effort when tested manually. What is the Scope of the Project? Understanding what type of QA testing has to be performed can help narrow down where to start. Primarily, understand why the business needs a QA engineer. Listing down the tasks a QA tester must perform will help businesses understand what type of software testing engineer they must hire for the project. Secondly, estimate how much testing has to be done. This will help businesses know how many QA analysts must be hired. Taking this up with the development team can give a complete idea of the extent of testing that must be done and the number of resources necessary to carry them out efficiently. 6 Qualities To Look For in a Software Testing Partner Once all the QA testing needs are established, businesses can begin shortlisting software testing partners. When it comes to QA outsourcing, there are 6 main factors that are pivotal in choosing the right partner.  Vendor Security QA testing involves two parties sharing highly confidential data and information. This requires both parties to maintain safe and secure platforms for both exchanges of data and for carrying out the QA testing activities. Businesses must evaluate the security levels of QA testing teams before making a decision. Industry Knowledge and Domain Expertise A QA testing firm must not only be established in the field and have adequate expertise on the subject matter. They must also possess advanced knowledge and skills in the specific domain and testing techniques to ensure that QA testing is flawless and accurate. Ensure that QA teams are certified and have the necessary experience to perform QA testing for the products for enhanced product delivery and the software to meet industry standards.  Peer Reviews Ratings on QA credible platforms and client testimonials of shortlisted QA testing firms can help businesses understand the credibility of the firm, their commitment to quality, and timely deliveries. Businesses can refer to peers and rating platforms to verify QA testing firms and their performance. Communication Efficiency Ensure that QA testing teams have well-established communication silos in place to enable collaboration between themselves and with their clients. This not only guarantees efficient communication but also aids record-keeping and maintaining confidentiality and safe data exchange.  Value for Money It is necessary that QA software testing firms reflect their costs to quality product delivery. Businesses must learn how QA teams perform their tasks and the tools and technology used to deliver bug-free products to end-users. This helps businesses understand that QA specialists can produce ROI once launched in the market.  How QAonCloud can increase ROI with QA Outsourcing QAonCloud has been serving businesses since 2016 with competitive QA testing services. Our versatile QA specialists work towards understanding business needs to perform quality testing with time-to-market deliveries. Outsourcing your QA testing to QAonCloud can enhance the end-user experience and increase brand credibility with impeccable UX and bug-free software with manual and automated QA testing services."

"Managed Software Testing Digital transformation is a revolutionizing process for businesses. It allows businesses to expand their operations, deliver accurate and fast solutions. It helps in improving efficiency and also enhancing communication within the enterprise. The success rate of digital transformation is highly dependent on development teams. The development teams should ensure that the digital solutions are designed and implemented with a flawless UI/UX. The solutions must also foster ease of use, with easy adaptability and added security to business data. Lack of use of managed software testing technology in the digital transformation can interrupt workflow processes, increase downtime, and ultimately slows down the complete digital transformation of a business. To guarantee the success rate of digital transformation, businesses have turned to Quality Assurance. How Managed Software Testing Technology can Speed Up Digital Transformation “If you don’t treat testing as a strategic initiative that’s imperative to your digital success, your lunch is going to get eaten by your competitors.” - Clark Golestani, the MD of Sensei Group Software testing trends have reinvented user experience across software platforms and in various industries. Here are some ways how managed software testing can positively impact the digital transformation process for your business. QA guarantees an enhanced customer experience Software testing teams interact with the product from the beginning of the development process. The timely communication between the teams can help in comprehensive evaluation of all the functionalities and their effectiveness in enhancing CX. Testers question the logic behind each feature, detect contradictions or elements that could slow down time-to-value. They also verify if every function is operative on the software. QA teams can also ensure that the end product is in line with the goals and visions of the business. QA enables scalability with agile testing The product gets more susceptible to disrupting product integrity as we keep adding more features and developments to it. Especially with digital transformation where scaling as the business grows is a practical approach, QA testing can come in very handy. Development teams and QA testing teams can coordinate and use agile testing methodologies to counter issues and fix bugs along the way. This ensures reduced downtime and seamless integrations of future solutions. QA increases profits post-launch Detecting bugs post-launch and then debugging the software is expensive for a business, especially when introducing new technology and transforming legacy solutions. It can lead to significant downtime and disrupt the flow of operations, affecting profit and cash inflow. QA teams can work alongside development teams to detect bugs during the development process and ensure that the software and other digitized solutions for the business are bug-free. This ensures a smooth digital transformation process with a higher success rate. With reduced fixes post-launch, businesses can make higher returns easily. QA builds data security Next-generation data integration platforms demand high-level security especially when industries like finance, retail, healthcare, legal, etc are concerned. When performing QA testing, the data is drawn by deciphering them using an open-source platform. Outsourced software testing teams should use suitable tools to improve test efficiency or automate the testing process. This enables a secured deployment of digital transformation and tightly-wound structures in place that concentrate data security post-launch. QA preserves brand credibility QA tools and techniques make digital transformation solutions faster and more reliable. With seamless integration of competitive product quality, businesses can run operations with more accurate and reliable data that helps with forecasting, provide insights and enhance business operations to suit customer needs. QA is a continuous process that can evaluate product performance and promote them to meet growing customer needs. This enhances the brand image. Additionally, increased security with solid QA testing improves customers’ trust which boosts profits ultimately. QA reduces customer churn QA testing is a pivotal process in increasing users’ reliability on the solution. With a poor user experience, loose security or integrations greatly affects UX and can lead to users abandoning the solutions. This is one of the main reasons for the failure of digital transformation processes. To increase permanence and reduce churn, development teams should take help from the Testing teams. Testing teams should implement QA testing, and assure a safe and user-friendly experience on the platforms. Outsourcing Software Testing for Fast Digital Transformation The Digital Transformation process can be a handful for SMBs and micro-enterprises. But it is a necessity in today’s remote working culture. Making sure that the development teams deliver products on time can be easier by outsourcing QA. QAonCloud software testing teams allow the provision for other IT resources and teams to focus on core duties while software testing teams do the best at what they do to enhance UX, improve security and increase the success rate of digital transformation of businesses. This increases ROI for businesses and also improves efficiency by helping businesses scale operations and bring in more profits with rightly implemented modern technology and solutions."

"Anytime an expert is asked if a company should outsource software testing, the answer is almost always “it depends”. While QA outsourcing is the best choice for most companies, the pros and cons of in-house and outsourced software testing teams come down to this one deciding factor: Cost! Any stakeholder or a business board meeting is bound to end with the famous question: “How much does it cost?”. The Money Matters in QA Outsourcing. Interestingly, the cost factor almost always overpowers every other factor.While it is easy to state that outsourcing software testing is a cost-effective solution, understanding how and why QA outsourcing is cost-effective alongside hiring an in-house testing team is not superior is essential for making decisions here.  Pros and Cons of In-house and Outsourcing Software Testing Some factors are pivotal to deciding whether outsourcing is the right solution for QA testing. Here are some factors that put into perspective why outsourcing is beneficial in terms of cost and otherwise. Better Access to Expert Skills and Tools Steve Jobs, Apple’s Founder, rightfully said, “It’s not about money, and it’s about the people you have and how you’re led.” When hiring someone for software testing, it is vital to understand their capabilities, what they do, and how they can help solve problems, find bugs, and make fixes.  The tech Republic reported that software failures led to an approximate loss of USD 1.7 trillion in a fiscal year. That is why software testing requires an expert with apprehensive technical knowledge and impeccable attention to detail.  In the case of hiring an in-house team, experts come at a costly price.  Faster Deployments The longer the software testing takes for deployment, the longer the workflows are affected. Swift and timely deployments of solutions and fixes keep the business flowing seamlessly. When hiring an in-house team, an extensive selection process is followed by complex filtering and screening and is finally completed post HR proceedings to onboard a QA specialist. Not to mention the time taken to train the QA specialist if necessary and bring them up to speed to a company’s goals and objectives. With QA outsourcing, the process is fast and straightforward. The already qualified teams have the necessary tools and effective communication silos to disperse the knowledge and information needed for software testing. The teams are also highly scalable. By augmenting enough members into the team, they can perform more significant tasks, increase efficiency and deploy solutions on time. The already qualified teams have the necessary tools and effective communication silos to disperse the knowledge and information needed for software testing. The teams are also highly scalable. By augmenting enough members into the team, they can perform more significant tasks, increase efficiency and deploy solutions on time. Better fit for Short-term Needs Investing in an in-house team is a commitment, to be precise. Apart from the recruitment costs, salaries, bonuses, and investment costs for equipment and resources, an in-house QA team will probably not be working all year round. On the other hand, the possibility of hiring outsourced software testing teams when needed or seasonally to perform tests and improve the software. It eliminates unnecessary disposal of capital or prevents inefficiency in IT teams. Convincing Victory for Outsource Software Testing The facts mentioned earlier and figures are apparent enough to conclude that QA outsourcing is better for software testing, especially for short-term needs. QA outsourcing does not only reduce costs and also increases productivity among in-house development teams who can now focus on core tasks for the company. It also allows companies to allocate resources and costs for other essentials for the company’s goals.  QAonCloud offers a wide range of software and mobile app testing services with a strong team of QA specialists with years of experience and industry knowledge. We have served as a reliable, resourceful partner for software quality assurance at competitive processes. The hunt for a trusted QA outsourcing can end here at QAonCloud.  Know more about our services here."

"According to the Consortium for IT Software Quality (CISQ), poor quality software cost businesses USD 2.8 trillion in the US alone in 2018. Ars Technica, in one of their studies, found that for every thousand lines of code written, there are 100-150 errors. Insufficient software testing risks more than the loss of user data, money, and ultimately customer reliability. How Serious is Inadequate Testing? There was an incident where a Boeing aircraft had a glitch in the software that occurred due to technical errors during coding. Due to the software failure, the aircraft crashed and killed 346 people and destroyed the 737 max aircraft. Another example is RBI’s Bό, the digital bank. Six months after releasing the app to the public, users were flooded with bugs, and compliance glitches forced many users to replace their cards. Bό’s Google Playstore rating dropped to 2.5, a significant factor that 42% of smartphone users verify before downloading an app. The teams spent the first three months fixing the bugs. But, these efforts were rendered inadequate as customers had already lost trust in the application, and Bό was shut down. These cases point to 3 big problems that come with inadequate software testing: Insufficient software testing risks the loss of big money Software bugs need to be rectified immediately. Most QA specialists use agile or continuous testing during pre-product launch testing to locate bugs and make immediate fixes. But post product launch, the bugs become deeply ingrained in the software. The cost to fix bugs after the development of the product is complete takes extensive working hours, increases downtime, and a loss in productivity. The cost of fixing bugs increases as the time to discover these bugs increases. When we identify bugs while testing, the costs are 80-100 times cheaper and 50 times faster than fixing a bug post product launch into the market. Inadequate software testing does not please customers Apps and digital platforms hold massive user data, and almost all are personal and highly sensitive data like bank details and personal identity information. Glitches and bugs can result in loss or mix-up user data or cause serious security breaches. One of the most prominent security breaches happened in 2020 - Zoom App. The platform was significantly used for online education and remote working, later declared by the Indian Government and other International Governments as an insecure platform. They revealed that the video conferencing feature on the app was not secure and was subject to cyber-attacks which put everyone on the platform at risk. It made users move to more secure competitors like Google Duo and Microsoft Teams. It has also reduced the credibility and reliance of the app in the market.The best way to keep users happy is by ensuring that the software is subject to rigorous testing with an agile and continuous approach during the developmental stages. Once the software has been launched, QA testing and counteracting lousy feedback due to a glitch can be complicated. Brands lose reputation with poor software testing Dimensional Research, in their survey, reported that 95% of the users who had a bad experience with software or apps would pass on the negative feedback to their peers. Inc. says that one negative feedback can only be rectified with at least 40 positive feedbacks considering human behavior, basic mathematics, and simple logic. Apple replaced Google Maps on the iPhone with an Apple version of the app. Apple used several data from satellite images, roads, and points of interest to establish the database. When they combined all this data, the Apple Maps app started to give directions to users to nowhere, into lakes, fields, etc. Despite fixing the bugs, Apple users disparage the app even today.  Solution: QA Outsourcing Eliminates Insufficient Software Testing Risks Development and QA testing must go hand in hand. However, QA testing is an extensive process that requires a dedicated team with experience and keen attention to detail. QA outsourcing gives businesses the sufficient provision to allocate resources, workforce, time, and costs for development. At the same time, the QA specialists perform superior quality assurance on the software in the development stages and post product launch. QAonCloud comes in handy for companies with their 100% bug-free software quality assurance services. They ensure that the revenue is not impacted and guarantee a high ROI that prevents high risks and breaches that can cost a business a fortune without adequate software quality assurance."

"It is no secret that you need a robust and highly functional application to stay relevant in this competitive market. And the best way to achieve this goal is to test your product thoroughly.But how to measure the testing efforts?The answer is “software test coverage” as it clarifies whether the testing efforts are enough or whether there is a scope of improvement. Simply put, test coverage means what is being tested and how much testing is done. It helps in monitoring the testing quality, prioritizing the focus areas on critical modules, and allocation of resources.Why should you care about test coverage?According to a PWC report, over 75% of customers believe user experience is highly critical at the time making a product decision, and 32% will quit using the application after having a single negative experience. So, the gist here is that users do not tolerate bugs and it is crucial to ensure a bug-free application and excellent user experience. And measuring software test coverage is one of the best ways to improve quality and identify the areas that have not been tested. Based on these findings, testers can create new tests or modify the test suites to achieve maximum test coverage. Let’s check out why test coverage is important: What are the types of software test coverage?Product coverage – What are the key aspects of products that need to be tested?When the testing coverage is measured in context to the product, the untested areas of the product are identified. For example, if there is a notepad application that needs to be tested, checking relevance is the most crucial aspect. But at the same time, the other aspects of the product like functionality, crashes, user experience, warning/error messages, availability of help content also need to be tested properly. If all the scenarios are not tested, the testing coverage of the application cannot be considered complete.Risk coverage – What are the potential risks?It is another aspect of the testing coverage. The software cannot be considered complete until the associated risks are identified and resolved. For example, if an ecommerce site is being tested, the tester needs to consider the risk of high user volume accessing the website simultaneously and payment flow errors. If this risk is not considered while testing the application, it can lead to a huge cost to the company.Requirement coverage – What requirements are considered for testing?If the application is developed very well but does not match the requirement of the customers, it is not of any use. So, requirement coverage is a very important aspect while testing. The application cannot be considered appropriately tested if the user requirements are not fulfilled.What are software test coverage techniques?Now when you know the importance of measuring the test coverage to ensure excellent user experience and high performance of the application, it is time to understand the ways to perform test coverage.Statement coverageIt ensures that all the source code statements are tested at least once. It provides the details of failed as well as executed code blocks from the total code blocks. In the below flow diagram, path 1A-2C-3D-E-4G-5H covers all the statements and requires only a single test case to cover every requirement. Here, the test case means one statement coverage. However, a single path is not enough to cover all the statements in the case of complex code. In that case, it is required to write multiple test cases to cover a variety of statements. Branch/Decision coverageTesters cannot write code in continuous lines, and they need to branch out different codes to meet the requirements. Here, branching the code means jumping from one decision point to another. The branch coverage verifies the coverage of every possible branch or path in the code. Branch coverage is calculated by finding the number of paths that ensure that all the edges are covered. For example, there is not a single path that can ensure the coverage of all edges in the below figure. So, it is important to combine two different paths to meet the requirements. Path coverageIt is a structural testing technique and involves the utilization of the source code of the program to find all the possible executable paths. Path coverage ensures that all the paths are covered. For example, the four possible paths in the below figure are:1A-2B-E-4F1A-2B-E-4G-5H1A-2C-3D-E-4G-5H1A-2C-3D-E-4F Condition coverageThis software test coverage technique checks if the outcomes (true or false) of the condition are exercised. The outcome of every decision point is considered as a relevant factor to check the conditions. However, two cases are required for every condition to check for the outcomes.Boundary value coverageThis is a very useful test coverage technique for the applications in which the error occurs due to the input numbers. Most of the errors occur at the boundary values. Under this test coverage, the test cases are selected at endpoints of equivalent classes. For example, below boundary values require a 3-digit number as an input for the application.99 (below minimum boundary value)999 (Maximum)100 (Minimum)1000 (Above the maximum boundary value)How to measure software test coverage with the Test Coverage matrix?The matrix table is used to ensure proper test coverage while fulfilling all the possible conditions of the application. It also helps in identifying the possible gaps. The checklist ensures that the functionality is verified in every possible condition. There are prerequisites to getting started with the test coverage matrix. Below is an example of a test coverage matrix. Feature Module Case Type Test Case User Login Default Case Valid Username, Valid Password Negative Invalid Username, Valid Password Negative Valid Username, Invalid Password Negative Empty Username, Empty Password Boundary Username & password exceeding the maximum length of 10 characters How to improve test coverage with limited time and resources?Testing professionals need to be aware of the specific requirements and functionalities to evaluate the tasks. Following the below things helps in maximizing the software test coverage with limited time and resources:Develop a comprehensive testing strategy – Consider all the requirements of the application along with the testing methods.Create a testing activity checklist – Next step is to create a list of tasks that need to be executed. It is vital to consider different types of testing, the type of applications being developed, and the experience of the team.Prioritize overall requirements – List the major and minor priorities to set the focus on relevant tasks.Set the critical tasks of the application – When time and resources are scarce, it is important to consider a risk-based testing approach. Consider the critical areas of the application that have a high probability of errors.Create logical test data – Creating the test data through a browser is helpful as it can be accessed directly from the database. The test becomes more reliable and faster as it reduces the user interface interactions.Execute key business test cases on multiple browsers – Run the most important business test cases on all the browsers and the rest of the test cases on a single browser to save time. Conduct impact analysis – Identify the possible impacts after the initial release and analyze them.Build management – It is important to keep a track of all the fixes, impacts, versions of the product releases.Leverage test automation – To reduce the overall time and free up professionals from doing error-prone, repetitive, and tedious activities, and cover maximum parts of the application, it is important to leverage test automation.Leverage test automation to improve your software test coverageTest automation is one of the proven solutions to maximize test coverage. It is a must-have requirement in the modern software development process. There is no other way to achieve better test coverage in the software while minimizing the time and resources. The modern test automation services of QAonCloud help businesses increase test coverage without making testing maintenance a burden.If your company is still looking for the best way to maximize software test coverage, QAonCloud provides a perfect solution to boost test coverage, build, and manage all the browsers, mobile, web, and functional tests in a unified platform. Contact us to learn about test automation and how we can help you improve testing efficiency and deliver high-quality applications."

"1. Tell us about yourself  I’m Divya Gurumoorthi from Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu. I earned my bachelor's degree in computer science engineering. My experience with QAonCloud spans the past five years and I currently hold the role of Senior Test Engineer. 2. What made you choose software testing as your career?  Curiosity is in my DNA, and I am constantly on the lookout for opportunities to learn new things. I wanted a career that would stimulate my curiosity and allow me to learn something new each day. Software testing is an industry that's rapidly evolving, so there's always something new to learn. 3. How did you find out about QAonCloud? How did you join?  At the time I worked as a KPO associate with Desicrew Solutions, my friends who worked with QAonCloud often talked about the scope of learning in the Testing industry and the job flexibility provided by QAonCloud. A few days later, I stumbled across an internal job posting that read, "QAonCloud is hiring.". Without a second thought, I applied for the position. 4. What do you like about QAonCloud? I appreciate the flexibility QAonCloud is providing us. I got to work with Premium Clients of QAonCloud and I gained valuable practical experience. Thanks to the team's support, I have acquired strong communication and technical skills.5. What is your role and what are your specializations? I’m currently working as a senior test engineer. I’m specialized in both manual and automation testing. I have solid experience in performing functional, non​-​functional & black box testing across all platforms and devices. I have handled tools like Android Studio, Jira, Selenium IDE, and Testopia.6. What’s something you find challenging about your work? I am currently involved in the testing of FinTech mobile and web applications. Testing a FinTech application is complicated due to the complexities involved, so I keep track of FinTech and finance-related trends and devote considerable time to understanding the application. Throughout the past two years, I have found working from home particularly stressful, especially since I have always enjoyed working in teams at our office. 7. Do you have any mentors in your personal/professional life?My mother has been a major influence on my life. She is very supportive & believes that I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to. She has been my mentor in both my personal and professional life.8. Do you have any hidden talents or hobbies? Cooking is my passion, and many people say that my recipes have a soul. During my free time, I enjoy curling up in a corner with my phone and earphones to listen to my favorite music."

"Microservices have gained a lot of traction across modern industries, and it is poised to get stronger in the upcoming years. The most popular companies such as Amazon, Google. Netflix, Uber, Spotify are leveraging microservices to achieve better agility and efficiency. Well, microservice is not a new concept. It has been used by companies for more than a decade now.  When you search for something on Google, it calls multiple microservices at the same time to retrieve the results. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of architecture and microservices test automation, let’s discuss the success stories of companies using microservices. Microservices success stories Netflix – It is one of the best examples of using a microservices architecture. The company has moved from a monolithic architecture to microservices to manage the increasing demand of users. Moving to the microservices approach enabled developers to deploy multiple code sections every day to deliver the best internet television experiences. Today, Netflix is enjoying a whopping 214 million subscribers with over 10 billion hours of movies and TV shows. Amazon – The company has adopted microservices to switch to a microservices architecture to reduce the losses caused by server downtime. The developers have focused on simplifying the processes and scaling up and down depending on the traffic. The microservices architecture enables developers to deploy the code more often. Now, Amazon deploys a new code every 11.7 seconds to update new deals, discounts and enhance user experience. Uber – The startup company was using monolithic architecture at the beginning as it was an easy option for the founders. But with the fast growth, Uber has moved to a microservices architecture to use different programming frameworks and languages. Currently, Uber uses over 1,300 microservices that focus on improving the reliability and scalability of the application. So, what is a Microservice? Microservices are an architectural approach to software development where the small independent services are developed with individual interfaces and operations. Every microservice is built individually and deployed separately to run their process while communicating with the help of lightweight APIs (Application Programming Interface). The microservices architecture depends on the small services that are deployable through smaller devices to achieve the business objectives like analyzing reports, making online payments, routing network traffic. Every microservice involves less than 100 lines of code as it conducts a single task within a broad set of processes. And all these codes are combined after the microservices test automation process to ensure a fully efficient application or system. Monolithic vs. Microservices architecture In the earlier architectures, all processes are tightly coupled, and everything is run as an integrated service. It means that if any of the applications experience higher demand, the entire architecture needs to be scaled. For the same reason, it was difficult to add or improve the features of a monolithic application. This complexity limits experimentation and makes it difficult to try new ideas. Moreover, the monolithic architecture adds risk to the availability of application as it increases the impact of single process failure. On the other hand, microservices architecture is built on the independent components that run every application as a service. All the services communicate with the help of lightweight APIs or well-defined interfaces. The microservices are built for specific business capabilities and perform pre-decided functions. Since every service runs independently, each service can be deployed, updated, and scaled to meet the dynamic demands of an application. What is Microservices testing? Now when you are aware of the benefits of microservices over monolithic architecture, it is time to determine the right testing approach for microservices. As each service is built around a specific function, it can be written in multiple programming languages and utilize different technologies for data storage. So, the testing of microservices needs to be fully automated to ensure end-to-end testing of the services. Here is how distributed teams can leverage microservices architecture. Why automated testing for Microservices? There are varied benefits of microservices, and an automated testing approach can take these benefits to a much higher level. It is crucial to test the microservices to be confident about the assumptions for every service. Automated testing of microservices is also important to ensure the proper functionality of the internal dependencies of the application. Here are some benefits of choosing microservices test automation- Monitor the ongoing application performance Test every service individually Tests are represented as documentation for the API exposed by the application Assess the impact of changes in application Applies pressure on developers to structure the API in an easier manner Easier to test specific pieces of the application Better isolation between the design and services Microservices test automation strategy It is always important to be aware of the testing strategy of microservices. Having good test coverage ensures great confidence in your code and results in a better pipeline of continuous delivery. As microservices is a modern approach, it requires a new and automated approach to testing. Here are the five automation test layers performed over microservices: Unit testing Unit tests are mostly automated, and their scope of testing is internal to the service. In context to test volume, unit tests have the maximum capacity. It helps in validating the codes of different components of the application to ensure their compliance with the business logic. This is the stage where the largest number of unit tests are performed and for the same reason, unit testing is very important for the testing of microservices. For effective testing of microservices, it is vital to limit to the small testing units. The large unit tests can lead to a complex testing process as it maximizes the consumption of resources. Contract testing Contract testing treats every service as a black box and every service is called independently to verify their respective responses. The service dependencies are also checked to understand the service interaction level. It helps in avoiding any complicated behavior that may be caused by the external calls and leads to underperformance of any service. The purpose of contract testing is to ensure that every user receives the same results from the service over time, even if the service changes. It also ensures that the service functionality does not break by adding more features and functionalities. The application should stay robust over time. The interactions between two services are stored as a contract and ensure that both parties comply with the business logic. Integration testing This test verifies the services that are individually tested. The verification process relies on the functioning of inter-service communications within the microservice architecture. The service calls are made with integration to external services, including success and error cases. Integration testing validates the seamless working of the system and the dependencies between the services. In context to microservice test automation, integration testing is performed to verify the communication between the subsystems that interact with external components such as data stores and related services. As microservices are executed together, tests should examine the requests flowing through the services to ensure multiple communication channels function as required. End-to-end testing End-to-end testing verifies the overall process flows appropriately, including database and service integration. It conducts thorough testing of operations that impacts different services to ensure that the system functions correctly and satisfies all the requirements. The end-to-end testing of microservices helps in validating the ability of the system to meet business goals irrespective of the component architecture. This type of testing is used to verify the message moving between the services by prioritizing the customer journey, creating a few end-to-end tests, and ensuring that test data is independent. Microservices automation testing using selenium A microservices architecture is characterized by small, focused, and independent services that create a complete application. Now when every module works in isolation, it is important to test each module thoroughly. The modern automation testing tools provide a greater ability to access varied areas of application like user interface components, APIs, etc. Leveraging open-source automation testing suites like Selenium can help in bolstering the ability to focus on specific areas. Let’s explore some ways to test microservices using Selenium. InfluxDB – It is an open-source tool used to monitor a wide range of security, performance, and log usecases. It provides better visibility across the application to ease the job of development teams. This microservices testing tool is commonly used to load testing to identify the bottlenecks as it performs the most complex queries perfectly. Jaeger – It is an open-source tool to monitor microservices architecture. It troubleshoots and checks the systems that have microservices as a central part. It performs the root-cause analysis by monitoring the key service dependencies. It can be used to identify the scope of performance optimization. Best practices for microservices test automation Isolation testing Testing microservices is a tricky process because there are a lot of independent services communicating with other services through multiple communication channels. It is always recommended to start the test automation efforts by testing the functionality of a specific microservice in isolation. It can be done by using the REST API to interact with your service. 80/20 testing rule Since microservice is an independent entity and can be used in multiple ways, the “application” concept becomes an illusion in this testing environment. Therefore, an end-to-end test automation strategy cannot be considered an effective approach. It is recommended to use the 80/20 rule to identify the core journey instead of thinking of all the end-to-end possibilities. Make a contract It is almost impossible to know how and when the consumers will use the services. With a contract model, it is the responsibility of the consumers to provide a test suite that specifies the type of interactions required and their format. The service agrees to this contract and ensures that it is not broken. It helps in getting rid of the dependencies on other services. This approach helps in verifying that the contract is fulfilled properly. Shift-right into production In the world of microservice test automation, testing in production is an essential step of the overall quality assurance plan. The microservices architecture keeps on shifting the relationships, leading to a lot of uncertainty in the consumption of services. So, it is recommended to start testing in the production phase. Monitoring and alerts It is crucial to react quickly to situations in the microservices architecture. Having a key monitoring and alert system in place and tracing the concerns in production is critical. By identifying the issues in the production phase, it gets easier to roll back to the earlier better version of the service before the users even know there is an issue. Final thoughts Microservices are critical in achieving the business goals of the modern world – whether that’s a better application, faster development, enhanced agility, or lower costs. While it takes a good amount of effort, time, and resources to convert conventional architecture to microservices architecture, it pays off. Today, building complex applications, adding new features regularly, matching to the increasing user demand, and introducing dynamic functionalities is very common. This means testing the application every time a new service is added or a new connection between microservices is made. So, the better idea is to adopt microservice test automation. It helps you to examine the individual services as well as the entire application to keep the interconnected set of microservices working effectively. How can QAonCloud help you? QAonCloud offers excellent automation testing services for large enterprises and startups while keeping their business goals intact. We help you to modernize your application with the migration of monolithic applications to new microservices architecture."

"Mobile applications are in the golden era of embracing more hybrid and progressive applications. The rapid proliferation of mobile technology and the internet has led to an increased interest in the development of a lot of mobile applications. Be it bill payments, shopping, or entertainment, we all are dependent on mobile apps. Can you believe that the number of mobile app downloads is expected to rise to a whopping 258 billion by 2022?As more and more companies are rolling out business-critical mobile apps, such as health apps, mobile banking apps, their risk exposure is very high. For the same reason, companies need mature mobile testing solutions that allow them to deploy and support mobile application development while reducing the risk exposure. It does not matter how well the code is written; the final product should pass through a well-defined testing strategy. With all this in mind, you need to put extra effort into testing your mobile apps. So, you have a perfect balance of experienced team, manual and automated testing, and appropriate testing methods.But one important element is missing here - the mobile app testing approach. Will you be buying multiple smartphones or clicking a mouse to test the mobile applications? There are two ways to test a mobile application: emulators and real devices.Read on to understand the pros and cons of testing on emulators vs. real devices that will help you make the right decision.Types of mobile testing solutionsWith the evolution of technology, testing has also seen its share of advancements in the form of different mobile testing solutions. These solutions are built to support mobile apps, and cross-browser testing of websites on different mobile phones by analyzing the function, behavior, and user interface aspects of the application. Since there is an end number of mobile devices that differ by the operating system, hardware configuration, and screen resolution, what might work on one device could vary for other devices. There are primarily two types of devices for mobile testing:Real devicesReal testing devices are different mobile handset models that are used to run a website or mobile app to test its behavior and functions. These are the real mobile handsets that are used by the end-user. These tests are conducted by buying a few mobile handsets with different Operating Systems like Android and  iOS, tablets, iPad devices.Virtual DevicesA virtual device is a program that imitates the real software and hardware of the mobile device. And the two types of virtual devices for this purpose are emulators and simulators. This is done by translating the ISA (Instruction Set Architecture) of the target device to the computer. It completely mimics the way your target device functions and forms a virtual testing environment.Evolution of Testing: From real to virtual testing devicesWith over 60 Android phones and 18 iOS versions released in 2020, real device mobile testing has become a challenge. Whether you are testing the mobile application manually or through automation, the testing strategies have evolved to virtual devices. Even though the results generated on real devices are more accurate, the testing cost is very high as the company needs to buy a lot of mobile devices and update them as new devices hit the market. To overcome the expense of real device testing, virtual testing devices have been introduced to conduct mobile app and cross-browser compatibility testing.When to use emulators vs. real devices for test automationThere are many strengths to using emulators and real devices but the testing route depends on the risk and phase of the application. For example, if the only risk is to render an application, the best choice is to choose an emulator for test automation. The combination of real and virtual testing should be combined if responsiveness is the primary objective of the users. In addition, the cost of the emulator is much favorable when compared to using a real device. When the main risk is related to swiping and dragging the application, the emulator can be the best choice.Many organizations prefer to conduct only real device testing but they are very costly. So, here the rule of thumb is to use emulators for hardware and software. An emulator can check how the application is operated using different memory allocations and central processing units. Emulators are especially useful when the testing needs to be conducted under an extensive range of conditions. However, emulators are more beneficial when they are used in combination with real device testing practices.Pros and cons of automating tests in emulatorsAdvantagesThe most important advantage of the emulator is the price as they are free or very affordable. You just need to download the software; install the application and you are all set. In addition, emulators are client software and run locally. They have less or no dependency on real devices and run faster as compared to the real devices connected to the local network or cloud. The emulator is a part of the SDK provided to the software developers.With a strong development environment integration, mobile emulators provide the access to detailed information of debugging, which plays a crucial role in the development phase. It allows testers to proceed with the step-by-step debugging of the application on the emulator. Also, there may be cases where the mobile emulators provide enormous benefits of simulating difficult to reproduce scenarios (certain GPS coordinates, low battery, etc.) that a real device cannot support.DisadvantagesEven if the testing goes perfectly fine, you cannot be 100% sure that the data can be applied to a real device. It raises the questions of which tests need to be verified in real time and which can be considered reliable on emulators. Also, if the test fails on the emulator, it is important to define whether to perform a test on the mobile device or assume that the function does not require any further changes.In context to software and hardware differences, the emulators are a plain vanilla version of the operating system and often do not reflect any specific software and hardware of each supported device. With companies like Apple, the emulator provides accurate results because the vendors are of the same company.Another disadvantage is related to network configuration as the emulators are run on the PC and connected to LAN to access the internet. While using devices, the network is connected directly to the radio interface and internet. In many cases, the different network environments can result in different application behaviors. Since the mobile device is a phone, the network-related events (text message, incoming call, etc.) should be tested to determine the impact of the application. And it can be difficult to accomplish these tests using an emulator because the quality of the network varies between different states, carriers, regions, and countries. Since emulators are connected to the mobile network, they cannot identify the impacts on the application. Moreover, the slow emulators when compared to real devices cannot identify touch screen and app behavior issues.Pros and cons of automating tests in real devicesAdvantagesTesting on real devices always provides accurate results and there are not any concerns of false positives or negatives. This type of testing is performed in a live network. It is a vital testing process as it does not get affected by any network-related events. For example, if a text message or call comes into the device in the middle of a transaction, the whole testing process will vanish. In addition, the network technologies (LTE, HSDPA, WIFI, etc.) can have a major impact on the behavior of the application. Real device testing is the only way to understand the experience of users, screen size, considering CPU factors for a given device. When it comes to quality of service, real handset operations can provide the best testing results. Furthermore, it is much easier to identify performance defects with real devices.DisadvantagesAs stated above, real devices are physical handsets that need to be managed properly. The costs and logistics involved in buying these resources are very high. Another challenge is different types of handsets that need to be purchased, and which devices need to be procured? In the initial development stages, real devices are difficult to connect to IDE as compared to emulators, and it can slow down the process of debugging.Top emulators for test automation in the marketBrowserStackBrowserStack provides easy access to the mobile emulators for testing of Android and iOs devices. It mimics the functionality of popular web browsers to provide the same look and feel of the browser on real devices.ScreenFlyScreenfly is an emulator that supports over 25 devices and 5 tablets with varied platforms like Android, iOS, etc. It checks how the application looks and performs on multiple devices and helps in testing the visual elements and interfaces on multiple devices and resolutions.Top real devices test automation toolsKobitonKobiton is a cloud platform that provides real device access to run automated tests on native web and mobile apps. It is an open-source tool and keeps on adding the latest hardware and software updates to their device lab. The tools allow you to test across multiple devices without any modifications in the script. It also generates commands, activity logs, metadata, screenshots, and allows for quick identification of bugs.Keynote Mobile Testing ToolsKeynote helps to ensure the high quality of the application on real devices. It provides the ability of testing apps on real devices. It is a commercial cloud-based tool that helps you to conduct regression and functional testing of mobile apps.RobusTestRobusTest is a free cloud-based testing tool on real devices and supports the Android and iOS platforms. It allows you to conduct rapid and advanced tests with scriptless automation testing. It also helps in performing rapid automation testing with open API and continuous integration.Choosing the most optimal testing strategyAre you still confused between emulators vs real devices? Well, both have their pros and cons. And the best strategy is to make the most of their advantages and minimize the impact of disadvantages. The most optimal strategy here is to adopt a cloud-based testing solution that supports effective testing throughout the software development lifecycle.The cloud testing platform enables developers and testers to connect with a variety of mobile devices in the cloud for test automation. It offers a wide set of options, combining different screen resolutions, operating systems, frameworks, and so on. Moreover, the cloud solutions also support parallel testing, are available 24/7, and support the agile development process.So, the winning strategy is:Although it is the best option to rely on real-device testing, you can use emulators at the initial stages of the development lifecycle. Then, you can turn to real devices in the later stage. Further, you can scale up your test automation and run tests on as many devices as you need with a cloud testing solution provider.Win your test automation strategy with QAonCloudNow, you have the answer to your question - choosing between emulators vs real devices for test automation. Your next step should be to find the right balance of real-device and emulator-based testing while combining the two approaches and complementing them with the best cloud testing solution. QAonCloud is here to help you make testing more scalable, effective, and cost-effective with hundreds of devices in the cloud. Talk to our QA experts now to see us in action."

"Test Maturity Models: Software testing is an ever-shifting process and keeps on changing to accommodate the dynamic requirements. Testing maturity is the extent to which the process is optimized to accept the changes. The test maturity indicates how well the testing process is managed, measured, monitored, and the yielded results. Why does testing maturity matter? A mature quality assurance process completely covers the needs of stakeholders and ensures stable product delivery. In case of any product quality issues, hectic measures may not work well, and it will require additional time to ensure agile delivery. This is exactly where test maturity can save time and effort. A mature testing process provides action and behavior patterns for managing the possible quality assurance challenges. This set of actions helps in resolving the issues efficiently while reducing the negative effects and time. It looks like test maturity is a must-have but how to build it? Fortunately, there are various test maturity models. What is the Test Maturity Model? Test Maturity Model (TMM) helps in improving the software testing practices while raising the IT standards. The higher the level, the better the process of software development. The primary purpose of the test maturity model is to provide targets to enhance the software testing process and find maturity. TMM works on structured levels and is based on the Capability Maturity Model (CMM). Recently, TMM was replaced by Test Maturity Model Integration (TMMI) which is a five-level model to measure the testing process maturity. Levels of the test maturity model The different levels of TMM define the varied stages of test maturity according to their goals and capabilities.  Every level of test maturity model contains: Responsibilities and tasks required to achieve goals Limitations and scope of the level Goals to achieve the specific benchmark of maturity Level 1 (Initial) At this stage, the activities are very unplanned and inconsistent.  There is very little significance of planning, standards, and guidelines at this stage. There is no consistent process of conducting any task. The most important thing at this level is meeting the timelines, irrespective of the quality of the deliverables. Due to the lack of pre-defined processes, the same task is conducted differently by different people. Level 2 (Repeatable)  In this phase, the processes, standards, and methodologies are defined to solve the quality assurance processes. The processes and standards are finalized and documented so that they can be re-used for similar tasks in the future. The same steps can be used repeatedly for doing similar work. Level 3 (Defined) At this stage of the test maturity model, teams are motivated to follow the set processes and standards. The processes are conveyed to the team and the required skills are identified at this stage. The necessary training is also provided to the team in this phase. The primary focus is on process standardization, documentation, and integration. Level 4 (Managed)  The processes are measured quantitatively at this level. The analysis is conducted by dividing the processes into sub-processes, and quantitative techniques are applied to measure the performance. Based on the analysis, the processes are adjusted without degrading the quality of the deliverables. In a nutshell, the processes are measured and controlled in this phase. Level 5 (Optimizing)  This level of the test maturity model is concerned with continuous improvement. Innovative ways are identified to improve the pre-defined standards and processes. For this purpose, the processes are monitored and re-engineered continuously with the help of new technologies and tools. Another way to optimize the processes is by benchmarking other organizations and adding innovations to ensure continuous process improvement. Benefits of the Test Maturity Model The greatest benefits of TMM are the enhancement of software quality, increased test productivity, and reduced product risks. It highlights how TMM can help in making organizations leaner and efficient. Some core benefits include: Prevention of defects – The test maturity model emphasizes preventing the defects rather than detecting the bugs at a later stage. It helps in making the testing process a part of every phase of the software development lifecycle. It also ensures to identify maximum defects and make the final product error-free. Organized – Every TMM level is well-defined and serves a specific purpose, which automatically makes this model very well-organized. Clear requirements – It helps in verifying the test cases and plans against requirements to achieve more accurate testing. Quality assurance – TMM enables testing integration in all phases of the software life cycle. The analysis of test processes ensures a good quality product. Let’s explore how businesses are leveraging the benefits of TMMi. In 2020, the TMMi foundation surveyed over 150 organizations to understand the benefits of TMMi. The most interesting fact here is that even at the lowest level, 40% of surveyed respondents have leveraged the benefits of TMMi that have accelerated software delivery. Here is the anecdotal evidence about the benefits of TMMi provided to a variety of service providers over the years. A bank has saved 8% of its IT budget while improving output by 12%. An insurance service provider has saved £440,000 on a project of £2,000,000. A department in the UK government has realized 40% savings with the implementation of TMMi Level 3. The defect detection rate of a software service provider has been improved from 78% to 96%. A retail business has started saving over 12% on every project. Background of TMMi The Testing Maturity Model (TMM) was developed initially at the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1996. The TMMi framework has been developed by the TMMi foundation as a reference framework for the testing process improvement. The concept of maturity levels has been used by TMMi with the further inclusion of process areas, practices, and goals. Types of test maturity models These maturity models can be classified into two types: globally recognized models and custom models. The choice of test model depends on the objectives of the company. For example, an automotive company may choose a custom maturity model. And a testing vendor may choose a globally recognized model as it can be applied to a wide range of projects. Custom models: These models are developed for the specific organization, business goals, customers, etc. It allows a high flexibility level for projects but may increase the projects costs and time-to-market. Globally recognized models: These models cater to a wide range of companies. The most common model is TMMi (Test Maturity Model Integration). It clearly defines the criteria to comply with every level of test maturity. How to assess the current test effectiveness of your organization? Measuring and monitoring the test activities is a crucial step as it provides the necessary insights into the test progress, quality, and productivity of the system under test. The primary aim of test metrics is to improve the testing process and performance. This includes: How many bugs are identified, reopened, deferred, and closed? How much time is taken for testing? What is the budget requirement for conducting the tests? How many bugs could not be identified by the team? Were the test efforts reliable and adequate? Is testing done on time? The answers to these questions need reliable measurement techniques. Metric based approach is one of the best techniques to improve the testing process and estimate the testing process efficiency. Let’s explore some commonly used test metrics: Total number of bugs found at different development stages – It provides an overview of the quality of the product at different levels. Total number of bugs identified/missed/resolved/rejected – It helps in understanding the awareness and project understanding level of the testing team. Total number of automation test cases written and used – This metric is not used commonly but helps in understanding the project automation requirement. Test coverage – It helps in determining the test coverage of the application. It ensures that all the critical features are tested properly, and a bug-free application is delivered, User feedback – The testing efficiency should be measured based on the feedback of users. If critical bugs are reported by the user, it will hamper the product and brand reputation. Test maturity model in an agile environment Today, there is a lot of software being developed and tested in agile environments to accelerate product delivery and manage dynamic business priorities. Most organizations are adopting agile methods and testing processes to attain a level of maturity and acceptance. These organizations are implementing the best practices using agile models like SAFe, SCRUM, etc. However, a practical approach to improve the level of maturity is to follow the Test Maturity Model (TMM) that provides a staged approach. Here are the 5 steps to improve agile test maturity: Discover and document – This step defines the testing process based on goals and objectives, timelines, risks, constraints, and key focus areas of the organization. Analyze and benchmark – The best way to improve agile maturity is to determine the current state in terms of people, process, test automation, environment, automation, and test data practices. It is recommended to develop an end-to-end test assessment framework using Test Maturity Model (TMM), prioritize key focus areas, and benchmark them against the industry. Develop a roadmap – Based on the results of the analysis phase, the transformation agenda can be decided. It will act as a roadmap to achieve testing efficiency goals. Transformation approach – In this phase, a target operating model can be designed for transformation. The key focus areas to select this model are functional and non-functional test coverage, test tools, test efficiency, transformation levers like skilled resources, infrastructure, and subject matter experts. Continuous process improvement – This step requires formal audits, self-assessments, and third-party audits to improve existing processes, and mark a positive impact on business outcomes. Achieve your software testing goals with QAonCloud Developing software seems to be a difficult task but maintaining software efficiency is a more tedious, expensive, and time-consuming task. However, a standard testing process like TMM (Testing Maturity Model) can help in achieving best-in-class software efficiency. This process is designed to address the testing issues and improve the maturity of testing practices. If you are also looking to implement an agile testing strategy, contact our QA experts. Our standard test automation framework and dedicated software testing experts can help you build your tests efficiently and quickly. Get in touch with us today."

"A risk is the probability of occurrence of an unexpected outcome that causes a negative impact. If a risk is not mitigated at the right time, then it can have catastrophic effects like loss of business revenue or even loss of life. From the first computer to the modern smartphone, automation has slowly become a part of every industry. It is also changing the way we look at our daily life. With the advent of robotics and the Internet of Things, we are in the midst of the technological revolution. When everything is pointing to automation as it seems to be the future of the world, but the surrounding hype has caused a cart-before-the-horse mentality where people invest heavily before making the specific reforms. Why is test automation important for businesses?In today’s digital age, applications are the primary mode of consuming most of the products and services and delivering a seamless user experience. Most of the companies have already adopted agile development and testing practices to test the new ecosystem of complex, interconnected, and cloud-driven applications. Surely, test automation can do wonders for businesses by reducing time, cost, and effort. But to get effective results, it is important to avoid challenges as they can lead to wastage of automation efforts. 8 most common test automation challenges (and how to overcome them)The good news is that these challenges can be handled with the right technology and tools. Here are the eight most common test automation challenges you should consider to mitigate the risks of test automation failures. Challenge 1: Selecting and using the appropriate toolsMany teams lack the expertise of using certain testing tools, or the tool does not offer complete test coverage, or the tool they want does not exist. Today, there are plenty of tools, ranging from commercial to open-source tools that support various technologies and types of testing. The testing product vendors have a common tendency to exaggerate the capabilities of the tool and assume that they have a “secret sauce” to all the test automation challenges. And this causes a lot of confusion and misconceptions about selecting an appropriate testing tool.Many times, we do not do sufficient research before selecting the right tool and tend to quickly buy popular commercial testing tools. It is always important to define a set of tool requirements based on the application under test and the experience of the team. When the testing tool is selected after extensive research and proper suitability assessment, the test is less likely to be failed. If the tool does not offer everything you need, consider a multi-tool solution. However, it is not possible to test everything, but you can use the tools to test the most crucial things. Lastly, if the tool is out of your budget, quickly conduct a cost vs. benefit analysis to measure the damages of earlier bugs and the time and money you could have saved by using the test automation tool. Challenge 2: Lack of expertise among team members The expertise of team members is one of the most common test automation challenges. While this concern cannot be resolved without gaining significant expertise and experience, some hacks can make the transition smoother and easier. For example, the testing frameworks can be leveraged that allow the team members to utilize their preferred programming language. A good example of a testing framework is Selenium. Selenium essentially automates the browsers while binding multiple languages. If an organization uses JavaScript, its team can use JavaScript to write test scripts. It can be initially challenging for the team to determine which test scripts need to be automated. But a proper training program on this topic will allow the team to identify the right components and decide the priority of test automation.Challenge 3: Lack of adequate test infrastructureAnother key test automation challenge is the lack of infrastructure to provide required test coverage and ensure adequate execution speed. Consider the situation where an application needs to be tested against different operating system and browser combinations. To run tests against multiple configurations in a reasonable time, it is important to run the test scripts in parallel. And to make that happen, the testing infrastructure has to be very strong to support the parallelization strategy.While an organization that gets started with test automation may not be well prepared to build a testing infrastructure of this nature internally, there are other options like cloud-based test infrastructure. Working with cloud-based infrastructure solutions allows you to access a testing environment with all the necessary configurations. This will help you to lead to a higher level of efficiency and test coverage while eliminating the additional cost that comes with building and maintaining the test environments. Challenge 4: Incorrect testing approachSo, let us consider that you already have the right tools and expertise to start test automation. But what do you automate and what is the process of automation? Unfortunately, the tools do not tell you what to automate. Will you raise a set of excellent automated tests or will they turn out to be unmanageable? Of course, you would hope for the former. The fact is that you cannot automate everything and need to be strategic. And for this purpose, you can use two approaches: automation pyramid and risk-based testing.Risk-based testing provides a higher priority to test the elements that are at high risk of failing and also carries great negative consequences if the test is failed. Here, it is important to consider the financial impact of potential errors, service level agreements, and the probability of failure. This provides a baseline to prioritize which test cases should be automated.Test automation pyramid is another recommended approach to address the test automation challenge. Here is a quick overview of the automation pyramid. As the first pyramid indicates, the ice cream cone is tempting but it can spoil the automation appetite. Following this approach will result in high frustration levels as it emphasizes automation on the user interface level and employs the tests that can break easily. Whereas, if you focus on automated unit tests, you can prevent the bugs at an early stage and eliminate them immediately as you go through the lifecycle of software development. Challenge 5: High upfront investment costAutomated regression testing is considered the most useful and crucial method in most agile situations. But the cost can be a major concern here. As a matter of fact, the initial stage of test automation is the most expensive. It is important to analyze, design, and build the test automation framework, reusable functions, or libraries, etc. In many cases, it is crucial to consider licensing costs, operating costs including hardware and software costs.Even though there are free open-source tools that can reduce the cost of licensing, the team can spend some effort on learning, maintaining, and training them. Furthermore, the hidden costs should like meeting, communication, and collaborating also be taken into consideration. Although there is a huge payoff after running regression testing cycles in the long run, to have a consensus about this investment is a major challenge. Due to budget constraints, many organizations give up the idea of test automation even though they have a higher return on investment.Challenge 6: Data dependency problemsTest data management can be a primary test automation challenge. When the test script is run, it requires the data to be in a certain state otherwise, it can create major problems in different scenarios. For example, what happens if the test script is being run in multiple test environments and configurations at the same time? Will it fail in different instances of the script that utilizes the same data? Any modification of the data in one instance of test execution can cause another instance to fail. Or what happens where the data of a script is set up through another test script execution?The most effective way to manage these data management issues is to develop self-contained and independent test scripts. All the test scripts should be developed to create and clean all the data required for successful execution. In this context, the team needs to remove the test failure possibilities due to data-related issues. Challenge 7: Test automation in silosIt is a wrong notion that testing is an individual task. On the contrary, software development and testing should be done hand-in-hand. Testing should be a part of the development cycle and continuous integration process. One of the key reasons for the test automation failure is that testing teams work in silos without any interaction with other project teams. Would it not be a disaster if there are significant changes in the user experience of the product when the test team is simultaneously testing that product? It will eventually end up in the repetition of the work and cause a lot of frustration within the test team. Test automation should be a part of the overall development process. Whether the project uses conventional a water flow model or CI/CD for product development and testing, automated testing should be considered as an integral part of development. Another test automation challenge is that automation tests are considered to be important during the last stage of product development. In this case, the critical bugs (functional, performance, non-functional, etc.) are discovered at a later point in time. It can also delay the release of the product, which can eventually hurt the business. It is always recommended to test often and test more to generate the best test automation results.Challenge 8: Setting realistic expectations of automationNo matter how great your testing processes and tools you have, it is always important to remember that testing is never complete. The automation of tests is not a panacea for bug-laden systems and should not be used in place of non-automated tests. But it is recommended to use test automation in conjunction with manual testing processes. Initially, test automation seems to be a permanent fix but it is important to set appropriate expectations for an automated testing strategy and include other forms of testing as and when required. Even though automating tests will catch more bugs during the development phase, some errors can still make it into production. It can be due to scaling issues or oversight of automated script, etc. The lesson here is that testing is a continuous process and should exist at all stages - including production. Also, it is important to ensure that your team and management agree on the desired outcomes from the test automation plan so that everyone is on the same page.Your next step: Win the test automation strategy with QAonCloudNow when you know the test automation challenges and the ways to overcome them, it is time to prepare for all the hurdles and mitigate the risks of test automation failure. Well, test automation is not a rocket science and its success depends largely on the planning and execution of the test strategy. It is the best way to avoid automation testing failures since overlooking these points can result in the loss of test automation tasks. Here, the key is to tackle all the testing challenges and bottlenecks effectively to bring the best results.  Instead of rushing through the testing process, it is crucial to identify the roadblocks, analyze the project needs, skills, and experience of the team, available time and budget, before adopting a test automation approach to reap maximum benefits. Even if you had an epic failure or mixed failures with test automation in the past, it should not prevent you from trying it again. Take a look at your earlier mistakes, and use the recommendations to deliver a winning project."

"Test Automation ROI : IntroductionWe are living in a technology-driven world where simple actions are interrelated with a huge web of applications and or websites. All business operations are entirely dependent on various software that need to be upgraded frequently, and bugs are fixed instantly for seamless operations. It is always necessary to adopt automated testing multiple fixed procedures to enhance all business operations because manual testing is challenging. Automated testing is an important aspect for any business to deliver a good return on investment (ROI). Practically, it is difficult to measure ROI in software testing, and measuring any test automation ROI is more challenging. Speed coupled with quality in a software development process is a continuing process, and it is impossible to ignore any of them. Every business needs to launch or update all the software products on time to offer greater customer satisfaction compared to other competitors.Manual testing is a slower process compared to automation testing, and it is necessary for faster development cycles. Automation testing helps in executing tests faster with regression testing. Automation testing requires no or minimum human interventions and can be performed in all odd hours. However, automation testing may not be the right approach for all scenarios. Manual testing is obligatory, and automation testing is optional due to the various variables involved. Introducing test automation to manual testing scripts justifies the value of test automation. Investing time and money in test automation offers numerous benefits for specific business needs. Software test automation is repetitive after each source code modification or before a new release. Manual testing increases test run time, testing time spent, and time to market. However, deploying test automation can considerably bring down the execution time and the time to market. Automated tests can be run multiple times with no additional cost after setting up. Advanced test automation tools provide innovative features such as the self-healing of scripts. They automatically detect or alter elements to detect the locators without any human intervention. The three most important parameters to consider in test automation ROI calculations are Speed, Quality, and Cost.How Do We Calculate ROI Calculating ROI on test automation is a measurement of how much QA time test automation saves. To measure tests automation to get the best data, all the test scripts need to be maintained. The most significant piece in test automation is to keep track of all the test scripts at all times and upgrade them whenever necessary. Calculating ROI for testing depends on the test scripts that are updated regularly—the number of scripts increases during the upgrading of all the test scripts with advanced features. Measuring ROI is a challenging task because the time taken to test something is unknown. To calculate ROI for any test automation, it is necessary to work with your developers to understand as best you can how much time they’re spending writing and maintaining tests. These measurements are critical to your cost calculations.Test automation helps in bridging the gaps in the QA department and saves time for manual testing. Adopting test automation involves testers who are well-versed in maximizing both software test coverage and are good at testing software in many ways. All the positive results in a testing phase are the keys to successful business operations. It is important to include the cost of training testers in test automation ROI calculations. Test automation is beneficial as it never skips any step; however, fewer things slip away, causing disruption. Test automation works at a galloping speed than a human mind. The speed of test automation helps in identifying problems before they become outages. Test automation provides visibility well as helps in anticipating a sudden demand in the spike of any software. QA teams are a critical part of every software development life cycle. However, QA specialists work on the same test cases every day, in the same ways, for weeks or months, making the testing process tedious. Test automation ROI calculations provided by QA increase the value of an organization. The best way to maximize test automation ROI is to minimize the time spent for writing and designing tests scripts.Agile software development is the newer and default trend for all software developers and QA’s. It is not possible to release any software solutions at rocket speed just to satisfy customers. The addition of test automation provides regular updates required for the software to keep up with the latest innovations and expectations. Significant metrics to consider before calculating test automation ROIThe three most important parameters to consider in test automation ROI calculations are Speed, Quality, and Cost.SpeedEvery manual tester manually executes test cases for a fixed time every day. However, test automation tools practically work 24 hours a day, executing test cases automatically. Advanced test automation tools run a significantly large number of test cases within a short time. They increase the chances of detecting defects easily, at a low cost, and bugs are easy to fix up. The testing cycle becomes robust with the adoption of test automation, saving time and money substantially. Speed enhances the product quality output with fewer or no bugs in a real environment and saves time during the testing phase. QualityThe testing life cycle involving test automation helps in minimizing defect leakages right from start to finish. The product quality increases by 25% with test automation when coupled with the right type of test automation. The risk of manual errors decreases, and it is easy to find bugs at an early stage. Test engineers who adopt test automation utilize the saved time to develop or execute new tests scripts and focus on more critical issues or features of the software.Test automation increases the frequency of testing, high-quality product, and customer satisfaction.CostCost is the most important factor involved in test automation RIO. The problem with Test Automation is that the monetary benefits are never marked immediate. Viewing from a long-term benefit, the cost of setting up an automated testing tool and testing engineers is expensive. Every testing process looks costlier compared to manual testing until the business reaches breakeven. The two major factors involved in this process are the cost of automation test engineers and investment in testing tools. However, it is important to invest in advanced infrastructure as a one-time investment for future success. Other factors involving cost-efficient are defect leakages and the choice of test coverage. Test automation tools implement test execution on their own, considerably saving time and money.Tips to improve Test Automation ROIFaster delivery Fixing defects is one of the highest unaccounted costs within a software development process. The testing cycle is a tight loop between the development of code and the testing process to produce the right outcome. Time plays a significant role while developing a code or while detecting a defect to obtain desired code intended. Manual testers take months to fix issues because they need to relearn the original codes; however, test automation takes minutes to run a program the moment code is complete.Test automation decreases the defect costs and reconsiders the market opportunities making way for success. The time taken before test automation and after test automation provides you with the fastest time of delivery. The total time includes all the time- developers, product owners, customer service, testers, and others spend on identifying, prioritizing, and fixing defects. To determine and compare the result after any test automation, all you need to consider is the total number of hours and multiply by a reasonable average hourly rate, including benefits. Therefore, the return on investment (ROI) will be the total return (the number we just found) minus the total invested, divided by the total invested. If the result is greater than 1, it is a profit else; it is a loss.Find more regressions After the introduction of test automation, it is typical to identify more regressions. The process of regression helps in identifying defects more quickly. This process may not be documented or recognized; however, a developer can view failed tests in the continuous integration (CI) environment. If the average cost of regression is fixed before automation, then you need to multiply by the count of regressions. This can be reworked after the introduction of test automation, showing the difference as the gain. Regression helps in reducing the average time required to fix defects. Generates more testable productsMore testable products are generated when you adopt test automation. Therefore, businesses need to define the product benefits both qualitatively and quantitatively. Sometimes, products can be tested at a jiffy with a single call from the client’s end. When a product is more testable, it can be displayed in the market very quickly, tested in n number of ways, and less chance of missing used cases. Businesses are attracted to more testable products because they have confidence in what the product does.Test automation helps in replacing manual checks with machine checks with several benefits. Repeating the same test scripts or cases over and over is a mind-numbing task for the testers. Test automation energizes testers and fuels them to find valuable defects. It enables to run regression anytime with a single click and get instant results rather than wait days or weeks. Formula To Measure Test Automation ROI Calculating test automation ROI can happen only on real browsers and devices, not emulators and simulators. Device fragmentation is a significant concern for every developer or tester involved. The software needs to be tested on real devices to help it function accurately in real-world circumstances such as a low battery, incoming calls, weak network strength, and many other factors. This allows users to run the software on multiple devices or browsers by simply signing up, logging in, and selecting the required combinations. Calculation of Test Automation ROI through formulaThe most commonly accepted method of calculating test automation ROI is the formula below:ROI = Savings ÷ InvestmentWhere Savings Denotes : The amount gained by substituting manual tests with automated tests.It is the difference between the cost of running manual tests with the automated tests. Saving = [Time to run a single manual test - time to run the same test in automation]x Number of test x Number of test runs.  & Investment Denotes: The costs poured into setting up test automation pipelines.ROI can denote either unit for savings or investment – usually related to money or time.Calculation of efficiency of ROI Ideally, it is calculated in hours , however manually, it is expected to test for 18-20 hours a day while automated tests can be run through 24 hours a day. There might be some interferences expected like pause or delay. Automated test script development time = (Hourly automation time per test * Number of automated test cases) / 8Automated test script execution time = (Automated test execution time per test * Number of automated test cases * Period of ROI) / 18Automated test analysis time = (Test Analysis time * Period of ROI) / 8Automated test maintenance time = (Maintenance time * Period of ROI) / 8Manual Execution Time = (Manual test execution time * Number of manual test cases * Period of ROI) / 8The ROI in test automation is a vast process, and the teams only consider the amount of time it takes to run a suite of tests compared to manual testing. Test automation offers other benefits, both qualitative and quantitative. Every test engineer is aware of how to draft the test scripts to achieve a profitable return on your investment.The need to raise the standards of business websites has paved the way for much-advanced software in the tech world and testing procedures. To thrive in the cut-throat competition among businesses, advanced test automation procedures and optimizations keep business websites fast as well as smooth. Therefore, adopting automation testing is necessary not to lag.How Our Services Can Help You Increase Your ROIWe’ve gone through some methods to build excellent ROI calculations for your testing automation. While it’s all well and good to ensure extraordinary measures, your goal is to maximize that ROI. This is where QAoncloud comes into the picture as we offer the best way to maximize your ROI, which will always minimize the time spent writing and designing tests. That’s what QAonCloud is here to help with.If you’re thinking about test automation but are concerned about maximizing your ROI, QAoncloud can help you identify the options to cut that initial cost. You’ll optimize your long-term costs and maximize the quality of your testing architecture to fulfill the needs of today and tomorrow. Contact QAoncloud and determine how you can maximize your team’s testing ROI today."

"Automation test criteria: From withdrawing cash from ATMs, taking medical appointments, to buying parking lot tickets and groceries, automation is everywhere. The automation of straightforward tasks as well as complex activities like self-driving cars promises to save you a lot of time and costs.The same is the case with testing practices. Back in the old days, software testing was only about finding application errors. But today, the scope of testing has broadened like never. Most common testing approaches like functional testing, regression testing, integration testing, are being replaced with automation tools.“A quick fact: More than 50% of the projects are tested automatically - (Test automation landscape 2020 report)”Automation has surely changed the whole testing scenario but having said that, the most difficult task is to decide whether test automation is required or not. Of course, everything can be automated, but it is important to consider automation test criteria before you rush to the decision.So, the smartest move is to automate the right test cases to maximize your testing journey. Before we move ahead to the selection of test cases, let’s quickly understand what a test case means. How to identify the right test cases for automation? If you wish to select just the right automation test criteria, you need to have a plan that helps you to get the most benefit out of your automation testing efforts. Well, you do not have to start from scratch while determining the test cases for automation but there are a few crucial factors that need to be considered while identifying the right automation test cases. If the testing frequency and execution time are significant, automation is a must-have for these test cases. In context to resource requirements, it is crucial to check the involvement of devices, operating systems, browsers, databases, and platforms while running the test cases. It also depends on the involvement level of users (the higher involvement means less likelihood of automation). Another factor is the identification of test cases that require complex and flaky features or have a defined outcome for testing software (the more complex features lead to more likelihood of automation to avoid human error). Lastly, the automation downsides should not outweigh the value derived by automation testing. Here, the value includes the saved manual resources, time, and insights. And the downsides of automation include the cost of implementation and maintenance, human flexibility.Now that you know the automation test criteria, it is time to choose the right test cases for automation.  These test cases need to be compared carefully with the criteria. Check below to understand which test cases you should automate and when to test to avoid automation. Test types fit for automation Regression test (sanity and smoke test): These tests consume a lot of resources and time as they are the backbone of every release of the testing process.Performance tests (stress and load test): These tests are very repetitive and consume a lot of time to reach the desired test coverage.Data-driven tests: These tests are conducted on the crucial features of the application under test (AUT). It utilizes automation to minimize the human error potential on the critical components and data related to the product.Repetitive test runs: This is the golden rule of automation that if the test run is repetitive, it should be automated. It will help you derive precise and accurate results, every time.High-risk test cases: If the involvement of risk is high, the test cases should be automated. It will help you prioritize the test cases based on the potential of human error hazards.Web application with critical parts: It is recommended to automate the critical parts of the application as it will help you to avoid possibilities of human errors. It is especially important for test cases that can jeopardize the overall web application.Extensive tests: The test cases that imply large data sets need to be automated. It also increases the possibility of making mistakes in the case of manual testing.Complex test cases: Automation is almost a rule when it comes to complex test cases. It helps you to be on the safe side while saving a lot of time.Other tests: Some test cases that need to be automated are API tests, integration tests, cross-browser tests, unit tests, etc. Test types not suitable for automation Although automation is a promising solution for the speedy and high-quality testing process, automating everything will do you more harm than good. To overdo or misuse automation testing, stick to these four principles: always automate repetitive tests, risky tests, complex tests, and time-consuming tests.  This will help you focus on specific automation test criteria and leave some valuable time for dealing with tasks that cannot be automated. Here are some tests you should not automate:Ad-hoc tests: There are no concrete criteria for evaluating the software application and therefore, automation can result in false outcomes.Usability testing or User experience tests: Automation cannot mimic the exact emotions and expressions of humans. For the same reason, these test cases should not be automated.Intermittent or low-risk tests: These test cases produce unreliable results when they are automated.Anti-automation: Some anti-automation features like CAPTCHA should never be automated as they can hamper the whole purpose of the feature. Steps to identify the right test cases for Automation Step 1: Identification of the parameters on which the test case is based for automation. Below are some identified parameters. However, you can identify your specific parameters based on your application.Tests that can cause human errorsRepetitive tests that are used for multiple buildsTests that are performed on multiple software or hardware platforms, and configurationsTests that require different multiple data setsFrequently used functionality with high-risk conditionsTests that take a lot of manual testing efforts and timeTests that are stable, low risk, and unlikely to change oftenTests that have a significant downtime between steps. Step 2: Break the application into specific modules. For every module, it is important to analyze and identify the test cases that should be automated. The below list will vary depending on the project and can be further enhanced to suit your needs:Y – YesN – NoStep 3: Consolidate various test cases for every module as shown below. Here, the details are quantified and provide an estimate to finish the testing process manually.Step 4: Once the granular level details are identified, they can be presented in the below manner. Step 5: Consider the below attributes that form the basis for determining the return on investment. Time to develop and maintain the scriptsPurchasing and licensing cost of the automation toolManagement of overheadsCost and time to train the resourcesBased on the above factors, below is an example of test automation ROI calculation for 5 years.*ROI = (Cumulative saving / Investment through automation) *100Defining entry and exit criteria for test automationEntry and exit criteria are specific conditions that need to be satisfied to enter or exit the project cycle. In context to automation test criteria, entry criteria are the conditions that should be satisfied for the testing to begin. And the exit criteria are the conditions that should be satisfied to stop the testing process. Entry criteria: Once the design document is approved, the test plans need to be prepared in the planning phase. The necessary hardware should be installed and configured, and their functionality should be checked properly. The software code should be unit tested and signed off by the developer team. The test data and test cases should be prepared in advance and the resources should be well trained about the tools and their functionalities.Exit criteria: When at least 95% of the test cases are passed, the tester can exit the testing phase. However, it is very challenging to determine when software testing can be stopped. Some of the primary criteria include:When all bugs are fixed.When more than 95% of test cases are passedWhen the deadline is reached, or agreement is signed off.When alpha and beta testing is completed.Well, there is no thumb rule for deciding the exit criteria. When the testing of primary functions is achieved, the testing usually stops, and the team looks for minor bugs that can create trouble later.Test automation tool selection criteriaThe selection of a test automation tool is one of the most important steps as it greatly affects the whole automation effort. If you select the right tool, it leads to an easier and effective automation process. Here is the list of the most important aspects to consider while selecting the automation tool.Technology and platform support - Are you testing WPF, C#, or .NET application and their respective operating systems? Do you need mobile application or web application support? Do you work with different operating systems, Android or iOS?                  Skill level flexibility - Is your QA department comfortable in writing automated test scripts or is there any need for keyword testing?Feature-rich - Does the automation tool support record and playback test creation and manual creation of automated tests. Does the tool have the right set of features for implanting the checkpoints to verify the database, values, and key functionality of the application?Maintenance - Create automated tests that are maintainable, reusable, and resistant to change in the user interface of the application. Will the automated tests break if there are any changes in the UI of the application?Integration with the ecosystem - Does the automation testing tool integrate with CI/CD pipelines such as Azure DevOps? Does the tool support test management frameworks like Zephyr and defect management systems like Jira?Testing of enterprise applications - Does the tool offer out-of-the-box support to test the enterprise applications like Oracle, SAP, Salesforce, etc.Automate your testing strategy with QAonCloudJust because you can automate every test, does not mean you should always do it. If everything will be automated, it will require a lot of software maintenance, additional money, and time. It is crucial to take great care of automation test criteria while selecting the test cases to ensure sustainable automation.No doubt, automation testing is one of the best ways to accomplish all the testing goals and effective utilization of time and resources. But you need to be very cautious about selecting the right test cases and automation tools otherwise you will end up remaining on the shelf and with no return on investment. If you are looking for just the right match for your automation testing requirements, QAonCloud is your one-stop solution. It makes the automation, execution, and maintenance of automation seamless - all from the cloud. With QAonCloud, you can easily automate advanced test scenarios on multiple browsers and devices in the cloud anywhere across the world. See how we work to build a cutting-edge automation process and ensure maximum test coverage at scale. Contact our QA experts today. "

"AI automation testing: We live in the age of disruption. Our daily lives have changed. Industries are getting transformed. From large to small businesses, AI is being used widely across the world. Let’s look at the key statistics about Artificial Intelligence.  “Artificial Intelligence” and “Software Testing”As the usage of AI has hit our day-to-day life, its impact on the software industry is not far away. And AI automation testing is one of the hottest trends of the industry.  If you remember the days when testers used to take several hours to manually test the software but still, it could not be tested comprehensively. Thanks to test automation that allows conducting software testing with reduced manual effort and high-quality results. AI continues to permeate the modern world, it has become more crucial to validate that the systems are safe, secure, resilient, and functional. Fortunately, the application of artificial intelligence in software testing is focused on reducing mundane and tedious tasks in the software development lifecycle. You must be wondering that test automation tools already do it. And the answer is - “Yes! They do” but their usage is limited. A few decades ago, manual testing ruled the testing world but today, AI automation testing has made a substantial contribution in the testing environment. Let’s understand more about AI-driven testing.Before we dive into the details, here is everything you need to know about AI-based testing, approaches and tools of AI automation testing, AI-based software testing case studies, and more.What is AI-based Testing?AI-based testing is a technique of software testing using AI and machine learning algorithms. The objective of this technique is to make the testing process more effective and smarter. With the inclusion of artificial intelligence in testing, innovative problem-solving and logical reasoning can be used to improve the overall process of testing. Need of Artificial Intelligence in Software TestingOften, software developers cannot do exhaustive testing of the application due to a lack of time and resources. For the same reason, there is a dire need for AI-based software testing that can automate the processes efficiently instead of human testers that unnecessarily inflates effort and costs. The smart algorithms of AI automation testing help testers in funding the maximum number of bugs in less time and will make the application more accurate and reliable. Moreover, AI-based testing is tremendously helpful in safeguarding the software breakdowns while making more productive and smarter software for the end-users.Use cases of Artificial Intelligence in software testingOn the bright side, testers have recognized the potential of Artificial Intelligence to bridge the gap between human and machine-driven testing capabilities. Here are some examples of how AI is used in the software testing process.Detection of mobile app crashesThere are many frameworks that are used to index the software automatically after every crash so that the testers can focus on more human-centric tests. It allows the test engineers to accomplish more crucial tests like automating the detection of memory leaks (iOS) or troubleshooting the JNI integration (Android).Review of static programsSymbolic Artificial Intelligence is a smart decision-making tactic that employs rules. For example, Deepcode.ai leverages symbolic AI to review the software code that does not adhere to best coding practices but also extracts the potential attack vectors within the code.Leveraging the user traffic to analyze the test coverage and automated test generationNot every test can be assigned with equal weight. Some tests are more likely to result in user error than others. AI automation testing allows to assemble click data, and use the data analytics to determine which key user flows need to be examined. It automatically creates the test code to produce a comprehensive test suite.Leveraging AI to decide whether to conduct a recall in case of faulty test implementationA key issue with Continuous Development (CD) is related to the rolling back of deployment after the identification of any mistake. Harness.io helps in solving this issue by analyzing the observability data from application performance management tools such as New Relics, Sumo Logic to determine the need for rollback.Monitoring and forecastingSystem observability is one of the most common needs in the testing environment. The primary application in this context is log aggregation and analysis. It enables users to configure standard machine learning algorithms such as logistics and linear regression, and so on to Splunk the data. The Machine Learning Toolkit smart assistants make this process even more simple.Searching errorsPerfection does not exist and cannot be attained, and this is why the developers and tests can write erroneous test codes. The flaky test codes have a direct impact on quality assurance and kill a lot of time. Mostly, the process of identifying the error code placement could be onerous. AI automation testing helps in examining the codes in real-time, identifying the errors, and making corrections in specific scenarios.Approaches of AI Automation testingContext-driven testingIt is a context-based model rather than going by the method of testing or fixed best practices. It allows testers to choose their techniques, objectives, documentation, and deliverables by looking into the details of the particular situation. It is not just a technique but a set of values related to the test methodology. So, no thumb rule applies to all cases when it comes to context-driven testing.Model-based testingIt means using models for describing the test strategies, environment, generating test cases, executing tests, and evaluating the overall design quality. This approach ensures the possibility to trace the relationship between models, requirements, test cases, and codes used for the tested system. The models are utilized to generate the test cases automatically and represent the expected behavior of the system under test.Linear scriptingThis approach is based on the record and playback testing process which always leads to linear results. In this script-driven framework, the test scripts are created and executed individually to perform the tests. The automation scripting is also conducted in an incremental manner where the new interactions are added to the automation tests.Modular testingThis framework is built on modules. The independent test scripts are developed based on modules to test the software. The abstraction layer is built specifically for the components and ensures that the changes made to a part of the application do not affect the other related components.Data-driven testingIn this framework, an individual file is used to store the input and expected output. A single driver script executes all test cases with multiple data sets. This script includes navigation to spread through the program and covers the reading of data files and information about the logging of test status.Keyword-driven testingIt is an application-independent framework and utilizes the keywords and tables to explain the actions to be performed within the testing environment. This approach can be considered as an extension of the data-driven testing framework.Behavior-driven development (BDD)In this method, the tests are more focused on the behavior of the system. The testers can easily create the test cases in the English language. It helps the non-technical users to easily understand and analyze the test cases.AI Test automation toolsWhile the first wave of testing was filled with manual testing methods, Selenium began the second wave of test automation in the world of software testing. Now, the current buzz is around AI automated testing. Businesses are rushing to use AI-based testing tools and taking the move to the next wave of test automation. Here are a few of the new wave automation tools that are leveraging AI technology. Differential toolsLaunchableThe tool is based on a machine-learning algorithm and predicts the likelihood of the failure of each test. The tool enables the user to record the test suite so that the tests that are likely to fail can be identified.Google OSS-FuzzThis tool combines the modern techniques of fuzzing with distributed and scalable execution. The tool is well-supported by Rust, C/C++, and Python.Visual AI testing toolsApplitoolsIt is an AI-based visual testing tool. Applitools is a next-generation platform for test automation powered by visual AI. The grid helps in cross-device and cross-browser testing to accelerate visual and functional testing by 30 times.Percy by BrowserStackIt helps in high-speed and cross-browser rendering along with parallelization capabilities. BrowserStack is typically used to capture screenshots and compare them against the display visual changes and baselines.Declarative toolsTricentisThis tool combines different aspects of software testing like the design of test cases, test automation, generation of test data, and analytics to test APIs and graphic user interfaces from business perspectives.UiPath Test SuiteThis tool is used to automate tests and helps in managing and executing the tests. This tool is helping businesses with 360-degree testing and helping robotic process automation developers to build and test better.Self-healing toolsMablIt is one of the leading AI automation testing platforms built for continuous delivery and continuous integration. It crawls the application screens and runs the default tests while using machine learning algorithms to detect defects and improve test execution.TestimThis tool utilizes machine learning and artificial intelligence algorithms to automate testing. The AI automation testing helps in the authoring, execution, and maintenance of the tests rapidly. The tools also include the self-maintenance of machine learning-based tests.The Future of AI in Software TestingThe use of AI in software testing is not a new concept anymore. Initially, it started with visual testing of user interfaces, auto-correction of element selectors, locating the UI elements, and alike. AI has continued to evolve by enhancing the existing tools and frameworks of the testing environment. As technology progresses and machines are getting trained on higher-order tasks, AI is likely to take over all the activities and tackle the contextual problems smartly. Let’s see how AI testing is progressing into the next decade. With the progress of AI automation testing, the fact remains that mimicking the human brain is not an easy task. After all, humans are the users of technological innovations and for the same reason, human understanding and creativity are required to ensure the best product quality. Manual testing remains essential in the future, but it is more likely to be complemented with automation and AI. Rather than AI replacing the human testers, AI can augment the software testing practices and infuse human testers with the efficiency of superhumans. So, the leaders and innovators in the industry will continue to discover and dissolve new boundaries with machine learning and AI. Now is your turn to take the test automation strategy to the next phase. Whether you are just beginning automating tests or reaching continuous testing, QAonCloud can help you with end-to-end test automation. Don’t wait anymore to step into the future of the software testing world."

"JavaScript Automation tools: “Automation” is always the first thing in mind when we talk about technology. Automating the processes make everything easier, quicker, and better. After all, it is an uncomfortable fact that automation can execute a lot of tasks a lot quicker than humans can. Whether it is a startup or large-scale business, every company is striving to incorporate automation testing to speed up their product release cycles. When done right, automation can be a fantastic tool for your software testing toolkit. It can help you execute thousands of tests in a single click. That too, without any human error margins. As the web development and testing scenario has changed over the years, conventional programming languages like PHP, .NET, Java have also transitioned to new frameworks. Today, JavaScript is ranked as the most popular programming language across the world.With this transition in the software development and testing world, comes the need for JavaScript testing tools too. Before we dive into the most popular JavaScript testing tools, let us understand the importance of unit testing in JavaScript.Why unit testing is important?It is a process of testing the code at the module level and ensuring that the developed modules meet the specified project requirements. The unit tests are written for every module and after completion of every module, the entire test case suite is run to ensure consistent testing results. These tests are extremely crucial as they ensure the responsiveness and usability of the application. The frontend unit tests run on browsers while the backend unit testing framework focuses on business logic and service endpoints.Testing JavaScript applicationsJavaScript has a competitive edge over other programming languages. Most modern browsers work with a JavaScript engine that allows the JavaScript code to be executed in the browser natively. The tight integration between the browser and JavaScript helps in executing basic actions like hovering over text or clicking a button. For example, if you click a button and want specific changes in the color of the HTML element, Representational State Transfer (REST) request, or display of dialog box. Since users can choose any browser, it is also important to ensure that the application appears and behaves as expected in multiple browsers. The cross-browser computability adds to the requirement of the test framework. All these requirements have led to different types of JavaScript test frameworks:Standardized – Standard API (Application Programming Interface) to ensure the interoperability with multiple browsers, but it can lack browser-specific features support.Non-standardized – It utilizes browser-specific protocols for a more efficient and feature-rich experience.Proprietary – It uses a custom mechanism for browser interaction to ensure a feature-rich and efficient browsing experience. This test framework can have quirky limitations and is more complex.Types of testing toolsThe type of testing tools is categorized according to their functionalities. To ensure the best testing results, it is recommended to use a combination of multiple tools.Test launchers to launch the test in the browsers (Cypress, Jasmine, Karma, Jest, WebDriver)Testing structure providers to arrange the tests in a scalable and readable manner (Jasmine, TestCafe, Jest, Cypress, Cucumber)Generation and display of test summary (Karma, Jasmine, TestCafe, Jasmine, Cypress, Mocha)Assertion functionality to verify if the test returns according to the expectations or it throws an exception (TestCafe, Jasmine, Chain. Cypress, Unexpected)Mocks to simulate multiple test scenarios and isolate the tested unit of application from other parts, and link to processes to see if it works as expected (Jasmine, testdouble, Jest, enzyme)Generation and comparison of snapshots to ensure data structure changes from previously conducted test runs are intended by the code changes of the user (Ava, Jest)Browser controllers to simulate the actions of the users for functional testing (Puppeteer, Nightwatch, Cypress, TestCafe, Phantom)Tools for visual regression that are used to compare the site to its earlier visual versions by using the techniques of image comparison (Percy, Applitools, WebDriver)Generation of code coverage reports understanding the coverage of tests by the code (Blanket, Jest)There are multiple testing tools in the market. Some are the good old solution that requires extensive configurations and fancy tools that tempts with a five-minute setup and easy documentation. With so many tools and frameworks, here are the most popular JavaScript testing tools.Selenium WebDriverSeleniumn WebDriver is one of the most popular open-source frameworks for testing automation. The core strengths of this tool are that it is highly robust, versatile, and can be used with multiple browsers. Besides this, it also has a vast user community that helps in easily finding the answers to your problems over the internet. Moreover, it does not require extensive knowledge to set it up.Pros:Large user communityMultiple browser supportHighly configurableCons:Need a lot of setup timeNot as fast as other testing frameworksSteep learning curveExample: CypressCypress test automation tool is one of the newest JavaScript testing tools, and its popularity is growing steadily. The main reason for its popularity is that Cypress is an all-in-one solution and requires minimal setup. The tool is very user-friendly and not based on Selenium. It offers a minimalistic runner that allows you to watch the tests going through multiple tests, and you can also peek at every step. Pros:Convenient runnerWell-documentedEasy to set upCons:Lacks some useful functionalitiesLimited support of Firefox and Chromium-based browsersNeed to make payment to unlock the full versionExample: PuppeteerPuppeteer JavaScript testing tool is another automated framework that provides an API to control Chrome while overriding the standard DevTools protocols. Many manual tests conducted in the browser can be automated with this tool. This tool has gained immense popularity because it is very easy to set up. It directly calls an API to launch Chrome, open a new tab in the browser, navigate to the desired site for testing, and capture screenshots. With Puppeteer, you can easily mock resources and thereby, avoid the issues of reliability, speed, and consistency. You can also manipulate external resources like CSS to execute the tests faster. The major drawback of this tool is that it works only with Chrome and if your application demands cross-browser compatibility, you will have to test the application with other testing frameworks.KarmaKarma was developed to bring a full-fledged testing environment where they do not have to worry about configuration. They can instantly write code and receive feedback quickly from the test cases. This JavaScript testing tool is based on Node.js and you should have Node.js installed in the system. Karma helps you to perform automation testing on real browsers, devices, and even on a headless instance. The entire workflow can be controlled directly from CMD or IDE where you need to just save your files to run the test cases. Also, it supports continuous integration using Travis, Jenkins, or Semaphore.CodeceptJSCodeceptJS tool is one of the most versatile tools on this list. The code written in this testing scenario can be read and understood by non-technical users. And the configuration allows running tests with Nighmatch, Puppeteer, Protractor, and WebDriver. All these tools have the same API and hence, the written code is also the same. Similar to Cypress, this JavaScript testing tool is also very well-documented, and also, there is a test user interface to check the snapshots of every test step to make the debugging process easy.ProsExtremely versatileEasy to write and read testsStructured documentationConsSmall user communityLimited to the syntax levelExample Nightwatch.jsNightwatchJS framework got serious attention when E2E testing was introduced. At that time, the clean syntax and easy setup were the main benefits. Today, the installation is very easy and quick in Nightwatch, but the documentation does not include all the necessary information. It uses Selenium Webdriver to access all browsers without any hassles. This testing framework provides all the necessary functionality but at an average level.ProsQuick and easy setupMultiple browsers supportConsLow documentation qualitySlow performanceExample: JestJest is rated as one of the best JavaScript testing tools. This framework was developed by Facebook to test JavaScript codes, specifically for the ReactJS applications. It provides an integrated framework and does not require any configuration expertise. It is a ready-to-use tool and can be easily set up. The major benefit of using Jest is its minimal requirement of configuration and setup knowledge because it comes with an assertion library and support. Just like testing libraries, the test cases are written with a behavior-driven approach, and you can directly put your test cases in a folder to start running them. The testing framework is very well-documented and one of the fastest performing frameworks. Jest can also perform visual regression testing with the help of screenshots. It simply works by recording the screenshot of rendered components. It also updates the screenshots easily in case of any new feature additions. The drawback of Jest is that it does not support much tooling and libraries as compared to other JavaScript testing tools. Also, the snapshot testing of the framework is not compatible with larger files.MochaMocha JavaScript automated test framework tests the applications using Node.js. The installation of this testing framework is very easy. You can run a few commands to start using the tool. Mocha is an open-source JavaScript testing tool with extended flexibility. It also supports generators and helps you to map exceptions with the test cases. Since the tool is quite old, it offers many documents and tutorials available online. The drawback of this framework is its overall low performance and lack of inbuilt features. The easy setup is one of the main reasons for the popularity of the Mocha framework. Many organizations have switched to Jest as it makes testing significantly faster with little configuration requirements. Although Mocha offers a wide ecosystem, the complexity of the framework is on the higher side.TestCafeTestCafe is quite similar to Cypress as it is very fresh in the testing framework domain. This JavaScript testing tool is not built on Selenium and offers a test runner called TestCafe IDE just like Cypress runner. You can easily build tests while skipping to write the code completely. But unfortunately, it is a paid solution after a trial version of 30 days.The testing tool offers extensive support of multiple browsers, including different mobile versions, and works out-of-the-box. It works with the Smart Assertion Query mechanism, which automatically waits for changes to be implemented and retries with regular checkups. The drawback of this testing framework is that you need to consider JS asynchronicity and syntax while Cypress allows you to write synchronous code.Pros:Easy to set upAutomatic wait timeSupport of multiple browsers without Selenium supportCons:Expensive full versionJasmineJasmine is commonly used for asynchronous testing and is considered one of the most feature-rich JavaScript testing tools. The framework runs on Node.js and allows flexible and accurate reporting by running the test cases serially. The installation of the application is easy. You only need to set up and configure the test.js file before the execution of tests. The major benefit of Jasmine is its extended compatibility across multiple frameworks, which makes it one of the flexible testing frameworks. It also has a large user community to offer support in the form of video tutorials, libraries, and blog posts. With the large community, the learning curve of Jasmine is also quite smooth. The cherry on the top is its effective documentation. The drawback of this framework is that it requires a lengthy configuration procedure.Make the best choice of the JavaScript testing tool with QAonCloudNow when you know the pros and cons of popular testing tools, you choose the tool according to your project requirements. From the browser automation frameworks, we looked at, you can choose from Puppeteer and Selenium WebDriver. And if you are looking for a one-stop testing solution, Cypress is the best choice.Consider these variables while choosing the best JavaScript testing tool:What type of configurations and apps requires support? Frameworks like WebDriver are the most extensible framework.How mature and robust framework is required? Frameworks like TestCafe, Puppeteer, and WebDriver are well-tried and tested.Do you need to conduct testing for desktop as well as mobile? Frameworks like WebDriver support both types of apps.Do you need a framework to manage front-end and back-end testing? Cypress is the best framework for front and back-end testing.How easy and quick do you want to configure and run tests? Frameworks like Playwright and Puppeteer require extensive configuration.All you need to do is pick the best option and get started. To learn more about application and user interface testing solutions, get a free consultation with QAonCloud today."

"The banking industry is fraught with risks and must take advantage of innovative technologies to drive operations. Banks must strive to achieve progress while providing a stable application with advanced features. While its customers prefer stable operations, the banking industry must ensure adequate security safeguards to prevent data breaches. So, is there any way out for banks as they seek to attain robust operational workflows? The answer lies in this guide to banking app testing. How can you do banking domain testing? Banking applications are feature-rich and have mission-critical processes. It requires advanced testing processes covering security, database, performance, compatibility, and application functions. Let us now discuss the steps involved in banking application testing. Requirement analysis: It is the first stage in the testing process. The testing team must conduct adequate research, and QA specialists must be aware of the latest banking technologies. The team must also understand the industry standards and compliance. Finalizing the Test Plan: Your team must formalize the test plan. The team must assess all the requirements that the activity will determine. Apart from the scope of the testing activities, the testing environment, tools, roles and responsibilities of the team members, etc., must be included in the test plan. Preparing the Test Cases: The banking domain testing experts must prepare the test suite to cover the test cases covering all modules. All the scenarios, cutting across user experience, performance, security, functionalities, must be covered. All relevant banking domain scenarios, like savings accounts, current accounts, deposits, money markets, loans, etc., must be considered. Functional Testing: After creating the test cases, the testing team will undertake functional testing to confirm whether the features are acting per the functional specifications. Few test cases: Validate the login function by using valid and invalid credentials Verify whether we can create new roles by replicating with available data and with valid or invalid data. Assess whether we can delete the roles without any dependencies. Check whether a new branch can be created by replicating data from an existing branch. Analyze if we can send messages. Check if we can carry out support requests. Assess whether you update branch data using valid and invalid data. Validate if the balance is getting updated after a credit or withdrawal. Also, check if regular payments can be made and saved at pre-set times. Database Testing: Banks must store the customer demographics and financial information with adequate safeguards. The outcome will ascertain whether the application can readily retrieve and store data from the database while ensuring data integrity is intact. The testers must verify that only authorized users are allowed access and prevent any mismatch in the system. Few test cases: Validate if the data fields are in the correct format. Analyze if the values obtained after calculations of different fields are correct. Validate if there are any duplicate values in the tables. Assess database backup and check if previous data remains unaltered if any function fails. Check whether the tables have a unique index, primary key, and secondary keys. Assess if null values are accepted where they should not and check for duplicate values. Security Testing: In this stage, the testers test the application's ability to thwart data breaches. Testers must check whether only authorized users are allowed entry into the application. Through this activity, the testers assure that the application does not have any vulnerabilities that can expose it to hacker attacks. Few test cases: Use the “Forgot password” feature and check if it is working correctly. Assess the encryption of the user credentials and check if the password is strong. Validate if the user logs out after a predetermined period of inactivity. Assess how the application behaves to cache clearing. Check how the applications respond to several invalid logins. Few other testing methods in the QA for banking apps Usability testing: Testers have to test banking application must be tested to ensure it has a simple but efficient design. It helps users of varied website usability skills to take benefits from the application. Few test cases: Assess if all the visual components are designed with similar styles. Check if the terms are named the same on all pages (Like Recurring Deposits, Outstanding Balance, etc.) Validate if the error messages can be understood. Analyze if the workflows are intuitive. Integration Testing: Developers may integrate the application with several modules to guarantee a smooth workflow for customers. Integration testing integrates all the various modules and validates whether they are working as desired. User Acceptance Testing: The testers must confirm whether the application complies with the relevant real-world scenarios. You can use various UAT Management tools to carry out this activity. Points to note during mobile banking application testing Studies show that the use of smartphones is growing at a scorching pace. The high-end users will expect to access their banking accounts through their hand-held devices. We will delve into detail about some of the factors to consider when testing banking apps. Addressing any UI/ UX issues A great experience while using the app will lead to customer satisfaction. Usability tests can ensure that all the components are functioning as desired. Testers can use heat maps to ascertain user behavior while using the app. Testers must also consider the aspect of compatibility of multiple devices. They must fix any inconsistencies in functionality, fonts, and images, features, etc. The app can be run on emulators and assess compatibility issues that can arise across multiple devices. Assessing performance levels Testers must address the peculiarities of QA for banking apps by putting the system to various loads and assessing its stability. Testers must undertake stress testing to ascertain its maximum capacity. Spike testing can check the application behavior during load spikes. Mobile banking application testing procedures must adhere to the various regulations and compliances applicable in different countries. Specialized QA testers can help to ensure that the mobile banking apps cater to the local rules. Ensuring data security Banking apps are required to collect vast amounts of customer data. Please do note that the bank's reputation will be at stake in the event of a data breach. Testers must ensure the app is encrypted as per advanced standards like AES-256. The mobile banking app must also undertake vulnerability testing to discover any gaps that hackers could exploit. Always do penetration testing before release and while customers are using it. Ensure a secure connection between the bank's servers and the user devices. Highlight variances in test plans There are bound to be differences in functionalities between the test and the production environments. In a test environment, the files are transferred manually and may not detect various issues. In the production environment, the bugs like delays in file transfer, transfer of duplicate files, etc., can get noticed. Testers must consider the variances that may exist between both environments. It can help to mitigate risks that may pop up later and lead to customer dissatisfaction. Get the correct test data Various countries have specific regulations that banks must follow to protect the personal data of customers. Testers must factor in the banking regulations in the use cases. It is equally essential to merge data masking with synthetic data creation. The testers must warrant testing across several devices with varying screen resolutions for comprehensive mobile banking application testing. The screen layout should remain intact with varying data sets. Conclusion: Banks are looking forward to creating an excellent baking experience for their customers. As they are trying to reduce pressure on their employees, they emphasize their web and mobile applications. They must deploy QA for banking apps that can do thorough testing of the applications before going live. The applications must address the customers' needs and provide them with the necessary information when required."

"POS Testing: Ecommerce is a highly demanding industry. It is estimated that you need 12 positive customer experiences to compensate for the loss caused by 1 negative experience. Over 70% of these customers find the checkout experience to be the biggest complaint in the ecommerce platform. Even a nominal increase in customer experience can increase the store revenue by $823 million over three years.Yes, that’s how the customer experience mathematics works in the retail business. Let’s explore some more interesting trends.A customer behavior study by Accenture reported that 47% of the customers would pay more if their expectations are met.A Deloitte survey shows that customers are willing to spend 140% more than what they usually spend if they have a positive experience.Well, achieving these magic numbers is not easy without impressing your customers well. The rapid evolvement of technology is pushing the bar higher for more transcendent usability and intuitive user interactions. Ease, accuracy, and speed are the 1-2-3 punch to keep your customers happy and loyal for the long haul.From numerous ways to induce positive customer experiences, leveraging Point-of-Sale (PoS) is surely one of the most effective ways. Adding a POS system, tablet, and mobile-based POS version gives a great opportunity to improve customer experience, better sales, and elevate the brand position. So, let’s start from the beginning and define what is a POS system.What is the Point of Sale System?The point of sale refers to a particular point when a sale happens. POS (Point of Sale) is a technology for retail businesses and other service providers to complete their retail transactions effortlessly from anywhere at any time. So, it is a combination of hardware and software that centralizes business management. A modern POS system is not only used to process sales transactions but also automate manual tasks, provide real-time reports, help you manage your inventory, customers, and more. A POS system is a must-have software - whether you run a retail store, restaurant, café, or even a food truck.Here are a few ways POS systems improve the customer shopping experience: Why POS testing is important to ensure quality?Retail businesses are highly competitive and an effective point of sale system can make a huge difference. It will help in increasing business efficiency by eliminating unnecessary work. If POS does not work as expected, the business is more likely to experience:Incorrect record managementIncreased man-hours to process and current the unreliable dataErroneous information in sales reportsDifficulty in tracking discounts, promotions, and couponsIncorrect loyalty members dataTherefore, it is very important to have a reliable POS solution that performs seamlessly and securely. To ensure this, it demands rigorous POS testing.POS ArchitecturePOS system architecture looks complex, but it is not tricky when you understand the concept well. It deals with various terminals in the store that are connected to a file server. The main configurations are set on the server and pushed to every terminal in the store. Since POS systems accept different payment modes, they are integrated with the third-party payment providers who accept different payment methods. This is how a POS system architecture looks like: What needs to be tested in a POS system? A POS system needs to be tested for three key components, which are detailed as under: POS device/terminal: It includes multiple performance aspects and functionalities of the POS terminal such as device functioning, associated hardware like barcode reader, printer, scanner, etc. along with the performance attributes. Local server: It comprises key information, business and transactional data of the POS devices that are linked with the POS applications. It requires interface testing along with analytics, security, and recovery testing. Enterprise server: It requires the same testing activities as a store server. Some of the testing scenarios include an interface, security, business intelligence and analytics, and recovery. To ensure the POS quality of retail business, proper POS testing of the application is very crucial. Along with the key components, the application needs to be tested for a lot of things. A few are listed below: Back-office integration: POS interaction verification with the store server and back-end systems.  Cashier activity: It includes verification of customer transactions like store value cards, entry of items, discounts. It also includes non-customer transactions like petty cash, cash drawer loans, and closings. Platform validation: If the POS supports various platforms, then the functionality needs to be verified on all the platforms. Sales: The data of regular sales, sales with a gift card/debit card/credit card, return, exchange, inventory, loyalty member purchase, prices need to be verified. Return and exchange: Validation of return and exchange of items with different tenders (credit, cash, etc.). Discounts and promotions: Item-wise discount, line-item discount, and other variants of discount need to be verified.  Loyalty member data: The system needs to track what the customers are buying and who they are. It keeps a track of sales, times of day or week, type of customers, and salespeople. This data is collected from the POS system to plan long-term strategies. Ability to read the card: Testing of various types of cards like magnetic stripe, CAV, etc. Performance: Time taken to send the card reading request, receiving the response, and apply transaction-based rules for tax, discount, rebates, etc. Negative scenarios: Validation of the transaction declined scenarios due to invalid PIN, card, expired card, etc. Sample Test Scenarios for POS in Retail Industry Test Scenario Test Cases Payment gateway processing Test the validity of the CVV number of the credit card. Verify that the captured card details are encrypted and decrypted properly. Swiping of cards is done properly from both sides. Sales Test for the regular sale process, null transactions, reference transactions Test barcodes or UPC to vendors Check for loyalty membership purchase Test for the processing of sales with debit/credit cards Testing of the printing format of the receipts Test the billing details in the payment management system Verifications of the code generation for approved, hold, or declined status. Return and exchange Check for exchange of products with cash Ensure that the inventory is integrated with supply chain and other outlets Check the system processing for sale with or without the receipt Verification of the system entering barcode manually if the scanner is not working properly Verification of the system displaying current and discount amounts. Promotions and discounts management Test for various types of discounts like a seasonal discount, flat discount Test system for promotional offers for certain product line or time Test the notification for beginning and end of the offers Test the process of order management Verification of the accuracy of the product data received after scanning the barcode  Test whether the print of receipt display the exact amount of discount Test the system for allocation of the wrong discount of offers on the products. Negative scenarios Test the system for invalid password the card or expiry card details Check the inventory by manually entering the wrong code for the product Test for the response of the system by entering the wrong invoice number Test the response system by entering invalid promotional products or dates. Security and regulatory compliance Verification of the POS system according to regulatory compliances Ensure that the payment can be voided before posting Test the notification and alert system for security defenders Test the consistency of the database, user profiles, and level of access on POS software. Customer tracking data Test for the response of the system by inputting wrong customer details Test the system for allowing unauthorized access to the confidential data of customers Test the system for recording the buying history of customers and entry in the database. Report testing Testing of the credit card transaction information reflection in the reports Report testing of the trend analysis Test for the individual and consolidated reports of the buying history of the customers Test for the online generation of the reports. Challenges in POS testingThe POS software needs to be tested thoroughly, especially for retail domains. That being said, the point-of-sale system consists of various challenges that need to be addressed in the initial stages of development before the system testing begins. Some major challenges are:Varying ConfigurationsWhen the business deal with multiple locations, the POS software needs to consider the requirements of each store. For example, one store is running a special promotion that is not applicable at other locations. It gets challenging to examine how well the POS system handles the varied configurations within the system.Intricate InterfacesThe payment process seems to be easy but a lot of things happen during the payment process. A point-of-sale system usually showcases an intricate interface. POS testing needs to be conducted with a comprehensive test plan that includes all the features and touchpoints within the application. Payment Card Industry (PCI) ComplianceAny business or industry accepting payments with debit or credit cards should be PCI compliant. POS testing also needs to focus on eliminating the risk whenever the card details of consumers are involved. Without the specific payment compliance test cases, your business is more likely to face security breaches, lost revenue, and lost loyalty. Continuous Upgrades and MaintenancePOS testing requires a specific test framework for all devices, including different software versions and various types of hardware devices. Therefore, it requires a strong testing framework that considers compatibility and integration testing. How to Perform POS testing?POS testing can be performed manually or through automation tools. However, there are various challenges in the execution of manual testing such as multiple configurations, peripheral issues, complex interfaces, setup and maintenance of test environment, security compliance, etc. However, automation has been proved to be an effective option to the manual testing method over a POS system considering the benefits such as reduced cost and time, customized reports, and consistent quality. Automated POS Testing Best PracticesThe implementation of POS testing automation leads to a better quality of the software while keeping the costs low. The POS automation strategy needs to be designed by following the best practices of automation testing. Below are some of the pointers to create an effective automation framework:Selection of the Right ToolThe selection of the right automation tool is the key to project success. The first step is to define the purpose of the test and provide feedback by viewing the log files. Then, the testers can review the tool and make the selection. For example, an Omni channel retailer can have the following considerations at the time of choosing automation tools:Ease of providing input test data for load testsNeed of operating system, WPF application, or languageType of testing requirement (regression, unit, functional), and will the automation tool maximize the return on investment.Establishing the FrameworkThe next step is to set a specific framework by considering the predefined set of processes that interacts between different components on which the further deployment will be done. It is recommended to keep the framework portable and robust so that it can be used in the future as well. Run Test ScenariosThe iterating process is considered ideal in the case of automation testing. For seamless testing on multiple hardware configurations and software platforms, the basic uniformity needs to be maintained to ensure robustness and portability.Third-Party InteractionsThis is one of the key requirements for project success. The automation testing success depends on how well it interacts with the third-party tools to fulfill the dynamic needs of the business. POS system interacts with various systems like ecommerce, merchandising, audit, etc. It increases the need for extensive validation of system performance. Therefore, the POS testing needs to be configured in conjunction with the third-party tools while maintaining extensive reports to create a scalable and flexible automation framework.Automate Your POS Testing with QAonCloud TodayPOS applications involve complex configurations and processes. Additionally, the standards and technology of POS applications move too rapidly, and therefore, you need experienced QA testers and engineers to understand the changing requirements. If you are aiming for a seamless, secure, and well-integrated user experience, QAonCloud can help.Our team of POS application testing experts can ease all your concerns related to POS testing and related functionalities. We can help you with the most industry trends in context to test creation, execution, and maintenance, and deliver the product that can survive the competitive business world. Get a free consultation with our POS testing experts today."

"Like many other technology trends, the new SaaS (Software-as-a-service) technology has also come into existence officially in the year 1999. Salesforce launched a CRM solution as the first SaaS-based solution. In the earliest days, it was assumed that the subscription-based software platform will not be viable for businesses but soon, SaaS has left human existence shell-shocked. The SaaS model is still on fire, and will only evolve in the future. “It is predicted that the worth of the service-based cloud application industry will be $143.7 billion by 2022 – Gartner.” A decade ago, very limited businesses were using cloud technologies. In 2008, only 10-12% of the businesses were using cloud-based applications. But today, the story is completely different. A recent tech poll by IDG found that most of the businesses have increased their IT spending in 2019. And most of the spending goes towards cloud computing applications. Let’s explore how SaaS is taking over the cloud market. The Rise of SaaS (Software-as-a-service) businesses Even though the SaaS model existed for decades, it gained immense popularity in the 90s. As reported by Crunchbase, there are over 15,000 SaaS companies across the world, as of June 2020 and they are experiencing astronomical growth. For example, Salesforce grew from $161 billion in 2020 to $251 billion in September 2021. Shopify grew from $52.1 billion to $185 billion in just 20 months. That’s over 225% growth. This clearly indicates that there is a huge demand for SaaS business models. Here are a few factors that have contributed to this tremendous rise: Penetration of the internet – In 1995, less than 1% of the population across the world had internet access. And today, more than 60% of the world population has internet access. The widespread internet availability has made it easier for companies to leverage SaaS solutions. Startup culture – There is a notable surge in the number of startups and online businesses globally. As these companies don’t have sufficient funds for high-tech infrastructure, they prefer the SaaS model over high technology costs. COVID-19 pandemic – While most of the companies had been embracing flexible and remote working during the pandemic. As work-from-home has become the norm, employees expect round-the-clock access to data and applications. This, in turn, has compelled businesses to switch to SaaS applications. Will the SaaS applications grow after the COVID-19 pandemic? In 2020, the world has confronted the biggest health and economic challenges as the COVID-19 virus started spreading across the globe. Most of the employees started working from home and the SaaS applications started growing rapidly after 2020. But will the SaaS landscape continue to grow after the COVID-19 effect? The answer is a big “YES”. The world had already moved into a remote mindset. And SaaS companies will continue to see growth as they function without any dependencies on people and infrastructure. This ensures that SaaS solutions will be at the forefront of remote work and efficiency. What’s the need for SaaS testing? All the benefits and ease of SaaS applications are like a double-edged sword. The development and testing team is always accountable for the proper functioning of SaaS applications. While on-premise software is deployed once a year, SaaS applications are deployed almost every week, and also, require continuous software maintenance. Testing of SaaS applications comes with a unique set of challenges. So, the early you start with SaaS testing, the better. Scope of SaaS testing at different stages of development and implementation Stage Scope of Testing The before-release concern Scalable consumption of cloud resources The after-release concern Regular bug fixes Quick software updates and upgrades Maintaining zero downtime Keeping pace with new features released every month or at least several times in a year. Before- and after-release concerns Multi-tenant architecture complications Configuration and customization challenges When SaaS application testing is not conducted properly, it can fail to achieve a fast, convenient, and quality experience. But this is not a problem when you set a strong testing strategy with best practices. Before creating a strong strategy, you need to know the SaaS basics first. Let’s explore now. What is SaaS? Put simply, it is a licensing model to provide the application services to customers on a subscription basis. The third-party vendor takes complete responsibility for the development, maintenance, feature upgrades, and maintenance. The software is located on the cloud instead of in-house servers and is usually accessed over the internet. The data can be stored in the cloud, locally, or a combination of both. What is SaaS Testing? Once the SaaS application is developed, the testing phase comes into play where the testing cycle is decided based on type and scope of software. The testing and validation activities are conducted to ensure the quality of the software. Some of the common testing activities include scalability, security, reliability, performance, user experience, data integration, etc. Some well-known examples of SaaS applications include Google G-Suite, Microsoft 365 suite, Dropbox, Amazon web services, Salesforce, Adobe Create Suite, Zendesk. The most common reason for using SaaS applications is that it is an “on-demand and pay per use service”. Still wondering why SaaS testing is important. Check out more reasons you should opt for testing SaaS applications. Shared database reliability The user experience is tied closely with the environment of the organization with on-premise software. With SaaS applications, the users can have a best-in-class experience. The testing activities recreate maximum user scenarios with stress testing while ensuring database reliability. Validate the application scalability  Testing does not only validate the reliability of the existing database but also helps in determining the ability of the platform to scale further. Validate the accessibility All you need to access the SaaS application is an internet connection and a browser. The application should be tested for a wide range of devices and browsers. Testing of business workflows SaaS applications should be tested for optimum management of business workflows and related functionalities. The proper understanding of configurable and non-configurable aspects helps in achieving the best outcomes for the application. SaaS Testing Strategies The testing of SaaS applications revolves around networks, apps, and the infrastructure. Below are the key SaaS testing strategies: Functional testing It verifies the application against the expected environment. The tests are conducted in the target environment, considering the needs of the end-user. Some of the tests under functional testing include browser compatibility to check the performance of the app on different browsers, reliability to find the weaknesses of the application, and automated functional tests. Performance testing The performance of every module of the SaaS application is tested thoroughly alongside the workflow. In addition to the application performance, the bandwidth performance is also tested. The quality assurance team can check for load, scalability, and stress tests to evaluate the application performance. Compatibility testing This type of SaaS testing includes the performance of the application in context to browser, mobile devices, operating systems, hardware versions, and alike. The compatibility of the application is tested with all the possible combinations. Infrastructure safety testing This testing checks the safety of the infrastructure. It checks for the network security where the SaaS application is deployed, reviews the security threat scenarios, access privileges for different roles, compliance with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), login security errors, and warnings from unreliable sources. API integration testing The SaaS applications work on multiple scenarios as it extensively uses APIs for using specific functionalities. Therefore, it is important to test the interface of all APIs for usability, safety, functionality, performance, and accuracy of the documentation. Maintenance testing The QA team is responsible for the maintenance of SaaS applications and ensuring the correct performance of the application. Some of the common fields to be checked under this type of SaaS testing include application, service, database, operating systems, application servers, warnings and alerts, functionality, and performance errors. Regression testing This testing is comparatively time-consuming and complex. Regression testing validates the usability, performance, functional, security, and compatibility factors that may be influenced by changes made in software. This SaaS testing is conducted after all the activities of software updates, migration, and bug fixes to ensure the stable performance of the SaaS solution. Backup and recovery testing This type of testing checks for common issues like software or server crash, loss of connection, software migration issues, software updates, or customization. Ideally, backup and recovery testing should be conducted before and after the release of the software. Automation Opportunities in SaaS testing No matter what kind of application is being tested, it is always important to understand the business goals, what the platform is all about, the customers served by the business, and so on. But with so much competition and rising demand for SaaS applications, it is time to add capabilities to the platform rather than just staying minimal. Since SaaS testing needs to be conducted in short release cycles, it is vital to apply automated testing to reduce the time taken on monotonous tasks. The test automation can be applied to different strategies of SaaS testing. For example, test automation can help security testing in repeating the benchmark to ensure accurate performance results. What are the best SaaS testing tools? The speed of launch, and customization matters the most in the lifecycle of SaaS applications. For the same reason, test automation is very crucial. Besides automation testing, various tools can be used to simplify, optimize, and speed up the testing process. PractiTest This tool provides an end-to-end testing solution. It also allows users to control the overall development and testing processes. qTest It is a cloud-based testing tool for scalable test management solutions. QMetry This tool links the requirements of the project to the test cases and defects. It helps in an end-to-end coverage of the progress of the project along with traceability. JMeter, Gatling, and Tsun These are some easy-to-use tools to perform load testing and measure performance. JMeter provides a variety of options to save actions and related requests, simulates the high system load to determine the maximum number of users supported by the website at a time, and visualizes the performance reports. Chrome DevTool This tool is used for user interface testing and debugging websites. It can help you edit pages, diagnose problems quickly. TunnelBear In some scenarios, VPN services need to be used to evaluate the performance of the application in a different country. To avoid this limitation, TunnelBear allows users to connect to local VPNs in 20 countries while connecting up to five devices. Rest API Testing of APIs is extremely important to achieve the success of SaaS solutions. This tool helps in testing the REST APIs and related services by sending the HTTP requests. Burp It is one of the popular tools for penetration testing because of its flexibility and ways to combine manual and automated analysis techniques to conduct security testing. OWASP Zap  It is a SaaS testing tool to find all the possible vulnerabilities in applications. What are the SaaS application testing challenges? The testing challenges may be different for various types of SaaS applications, below are some common challenges experienced during SaaS application testing: Less time to check the validity and security of applications due to frequent upgrades and releases to be updated in a short time. Validation of the association of the user interface of the application with back-end components. Difficult to take care of privacy concerns due to dynamic user behavior. Challenging to identify the most accessed areas and test them with a large number of users in different locations. Difficult to manage the integrity and privacy of test data at the time of migration and integration of SaaS applications. Validation of licensing factors including the number of users and functionality whenever a new release is made. SaaS testing best practices Building a SaaS testing strategy requires a detailed understanding of the type of tests that need to be performed. Let’s see how to help you test the application thoroughly, address the potential problems, and develop a comprehensive testing strategy. 1. Continuous integration and delivery It is a good practice to turn to the continuous integration and delivery method if your SaaS solution has not yet gone live. It allows you to accommodate new software features and amendments and deliver a full-fledged solution. With this practice, you can resolve more bugs during the testing process. 2. Risk-based testing To ensure that the SaaS application matches the dynamic requirements of the business, it is best to turn to risk-based testing. With this practice, the test cases validate the software features where bugs are most likely to appear, and there are increased possibilities of data leakage, damage, and financial loss. 3. Test automation There should be a balanced ratio of automated and manual testing to ensure the required test coverage, validate the software functions quickly, and meet strict deadlines. It helps you to achieve the best ROI of the testing activities. For example, the long-running, repetitive, and data-intensive tests should be automated. And the penetration, backup and recovery, usability tests should be tested manually. 4. Proper testing environment This practice ensures a minimized number of missed bugs. SaaS application testing should be conducted in staging before the final launch. The staging environment allows the testing experts to validate the functioning, security, usability, and performance of software while keeping the production environment safe. 5. Service virtualization In the SaaS environment, there are various external components of the system. When the external system components are not reachable, it is ideal to simulate the dependencies and automate the testing to run the SaaS application smoothly. The service virtualization is relevant for testing performance, API, and functionality to validate possible customizations and configurations. Need help in SaaS testing strategy? Quality assurance is an ever-changing and dynamic field, and the SaaS application trend has caused major changes rapidly. It has added an extra layer of focus on quality assurance as it considers the platform experience and user base as a testing entity, rather than just the functionality of the application. Here, only the excellent quality assurance of SaaS applications can be your secret weapon. Incorporating all the testing resources and tools at the time of creating your testing strategy can be tricky. Instead, you can choose a quality assurance partner like QAonCloud to maintain the efficiency and speed of SaaS applications without exhausting your resources. Our team of testing experts specialize in the SaaS domain and have years of experience in service applications across all the SaaS testing tools. Get started to instill the best SaaS testing practices for your application. Contact us if you need specialized SaaS testing expertise now."

"Healthcare Software Testing: It is rightly observed by a philosopher William Shedd - "A ship in the harbour is safe, but ships are not built to be parked safely". In other words, the unused potential is not valued. The ability of technology to change the world for the better is not a new concept, but its potential should be used appropriately. Right from the initial stages of digital transformation, we have witnessed the role of technology in boosting productivity and efficiency in the workplace, automating business operations, facilitating personal tasks, and a lot more. The world is meant to become more digitized in the future, leaving us with no choice but to adapt to the new ways of the world. No matter the industry, digital transformation has become the new reality of the world. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, digital health has emerged as the most innovative concept in the healthcare industry. Have a look at the industry-specific spending on technology after COVID-19. The Realm of "DIGITAL HEALTH" While it may be difficult for industries to adjust to the changes, the healthcare industry is already impacted. The conventional interactions between doctors, patients, and pharmaceutical companies are no longer relevant in this digital age. Gone are the days when you see your doctors, get a prescription, take the medicines, and report to your doctors for follow-ups. Now, healthcare organizations grapple with responding to the COVID-19 pandemic and preparing for the future of healthcare amid social, economic, and regulatory uncertainties. It has reopened the realm of "digital health", with consumers looking at the broad spectrum of mobile apps, wearable gadgets, robotic carriers, Artificial Intelligence, electronic record systems, sensors, and much more. Examples of digital health technology Adopting Digitization in Healthcare - How and What? Digital transformation in healthcare is not only about technological evolutions; and in fact, and it was never about that. It's all about dealing with the challenges of healthcare and building a viable future of healthcare. The tech conversations may not be buzzing that the healthcare software industry has surpassed the mark of multi-billion dollars and shows no signs of slowing down. Digital Health Market As the industry continues to innovate rapidly, innovative healthcare software solutions have become mandatory. Embracing healthcare software is the only way to stay relevant in the industry. But the software needs to work seamlessly while improving patient care, reducing costly expenses, and ensuring a smooth user journey. And this is where healthcare software testing comes into play. Why is Healthcare Software Testing Important? In line with global digitization, healthcare institutions are implementing new technologies. But it is worth noting that a single blunder in healthcare software can endanger human health or result in ineffective medical treatments. Any late information, miscommunication, incorrectly configured software application can lead to serious health issues. Moreover, consumers have little patience for technical issues in any industry. And when it comes to healthcare, there is no room for any tolerance. Any downtime or technical glitches caused by faulty software can lead to devastating consequences. Having healthcare software makes no sense if it behaves expectedly and makes it easy to use for doctors, assistants, nurses, patients, and everyone. Implementing a modern software testing approach is extremely important to provide best-in-class patient care and streamline healthcare business operations. Moreover, like any application, healthcare software is vulnerable to malicious data usage and cyber threats. The healthcare ecosystem should be built following the high-end security and confidentiality regulations and HIPAA compliance. This, in turn, leads to the need for rigorous healthcare software testing. Top Reasons Healthcare Industry Needs Software Testing Digitization is one of the breakthroughs witnessed by the healthcare industry. However, there are various questions concerning digitization - benefits of the healthcare ecosystem, investments required to take the digital leap, need for advanced analytics to drive changes, expected performance of healthcare applications. Healthcare software testing enables you to answer all these questions and implement better digitization. Moreover, the idea of remote healthcare services is changing the way the healthcare industry works, which demands quick and easy access to healthcare. On-demand medical assistance and home healthcare have become the new paradigm in the healthcare sector and are expected to grow in the coming years. There is a multitude of reasons for healthcare software testing. Let's look at a few. Ensures seamless operation of healthcare applications, including clinical databases, patient apps, customer relationship management systems, medical equipment software, etc. Helps software developers prepare for security and compliance testing with regulatory frameworks like HIPAA. Prevent software failures, eliminate weak integrations, and upscale the software performance. Helps in predicting the behaviour of medical software in multiple real-life scenarios Establishes reliable connections among various device networks. Software Testing Strategies in Healthcare Industry 1. Functional testing - Functional testing strategy ensure the product behaves expectedly even in unlikely situations. It helps in identifying the gaps and validating the healthcare scenarios. 2. Performance testing – Performance Testing checks the response system of the healthcare software even when the network is not at the top parameters. This healthcare software testing strategy focuses on scalability, architecture, and tuning. 3. Penetration and vulnerability testing – Healthcare software deals with a lot of personal information and is more dangerous for hackers. Penetration testing strategy helps exploit the vulnerabilities or weaknesses in networks, systems, human resources to stress-test the software effectiveness. 4. UX testing – Also known as user experience testing, this strategy reveals if the software is intuitive, easy to use, and has a short learning curve. It also focuses on the flexibility of applications to handle controls while meeting the healthcare software objectives. 5. Localization quality testing - This testing strategy is used to understand the behaviour of healthcare software for a specific culture, region, or locale. It helps in testing the appropriateness of linguistic and cultural aspects for specific regions. This healthcare software testing technique is usually conducted when you are customizing the software for a targeted region, language, or country 6. Automated testing – Automation testing technique leverages automation tools to control the execution of tests to compare the actual results with expected results. It helps in managing the test data and utilizing the results to improve the healthcare software continuously. Healthcare Software Testing Peculiarities Healthcare is a highly regulated industry, and there is a dire need to work in close connection with legal advisors, medical staff, insurance company representatives, and all the relevant stakeholders. Therefore, the outlined software testing strategies should have specific objectives to ensure high-quality healthcare software. These include: 1. Interoperability of medical devices The healthcare sector has a considerable demand for regulatory compliance, interoperability, data privacy, and security. There are a lot of medical applications and devices that need to connect to deliver the expected user performance. For example, if healthcare application interacts with mobile apps, both should show accurate results. This has to be conducted very diligently as it determines the sustainability of business and ensures compliance. 2. Functional Validation of the Healthcare Software It is essential to ensure that the software is viable enough to deliver the required service. For example, a healthcare application helps in generating patient reports with a secure login. The application should function all the time and provide accurate results. The healthcare software testing helps validate the business workflows and takes all the required performance measures to achieve the desired results. 3. Application Security Healthcare applications deal with sensitive data related to patients and their health information. It can lead to a significant information breach if the application is hacked. The security testing helps in making the application sustainable and hack-proof in this challenging scenario. User login authentication, firewall testing, and user data encryptions are critical measures in healthcare software testing to ensure application security. 4. Big Data testing Healthcare deals with tons of data related to the patient, health records, treatment history, and a lot more. This data is crucial for healthcare organizations and related segments to build relevant products and suitable device strategies. Many healthcare companies implement big data to derive the proper inferences and make informed business decisions related to disease cure, drug inventions, research and development, and alike. The software testing ensures flawless implementation of big data and leads to expected outcomes of the healthcare application. 5. Usability Testing Usability testing is critical for healthcare software as it deals with multiple user scenarios that doctors, nurses, and pharmacists face every day. These tasks can be eased with the automation of tedious processes. The user experience of healthcare software, apps, and medical devices can also be enhanced with much-needed usability testing methods. 6. Effective Implementation Healthcare organizations need to ensure increased productivity and efficiency to serve the patients in a better manner. With the increasing complexity of applications, it is vital to ensure that they function seamlessly without any interruptions. Healthcare software testing ensures that all the software nodes work effectively and provide a holistic experience to the users. 7. HIPAA Compliance Healthcare companies need to comply with various healthcare industry laws, including HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulations. The main components of this compliance include health insurance coverage, privacy and security of health data within the healthcare applications, user authorization and authentication, audit trail information, data encryption at transfer points. Healthcare Application Testing – Test Scenarios Some of the sample test scenarios include: Healthcare Provider: · The application should allow to enter, edit, and save the data of providers. · The positive flow system testing includes scenarios to enter different healthcare providers, save, change, and inquire about them. · The negative flow system includes scenarios to save the provider details with incomplete data and enter duplicate provider data in the system. · System integration testing includes scenarios to validate the feed to different systems such as provider portal, claim, and finance system. Broker: · The application should allow entering, editing, saving brokers' data, and calculating brokers' commission based on the premium details fetched from the member system. · The positive flow system testing includes scenarios to enter different healthcare providers, save, change them, and calculate commissions for active brokers. · The negative flow system includes scenarios to save the provider details with incomplete data, enter the duplicate data, calculate the commission of terminated or invalid broker. · System integration testing includes scenarios to validate the feed to different systems such as broker portal, member, and finance system. Member / User: · The member system should enrol, reinstate, terminate, and enrol members, remove dependents, process premium payments, and generate premium bills. · The positive flow system testing should include scenarios to enrol different members, change and inquire about members, generate premium bills for active members, terminate active members, and re-enrol terminated members. · The negative flow System testing should include scenarios to enrol members with insufficient data, generate a premium bill for terminated members. · System integration testing includes scenarios to validate the feed to different systems such as member, provider, broker portal, member system, claim, and finance system. Healthcare Software Testing Best Practices Healthcare applications deal with sensitive data and multiple stakeholders. Therefore, the technology needs to provide accurate results to all the end-users. A single failure to meet the patient data security requirements and deliver results can lead to expensive consequences for your healthcare organization. This applies to any industry's software, but in healthcare, technology is meant to save lives and improve healthcare practices. Here are the healthcare software testing best practices to ensure the top-quality performance of your healthcare application. 1.  Domain Expertise A strong tester in the healthcare industry is challenging to find as it requires a solid background of experience, required certifications, and extensive training to understand the complex healthcare architecture. The testing professionals should have healthcare domain expertise, an understanding of project requirements, and business logic to deliver effective results. Without healthcare domain expertise, the testers will spend more time understanding the workflows instead of testing the software, leading to insufficient testing, missed deadlines, and reduced software quality. 2.  Requirements Gathering & Test Plan Strategies Healthcare software is not like any other application. It has a lot of specific requirements to ensure its compliance with user-friendliness, seamless integration, strict regulations, and the ability to provide data security and privacy. Healthcare applications need to fulfil the requirements of providers (healthcare organizations), healthcare recipients (patients), intermediaries (insurance and finance companies), regulatory authorities (HIPAA), and solution providers (medical equipment). And all of this can only be achieved if you have the right test plan strategy. The healthcare software testing plan must verify that the requirements pass the vulnerability assessment, penetration and performance testing, user experience testing, conformance testing, and localization testing. 3.   Setting Security Standards Since the healthcare industry is known for its heavy monitoring needs, government bodies like the FDA and HIPAA have set guidelines to preserve healthcare quality and patient data security. Along with these laws, it is also essential for healthcare software to comply with other security standards like FDA, DICOM, HL7, ISO, and CMMI. 4.  Set Up a Comprehensive Testing Framework There is a lot of things to cover when it comes to healthcare software testing. Some of the elements include patient apps, medical device software, payer system, clinical records management. So, it is crucial to set up a complex and diverse testing strategy. And the success of a testing strategy depends on the proper testing framework. Some of the critical elements of the healthcare testing framework include data-driven testing, authentical validation, repetitive accuracy results, secure transmission of data despite user volume and scenario. It is highly recommended to automate your healthcare software testing. It allows you to process a large volume of data across multiple platforms, environments and operating environments without any glitches. 5. Document Everything Well, documenting everything about your healthcare software is easier said than done. There is little time left to report it when there is so much to be tested and many on-the-spot changes. But taking out time for documentation is extremely important as it can make the whole process of healthcare software testing more manageable and more systematic. Robust documentation ensures the quality of healthcare applications and leaves no stone unturned. To save time and effort, you can implement the documentation practice from the initial stages of the project. Develop templates for every kind of documentation to keep record-keeping consistent and make it easy for your team. Automate Your Healthcare Software Testing Today We live in a technology-dependent world, and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the healthcare industry cannot function without relevant technologies. That's why it is vital to have an efficient, secure, and compliant healthcare application capable of handling a large amount of data and improving patient care experiences. Surely, healthcare entered a new era of technology, but one thing that remained constant is the devastating repercussions of manual mistakes. To avoid this, healthcare applications should be thoroughly tested with test automation. If your team is new to test automation? QAonCloud's healthcare software testing services can help you with specialized expertise in the healthcare domain and test automation practices. Get in touch with us today."

"Fintech App Testing: Fintech is a growing industry where businesses find this particular digital business platform as a plethora of opportunities in this digital economy. This industry has gained a substantial amount of investors because of its success, but on the other hand, it also has its own set of unique challenges to conquer. For Fintech companies to withstand this current competitive niche market, they need to have a strong platform of skilled developers and a QA team to provide a superior quality product.QA Approach in Fintech Apps testing:Fintech applications are monitored strictly to ensure that the app is reliable and offers a good user experience. Software testing in Fintech apps is held to its higher standards when compared to the other apps because it deals with people's finances. Software glitches or bugs in Fintech apps are inconvenient and are not acceptable. One mistake can cost a company millions in heavy damages. One bug can put users' personal information at risk, and that is why Fintech requires a cut-throat software testing strategy. With a QA team, you can eradicate any challenge found in the app by using a testing methodology that removes any room for error.A good testing strategy considers all aspects, and in the case of Fintech, it has more structure requirements based on correctness and code coverage when compared to general web software. Let's see how you can strategically test your Fintech applications to ensure its superior quality output:The software testing blueprint for Fintech apps differs from one company to another, but they all have a common testing ground. First, the app is tested to check its functionality and usability to see whether the users can easily access and manage their finances. Fintech apps are then tested for security, reliability and compliance.Below are a series of testing methods that are implemented during the testing process of Fintech apps:Data Compliance:As the Fintech domain is continuously innovating and evolving, so is the industry regulations. It is important to keep the app updated with the latest changes in financial legislation. Compliance testing checks your app to see whether it meets all the industry regulations and the product stays compliant.Automation testing:Testing Fintech apps is not a one-time thing or a less frequent process. Delivering Fintech apps requires a fast and continuous integration process. It requires continuous improvement and quality checks. Manual testing cannot be feasible so automating the testing process can be a reliable solution for routine checks. With automation testing, the software testing is carried out intelligently with the right tools that ensure that the product is delivered on time without losing quality.Load testing:Load testing is equally important as automation testing, especially in Fintech apps. It is done so that to see the behaviour of the software if there is any unexpected load or to simply check whether the app can handle heavy transactions. While evaluating the app, software testers can detect the bottlenecks in the software when there is a large data flow. Security testing:Security Testing is of utmost importance in Fintech apps as this software withholds user sensitive data such as money transfers, financial data, payment gateway info, passwords, etc. Testing your applications to check how strong the app is when it comes to security enables you to identify any potential bugs or weaknesses in the software that can threaten users' confidential information. Penetration testing can be one method to check how the system reacts when there is a random attack and the response to it. This way, you can detect any shortfalls and create a system backup to save all sensitive data from getting lost or corrupted.Regression testing:Several aspects of the software are changed over time to improve the user's experience and performance. Regression testing comes into the picture when such changes occur in the app, especially in software code or configurations. Regression testing is done to check if the app is still secure and functioning properly even if the program or the codes are changed.Database testing:Fintech apps are involved with complex transactions thus it is necessary to test the app to check the integrity of the database. Database testing includes a load or stress test on the database to see its response when there is a large data flow and check whether it's still able to provide the same consistency of data.Summary:In software testing, the fintech apps are not only limited to the testing methods mentioned above because every software is unique. Hence, every company requires a specific testing strategy that aligns with its goals and objectives. QA team comes up with a software testing blueprint to facilitate an easy collaboration with the development team so that they all are on the same page. While the QA team are working on ensuring that the app functions properly and is error-free. The company can focus on developing new ideas and features for the product. This opens up new ground in the market and ensures that the product is competitive and developing at a faster pace without compromising the security and stability of the software product."

"Applications under production receive variable traffic, subject to sudden growth or reduction in the number of application users. End-user variations put application servers under stress which might lead to unexpected crashes and breakdowns. Such defects can be validated by running Spike Testing. It is one of the building blocks of performance testing used to detect your system’s ability or capability to handle heavy traffic loads. These traffic loads can affect your service as well as responsiveness.Developers can effectively prepare for unexpected spikes in the load in production environments by determining where an Application Under Test (AUT) fails. For instance, performing a spike test on an e-commerce application before preparing for Christmas or Diwali sales would be helpful. Testers can check whether that application performance slows, worsens, or stops using a spike test.If your websites, apps, or services experience heavy real user traffic patterns coming in short bursts, spike testing can be helpful. It is instrumental in identifying the limitations of your AUT, validating if application performance deteriorates, slows, or completely stops, and determining the respective root causes. Some of the common root causes are memory leaks, load balancing issues, and storage capacity issues.Best practices for conducting efficient spike testingWhen it comes to conducting spike testing, some best practices can assist you in improving its overall test effectiveness. Here are a few some of the best practices-1. Understand test artefacts and explore the applicationit is essential to understand the application before you go through with the implementation. You should also analyze the intended use of the application, the capabilities it offers, as well as the type of conditions in which the app is supposed to thrive. By identifying the limitations of the application, you can list out the factors that can affect the performance of your application.2. Spike tests can be a part of Unit testsThe developers often implement spike testing in the later stages of an application development lifecycle. Apart from that, it is a tedious and more costly process to implement changes in the final stages of the development process. So, companies often implement spike testing as part of their unit tests. This will help the development team rectify performance issues by quickly identifying these issues as the development progresses.3. Setting realistic performance benchmarksIn some cases, companies have expectations from the applications that may not be realistic. Therefore, it is vital to pick up practical and real scenarios by setting realistic baselines. The companies need to ensure that the testbed includes a wide range of environments and devices in which their application will have to thrive.4. Understanding the performance from the perspective of a userAlthough you may have a clear understanding of spike testing, you must understand the user perspective. Companies usually focus on the response of the servers. However, user experience is essential.5. Implementing DevOpsNowadays, several companies are striving for shorter development cycles with test automation. However, this testing is a time-consuming process. To bring spike testing to success requires constant human intervention. Companies can get their development and testing teams together by implementing a DevOps culture. Moreover, this will help to resolve errors immediately by identifying them through continuous testing.Examples of Spike Testing ScenariosA particular content of a website goes viral over the Internet.eCommerce launches its special deals with great discounts.Multiple users want to access a new system when it is released for production.A flash sale is going on a shopping site.A power outage can cause all users to lose access to a system. In such cases, all users often log back onto the system simultaneously after resolving the outage issue.TV program is live-streamed on a web application.Tools used for performing Spike Testing1) JmeterThe java open-source spike testing tool of Apache JMeter is specially designed to measure performance and load functional test behavior. Further, this performance testing tool effectively measures and analyzes the performance of web applications. Today, Jmeter is widely used for the database server test as well as a functional test. Even though JMeter was initially designed to perform load testing, it has been developed for other areas. JMeter is an open-source tool that supports the Java language. Also, it is one of the most sought-after tools to perform spike testing.2) LoadrunnerWindows and Linux usually use the load testing tool called LoadRunner. These facilities spike testing of the web and other apps. Furthermore, this tool helps to efficiently determine the application's performance and result even under heavy load.Advantages of spike testing include effective identification of the consequences related to unexpected spikes in end-users. One of the primary goals of the test is to check how a system responds to unforeseen falls and the rise of the user load. ConclusionThe right approach to perform spike testing is by quickly increasing the number of users, followed by an immediate decrease in the load, which needs specialized expertise. If you lack in-house talent and looking to perform spike tests on your software through outsourcing, reach us at [email protected] to get a free consultation."

"OTT Testing: Everyone loves content.. Video is the most easy-to-digest content format and gives the much-required rest from the overabundance of online textual information. Probably, that’s the reason people watch a billion hours of videos on YouTube every day. From news to sports, animated shows to documentaries, original series to videos captured on mobile phones, people crave video content. Well, that’s nothing new. What’s on the rise is how people are engaging with video content.The Rise of OTT PlatformsToday, nobody wants to adjust their life for a TV show schedule. Now, users can choose what content to watch, when to watch, and on what device. COVID-19 pandemic has shown us a new way of life - indoors. When people were completely restricted in the vicinity of their homes, they turned towards OTT platforms and started consuming online media content like never before. To survive in this digital era, a comprehensive OTT testing strategy is the best way to ensure a best-in-class content experience. In this new media age, a world without OTT platforms is like a world without electricity. We have already stepped into the world of OTT and it is going to stay. With over 62% of adults subscribing to a streaming service, the video streaming industry is expected to grow at an exponential rate.Here are some more astounding statistics of the top OTT statistics. While the rise of OTT platforms is a huge opportunity, it is also a challenge. Any streaming platform cannot get successful just because the industry is growing. There is a strong reason why Netflix remains the top choice for TV and movie streaming. Today, Netflix has over 200 million paid subscribers across 190 countries. Thanks to the ease of use, high-end personalization, and original content. The gist here is that you need to perform OTT testing effectively to achieve better viewership, revenue, and user satisfaction. Why is Video Quality Experience Important?Did you know that a delay of half a second can cause a 20% drop in user traffic? Now that’s the importance of user experience and speed of your platform.  Low resolution, buffering, and lagging are the issues that viewers never like to experience. These quality issues can be very frustrating and leave viewers with a poor reputation for the brand.Luckily, the video quality experience is getting better across the board. As reported by Conviva, the video start failures are down by 33 percent, buffering is down by 41 percent, and picture quality is improved by 25 percent.This is all possible with the new and improved OTT testing techniques and best practices. Let us understand all about the testing of OTT platforms.  What is OTT Testing and why is it important?OTT testing refers to the over-the-top testing process that gets done over internet infrastructure. It tests the video, voice, and data content over the internet while ensuring the latency of customer experience, security, and connectivity to ensure a high-quality experience. When it comes to the testing of OTT platforms, there are countless things to test, but everything boils down to four things:Deliver personalized experiences with curated content recommendations based on the history and interest of customers.Offer a diverse range of content with a logical organization to allow easy search and navigation.Well-tested user interface and elements that enable users to interact with the OTT platformUse customer empathy to dictate consumer experience strategy that enables increasing user expectations.Let’s take the example of Netflix. The platform is famous for recommending content based on user interests. Now, if you visit Netflix and it takes three minutes to recommend personalized content. So, you are not likely to be impressed with the overall experience. Even if the user interface of Netflix is great, your experience would be disastrous. And that’s why you need to perform full-fledged OTT testing to deliver a frictionless experience. Why is OTT testing important?In the world of video apps, the user chooses what and when to watch - and will give up soon if the content does not start streaming within 2 seconds. Also, most of the users have an average of three streaming media subscriptions, competition is also heating up. As the competitive pressure expands, the importance of OTT testing has increased to attract and retain customers. When it comes to media streaming, quality can make or break your success. Don’t believe us? Research indicates that 76% of the customers don’t continue with their OTT platform subscription when they experience rebuffering while streaming the video. Surely, high-quality in the OTT market has become a sheer necessity. Here’s why you need OTT testing:Ensure quality across multiple platforms: Consumers expect content to be accessible on any device, be it mobile, desktop, tablet, and even console. Bandwidth adaptability: Even in today’s digital world, Wi-Fi signals can vary big time. But consumers expect a continuous media streaming experience even when strong internet bandwidth is not available. High video playback quality: When content cannot be played without delay, the audience loses interest. So, it is important to preserve the best user experience with high playback performance. Recovery from downed networks: Consumers expect a high-quality user experience even when the network is down. OTT testing ensures the strength of your recovery plan and tests for possible network defects.How to conduct OTT testingSpeed, reliability, and quality of experience are the key elements of the OTT platform. The primary focus of effective OTT testing is to ensure a seamless user experience without any technical glitches or delays. To perform a full-fledged OTT quality test, you need to consider all infrastructure, network, and application components that include:UI/UX Testing: There are countless devices in the market, both hand-held and otherwise. An OTT platform needs to ensure a seamless application experience on all devices. The QA team should check for intuitive navigation, layout consistency throughout the platform, and functionality. And for the same reason, the user interface and experience should be highly flexible to accommodate a wide variety of devices. Therefore, UI/UX testing verification is a critical component to ensure a smooth user experience. Performance Testing: It is one of the most crucial elements in the OTT testing process. It allows the platform to take the heap of countless stream requests across the globe. Your platform should deliver flawless quality and experience at all times, especially content performance. Performance testing ensures that your platform upholds the stability, reliability, and responsiveness of the server, regardless of the stream requests and bandwidth issues.Load Testing: the number of users streaming media content is increasing every day, in fact, every minute. There are millions of users streaming one platform and all at the same time. Adding load testing in the test automation strategy helps you manage the high-demand scenarios. It also ensures that your application performs optimally, even under extreme loads.Stream Testing: The delivery of content ought to be as strong as it is expected if the service utilizes Adaptive Bit Rate. Adaptive streaming is a technology designed to deliver video in the most efficient way possible and the high quality for every user. It helps in adjusting the compression level and video quality to match the availability of the bandwidth. Localization Testing: As the OTT market grows globally, the demand for content localization has also increased big time as it helps in gaining more viewers. This has led to increased expectations of users as they want their online experience to adapt to their specific location. Localization testing is the key here. It tests for cultural relevance, linguistic accuracy, correct currency formatting, and customized symbols across different regions so that the customers can enjoy a highly personalized experience on the platform. Interoperability Testing: Cross-Browser/Cross-Platform/Cross-Device test ensures the consistent user experience across a wide range of devices, be it handheld mobile, Smart TV, or alike. This testing process ensures a seamless user experience continuously over a multitude of devices.Security Testing: While the OTT platform captures all account and payment information, and content viewed by users, consumer data security is highly important. The security OTT testing ensures that the content security frameworks are well managed across the platform. Some of the security frameworks include conditional access systems (CAS), digital rights management (DRM), and other exclusive frameworks.  In this cloud age, it is important for OTT platforms to convey the content safely using appropriate security measures. It ensures the safety of sensitive data such as bank account details, personal details, personalized content watching habits, and more. Network Testing: Carrying the service in low network areas, uncommon network conditions, and inadequate transmission capacity is crucial for OTT service providers. The network conditions can generate real-time circumstances under which the product viability can be verified. The service behavior needs to be simulated in different conditions like high or low bandwidth, lossy network, or similar conditions. OTT subscription Testing: There are certain scenarios when the OTT subscription support is logged in on multiple devices or a single device at a time, or subscription support of HD channels or SD or UHD. It is important to keep a check on these scenarios as the unexpected combination of subscriptions can lead to customer dissatisfaction.Start your OTT testing journey todayTo succeed in this brave new world of video, you need to offer an alchemy of content, high-end personalization, seamless technology integration, and most importantly, an appealing user experience.Considering these expectations, you should choose an end-to-end OTT testing service to ensure users a great escapade user experience. Because of high consumer expectations, a robust testing strategy is important to ensure the quality of user experience. This can be a demanding request for the manual testing process without sufficient testing tools and automation. On the other hand, test automation tackles all the QA testing needs for your OTT platform. With a best-in-class OTT testing strategy, you can enjoy these testing benefits:Test coverage maximization: Allow QA experts to distribute tests across a range of platform combinations and operating systems at a much faster rate. It ensures that your web services, database, and user interface are in line with the expectations of consumers. Cross-browser and device testing expedition: Manual testing for multiple devices and browsers can be a major drain on resources and time. With effective OTT testing techniques, automation workflows can be created for different browsers and devices along with detailed defect reports.Faster go-to-market time: Manual testing can lead to diminished quality and product delays. While test automation can remove barriers across the development cycle and help you launch a bug-free streaming platform on time.Improved scalability: Test automation allows your team to increase the number of test case executions across development cycles. It will help you rapidly scale end-to-end testing without requiring more human testers."

"Key metrics to track in Performance Testing: Did you know that over 59% of Fortune 500 companies experience a downtime of 1.6 hours every week? And it is costing your business a lot. Considering a Fortune 500 company with 10,000 employees pays $56 per hour, the cost to the company would be $896,000 weekly, translating to $46 million per year.In the age of tech-savvy customers, software applications are expected to perform every function accurately, quickly, without any hiccups. Today, everything revolved around application performance. Why Performance Testing Is Important? Imagine you are browsing an e-commerce website, scrolling through the website, choosing a product, and then, nothing happens. Is it heavy traffic? Is it a low internet connection? Why is the product page not loading? And just like that, the eCommerce website lost a potential customer. Load time is one such factor of performance. Many other performance testing factors matter to best-in-class application performance. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of performance testing metrics, let’s get a quick overview of performance testing first. What is Performance Testing? Performance Testing ensures the quality of the software application by eliminating the possible performance bottlenecks. The outcome of performance testing helps in finding the gaps between the actual result and the expected environment. To achieve maximum success, it is important to define key criteria that measure and compare the actual output of the software application. Here, key performance testing metrics come into play as they are the baseline for performance tests. The information obtained from the testing metrics helps in decreasing the error rate and provides excellent quality of the application. Monitoring the right parameters helps you understand the areas that require increased attention and find innovative ways to improve the application performance. What Are Performance Testing Metrics? Metric is a measurement gathered during the process of quality assurance. The performance metrics are used to calculate key parameters of performance and find out the weak areas of the application. In a nutshell, these metrics show the response of software to multiple user scenarios and handle the user flow in real-time. It helps in getting the clear output of the activities and finding out the areas of improvement. Why Are Performance Testing Metrics Important? Since performance testing plays a key role in the success of software applications, it is important to identify and evaluate the key metrics to achieve the best results. To achieve performance excellence, you need to define the milestones. Then, the parameters need to be measured that fall under the set milestones to estimate the output and compare it to the expected results. Therefore:Metrics help in tracking the project progress.They act as a baseline for the testing activities.With testing metrics, the quality assurance team can define the issues and evaluate them to find the solution.Tracking the metrics helps you to compare the test results and estimate the impact of code changes.What Includes in Performance Testing Metrics?Now when you know that performance testing metrics are a necessity for a successful software application, the next question is - what metrics need to be tracked? Well, it depends on the type of software, its core features, and business goals. So, here is the list of performance metrics with universal parameters you should track for every product. Response time: The time that passes from the moment of server request until the last byte is received from the server is considered as response time. This performance testing metric is measured in kilobytes per second (KB/sec).Requests per second: When the client application forms an HTTP request and sends it to a server, a response is generated and sent back to the client. The total consistent requests processed per second is a key performance metric - requests per second (RPS). These requests can be from multiple data sources including multimedia files, HTML pages, XML documents, JavaScript libraries, etc.User transactions: The user transactions are a sequence of user actions via the interface of the software. By comparing the expected time with the transaction time (number of transactions per second), you can evaluate the load performance of the software application.Virtual users per unit of time: This performance testing metric helps in finding out whether the software performance meets the expected requirements. It helps the QA team in estimating the average load and software behavior in different load conditions.Error rate: This metric evaluates the ratio of valid to invalid answers over time. Usually, the error occurs when the load exceeds its capacity. And the results are calculated in percentage.Wait time: This metric is also called average latency. It indicates how much time is passed from the moment a request is sent to the server until the first byte is received. Don’t confuse it with the response time - both consider different time frames.Average load time: A study indicated that over 40% of users expect to abandon a website if it takes over 3 seconds to load. This performance testing metric is the evaluation of the average time taken to deliver the request. It is one of the most important parameters to ensure the best product quality. Peak response time: This metric is similar to the average load time but the key difference is that the peak response time indicates the maximum time taken to fulfill a request. And it also shows that at least one of the components of software is problematic. That’s why this parameter is much more important than the average load time. Concurrent users: This metric is also known as load size and indicates the number of active users at any point.  It is one of the most widely used metrics to understand the software behavior under a specific number of virtual users. This performance testing metric is different from request per second as the quality assurance team does not generate consistent requests.Transactions passed/failed: This metric expresses the percentage of passed or failed requests against the total conducted tests. It is as critical as the load time for users and considered as one of the most evident metrics to ensure product performance.Throughput: Throughput shows the used bandwidth within the testing process. It indicates the maximum amount of data flowing through the network connection within a given amount of time. It is measured in KB/second.CPU utilization: This metric evaluates the time taken by the central processing unit to process the request at a given time.Memory utilization: This metric indicates the resources taken to process a request, in context to the physical memory on a specific device used for the tests.Total user sessions: This metric indicates the intensity of traffic over time. For example, the number of user sessions per month, depending on the time frame of the product. This data can feature the transferred bytes and the number of page views.Performance Testing Metrics: Parameters MonitoredEvaluating the performance of software, website, or application against predefined conditions needs the presence of key parameters under the performance testing metrics. The most important parameters monitored during the performance testing process includes:Processor Usage – The time spent by the processor to execute the non-idle threads.Disk time – The amount of time the disk is engaged in executing the request.Bandwidth – It shows the usage of bits per second by the network interface.Memory usage – The amount of physical memory used to process the requests.Private bytes – The number of bytes allocated to a specific process that can’t be shared among other processes. It measures memory usage and leaks.Page faults/second – The rate of processing the fault pages by the processor is evaluated. These page faults occur when the process requires code from elsewhere and retrieved from a disk.CPU interrupts per second – It is the average number of hardware interruptions received and processed by the processor each second.Disk queue length – It is the average number of requests lined up for the selected disk within a specific interval.Network output queue length – It is the length of output packets lined up in packets. Anything above two means that bottlenecks need to be handled.Network bytes total per second – It is the rate of sending and receiving the bytes on the application interface.Response time – It is the total time from the request until the first character of the response is received.Throughput – The rate of receiving the requests on a computer or network per second.Connection pooling – The number of user requests met by the pooled connections. More requests met by connections in the pool lead to better performance.Maximum active sessions – The total active number of sessions at once.Hit ratio – This evaluates the number of SQL statements handled by the cached data instead of expensive operations of input and output. It helps in resolving bottlenecking issues.Hits per second – The number of hits on the web server during every second of the load test.Database locks – Locking of databases and tables that are monitored and tuned carefully.Top waits – It determines the wait times that can be reduced when dealing with the retrieval of fast data from memory.Thread counts – It measures the application health by the number of active threads.Garbage collection – It evaluates the returning unused memory back to the system to increase the application efficiency. Types of Performance Testing The success of a website or application depends on its performance. This necessitates different types of performance testing to ensure best-in-class performance. The focus areas of performance testing include speed, scalability, and stability. Read on to know the various types of testing to validate the application performance against performance testing metrics.Load testing: This testing evaluates the performance of the system as the workload increases. The workload can be concurrent transactions or users. It consistently monitors the response time and system stability when the workload increases. Stress testing: This is also called fatigue or stress testing. It is meant to measure the system performance outside of the parameters of normal working conditions. The application is tested with more transactions or users that can be handled. This testing helps in understanding the point where software can fail and how it can be recovered.Spike testing: This type of testing evaluates the performance of software when the workload is increased repeatedly and quickly. As the name indicates, it measures the application performance when the workload is beyond usual expectations for a shorter time.Endurance testing: Endurance testing is also known as soak testing. It evaluates the software performance with a normal workload over an extended time. It aims to check the system problems such as memory leaks.  Scalability testing: This testing process determines the handling of increased workloads. It can be determined by adding to the data volume or user load gradually while monitoring the performance of the system. Moreover, the workload may stay the same while resources like memory and CPUs are changed.Volume testing: It is also known as flood testing as the test floods the data in the system. Volume testing determines the efficiency of software performance with a large amount of data. How to Track Testing Metrics Correctly? Tracking the metric just for the sake of testing is not a good idea. Metrics are not just the numbers to be written in the project reports. Like any other process of quality assurance, the performance testing metrics should be capable of answering specific questions and test hypotheses based on the business goals. In this case, metrics can drive positive changes. Below are the key principles to keep in mind if you want to use metrics for maximum benefits. Specify the business objectives of the client to come up with the performance requirements. Every feature should have a specific success metric - a single parameter or a range of parameters.Metrics should be correlated with the value delivered to the user - stability, functionality, speed, etc.Run multiple performance tests to track metrics, determine average indicators and get consistent findings. The individual units of software are tested separately. Multiple checks on services and databases should be done before joining them into a single application. Measure Key Performance Metrics Easily with QAonCloudAs you get started with the performance testing process, QAonCloud has all the tools and processes you need to ensure the flawless performance of your application. We help you to quickly get started and:Save resources by automating the performance testing process.Save time by building load tests from pre-configured templates in just a few clicks.Understand the performance of the server by visualizing the effects with real-time monitoring.Analyze the results by collecting advanced performance testing metrics and benchmarking them.Reuse the existing test cases for increased efficiency and performance of the application.By measuring performance testing metrics, you can avoid costly downtime during peak usage and ensure the best user experience. QAonCloud can make the whole process easier and better from start to finish. Schedule a FREE DEMO with our performance engineers to walk through all the features and benefits of our testing solution. Get started with QAonCloud today."

"Scalability Testing is a type of load testing which is also non-functional software testing. This testing methodology involves various applications and infrastructures that are studied for performance under increased or decreased workload. This testing measures the applicant's ability or performance and deploys its resources to ensure a great user experience. This test demonstrates the system's ability to adapt to changes. It ensures that the system adapts to the requirements and offers smooth performance for users while optimizing development and various operational costs. Scalability testing is performed on a system that can expand until it fails. The use of this testing helps in presuming a system's weaknesses and vulnerabilities. Furthermore, It pinpoints the exact reasons for a system's failure during scaling up or down. How scalability testing is performed When a developer develops an application, he is only aware of how an application would work in the ideal scenario compared to the real world. With Scalability testing, testers make it easier to handle any defects and help in keeping apps running smoothly. It determines the scale of the real-time potential & full potential of a system. The testers usually draft test scenarios to force the system to meet new requirements. Moreover, they execute the test at regular intervals, document & record the results to detect errors. The obtained data & actionable insights are communicated effectively with the relevant stakeholders. Design a comprehensive test script that accurately depicts the users' actions and behavior. Define the variable data that is implemented in the testing process because scalability testing involves data-driven tests. All the data should be accurate for best results; therefore, the run-time data used to interact with the applications during the testing should also be as precise as possible. Step By Step process Define a process that can be iterated for executing scalability tests throughout the application tenure. Determine the domain for Scalability. Shortlist the software tools needed to run the load test Set the testing environment & configure the hardware to execute scalability tests. Plan the test scenarios (demo) as well as Scalability Tests Create and verify the visual script. Create and verify the load test scenarios. Execute the tests. Evaluate the results. Generate required reports. What constraints/issues of mobile application are tested in scalability testing Smartphones coupled with mobile apps usage has increased rapidly and has inevitably caused considerable problems for developers. Every mobile app's capability, design, and reliability has raised the bar for every user. The users no longer accept simple or substandard mobile apps; therefore, Organisations are putting a robust automation framework to face impossible challenges. Fragmentation, Usability, and Connectivity are measured in developing a system or an app for mobile. App performance varies significantly between various networks so that users can enjoy flawless performance. Scalability Testing strategy balances the defects during the development of the mobile apps treating usability as a critical priority without neglecting functionality. What to test in Scalability Testing? The prominent Scalability Testing Attributes are as follows: Response Time Screen transition Throughput Time Analysis Performance measurement with several users Network Usage CPU / Memory Usage Web Server Response Performance measurement under load. Benefits of scalability testing Many benefits are observed when Scalability Tests are implemented into the development and software testing process. 1. Improves User experience Advanced technology has changed users' expectations and dynamics forever. Therefore, testing scalability helps determine user experience under heavy load when the system is subjected to the stress of upscaling. Scalability Tests help check responsiveness, overall performance, improve application performance metrics, and boost customer experience. 2. Lower Infrastructure Cost During testing an application or a system, it is essential to observe the expenses involved with upgrading or downgrading. Scaling up apps increases the cost. Even with cloud computing, containers, and serverless computing, one must consider the expenses as they scale up. Testing frees the resources to mitigate the expenses accordingly. 3. Faster time to Resolution with Lower Expenses Prioritizing Scalability Testing will save money, fix bugs, and automates systems. Therefore, correcting errors in the testing phase is easier and cheaper than in the production phase. Fixing defects in a production phase cost more when compared to a testing phase. It improves the system by making it sustainable to handle the burst load and sudden increase in traffic with little or no notice. Popular scalability testing tools Scalability testing tools depend on the application the user wants to test. There are various tools available in the market, and a few tools are as follows: LoadUI Pro LoadNinja Apache Jmeter Load View Neo Load Load Impact Blitz Loader Every Scalability testing tool has its unique features to test the Scalability of an application. However, every organization is bound by few environmental factors that are necessary for an application. Such factors can be affected while choosing a scalability testing tool to test a system. Testers need a reliable test tool to handle heavy load under various scenarios created. Approaches of Scalability Testing There are two approaches to Scalability testing - 1. Horizontal Scaling: Physical machines and resources are involved in reducing the load on each device or resource. It consists in increasing the number of nodes instead of increasing the capacity; therefore, the load is distributed between the old and newly added resources. Google, Yahoo, Facebook, Amazon, etc., perform the Horizontal Scaling because they have large projects/ applications running in a multi-node, distributed environment. They require a high level of computing and can be achieved using clustered, load-balancing, and distributed file systems. Theoretically, it is easier to perform horizontal scaling by adding the resources in the existing system, but practically, it is very tough to Scale-Out the application. 2. Vertical Scaling: Vertical scaling increases the power of machines in CPU, RAM, Disk to the server. Vertical scaling can be like adding more CPUs to the same single server. With the increase in load, the system's performance starts going downhill, but to maintain the efficiency of the system, vertical scaling is applied. Vertical scaling is applied for small applications where the load's performance can improve by increasing the capacity and size (scale) of already used resources. In vertical scaling, data is stored on a single node in one place, and the load is divided between several CPUs and memory through multi-node. Advantages and Disadvantages of Scalability Testing Advantages Below provided are some of the advantages of Scalability testing: Scalability testing determines the end-user experience under the specific load, and corrective measures are taken in advance to rectify any problems and make the application or system more scalable. Response time, Network Usage, CPU Usage, etc., can be used to determine web applications' web response and limitations. Rigorous testing is conducted on a system before releasing it into the production environment to reduce the risk of a massive loss of money and the company's reputation due to the bad performance of an application. Scalability testing helps uncover multiple defects during the testing phase. It is economical if detected in the testing environment rather than the production environment. Effective tool utilization tracking happens when the testing is deployed. Disadvantages The testing environment produces more defects due to various issues in a system. Therefore, the production environment is different from a testing environment. Deploying advanced testing tools involves much more finances causing an over budget of the project. Time spent on every test case increases with detailed testing procedures. Therefore, deploying a scalability testing process may sometimes cause a delay in meeting the project's deadlines. The wrong testing process can lead to failed test cases in the testing phase. The test scenarios and test scripts need to be changed, leading to a waste of time making unnecessary changes. Defects cannot be detected in a narrow test window; therefore, critical defects remain undetected, resulting in project failure. Final note Scalability testing is desirable in software testing process because it helps avoid any issue or problem in daily business operations. It is a part of testing process in most software development teams in order to test how the application handles increase in user traffic, data volume, and transaction counts. It includes a separate team of professionals and testers who are resourceful with strong analytical skills. It differs from organization to organization and from application to application. To sum it up, any application or infrastructure needs to be versatile enough to withstand the ever-growing dynamic requirements of the users. Implementing Scalability Testing helps in identifying fluctuations, upwards or downwards, performance metrics, or site degradation. Using Scalability Testing regularly helps in meeting business goals and smooth functioning. There are no shortcuts to ensure complete customer satisfaction and brand awareness while reducing any infrastructure costs at the same time. QAonCloud Scalability testing tools are flexible and robust enough; they perform the test most efficiently with solid reporting and analytics implementation."

"API Testing Strategy: 2020 has already earned the title of “disruption decade”. Most organizations around the globe are identifying new ways to survive and thrive in the new normal. Whether your organization has started the digital transformation journey years ago, or you have just started, APIs have become the glue of the digital landscape.Don’t believe us?Let the numbers speak.A report by MarketsandMarkets indicated that the global API testing market size is expected to grow from USD 384.3 Million in 2016 to USD 1,099.1 Million by 2022, at a compounded annual growth rate of 19.7% in 5 years. Undoubtedly, investing more effort and time in API testing strategy is a must-have to dominate the market with good performance, reliability, and security.APIs are everywhereFrom online shopping to business applications, APIs are used everywhere. Currently, there are hundreds and thousands of APIs working for social messaging, payments, ecommerce, finance, and many other categories covering everything we do with the applications. Real-world examples of API testingOrdering in restaurants: You visit a restaurant, sit at your table, and place the order. Now, the waiter will come and take a note of your order. So, you are requesting the order from the waiter and the waiter is responding with the order he gets in the kitchen and serves you. In this case, the interface between you and the kitchen is the waiter. Similarly, API is an interface that carries out the application requests and ensures that it is getting done. Ride sharing app: Another example is UBER. Once the application is loaded, it provides you the ability to log in and continue with Google and Facebook. In this case, third-party applications like Google and Facebook are exposing a certain level of user information. Uber can also share locations by using Google Maps. It means that there is an agreement between Google/Facebook/Maps and Uber through API integration.Travel booking: Another most common real-life example is the travel booking system. Take Make my trip for example. You enter the destination, select the dates, click on search, and you get the results from different airlines. How Make my trip is communicating with all these airline websites? That’s all through APIs. It enables the Make my trip site to expose some level of information from multiple airlines and display it to the end user.What is API testing?The Application Program Interface (API) is a set of protocols, processes, tools, and routines for building and maintaining critical software applications. It is a user interface that allows software applications to communicate with other applications and is used while programming the components of the graphical user interface (GUI). API testing strategy assures the quality of the application that includes sending API calls, getting the desired output, validating the response of the system against the defined input parameters, inaccuracy of data and data formats, error codes, and HTTP status codes. The testing process starts at the earliest stage and continues until the production release. SOAP vs REST API TestingAPIs can utilize different architectures like SOAP and REST to transfer the data from the server to the client. Although REST is quite popular these days, it is important to understand both styles of communication. Here is a comparison table to highlight the key differences between the two API styles.API StylesSOAP (Simple Object Access Protocol)REST (Representational State Transfer)DesignStandardized protocols with predefined rulesArchitectural style with flexible guidelines and recommendationsApproachFunction-drivenData-drivenCachingAPI calls cannot be cachedAPI calls can be cachedPerformanceRequires high-level computing power and bandwidthRequires minimal resourcesSecurityWS-Security with SSL supportSupports SSL and HTTPSBenefitsHigh extensibility, security, and standardized systemHigh scalability and flexibility, browser-friendliness, better performanceDrawbacksLess flexibility, poor performance, more complexityLess securityTypes of API TestingAPIs have become the center of software development and a source of connecting and transferring data and logic across disparate applications and systems. While there are specific types of tests that can be conducted to improve the efficiency of API testing strategy, most tests fit broadly into one of these categories. Let us explore the types of testing and their testing software stage.Type of TestingStage of softwareUnit testing and integration testingDevelopment StagePerformance and Load TestingAs early as possible as these steps take timeRuntime error detection and security testingOngoing processesInteroperability and fuzz testingTesting stageValidation TestingUser Acceptance TestingUnit TestingThe tests are written to run with each build of the application automatically. It is written close to the code and should pass while running the build of the application.Integration TestingAPIs work to integrate various parts of a system and all of this integration requires a relevant testing process. Integration testing ensures that the application takes the correct parameters with correct constraints while logically sanitizing the incoming traffic.Performance testingPerformance testing is a non-functional process that is often overlooked. Performance testing takes everything into account including the traffic spikes, multiple heavy processes running simultaneously, and interfering with one another.Load testingLoad testing is similar to performance testing as the primary goal is to emulate production without creating any traffic spikes. The production should be emulating a constant steady stream of traffic at a normal rate. It ensures that the APIs do not have any memory leaks or other similar defects that can cause issues after running for a prolonged time.Runtime error detectionWhile conducting all of these tests, it is important to ensure that runtime error detection is enabled. This testing allows the APIs to report any defects that occur while it is in process.Security testingThis testing is very important but needs to ensure that proper testing occurs based on risk analysis. Security testing focuses on several aspects of the API testing strategy. The entry points of APIs need to be taken into account along with the data flow and shadow APIs. Interoperability testingWorking with third-party software providers cannot be taken for granted. It is important to create a section in the testing process that describes the overall testing process. The priority and severity of potential defects need to be discussed based on prior experiences and defines how API testing occurs when the APIs interact with third-party applications.Fuzz testsBefore validating the application, it is important to fuzz all the endpoints of APIs. In the fuzzing process, the random data is sent to the API endpoints and the results are inspected carefully. The server should not crash from this unexpected traffic and should not display any unexpected behavior.Validation TestingThe validation testing ensures that the application meets the business requirements. The test execution results need to match the expectations according to the test plan. The testers will subsequently guide the business users in user acceptance testing under which they ensure the stakeholders execute the pre-built testing scenario and report the deviations.Test cases for API TestingValidation of keys with the minimum and maximum range of APIsVerification of keys. If we have JSON, XML APIs, it is vital to verify that all the keys are coming.Test cases to conduct schema validation of JSON, XMLVerification of response dataVerification of JSON schema validation, field type, and mandatory fieldsValidity of response headers and negative test cases responseVerification of response HTTP status codeVerification of the handling of APIs error codesVerification of data parameters and APIsValidation of response payloadData integrity test casesVerification of chaining requestEnd to end CRUD flowsFile upload test casesCreating API Test scenarios and test matricesIn the scenario testing technique, the individual component tests are assembled into a single sequence. There are two common techniques to obtain the sequence.Review the story of the user to identify the individual API calls.Exercise the user interface to capture the traffic to the underlying APIs.Scenario tests allow you to understand the occurrence of errors and defects by combing the different data points together. For example, a bank employs a series of services to call the financial profile, credit cards, available bank accounts, and recent transactions. Every API call works well individually, but when they are put together in sequence, they start failing. Scenario testing can validate expected behavior when APIs are being used in unexpected ways. To safeguard the application defects, you can create multiple scenario tests with different API combinations. The component tests are the backbone of scenario testing and help in reducing the time spent on the testing process.Check out the most common test cases within the general test scenario groups.Basic positive tests (happy paths) - Checks the basic functionality and acceptance criteria of the API.Extended positive testing with optional parameters - The positive tests are further extended to include additional functionalities and optional parameters.Negative testing with valid and invalid input - In this group of tests, the application is expected to handle the problem scenarios gracefully with valid as well as invalid user inputs.Destructive testing - It is a deeper form of negative testing where the robustness of the API is checked by intentionally breaking the API. For example, sending a huge payload body to overflow the system.Test flowsAPI testing flows involve multiple input sources like databases, HTML, mobile, data files, Telnet/SSH, RESTful APIs, and more. A test automation platform like QAonCloud allows not only testing APIs manually but also to complete end-to-end API-based test flows, schedule and run tests automatically, get execution reports seamlessly. Let’s understand different types of test flows:Testing requests in isolation – Executing a single API request and checking the response accordingly. Such basic tests are the minimal building blocks we should start with, and there’s no reason to continue testing if these tests fail.Multi-step workflow with several requests – Testing a series of requests which are common user actions, since some requests can rely on other ones. For example, we execute a POST request that creates a resource and returns an auto-generated identifier in its response. We then use this identifier to check if this resource is present in the list of elements received by a GET request. Then we use a PATCH endpoint to update new data, and we again invoke a GET request to validate the new data. Finally, we DELETE that resource and use GET again to verify it no longer exists.Combined API and web UI tests – This is mostly relevant to manual testing, where we want to ensure data integrity and consistency between the UI and API. We execute requests via the API and verify the actions through the web app UI and vice versa. The purpose of these integrity test flows is to ensure that although the resources are affected via different mechanisms the system still maintains expected integrity and consistent flow.An API example and a test matrixThe below matrix explains the detailed test plan (for manual testing or test automation). The test cases should cover multiple test flows according to the resources, needs, and priorities of the API testing strategy. Let us assume that /users endpoint is a subset of our API, that includes the following API calls. API Call Action GET /users List all users GET /users?name=?{username} Get user by username GET /users/{id} Get user by ID GET /users/{id}/configurations Get all configurations for user POST /users/{id}/configurations Create a new configuration for user DELETE /users/{id}/configurations/{id} Delete configuration for user PATCH /users/{id}/configuration/{id} Update configuration for user API Testing Best PracticesCreate API test cases for maximum possible input combinations of the APIGroup the API Test cases by test categoryInclude the API declarations being called on the top of every testPrioritize the API function calls to make it easier for testersThe selection of parameters should be mentioned explicitly within the test caseEvery test case should be independent and self-containedAvoid the test chaining process in the development lifecycleThe sequencing of API calls should be well planned and performedTake special care of handling one-time call functions like Close Window, Delete, and alikeInclude the API workflows and involve all stakeholders in the creation of the requirements.What is API Documentation?API documentation is a technical content deliverable, that contains the instructions about using and integrating APIs effectively. It is a concise reference manual with all the information required to work with the API such as classes, functions, arguments, return types, functions, and more. The API documentation is made by using regular content creation, text editors, and maintenance tools. While documentation is the basis for a good experience of the developer, it also increases the adoption and usage of the application. API Documentation Technical TipsStandards - OpenAPI specification standard to help you generate documentation. It is language-agnostic and enables automated code generation for API endpoints.Authentication - Explain in detail the security of credentials. A sample authentication code will be helpful.Error handling - Document the communication of error information by API and ways to fix the problems.HTTP requests and response details - List the status codes, types of content, and caching mechanisms.Examples - Give examples of how the API call requests are made and what will be the subsequent action.Parameters - Provide a clear description of every parameter and its values like formats, types, and rules.Start Testing Your APIs with QAonCloud TodayNow when you know that API testing strategy is crucial for the overall success of API product lifecycle. Using the right method and tools allows you to test concurrently, making teams more efficient. Always remember that every application or product will have missing interactions, errors, or defects, but organizations need to provide a highly secure and scalable application. An effective API testing strategy is the most reliable way to achieve this goal. From protecting the users from malicious code to maximizing efficiency, QAonCloud can transform your overall application experience. We provide the most comprehensive API testing automation capabilities while ensuring that the APIs perform as intended, meet the desired timeframes and requirements, and team skills. Ready to get started with API testing and take the digital world by storm? Get a Free consultation to understand how we can help you take your business to new heights."

"Performance Engineering in the Digital Era: After 2020, your business is either digital or does not exist. Yes, it is evident that digital presence has become the key to survival in the current era. COVID-19 has rapidly changed the way we work, communicate, and socialize while leaving us with the challenge of making significant changes in a matter of days. Take a glimpse of COVID-19 driven digital adoption rates. Why is Performance Important For Your products Today, most organizations have accelerated their pace of digital adoption irrespective of their understanding and outlook towards digital transformation in the pre-pandemic times. Although organizations are speeding up their digital initiatives and investing in relevant tools and technologies, there is not enough attention to the performance side of digital initiatives. If digital is a survival requisite, the digital application experience is a necessity for business reputation, resilience, ROI, and customer satisfaction. If an application has an amazing user interface and innovative features but lacks good execution - it is bound to fail.  In a nutshell, digital transformation can be the front-facing need for businesses but performance is the driver that ensures the success of the digital transformation efforts of the organization. The Performance Engineering Perspective of Digital Transformation Gone are the days when software and application testing was all about checking functional bugs. Today, the non-functional elements like load handling, security and vulnerability issues, user experience are on the rise. Whether your team needs to serve more mobile users on an application, or you are shifting from an in-house cloud solution to a third-party solution provider, everything should be well tested, and optimized with the right strategy. What is Performance Engineering? Performance issues just don’t happen. They are designed within the application. Well, that is not because the software engineers are malicious, it’s because they are human beings. They make some assumptions about the software while writing the code. And it is not possible for them to know how the system will perform and where bottlenecks will turn up when they start coding the software. Here the concept of performance engineering comes into the picture. “Performance engineering is all about improving the speed and efficiency of the product while embedding the key performance decisions into design, architecture, and implementation.” The performance engineering process lets you understand the product fall-backs in the very early phase of the software development lifecycle. It allows seamless collaboration between tools, processes, and teams via continuous feedback loops while preventing expensive changes later down the line. A proactive focus will result in saving your valuable time and cost while boosting the value of the product, from business as well as user perspectives. How is Performance Engineering Different from Performance Testing? Key Performance Areas Performance Engineering Performance Testing Time to market Faster as the fallbacks are identified in the early stages. Slower as the testing is performed after the release of the product. Test coverage More time to work gradually as it is a continuous process. Limited validation scenarios due to budget and time constraints. Approach A proactive approach that works with development and testing parallelly. Reactive after other testing levels. Utilization High as the team works in collaboration. Low as different teams work on various tasks and cannot collaborate properly. Early detection of issues High as the issues are identified and resolved during the script development process. Low as issues are identified after the end of all other testing processes. Time dedication No requirement for dedicated time. Dedicated time is required for knowledge transfer as there is no or little collaboration among teams. Why Do You Need Performance Engineering? Software engineers have been stumbling over hundreds and thousands of assumptions since the dawn of programming. For example, ten years ago, an online airline ticketing system offered very limited services. You could only search for flights and buy tickets online, but only if you were on the right browser. Today, everything is so seamless. In addition to purchasing a ticket, you can check-in, book a seat, pay for additional baggage, choose a meal, manage your account, and much more. There is a basic need to support all popular browsers, mobile devices, as well as mobile apps. These new features and frameworks have to work well with the back-end code to manage the system while meeting all the performance requirements. A crash of even a few minutes can cause a loss of thousands or millions of dollars. While finding and resolving the source of error in a complex system can take a lot of time and cost. This means the managed performance of the application and user experience needs to be incorporated throughout the software lifecycle, not only when it is first launched. With a growing number of applications, performance engineering ensures regular testing, as well as on-demand testing to ensure the quality of the existing application as well as every additional integration. The performance engineering methodologies align perfectly with agile processes to address the issues earlier in the development process. Can Performance Engineering Replace Performance Testing? There is a lot more to performance engineering than the testing process. It enables you to understand how all the components of the system fit together, knowing what performance metrics matter, and building the right user experience right from the initial stage. Performance engineering practices are a broad set of processes as compared to testing.  You can easily please customers, support employees, and boost revenues. Here's why performance engineering will never replace performance testing. 1. Vital for the bottom line Did you know that the average cost of network downtime is over $5,600 per minute and amounts to over $300,000 per hour? Until your site is up and running again, there are high possibilities that consider a switch to your competitor. The consistent performance support allows you to safeguard data loss and public embarrassment due to a system crash. 2. Time to monitor performance properly The performance testers lack the support to repair defective environments. While the overall performance is monitored from the initial stage of the development cycle. The performance engineering environment monitors the system to identify the scope of better experience and implement the required changes on a regular basis. 3. Objectivity and independence Just like you would not expect a writer to review their work, you cannot get the design and testing of the software application by performance testers. Here, the impartial insights are provided into the application to ensure the best-in-class performance. 4. Performance metrics Performance testing can track the server throughput, concurrent user loads, browser performance to assess the overall quality. But mostly, testers rely on their creativity and intelligence to match the expectations of end-users. Therefore, performance engineering has a phased approach to ensure a high-performing application in the long run. 5. Efficient reporting While the testers need to assess the performance and make reports, the performance engineering methods measure the experience of individual layers, including the web server, application server, network etc. When performance engineering is done right, it is surely going to improve the planning of deployment time with high-quality products. In addition, it reduces the business costs arising out of unforeseen issues. A clear and step-by-step testing approach ensures that organizations move towards better web applications and mobile experiences. The Right Approach to Performance Engineering  The performance engineering practices should align well with the metrics that really matter to businesses. While testing identifies the gaps, the onus of architecting it correctly lies on the engineering team with proactive actions from the quality assurance team. Let us explore the standard approach to a performance engineering culture. Understanding of performance risks:  It is important to understand the performance expectations of customers from the application. It helps in identifying the potential risks and assessing the damage it can cause. Then, these risks are ranked in terms of probability of the risk occurring, severity for proper resolution. Establishment of performance objectives: Set quantitative objectives to control and assess the efforts. However, it is important to set realistic objectives considering the number of requests received by the system. Set the parameters that matter: Consider the viewpoint of multiple stakeholders and accordingly, consider the parameters that matter to the customers and business. It is vital to ask pertinent questions related to response time, bottlenecks in a multi-user environment, etc. It helps in understanding the real user environment and its challenges to ensure a quality user experience. Early focus: The early focus on performance helps in gaining real-time insights into architectural issues, and optimize the multi-user application before it goes live. Besides faster deployment, it is extremely important to deliver uncompromised quality. Architecture assessment: As you implement performance engineering, it is also vital to assess the architecture. It is recommended to process the architecture based on reusability, reliability, scalability, and quick modification. Automation: Implementing automation throughout the testing process helps in getting faster and better performance results. You can yield better coverage by implementing the automation based on multiple scenarios the application might face. Don’t wait to start your performance engineering journey with QAonCloud. Our team consistently checks and validates the capabilities at the time of developing and scaling the product. Getting the right process and architecture will help you achieve a high-quality product. Plus, it reduces performance costs arising out of unforeseen issues. Talk to our experts to move towards achieving performance engineering now."

"Gone are the days when web standards were a mess, with limited browser support. Well, you must have encountered an issue with the website and on calling the technical team, they tell you to try the same website in another browser. And it works pretty fine for you. So, is it your fault or lack of your technical expertise? The answer is “NO”. It’s just that the website is not extensively tested with cross-browser testing tools and lacks compatibility with some browsers. Every browser interprets the information and presents it on the website in a different manner. Some browsers may lack the features you are trying to display on your website that makes your website look broken on the browser. Just like the below example image indicates different responses of the same website. The errors of sign-up forms are different on both browsers. Today, the web scenario is entirely different and in fact, much better. All thanks to open-source cross-browser testing tools. "Any software tool is considered as open source if you can use and modify over the original design. The open-source tools don't have a commercial license but serves the specific purpose of testing." With the next-gen technologies and tools, it is now possible to make your website work perfectly on all web and mobile browsers. The users should not be restricted to use any browser to access your website. Some of the commonly used browsers include Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Internet Explorer, Opera. That being the background story, let’s understand the “What, why, how, who, when, where” of cross-browser testing. Why is Cross Browser Testing Important? Imagine that you are trying to access a website or app from MacBook Air. You open the Safari browser and type the URL, enter, and wait for the website to load. When it gets open, none of the images and media files gets loaded. All the text and buttons are over the web page. You check for internet connectivity and reload the page on the same screen. If it still does not open, you will assume that the site has some issue or is broken. Now, the next obvious step is to find an alternative. This is where open-source cross-browser testing tools come into the picture. The testing process ensures that the website and apps work in a smooth and uniform manner on all the browsers and devices used by your customers - Browsers - Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Opera, etc. Operating systems - Android, Windows, iOS, macOS, etc. Devices - Laptop, tablet, mobile, desktop, smart TV, etc. Here is what you need to check with cross-browser testing. CSS and HTML validation Special characters with HTML Character encoding Page validation with and without JavaScript enabled Ajax and JQuery functionality Font Size Page layout in different resolutions Images and alignment Header and footer sections Page content alignment to center, LHS, or RHS Page styles Date formats Page zoom-in and zoom-out functionality Hence, it is required to check the performance, user interface, and overall compatibility of the applications on all these combinations. Cross-browser testing helps to provide a high-quality and consistent experience across all browsers, operating systems, and devices. How to Perform Cross-Browser Testing? Now we started talking. So, cross-browser testing can be performed through the manual process or automated testing methods. Let’s understand both the choices. Manual Method Manual testing is performed by checking the website on multiple browsers, machines, and operating systems. Then, the same test cases need to be performed again to observe the behavior of the application and report bugs. Clearly, it will lead to increased efforts, time, and investment. Moreover, it is not possible to cover many browsers. Automated Method This process runs the same set of test cases multiple times on different browsers. This eliminates the manual processes and repetition of tasks. This, automation method is more time and cost effective to perform automation method with ready-to-use cross-browser testing tools. Let’s explore the top tools to make cross-browser testing easier. Best Cross-Browser Testing Tools 1. BrowserStack Live BrowserStack Live is a cross-browser testing tool available for mobile and desktop browsers. This tool does not require any installation and starts at $29 per month after the free trial period. It allows you to set up a testing environment with proxies, firewalls, and Active Directory support. BrowserStack Live also supports multiple versions of Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, and macOS. The cloud platform is a helpful tool to test your website on real mobile devices running different operating systems. Benefits of BrowserStack Live: Start testing on real devices on the cloud Does not require virtual machines to run the tests Supports a wide variety of mobile device browsers Drawbacks of BrowserStack Live: Poor response time Can miss bugs that could not be identified on real devices 2. LambdaTest LambdaTest is a cloud-based testing platform for web apps and websites. It allows you to conduct interactive testing in real browser environments or run automated Selenium testing scripts. Commercially, LambdaTest starts at $15 per month for browser testing. The mobile and web testing start at $99 per month. Benefits of LambdaTest: Provides a limited-time free version that allows you to perform 6 testing sessions. Open-source cross-browser testing tool that supports desktop and mobile browsers Provides an online grid for Selenium test automation Drawbacks of LambdaTest: Not available on Linux 3. CrossBrowserTesting CrossBrowserTesting is a user-friendly testing platform that allows you to perform cross-browser testing on multiple browsers including mobile platforms. It is available for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu. You can easily run visual, manual, and Selenium tests on more than 2050 real mobile and desktop browsers. The tool starts from $29 per month for one user and unlimited testing capabilities are offered at $100 per month for two users. Benefits of CrossBrowserTesting: Supports a wide range of browsers and their respective versions Appropriate for the quick testing process Provide an option to choose the screen resolution and operating system Provides free trial version Drawbacks of CrossBrowserTesting: High price, especially for large projects Unavailable on Linux 4. Sauce Labs Sauce Labs is a cloud-based platform for testing mobile and web applications. It offers instant access to thousands of operating systems, mobile emulators, simulators, browsers, and real devices. The pricing for manual cross-browser testing starts at $39 per month (allows one test at a time), manual and automated testing starts at $149 per month (allows one test at a time). Real mobile devices testing starts at $199 per month. The tool supports multiple browsers including Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Benefits of Sauce Labs: Allows testing mobile browsers on real devices Wide selection of real devices, emulators, and simulators Latest browser versions support Free trial version Drawbacks of Sauce Labs: Very high price and raises the cost of development 5. Turbo.net Turbo.net allows you to test your website on multiple versions of web browsers without creating many virtual machines. It also allows you to perform multiple tests without any dependencies or conflicts via isolated sandboxes. Turbo.net works well with the latest versions of browsers including Chrome, Opera, Firefox, Canary, Chromium, Firefox Nightly, Internet Explorer, and more. To use this cross-browser testing tool, you need to install a browser plug-in or download its desktop application. The tool is currently available only for Windows and starts at $19 per month. Benefits of Turbo.net: Supports latest versions of browsers Provides a free version Functional testing can be performed seamlessly Supports mobile browsers of Firefox and Opera Drawbacks of Turbo.net: Not available on macOS and Linux 6. Digital.ai  Digital.ai offers multiple testing solutions including manual and automated cross-browser testing. This platform is cloud-based and allows cross-browser testing on the desktop version of browsers. The cross-browser testing tool provides extended browser support for Chrome, Safari, Microsoft Edge, Internet Explorer, Firefox, macOS, iOS, and Android. With Digital.ai, you can test mobile and desktop browsers securely, even in a staging environment by connecting with a secure tunnel. The pricing of the tool starts at $9 per month per user for manual testing and $39 per month per user for automated testing. Benefits of Digital.ai: Allows hundreds of parallel tests Allows mobile testing for real devices Provides free version for manual testing Allows you to access visual reports with log files, videos, and screenshots Drawbacks of Digital.ai: Unavailable on Linux 7. Browsershots, a completely free open source cross browser testing tool Browsershots is one of the free tools for cross-browser testing. Browsershots is an open-source cross-browser tool to test websites in any operating system and browser. You can easily run cross-compatibility tests with great customization options like color depth, browser type, operating system, the status of JavaScript, and flash settings. Browsershot also allows you to take website screenshots in more than 60 browsers and multiple operating systems. By simply inputting a URL and viewing the screenshots, you can get a quick understanding of how your website looks on different browsers. Benefits of Browsershots: Free tool Multiple browser testing practices Easy option to view several side-by-side screenshots Drawbacks of Browsershots: Cannot directly interact with the browsers as they are simply referenced screenshots 8. IE Tab This cross-browser testing tool allows you to easily view your web page with a single click. With the IE tab, you can view a web page in multiple browsers without switching from one browser to another. The tool is well compatible with Firefox or Chrome browsers. IE tab is one of the best compatibility testing tool that supports internet configuration. It allows you to customize multiple settings like the internet and security can be set automatically or manually. Benefits of IE tab: View web pages in multiple browsers without any switching hassles Allows you to open tabs emulating Internet Explorer Drawbacks of IE tab: Not available for Firefox 6.0 and above version Every tool in the list helps you enhance your testing strategy and perform cross-browser testing. But you need to choose the best tool, pick the one that best suits your unique business requirements. How To Choose the Best Cross Browser Testing Tool? Now when we know the importance of cross-browser testing and available tools in the market, it is time to choose the best tool and get started with a best-in-class user experience. Here are the key considerations while choosing the best tool for the cross-browser testing process. The support of devices, operating systems, and browsers need to be verified. The tool should support the maximum possible combinations. If there is a new release of the browser, the testing tool should be able to accommodate the latest version too. Third-party integration support with Nightwatch, Jenkins, existing Selenium code, etc. The tools should support parallel testing to ensure the testing of a huge number of environment combinations. This feature is available with cloud-based open-source cross-browser testing tools. The tool should provide support for emulators, simulators, and real devices. There should be a technical support team to extend prompt support in the testing process. Automating Cross Browser Testing with QAonCloud In this post, we have covered all the key aspects of cross-browser testing and popular cross-browser testing tools. But if you don’t want to get into the hassles of manual testing and choosing the right tool, QAonCloud provides an easy option to make your cross-browser testing experience hassle-free, secure yet effortless. At QAonCloud, we strive for the best-in-class quality and are dedicated to enhancing your product quality. Our cloud-based cross-browser testing tool provides access to thousands of real devices, browsers, and environments. Contact us to start your cross-browser testing journey and enhance your product quality. Below are some key benefits of choosing QAonCloud. Automation script written in plain English. Hence, it does not require prior coding knowledge and skills. We can start running the test cases immediately. Get free from the license and installation hassles of operating systems, software, etc. All the environments can be easily accessed on the cloud. Allows to add multiple testing environments and run parallel testing to save effort and time. Supports third-party integration with key business applications and tools. There is no need to scale up or down the testing infrastructure according to varied testing needs. QAonCloud provides a highly scalable infrastructure to all the available environments. The functional and visual testing is also conducted to test the user interface, the latest application image to the baselined image to report the difference. Customizable and detailed reporting according to your requirements. Expert technical support team to provide you with the best solutions."

"Let’s start this post with 3 amazing mobile app facts: Fact #1 – In the second half of 2016, only 23% of mobile apps were used after being installed.* Fact #2 – 95% of installed mobile apps are deleted within the first month.* Fact #3 – Over 87% of users spend their time on apps and the rest of the people use browsers to use an app.* So, mobile apps are an everyday matter for users. Everyone wants to use mobile apps for their daily activities. But do you really need to download an app to own it? When you consider how easily and quickly you can install something like a flashlight app on your device, it makes you wonder about the benefits of keeping apps on your device. Well, it is unlikely that you will need every mobile app all the time. As long as you can access an app when you need it the most, what is the benefit of having it on your mobile and taking up the device space? Android Instant Apps is the answer to this dilemma. Since the launch of Instant Apps in May 2017, it has taken over the mobile app development world. But to be able to publish your app as an instant app, you need to conduct a Google play instant testing process. Whenever a mobile app is launched, the developer has certain goals such as generating user traffic, increasing revenues, getting high ratings, providing benefits to users, etc. Getting the app in front of a large audience could also be an important goal of your app. If you want to achieve a lot more than this, Android Instant Apps can help you big time. Instant app feature makes your mobile app discoverable from multiple locations such as – URLs, Google search results, social media posts, emails, YouTube comments, etc. Well, there are a lot of things to know about Instant apps and Google play instant testing. Let’s go step by step. What are Instant Apps? Instant apps are Android applications that need not be downloaded from the play store or installed on the user device. These apps are designed to save storage space on the device and deep link the users to the specific function of apps. Currently, they are only available for Android. It works as an instance of the app on the play store that can be used with a single click. This gives a native user experience without even downloading or installing the mobile app. The users can simply click on the “Try Now” button to start using the app. Use Cases for Google Play Instant Apps Once you build the mobile app and complete the process of Google play instant testing, you are all set to launch the instant app on the play store. When Android instant apps were announced, Google used a parking meter app as an example of their offerings. With this app, the users can immediately use the capabilities of the parking meter app without downloading, installing, or signing up. It delivers the opportunity to increase user engagement with the app and gain more installs after completing the Google play instant testing process. Such apps allow the users to try a particular app for a specific time without installing it and later decide whether to download and install the app onto their device or not. There can be many other use cases for instant apps with a completely native experience. Some of them are: Car parking solution Demo of image analytics app or a video Menu display of restaurant One time authenticators Game demo stage Location routine information Shopping and checkout at a virtual or physical store Why is Google Play Instant Testing Important? Instant apps have become the next great step in mobile development. At first sight, they don’t differ much from the conventional mobile apps as they look and function just like a mobile app. The major difference is that you don’t need to download or install them on your device. When the instant app testing is conducted, it ensures that all the necessary app functionality works perfectly without having to install the app from the play store. Let’s find out how Google Play instant testing helps: Ease of access Android instant apps allows the users to access and run apps instantly, without any installation hassles. The users can easily get a native Android experience from any URL – including social media, search engines, messaging, and other deep links. As soon as the link is clicked, the user will be redirected to the mobile web space where they can use the app features. This will provide a much better experience to the users as they won’t have to go through the whole process of searching and installing the mobile app. They can conveniently use all the features of the app with a single click. More creativity Now when the developers are well aware that the users can access the mobile apps before even installing them, they will be more focused on the creativity of applications. The developers have to introduce a “lite” version and get the mobile apps to pass through Google Play instant testing process to provide a better user experience. The users will be able to relish the new and improved mobile app experience. Save space Did you know that over 43% of users remove apps from their smartphones to free up storage space? (Source: Alligator Test). And once a mobile app is removed from the phone, it is rarely reinstalled. So, the storage concern is very important for users and instant apps can help a big-time here. Getting through the process of Google Play instant testing ensures that your mobile app consumes less space without compromising with features. Better app engagement Mostly, searching, downloading, installing, and executing the registration process of a mobile app takes much more time than using the application itself. This can lead to a lack of user engagement since users lose the enthusiasm to use the app before even reaching its useful content. Not anymore. Instant apps, on the other hand, provide the opportunity to try the features of the app instantly without any additional time and effort of users. It helps users to decide whether they want to use the application or even download it. Thus, the users will be significantly more engaged with the application. More valuable users and applications As there is no need to install the app to know the usability, the users can easily sneak into the features of the application. And once they are satisfied, they can install the application for future use. When you get your Google Play instant testing completed, the users can easily gain access to the app without downloading, experience the user interface, try its core features, and create an instant opinion about it. This way, only the valuable users will stick to your mobile app, and for the long term. It will also help in increasing the user retention rates as only the satisfied users will be downloading the application and the chance of application abandonment will decline subsequently. Increased app visibility Most of the developers face the challenge of getting their mobile app listed at the top of app stores and increasing the number of app downloads. The great advantage of Instant apps is that the access is not limited only to the Google Play store. Instead, the link to access the instant app can be published on many other platforms resulting in more ways to promote the app, better app visibility, and more downloads. Key Tips to Consider While Conducting Google Play Instant Testing Process Well, you need to consider a lot of things in mind before processing the development of instant apps. Have a look at a few important points of consideration. 1. Choose the new version of Android Studio To develop an instant app, the foremost thing to be considered is that it requires Android 5.0 (API level 21). It is recommended to take the help of the latest Android Studio version for building and testing the instant apps. This service of Android app development enables you to drive higher application installs and build a strong market presence. 2. Reduce the app size conveniently There are many good reasons why users prefer to use instant apps but reduced app size remains the top priority. Hence, it is important to keep the size of apps in check before launching the lite version of your mobile app. While Google play instant testing always ensures to keep the app size in check, the preferable size should not exceed 4 MB for apps and 10 MB for games. If the size of your app range from 4 MB -10 MB, the users can leverage the “Try Now” button and experience the app conveniently. 3. Decide the type of instant experience Delivering an excellent user experience is one of the primary motives of an instant app. For basic experience, allow users to click on the “Try Now” button or a website banner to try an instant mobile app. For an enhanced experience, market the app on multiple platforms in the form of advertisements, messages, QR codes, etc. Enable the instant experience today Instant apps have been a revolution in the era of mobile app development. And the best part is that a specific link can open the app while minimizing the cost and time of development. On one hand, the users can understand the features and functionalities of the app for free, while on the other hand, it provides better chances of user conversion and retention to app developers. Google is also gearing up to give multiple instant app experiences for a single app in the future. Undoubtedly, the future of trial versions or demos is through Google play instant testing. So, what do you make of instant apps? Can you see yourself offering an instant app experience, improving user engagement, and getting more conversions? Don’t wait anymore to introduce your instant app and move toward a “no downloads future”. We at QAonCloud have the right experience and experience to guide you towards the unique experience of Google play instant testing. Consult with our mobile app testing experts today. *Source: emarketer"

"Virtual Reality: a modern technology Virtual Reality is a powerful emerging medium that promises to change user interaction with digital technologies. It is now possible for individuals to interact in any virtual reality environment using VR goggles or mobile devices. Various forms of non-immersive, semi-immersive, and fully immersive simulation technology transform many industries at B2B and B2C levels. At its inception, Virtual Reality was envisioned purely for consumer use cases, such as the gaming and entertainment industry. However, it has also proved surprisingly helpful in various ways for the medical sector, defence sector, and even industrial sector in recent years. The use cases are only set to increase as it gains mainstream adoption. VR's rapid growth in popularity, and the nascent stages of the technology, throw unique challenges for companies from the developers' point of view. Lately, head-mounted displays have been introduced with eye detecting cameras and high-accuracy object detecting sensors. People want to try these features, especially the gaming community. Developers and startups need to constantly adapt and innovate if they're going to stay relevant. As a result, VR applications have evolved a lot within few years and continue to rapidly grow for the foreseeable future. The most prevalent issue in VR apps is their Quality Assurance. The old traditional methods of 2D testing are no longer usable in 3-D VR testing. The industry has failed to establish a standard testing framework and testing technology due to the constant flux. We will go through the various tools available to test VR Apps and how you can effectively test your VR applications. Tools for functional testing of Virtual Reality applications There are specific tools that are necessary for VR application testing. These are: SteamVR Performance Tool It is a fundamental tool to evaluate compatibility. It displays the compatibility of your PC with the VR app. 3600 EYETRACKERTM software solution  This software tracks your eye movement and lets the user see anywhere in the environment. It also enables the audience to see the user's point of view and the direction in which the user is looking. It extrapolates the user's field of view. Unity testing tool  Unity is an excellent tool to start with. It is for unit testing to focus on a particular object in your virtual reality environment. One can also use a google plugin called Google Instant Preview with Unity. It enables you to see the building unity in the editor. You can directly run your game, and it's visible to everyone around you. Desired output formats  A detailed Heat map with interactive controls Video in the 2D environment from 360 content Relive personal viewer experience through VR headset. How to test your VR app 1. Define the Objectives  There should be clarity in creating the aim for the functional testing of the VR apps. The testing must ensure the input and output parameters are fulfilled. Some of the most common objectives are: Ensuring expected behaviour: The test performed on the VR app must ensure that the app is running as per requirements. That is, it is functioning as expected. However, VR apps are often complex, with many hidden bugs. It also depends upon the human-machine interface to fulfil the objective. Manual Testing: To ensure human interaction and evaluate how well the user is adapting, utilizing, and immersing in the VR app. Environment effects: The objective must also ensure the effectiveness of the real-world environment in the virtual world. The user should feel a difference between Reality and virtuality. He also needs to judge how close to the actual environment that virtual environment is. This objective should be able to depict that difference. Automating specific test: To process the high degree of interaction, evaluation of inputs then sorting and evaluation of outputs, automating a particular part of the test becomes essential. Create a list of desired user experiences that we want from the app and what the publisher will gain from the app 2. VR Testing Methods  Trial and Error approach Virtuality reality apps are based on Reality. So, it relies on human perception. It means – detecting bugs, glitches, issues with the app; the "reality" aspect is subjective to that individual. It also means that testing results will vary from person to person. The best way is to test the behaviour of the application through testing tools.  Dedicated testing tools like the SteamVR performance tool ease the process of testing. Recording sessions The recording sessions offer a better understanding of the view and human –interaction with Reality. It gives deep insight into debugging. It can be shown to the people outside to get the necessary help. Sometimes, the bugs or glitches. Letting other testers see the recording sessions will allow you to spot errors in later stages. Automation testing tools  There are aspects of virtual reality apps that testing tools have drawn better results. Automated testing tools are helpful in UI tests and performance tests. The existing tools in the market boast the testing phase and ensure the quality of your VR app. Testing of motion sickness in VR apps  Reality sickness is one of the significant challenges in the virtual reality environment. The human brain does not fully immerse into another reality. The reality movement directly leads to motion sickness; it is vital to make sure that even the very essential mind can withstand the effects of VR apps. User feedback  Feedback reporting tools ease your work. Suppose you release the app in the market. These feedback tools will help you to discover more bugs and glitches in the app. It will also aid in enhancing the quality of the application. UI test automation framework  For VR automation, we recommend AirTest. It is one of the best open-source frameworks and it is built for VR gaming apps, where you get an automated testing framework. It is cross-platform and it supports Windows, native apps, iOS and Android. AirTest includes app installation, assertion, simulated input and so forth. You can perform image recognition technology to locate and identify UI elements. Automate tests on games without code injections. You can see the results in HTML reports. It's easier to find failed tests quickly. Integration Test  This test requires more skills than automating unit test. Two or more objects are combines and test in the simulated environment or a specific scenario. These kinds of tests are created and integrated into the test engine. This engine requires multiple systems, more skills and resources. End to End Testing / QA testing  It means a full playthrough of the VR app that needs to be tested. It is done manually as well as automatically. But the automated version of QA still needs much input to become more usable. Things to consider before automating your VR Test cases Some of the test scripts are already available. The Quality assurance process can use those existing test scripts. It is a heuristic method to find repeatable areas of the build. Those areas can be automated with optimum effort. A fully developed VR app can be tested by using source control and continuous integration. Consider the scale of your system, and size of the team and the type of app before leveraging the source control and continuous integration. You can take references from Git and Mercurial. Always test the 2D version of your app. It saves time and accelerates the process of debugging. Use telemetry data – it is helpful in long term work. Especially when you analyze a specific error, telemetry data should be relevant to the user walkthrough of the app and the user flows of a successful playthrough. Whenever a new change happens, the compiling code and running the asset build on the CI systems detect those issues. The diligent method is to tell your team in advance about those errors and avoid meeting those conflicts in advance. This way, the team can move forward, avoiding any potential test blockers. Monitor performance through ON-device automation. Monitoring will tell you the root cause of any issue. New changes can also harm the computer's performance; On-device automation can helps us in monitoring the long term performance and detecting the bugs. Simulate the trigger by giving commands. In simple words – tell the character to reach a particular spot "A" from another spot "Y". Monitor the performance characteristics on ADB and also keep a checklist to run and check necessary events throughout the app. Tools to performance and analyzing your VR Apps OVR Metrics tools  It analyses the mobile application with real-time graphic overlay. It provides data on heat, frame rates, GPU/CPU throttling values. Logcat  It collects VrApi logs. One can collect system logs with its command line. The Quality assurance team can take a close look at the app performance and device setting. Ovrgupprofiler It accesses real-time data of GPU pipeline metrics and provides stage tracing with the CLI tool. GPUsystrace  It includes information about the timing data of the steps of rendering pipelines as well as the information on the rendered stages. RenderDoc  It is a tool that is the best solution for capturing frames and analysis. It is a graphic debugger tool. It is compatible with multiple graphical APIs and development platforms. Unity Profiler  It records various aspects of the app's performance. It can store 300 frames of any app and shows you detailed information about every frame. One can explore the script code also. Final words  It is up to the Quality assurance team to pick the best tools for testing. However, some of the testing tools can accelerate the process of testing and debugging. One must learn to run few automation scripts on the available device to test. Once the test is done, one can start justifying more hardware. Consider bandwidth after testing; your team need to analyze and report based on these findings. Begin with the unit testing as it is the fundamental method and then consider the further stages of software testing. As VR apps and their testing are considered in their infant stage, we hope that more tools will be developed to automate and accelerate the entire process."

"There was a lot of hype when the first foldable smartphone was launched. After Samsung released Galaxy Z Fold in 2019, a new trend appeared in the market, pushing modern smartphones and tablets out of the game.If you are also looking to keep up with the latest trend of “Foldables,” it is a great time to explore development and app testing for foldable devices.App testing for foldable devicesFoldable smartphones are the next-generation smartphones. It helps you to create unique experiences for consumers and new business opportunities to drive innovation. The foldable apps are mainly focused on larger screens and provide a handy experience when folded. According to a new analytical report (Strategy Analytics), global foldable smartphone shipments will hit 100 million units by 2025. The research has also confirmed that foldable technology will be one of the fastest-growing segments of the premium smartphone market in the next decade. Foldables are considered the smartest inventions of the era. They allow the users to fold the mobile screens when it is not in use, thus dramatically improving user interactions.In this article, you will explore:What are foldable devices?Why is it worth building apps for foldable devices?Why is app testing for foldable devices important?Key requirements for foldable apps developmentKey features to consider for app testing for foldable devicesRecommended test scenarios for foldable appsGetting started with FoldablesLet’s dive right into the guide to explore everything you need to know about foldable devices and preparing your apps for the foldable development market.What are foldable devices?Foldable smartphones come with a special display that can be folded in half, just like a sheet of paper. Samsung unveiled the concept in 2019 to offer high-end flexibility benefits to users.Potentially, these devices provide an immersive user experience, more space to watch content, browse the internet, read, and many more functionalities. You can easily multitask with 2/3 multi-windows when unfolded. Also, the foldability factor makes the device highly convenient for transportation. Since foldable devices are the future of the mobile world, it is the right time to delve into the development and app testing for foldable devices. Why is it worth building apps for foldable devices?Mobile phones have changed drastically through the last few years, from flip phones to QWERTY phones to touchscreens. And now, foldable devices have taken over the conversations. This new style of devices provides more space and comfort and offers more screen real estate, true streamlining of workflow, and more versatile use of apps. While the studies indicate steady growth and sales, foldable devices have gained the immense interest of consumers. Another source indicated that the foldable smartphone industry is expected to grow at a CAGR rate of more than 21.3% from the year 2021-2026. These statistics point towards the fact that - foldable devices are the future of the mobile phone industry. With foldable devices on the roll, the app developers need to put extra effort into launching and run foldable applications successfully. Why is app testing for foldable devices important?Apps play a major role in our lives. On average, people spend 74% of their smartphone screen time on mobile time. And more importantly, over 50% of all internet traffic comes from mobile apps. The success of foldable devices is directly affected by the quality of mobile apps. But the unique features and characteristics of the foldable screen present challenges for app developers. Bug-prone apps commonly plague Foldables mobiles due to fragmentation of screen and ultimately results in negative reviews. And any negative experience will be associated with the quality of mobile phones and not any specific mobile app. This is where you need efficient app testing for foldable devices. The key to testing apps on foldable devices is testing the functional and user experience-focused tests. Key requirements for foldable apps developmentSince the popularity of foldable devices is increasing tenfold, it has become vital to consider improving practices for seamless mobile app experiences on foldable devices. Planning for mobile app development for a single screen is very different from mobile apps for foldable devices. Here are some important aspects to consider while developing and testing apps for foldable screens.Infographics: Key considerations for the development and app testing for foldable devices Key features to consider for app testing for foldable devicesBigger screens, handy experiences, richer and immersive user experiences, multitasking with multiple widows, less power-hungry display, and more. Certainly, foldable smartphones offer a lot of opportunities. But planning for developing and testing mobile apps for foldable devices is quite different from single small screen devices. Let’s dig deeper into some of the most important features for mobile apps for foldable devices.1. ContinuityApp continuity issues are one of the major mobile app challenges for foldable devices. This feature is all about switching from one state to another based on the screen orientation. The mobile app needs to follow the continuity and offer a seamless user experience in both screen modes. The user should be able to easily switch from one mode to another without having to open the app again and again. Also, when they do that, the app should switch to the expanded screen without missing a beat. 2. ResizabilityThe mobile apps should be compatible with smaller as well as larger screens essentially. The resizability factor must be considered at the time of app testing for foldable devices. Based on the type of fold and functionality of the smartphone, the mobile app designs and interface should also fit perfectly. Additionally, the shape and size of foldable devices should remain the same while consuming media through smartphones. 3. Multi-Window AbilityWith the multi-window feature, the users can run multiple apps at the same time. However, facilitating this feature can be tricky. Earlier, while using multiple apps on the same screen, only the active app runs while others would be paused. But with foldable devices, users can run multiple apps on the same screen at the same time. So, it is vital to consider the multi-window compatibility at the time of app testing for foldable devices. The mobile apps should be developed in a way that multitasking with different screens should be easy and seamless for the users. 4. Support for Multiple ScreensThe mobile app developers should always consider the compatibility with two or more screens at a time. The primary and secondary screen can be decided while developing the app, but it should resume to either of the screen sizes, the text as well as the configuration without any glitches. 5. Multi-resumeAnother important feature needed for mobile apps for foldable devices is multi-resume. The apps resume as per the user requirements when the screen is folded or unfolded. While the dual-display improves the efficiency, it creates many issues for the accessibility of features and functionalities of the mobile app. But if the app testing for foldable devices is conducted appropriately, your mobile app can seamlessly function in the multi-window mode without any glitches. 6. Aspect RatioSince Apple has not yet entered into foldable devices, most of the phones in this segment are Android. And building mobile apps for Android phones comes with aspect ratio challenges. There are numerous mobile devices with different screen sizes. And the difficulties in the case of foldable devices increase drastically. The app testing for foldable devices should ensure that different aspect ratios are adjusted according to multiple devices. And most importantly, the quality of mobile apps must remain the same in multi-window mode. Recommended test scenarios for foldable appsBefore getting started with the mobile app development and testing for foldable devices, make sure you know the possible test scenarios that will stand your way. Let’s explore some scenarios of foldable apps and their expected Behavior. Test CaseExpected Behavior of mobile apps on foldable devicesLaunch of mobile app: Main display and cover display The app opens without any lag or crashWorking with the keyboard on the cover and main display Types text in different languages, symbols, and everything shows up fine on both the displays.Working with the camera on the cover and main display The app opens the camera, shows the preview images and videos. The media is scaled and oriented properly.The transition between the main and cover displays: Layout of the screen The app is filled with the entire screen without any blank space and cut-offs.The transition between the main and cover displays: Runtime of mobile app The app switches without hanging, crashing or showing response errors.The transition between the main and cover displays: User interface and components and location Every component like menu, text, button, thumbnails are at the right location and maintain the right shape and size.The transition between the main and cover displays: Handwriting and drawing apps Drawing and edited state are maintained in drawing and handwriting apps while switching the displays.Getting started with FoldablesNow when you know that foldable devices are taking over the technology world and bringing along many opportunities, it’s the right time to get started with your app for foldable devices. While this technology holds immense potential, it poses many challenges for development and testing teams. There are multiple factors and challenges to face when it comes to developing and app testing for foldable devices. If you are looking forward to launching a successful mobile app for foldable devices, QAonCloud can help you with fully managed mobile app quality assurance testing services. We deliver end-to-end solutions from consulting to execution to designs, development, launch, and maintenance of apps for foldable devices.Contact us to learn more about app testing for foldable devices, specific test scenarios for your mobile app, recommended test plan, and more. Talk to our mobile app experts now."

"Every work sphere in technology is evolving rapidly. The term " Agile Methodology " came into the limelight, that focuses on continuous improvement and sustainable economic growth. Well, it may not be new. Agile testing is a part of Agile methodology that refers to the testing process of the entire software development life cycle. This approach helps testers and developers collaborate and communicate, thereby eases the process of identifying defects as early as possible and thereby creates a valuable product.  What is Agile in Testing: Agile testing is an iterative and incremental process of the software development lifecycle. Unlike the traditional software testing methodologies (like the waterfall method), where testing comes only at the end of the cycle, this approach supports continuous testing and DevOps. These are very crucial to improve the quality of a product.  Agile Testing will start even before the dev team starts the development and happens continuously as the features are added. Testers aim to write as many testcases as possible in each iteration, and these agile tests are prioritized just like the user stories. Throughout the product life cycle, regular interactions between developers, customers, managers, stakeholders, and QA/testing teams happen.Agile Testing Methods The following are the most crucial Agile testing methodologies that support agile processes- 1. Test-Driven Development (TDD) In this agile testing method, coding, testing, and design go hand-in-hand. The development cycle starts with writing a unit test & then developers write a code and edit the code until the unit test passes.  The software requirements are converted to testcases at the beginning of the SDLC before the development of software. We can apply TDD on unit and component tests.  The tests are usually done with the help of automation testing tools. The main aim of the TDD methodology is to make sure all the features are working as they should be. 2. Acceptance Test-Driven Development (ATDD) In this method, the development of the product happens as per the end-user requirement. ATDD is a customer-centric approach, where the developer team, the testing team, and the customers create acceptance tests from the end-user perspective. The developers then develop the code according to the Acceptance tests created. 3. Behaviour Driven Development (BDD) Behavior-driven development is a refined & augmented approach of TDD and ATDD as the development team writes the code according to the test cases created. Unlike ATDD, this approach focuses on the identification of business needs and goals. During the testing process, testers implement behaviors that contribute directly to the business goals. As this agile testing method pays close attention to the distribution of behavior, we can save the time spent on testing. 4. Exploratory testing Exploratory testing focuses on interacting with an already released application. It allows testers to play around with the software and use it chaotically without writing any scripts. Testers list out all the possible user behaviors, use their creativity to take actions that can break the software. Testers usually focus on areas or scenarios that pose high value for users. But there will not be any detailed documents that describe how the exploratory tests are conducted. Testers report only the defects to the clients 5. Session-based testing The session-based testing methodology aims to ensure that the software product is tested entirely and comprehensively. It’sverysimilar to that of exploratory testing, except the tests, are conducted during Time-boxed sessions. Session-based testing combines exploratory testing, accountability, and control. This method helps testers to structure the tests and perform them during uninterrupted sessions. In this approach, testers create test charters.  This charter contains details like what to test and test reports which allow testers to document what they discover during a test. It will, in turn, help in getting rid of hidden bugs & defects in the product. Why Agile Testing Methods are a Success Agile in the software industry came into the picture because of its process of streamlining and improving. The approach paves an integration among developers, testers, product owners, and customers. However, the target goal for all of these teams is a quality project delivered through iterative sessions. Subsequently, agility is making its place in every new digital workplace, and even organizations now find it an excellent way to transform their project in general. To understand better, here are some of the benefits of agile methodology. A. Build Your User Base Agile methodology is not just valuable for the developers but also communicates the core concept to the users. With the completion of every iteration, a helpful product comes as a result. So, at any moment, you can easily decide to launch the halfway product to your customers. It helps build up your user base or test your logic and theory.2; B. Flexible to Update Ideally, not every development methodology is created to accommodate the mid changes. But Agile testing offers the scope of change whenever and wherever necessary. There is always a need to update software projects either with the customer needs or the market trends. And so Agile embraces the idea of change that occurs mid-project. C. Early Risk Management Have you ever thought about what the concept of beta releases is? Well, a product should be tested early in the process by the users and stakeholders. It will help in identifying the feature defects and issues in the production process itself. By adopting those changes, it's easy to mark a successful project delivery. D. Cost under Control For most instances, clients step back regarding the features that the client had requested during the initial stages. Consequently, the product launches early, and clients have to pay less price. It is the case of fixed-budget projects. At the same time, Agile is quite flexible in this scope. With Agile methodology, the client has to pay only for what they need without any risks of uncertainty.  E. Double-Check on Quality We should integrate Agile Testing Methods throughout the entire development project. Delivering consistently tested products assures high-end quality and takes much less time trying the product as a whole. By Conducting frequent tests on the product, Incremental releases happen. Even after the product's release, it's much easier to locate flaws and improve them before the final launch. Downsides of Agile Testing Methods Though there are multiple advantages of using Agile testing, its demerits cannot be unseen. Let's check a few of them. A. Delay in Project Delivery Undoubtedly, we cannot ignore the power of Agile Testing Methods. But, if you see, much time and effort are consumed in fixing small bugs and rolling out software releases post minor updates. It will increase regression bugs which ultimately impact the day of final project delivery. B. Lack of Adaptability Agile testing methods are perpetual, implying that testers have to switch to new test strategies that arelikely to change. Most of the time, good test strategies have a short life span and are just done away for the sake of Agile Project Delivery. Let's wrap it up To conclude, the complexity of software products is constantly increasing and henceforth the development lifecycle. Upgrading the development strategies is not just enough to sustain the overall growth. Testing approaches also need to be evolved with the advancement in the development process. Agile Testing Methods brings a new age for testing professionals, focusing on intelligent, effortless, and high-end deliverables. In an Agile Testing approach, developers and testers collaborate to work on the final delivery of the product. Testers must develop corrective feedback for the intermediate software product during the complete development cycle at different stages. Moreover, the Agile Testing Methods should always align with the customer requirements collected at the beginning of any software project. In a few words, we can say that Agile testing is a long and continuous goal rather than being a sequential process."

"Developers and testers approach software development with different mindsets. A developer is looking for a creative solution to a problem, while a tester tries to find any possible way to break that solution. This contradiction sometimes leads to a clash of egos, breaking down communication and collaboration between two critical pillars of the software development process. Often, mature coworkers realize the importance of every action item in the process and do not let personal preferences cloud the end product. But, since the increased adoption of agile testing methodology, the interdepartmental barriers are breaking down, forcing various teams to collaborate more closely. The need for seamless communication between developers and testers is needed now more than ever. The Agile Testing work setup In an agile project, the product manager and developer sit beside a tester while testing to see the product in action; as a result, testing becomes more accurate while the entire team gains a better understanding. Often, testers have to act as part developers and vice versa.  Imagine your team is in a kitchen. When the developer prepares a dish, the agile Tester will taste it simultaneously, while the Product Owners ensure that no ingredient is missing. The dish is ready to serve out right away. Agile projects work similarly, enabling your product to hit continuous developments and integration within a shorter term.  The principles of this iterative approach have even shorter feedback loops under a disciplined project management environment. Therefore, testers and developers must work parallel and beyond their virtual boundaries.  How to enhance collaboration between Developer-Tester? An integrated team wins The agile team mustn't treat developers and testers in a way that creates dissimilarities. An integrated team always wins, and the deliveries from the product owners need to be focused and familiar to the entire team. This approach avoids unnecessary confusion between an agile tester and developer, and they can discuss the functionality queries together.   Opinion matters If the project has a clear vision that the testers and the developers must work together, achieving success is simple. Respecting each other's opinion matters a lot in a success-oriented environment.  Requirements must be precise The rapid shifts of the agile projects can create confusion among the team members. Clear sprint requirements presented in simple language can improve communication between the developers and the testers. All the participants should keep the big picture in mind in the agile process.   Prioritize bugs  If the project helps you prioritize bugs at first, then the team need not worry about the shorter span of the project; instead, they can dig towards the bug. By the way, an agile tester can fine-tune the testing process from the developer's point of view.  Plan for small tasks The business owner responsible for sprint planning sessions must plan with the mindset that 'an iteration doesn't mean to complete a bulk of tasks altogether.' Lack of which may deteriorate the collaboration between testers and developers if the project hits technical roadblocks.  Iteration success is the goal To streamline the Agile workflow, people must get away from the "Developer Vs. Agile Tester" culture. Coworkers have to collaborate in the Agile model to create a feature at the end of each iteration or sprint. Here, 'Sprint Success is the Goal.' Nothing else! Invite Developers and Testers in story building The planning session is not meant only for the product owners. Testers must also take part in story sizing and share the practicality of testing that technical piece in the testing environment. It may enhance collaboration between the Tester with the developer and the entire scrum team in an agile environment.   Meet beyond the Agile Teams should be encouraged to discuss beyond regular agile meets. Developers know the exact functionality of the product, and testers who often discuss functionalities with them tend to have a better understanding. It is just one of the benefits of out-of-box collaboration between testing and development teams.  More time for exploratory testing  Unplanned exploration of any feature often leads to exciting discoveries. Exploratory testing conceives several ways to test a project. This creates chances for the testers to discuss the results of testing with the developers. Make the foundation Developers can usually take the responsibility to create an excellent foundation for a tester about functional or regression testing. If a developer tends to translate a unit test into a functional test case for a tester, the thing will be clarified better between them. In this case, the testing part becomes more straightforward, and the Tester may also understand the scenario well to test that unit. Cross-training  Usually, developers never spell out their thinking process, making the testing phase very tough and blur. Training a tester about the ethics of coding and developers about testing makes the project an effortless exercise.  Simultaneous code review To better manage the limited project time, the agile Tester must get a chance to review the code before testing it. It enables collaboration between testers and developers, and they can work side by side to achieve their respective goals.  Seamless collaboration and clear communication between teams will encourage your employees to work at optimal productivity, and energized workers produce great results. QAonCloud gives utmost priority to smooth communication between the developers at the client site and our testers. That is how we consistently produce extraordinary results for our happy customers. To know more about how we can help you upgrade your QA efforts, reach out to us at [email protected]"

"For many organizations and their customers, software applications are mission-critical. It is imperative to closely watch their performance in order to earn consumer trust and achieve ROIs, which are incidentally dependent upon the longevity and maintenance of the applications. A company must possess an adequate-sized IT infrastructure to provide the high-quality service required by its customers along with the QoS or Quality of Service expected by them. While testing the performance of the product itself is imperative, it is also essential to benchmark it against specific and set values, to see if it is functioning at its optimal. The need for performance testing benchmarks A dissatisfied customer is bound to move over to competition if you, as a company, do not meet their expectations. The customer’s baseline outlook is pretty simple - a fully functional software application that can be invoked at any time. Performance testing, by itself, is quite complex and requires meticulous planning. It also comes with its own set of challenges, including the application’s performance in a downgraded environment.  It is highly imperative to incorporate it in the application development lifecycle. Here are some expert views from QAonCloud about the reasons why performance benchmark testing is principal. Researchers believe that mobile application errors are more than those that are just reported. Most of the time, there are network issues and server congestions to deal with. Unreliable mobile networks impede the smooth working of the app. There are downloading issues, broken images, checkout errors, failed uploads and freezing. A large group of frustrated customers fall into this segment. This, in turn, leads to a loss of revenue. Over 47% of the respondents tend to exit the application if they have a broken image. Then there are issues pertaining to the speed of connections, which tend to differ from region to region. Testing apps country or region-wise can alleviate all speed and connectivity issues. Various speeds are taken into account across disparate networks to check whether the application can be used conveniently. In developed nations, the app might function at an optimal level but in the developing world, it might be slow. It is, therefore, imperative to run performance tests to stay in harmony with the region’s capabilities. A widening user base may also impact the performance of the app. For instance, in an initial environment of 1000 users, the app may work well. But with an increase in the user base, it could end up behaving randomly. Performance testing for scalability, speed, and stability, should be carried out at a juncture where high demand is expected. Various tools and processes are involved in testing to determine whether the app is functioning according to a particular yardstick. This can be accomplished only when performance benchmark testing is planned. The importance of planning Performance testing has become one of the most important parts of a software testing process, especially because clients are expecting more than just digital experiences. This is leading testers to adopt a multi-layered approach that goes beyond regular load testing schedules. To get the best outcomes the testing strategy should be able to mirror the real-life environment. Users view information on a particular screen before switching over to the next – this time frame is called think time. Therefore, the time appearing between two consecutive requests must be fixed while creating test scripts. Component-wise this is the best way to test a system as it eliminates risks that can suddenly crop up during the process. But before planning, it is imperative to know the benchmarks against which the application will be tested. What is benchmark testing? Simply put, a benchmark is a metric or a point of reference against which a software product or application is compared. A repeatable set of standards determine the quality of the product. The results are typically quantifiable. Benchmarks can also be used to assess the current and future releases of an application. One component for benchmarking is always constant – it must be repeatable. Then how imperative is benchmark testing in performance testing? To know if your application is performing better than the industry average, you must understand the importance of benchmark testing.  Skilled and proficient testers use the technique in several ways where the characteristics of performance are primarily tested. Performance benchmark testing, under varied conditions, monitors the response time of the database manager. The consistent availability of the app can thus be determined, keeping in mind the response time for concurrent users. Data loading with various methods along with the utility performance of the system can also be evaluated. After the release of an application, the impact, characteristics and behavior, are monitored. Benchmark testing is generally done from the SLA perspective. Phases in benchmark testing Agile processes for testing are currently in vogue. But QAonCloud follows industry best practices along with modified, proven processes to achieve the success that our clients wish to. We follow the standard phases of testing and add hybrid elements to ensure that the application is fully tested for bugs making go-to-market extremely easy.  Nevertheless, here are the fundamental phases of benchmark testing. Planning As mentioned before, planning is pivotal in benchmark testing, because this is where standards are defined and identified for the testing process. The critical components of the system are recognized, and the benchmark criteria are assessed. Analysis The goals and objectives for the testing process are set besides identifying the root cause of the error. Product quality is improved with this analysis. Integration Functional goals and non-functional requirements are established, and outcomes shared with the internal stakeholders for approval. Action The action phase is continuous, where it is ensured that all processes and standards have been taken into consideration before the actual implementation. Previous successes may also be evaluated to smoothly implement the current scenario by eliminating past bugs and errors. Implemented actions are periodically reviewed, and mechanisms developed so that the application performs at its optimal. QAonCloud is a full-service benchmark testing company that ensures that your applications are always performing better than the industry average. Reach out to us for all your testing concerns."

"Shift left testing is an advanced software testing approach. Through this approach, testers draft test cases as per the clients' requirements at the inception of the software development. The team focuses on preventing defects rather than the detection of defects. It aims to enhance the overall quality of the software. In traditional testing, testing happens at a later stage of the development cycle; however, testing when conducted at the early stages, avoids a significant number of different issues while testing. This new approach of testing creates a better development path, and the amount of defects in the final product is less. This approach offers better user acceptance testing, real-time load, and performance testing.The introduction of shifting left has enhanced the overall quality of the software developed, thereby emphasizing the prevention of defects at an early stage rather than detecting defects at a later stage. It also helps in the prevention of different issues, promotes insertion of quality assurance exactly from the crucial phase of development, and moves down to the subsequent phases.Motivation towards Shift Left TestingEvery global business has adopted advanced technology due to aggressive competition and is constantly trying hard to increase revenue, reduce cost, weight margins, and speed up time in the market. Therefore, businesses depend on testing for a green signal to operate on a bug-free and hitch-free software or application. Every Organization Focuses On Some Key Questions How can we rectify the defects halfway through any software application development? How to make sure the software application development progresses smoothly?And how do we speed up the development process to save cost?The common disruptive problems that occur while delivering software solutions are technological, cost and time. The testing process begins when the development reaches the coding phase. This implies that the software developed is of high quality.Significant Problems In TestingIncurring higher costs of the software development processDelay in the delivery of the developed softwareWrong testing proceduresDeveloped software fails to meet quality and standardsWhat happens if we detect the defects early? Would it avoid unnecessary trouble? It is where Shift left testing plays a significant role. Implementing testing at the beginning of the development cycle lowers cost, reduces risks, on-time delivery, well-timed rectification, and so on. It lowers the defect rate and ensures no defects are present now or ever.When the testing process starts early in the SDLC, the quality of the developed software increases. We can detect the flaws early, Implement static testing procedures, boost system tests, and finally can assure that the code quality is the best.Benefits of shift-left testing Within the testing team, one individual's primary responsibility is to analyze and suggest advanced technologies that enhance and empower the team to follow the shift-left testing process continuously. It encourages the testing process to happen parallel to the application development or before the development activities. Testing early ensures cost-effectiveness in development and quality assurance while saving time and resources right from day one of the project. The shift-left testing model enhances better teamwork between developers as well as testers and minimizes the frictional differences between teams.Here are the benefits of adopting testing in the earlier stages of SDLC:Lower cost of bug detection. Improvement in the overall efficiency of the software development process.Since the Quality Analysis process does not take time, it takes less time. The workplace of the development team increases which brings a competitive advantage.Key points about Shift Left Testing:Every tester in the team is involved in all stages of the software application development process. It enables the testers to focus on defect prevention procedures and achieve the business goals of the assigned program.This methodology demands perfection from all testers.The testing team just does not focus on testing the software to identify the bugs but works with the team from the initial stages of planning and builds a robust and effective testing strategy. Therefore, there has been a drastic increase in the responsibilities of testers, and their focus on long-term visions. It encourages the testing team to design the tests scripts first, and the tests are entirely focused on the customer experience. Every customer's expectations are envisioned by the designers while developing the software.This approach helps the testing team carry out the testing activities continuously and take more ownership of their code with an increase in their responsibilities on testing.Final wordsThe introduction of the 'Shift Left Testing' concept has evoked a huge transformation for a Tester. The sole focus of a Tester was only 'Defect Detection'; however, now the aim of the this approach, from a Tester's perspective is a journey of 'Early Defect Detection to Defect Prevention' & thereby improving software quality and reduces 'Time to Market'.Clients and developers need to engage themselves in the discussion and collaborate on ideas, requirements at every single stage of the project to identify the risks and mitigate them in advance.It helps in detecting defects at an earlier stage when it is less expensive and easier to fix. Shift left testing involves four different variants such as Traditional, Incremental, Agile/DevOps, and Model-based. However, each of these variants depends on each other to substantially improve the efficiency of testing and extent of testing."

"Test automation has become an integral component of the modern software development and testing process. With the increasing client expectations for speed and scale, it is not the time to continue using the legacy software testing processes. It has become essential that the testing and quality assurance function catches up to the current speed and does not become a bottleneck. And for this purpose, you need a faster and more efficient testing process like Scriptless Test Automation that can keep up with the agile software development. Test Automation can be your perfect solution In the big bang world of software testing, automated testing has always been in the limelight because of obvious reasons like reduced cost, fast and convenient testing process, and more. Most organizations lean on a plethora of automated testing tools to achieve these objectives but; Are these tools competent enough to maximize the ROI of your organization? Is the tool approach right for automated testing services? Why is your go-to-market time not stepping up? The answer to all these queries lies in adapting the “Scriptless Test Automation” because the core of agile testing lies in the management of the scripts built for test automation. With every small change in the product, the script-based test automation framework has to be updated while considering all the practical implications. Ultimately, this requires more effort, time, and project investments. A well-functioning test automation framework requires regular maintenance of the test automation scripts. A test script is a code written to provide automatic testing instructions on a user interface. Managing these scripts is the most challenging aspect of test automation and also one of the biggest reasons why test automation fails in most organizations. How about going scriptless and still enjoy the test automation? Adapting the revolutionary Scriptless Test Automation technique can work wonders for your agile testing process by adding high speed, convenience, and simplicity. It tremendously shrinks the need for test scripts to run automated test cases that make it an ideal alternative to traditional test automation. What is Scriptless Test Automation? The scriptless process is all about reducing the time to write the test scripts and shifts the whole focus on the validation of business logic. It is a flexible test automation framework that reduces the manual intervention into coding and runs automated test cases behind the scenes. Testers can simply indicate the steps rather than writing the codes, and the scriptless framework can translate those steps into test cases. As a result, scriptless test automation enables your organization to efficiently scale up testing and QA processes while reducing the time expended to understand and write the code, accelerating the time-to-market for releases. This test automation approach will help your organization reduce the time and effort needed to ensure quality, speed, and ease within the agile testing process. Overall, scriptless test automation makes the testing process simpler, more understandable, easier to use and optimizes testing automation efforts. Why Adopt a Scriptless Framework for Test Automation? ✓ This approach does not require thorough technical knowledge and programming skills, and therefore, resolves the challenge related to the shortage of skilled resources. ✓ It simplifies the process of creating test scripts, automation of test case designing, validation, and execution to make the test automation approach robust and scalable. ✓ The test cases are reusable and easy to maintain with scriptless test automation. ✓ Automate and accelerate the test scripting and designing process, thereby adding speed and convenience to the overall software development and testing process. ✓ It can work parallel to the development process, and therefore, the testing and QA do not become a bottleneck in the software development life cycle (SDLC). ✓ It has minimum coding requirements, which means business stakeholders can also participate positively in the QA process and offer valuable reviews to enhance the product quality. Leverage Scriptless Test Automation with QAonCloud With extensive experience in test automation, we specialize in manual and automated testing solutions for organizations of all sizes globally. We helped many organizations to reduce their test cycle time by implementing a customized Scriptless Test Automation framework. Our clients have gained enormous benefits such as increased release velocity, reduced time to market & overall testing effort, resulting in maximized ROI of the organization. QAonCloud has a highly competent workforce and an excellent pool of qualified professionals to provide full-fledged testing solutions across all industries. Our test automation framework is a proven, tool-agnostic, and independent testing solution designed for automating complex business processes in the best possible ways. Get a FREE Consultation with our test automation experts and understand how we can help you scale up your test automation efforts."

"The waterfall method is a sequential software development model first described in 1970. This method has its roots in the manufacturing and construction industries, where it is necessary to complete each phase in its entirety before moving to the next step. Its straightforward and systematic approach is often considered to be its great strength. The waterfall sequence has six well-defined stages in the following order: Requirements, Analysis, Design, Coding, Testing and Operations.The problem with this method was, businesses in the real world move at a rapid pace. Some functionalities may turn obsolete within months, or few overlooked defects can cause disaster on software release. The waterfall method was not designed to handle quick changes to the code.Developers came together in 2001 to introduce agile methodology. It was a more “lightweight” approach to software development. Coders and Testers worked together in incremental cycles until the functionality provided enough value to end-users on release. A high level of flexibility, collaboration and rapid feedback loops became the defining features of the agile movement. Today, it is estimated more than 71% of organizations use some form of agile methodology.Nevertheless, the Waterfall approach is still relevant. Each development project is unique, and it depends on what is important to you. Software development is both art and science, and there can never be a correct answer. We present you with a detailed comparison to help decide which method best suits your needs."

"Introduction To Exploratory TestingExploratory Testing is a software testing approach where we remove the scripts entirely. The tester is given the freedom and responsibility to execute testing activities. Without prior knowledge about the product or guidelines for the testing process, testers interact with the app as they wish to get information related to the app, APIs, and environment. Testers use this information to react, change course, and explore all the app's functionalities without restraint. Design and execution phases are performed simultaneously.Some may say, "well, that's Ad Hoc!" or "No script represents being unprepared." But that's not true! The exploratory approach allows testers to unlock their brain's full potential in finding bugs and verifying functionality without any restrictions. This approach complements automation Testing so well, and that's what makes it the most powerful tool in the hands of an experienced tester.Scope of Exploratory TestingExploratory Testing is a great way to extend existing test cases. Did you ever wonder why some testers do it better while the others keep failing? The secret is that some testers actively explore and see the test cases from a new perspective to understand the test cases and refuse to stick to only instructions. When exploratory Testing becomes a frame of all the thinking, it incorporates all considerations about Testing. Testers identify executable specifications for which the documentation is required and then try to identify it and document it with the help of Automation.Why Exploratory Testing?There are a lot of reasons why testers prefer exploratory Testing apart from being the quickest and most effective way to find bugs in a product! But that's not just! -When the documentation is missing or not complete, this software testing approach can help in exploring the application and document all the findings that we need.It helps to unlock the full potential of the tester's brain and lets him generate new ideas & test cases during the execution process.Improves productivity as the testers investigate throughout the process without following any script and finding functional issues quickly.Rather than writing hundreds or thousands of test cases and automating them, this approach supports testers in assessing a system within a time frame and identifying areas to explore. You can add them to your script later!Using this approach, we can get down to the bottom of the smallest part of the application to uncover all the bugs that are not generally found under any other testing approach. This will increase the test coverage with minimal effort.Learning new things is more important than testing an application with some pre-written scripts. In this approach, testers will have a lot of scope to learn new things about the system, build knowledge and add more value to the team.Testers can always provide feedback about the user experience and thereby increase the quality of the product.Whenever there is a change in client requirements, exploratory testing is of huge benefit as it offers flexibility when you don't have the time to plan test design.How to Perform Exploratory TestingEven though it requires minimal preparation, this approach still requires a structured process to make it effective. Here is how to perform exploratory Testing to yield the best results - 1. Create a Test Charter & Define the scope:It is very crucial to develop a Test Charter before performing exploratory Testing. A charter is just like a mission statement that outlines the explorable areas, the duration of the testing process, delegation of responsibilities, approach, test data requirements, Test environment, etc.; specify the features that you are going to cover or not cover so that you might not miss high-risk functionalities that might require immediate feedback.2. Schedule the testing sessionsOnce the tester starts exploring a product, it is sometimes difficult for him to decide when to stop it. Therefore it is always advisable to schedule the tests and limit the time spent on each session to help teams focus and make the testing more effective.3. Define testing technique to be usedThere are three ways of performing exploratory testing: Ad-Hoc Testing, Session-based Testing, and strategy-based Testing.A. Ad-HocAd-Hoc is not the tester’s go-to way of applying an exploratory testing strategy. Anyone can perform Ad Hoc testing, even though they have zero testing skills. All they have to do is to try the product, without any instructions & expectations. Thus, this method can help only report the bugs but not follow up on the tester’s actions.B. Session-basedSession-based exploratory testing, on the other hand, is the most common method of performing. In this method, the tester will schedule each session and provide a period of time (let’s say, 30 minutes) for each session. After each session, the tester has to document all the details like the session number, date, name of the tester, risks associated, bugs uncovered, test coverage, total time spent on the session, and any other details that are required.C. Strategy-basedStrategy-based exploratory testing is, by far, the most used technique. Testers will craft a strategy to apply techniques like setting limit values and equivalence partitioning while creating test cases. Based on the tester’s skills and knowledge, he/she will choose the technique that is more appropriate for the given scenario.4. Recording resultsBy the end of each session, the tester will prepare documentation explaining how to reproduce a bug that they uncovered during the session. The results of each session should also be recorded.5. Reviewing results and adding them to the learningAfter performing exploratory testing, all the testers who took part in the process have to discuss and review the results. These reviewed results can be added to the scripts for future use.If you are looking out for accurate, efficient, and cost-effective exploratory testing services, then QAonCloud is the best option for you. Get in touch with us today! Take a look at our offerings to know more about our services."

"Upcoming trends in Software Testing: There is an assumption that software development is all about speed. Whoever delivers first-to-market features and updates stands to consolidate the industry in the long run. While the belief is indeed valid, an equally important but often ignored part is ensuring the software is bug-free. The reason being that users often abandon a crash-prone, insecure application within their first use. But, testing is a tedious process, which often eats into 35-40% of the development time. Quick delivery and meticulous testing are often at odds, and project owners need to balance them to achieve deliverables on time. Adding to the complexity, some new technology is always around the corner that changes the equation, and the software testing industry has plenty emerging. Keeping up with current trends in software testing will help technology leaders retain an edge over the competition and cater to the ever-changing consumer interests with unmatched speed. Here are the rising trends of 2021 and beyond that we consider has the potential to transform the software testing industry-AI in Software TestingThe repetitive and pattern focused nature of software testing makes it a ripe target for AI disruption. In most cases, AI makes software testing efficient by automating repeatable actions so that software testers can focus more on complex test scenarios. A combination of AI techniques can optimise recurrent software testing activities such as modelling, test data generation, software exploration, and failure detection.Artificial Intelligence has many inherent advantages; algorithms generate tests much faster, and the coverage is more thorough. It enables developers to push new updates more often and helps them focus on the challenging and creative aspect of software development. Artificial intelligence-powered test automation differs from traditional automation testing in the sense that, AI-driven test bots are in perpetual uncertainty and do not act under any tools or frameworks.Some applications of artificial intelligence in software testing-User Interface Testing: Test bots assess the visual aspects of the application with image-based learning of app screens.Declarative testing: It is a context-driven testing process in which the test bots drive the test process based on the intent of the test.Self Healing Test Automation: AI-test bots will automatically detect code and property changes to the application and rearrange tests automatically, known as "self-healing".Multi-experience testingGartner terms multi-experience development platform (MXDP) as a new age “middleware” that allows developers to build a single application encompassing AR, VR, IoT, voice, touch, gesture and more. It simplifies the development process by enabling enterprises to rapidly scale applications across different modalities, devices and operating systems. While it is an exciting frontier for the software development domain, it throws up new challenges from a software testing perspective. Firstly, QA teams need to ensure a user faces consistent experience across voice, gesture, touch and virtual interfaces. They have to develop a cross-functional approach with cross-platform tools to cover all the test cases effectively. Increased complexity, such as integration barriers, will add to the project time and cost.Scriptless AutomationScriptless testing, also called codeless testing, is a test software that allows testers to create automated tests without coding or scripting. The tests can be built using model, keyword, object or data-based approaches. Scriptless test automation enables testers to rapidly create automated tests around the functionalities of the software application with little coding knowledge. Codeless automation testing has many inherent advantages over script-driven automation tools, such as selenium. Most scriptless tools in the market provide ready-to-use test case automation templates that allow instant test deployment. Business users also need not spend time maintaining and debugging scripts; the scriptless software automatically does it for them. The speed of test execution it enables makes it a perfect companion for agile development.However, the convenience and speed-to-market come at the cost of increased project expense as most tools come at a steep price.Testing with ContainersIntroduced in 2013, Docker containers have generated considerable buzz in their ability to transform CI/CD pipelines. Containers help developers run isolated applications in a shared virtual environment. Unlike Virtual machines, which require a dedicated operating system and gigabytes of storage, Containers share the same operating system among them and need just a few megabytes of storage to run an application.This capability gives DevOps teams high flexibility to run and scale a large number of applications with minimal resources. However, due to the perceived insecure nature of the infrastructure, they are yet to be widely utilised in testing and production phases. The recent updates in container security and increased adoption will see containers play an important role in later stages of SDLC, and it has significant implications on the software testing process-Ability to run parallel tests: Container environments can run multiple applications simultaneously, enabling QA teams to run parallel tests and speed up the testing process.Eliminate bug reproducibility worries: With containers, QA teams can share instances of application images directly to the dev team which captures the bug, instead of bug reports which may complicate bug reproducibility.Greater control over system-level requirements: Dev team can set up system configuration for a particular image with greater flexibility, which can simplify detecting system-level defects.The growing RaaS problemRansomeware-as-a-Service (RaaS) is an emerging phenomenon in the software security domain. RaaS is ransomware software that any non-tech malicious entities can rent out to hack into computer systems. The problem is so rampant that two out of every three known cyberattacks is a RaaS model. In the US alone, RaaS attacks have reached 145 million in 2020, a 140% increase y-o-y.Among ransomware attacks, phishing is the most common method used to lure unsuspecting workers. Suppose one of the employees falls for a hack and downloads the ransomware. In that case, the attacker uses the port to gain access to the entire business internal network and servers by disabling firewalls and antivirus software. After a successful attack, the hackers will hold the whole company hostage for a ransom.Since the onset of the pandemic, businesses are especially vulnerable to RaaS attacks due to an increasing number of employees working remotely. Since it has decentralized hacking expertise even to the most technically ignorant malefactors, businesses of all sizes must prepare for highly sophisticated cyber attacks.Foldable Smartphones, the least discussed trend in software testingEvery new technology undergoes its adoption cycle. The consensus in the mobile industry is that foldable smartphones are in the “trough of disillusionment” stage and set to become sought after display type in the near future. According to DSCC, foldable displays have risen over 450% from 2019 to 3.1 millions units. Foldable smartphones fall under the premium category, so app developers must prioritise a seamless experience for their most valued customers. For software testers, foldable smartphones are not just another device they need to check compatibility for but also presents a new workflow. Users will expect that the apps they are accustomed to will work perfectly in a foldable screen environment. So, the app creators must work towards presenting content seamlessly in an extended display. Some notable differences that will impact the testing process in foldable smartphones-Make sure the application supports all three view forms- split-screen mode, free form mode and picture-in-picture mode.Multi-resume support: In foldable phones, users can run multiple applications at once on the screen. Test the application’s performance in a shared resource environment.The app should function coherently in smaller folded screens as well as larger main (unfolded) displays. ConclusionSoftware testing is a continuously evolving field. Adopting emerging technologies on the cusp of transforming the industry will give you an enormous advantage over your competitors who aren’t doing so. However, your business need not carry all the risk of implementing the technology alone. QAonCloud follows the industry’s best practices and is at the forefront of adopting the latest software testing trends that give our customers unparalleled speed and flexibility. Contact us to know how we can help you in your journey."

"Introduction To Outsourced QA Teams: The amount of competition in the tech industry is enormous. Every other day, we see a slew of innovative products hit the market. Gaining a competitive advantage over competitors is only feasible when startups effectively offer their clients/customers what they need. (i.e., high-quality goods). Large corporations will have high-level teams dedicated to finding bugs throughout the development process. However, when it comes to an entry-level startup, they usually do not have such groups, and thus their chances of fading away from the market are significantly greater. But Why Do SMEs Need Outsourced QA Teams? Despite significant financial and time investment, many early SMEs frequently fail in the market. Many factors can cause a startup to fail, but the most important is "Releasing low quality and user-unfriendly applications to the market." The only way to ensure your product's success is to ensure that it falls in line with all quality standards. But, most in-house teams will lack the time and resources to conduct comprehensive QA testing. And that is why the errors leak into the finished product. To avoid this, startups must seek assistance from expert teams to survive in the market and focus on other critical tasks. However, finding and hiring the right team to serve the purpose consumes a lot of time & money. In this scenario, the obvious solution is to 'Hire the best QA outsourcing partner.' But how do startups manage and get the most out of their outsourced QA teams? This article will walk you through the challenges that founders face when working with offshore QA teams, as well as how they can overcome and successfully manage QA outsourced teams. How Early Stage Startups Can Manage Outsourced QA Teams Effectively Challenge - 1 : Finding a Trustworthy Outsourced QA partner Solution: The most critical challenge a startup may face is locating a trustworthy outsourced partner who can keep the startup's critical product information safe and secure. When entrusting a project to an outsourcing company, the trust serves as a foundation. They have less control and supervision over the testing processes conducted by the outsourcing team than an in-house team. There are numerous companies in the market today that offer excellent quality assurance services from which to choose. Startups can also explore various business directories to find the best service providers based on client reviews. Therefore, we recommended that entrepreneurs check the reviews of the outsourced company and its services from genuine sources. Examine its previous projects, the outcomes of those projects, and overall client feedback. Bonus Tip: Asking employees and coworkers for suggestions is also a good and more accessible option. Remember to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before disclosing any confidential information to the QA team. This contract will assist the company in safeguarding critical product information. Challenge - 2: Communication Barriers & Lack Of Opportunities For Open Discussions Solution: Lack of effective communication among the teams can be a nightmare for many startups. Especially while the teams are working with outsourcing companies, from understanding the requirements, planning, developing strategy, and reporting the last bug, communication runs like a thread. That is why it is crucial to search for a partner who has strong technical skills and good at communicating and understanding. Optimizing a product’s quality may call for more quality assurance checks. In such a case, startups must provide detailed documentation regarding the product changes they decided to make and the expected outcome of the testing process. Give the outsourced team a clear idea of your objectives, products, and business. If training is to be provided to them, do it for free. Create ample room for discussions to clear any further doubts. Also, massive delays may occur when there is a possible miscommunication between the testing team and the dev team during their feedback exchange calls. Therefore it is necessary to make sure both outsourced and the in-house teams are communicating to bring both the teams to the common ground. Request the dev team, in-house QA team (if any), and the outsourced QA team to use communication tools like Slack. Appoint someone as the responsible person of contact and clarify their role to them. Set a time and date to have a sprint planning & summary call. Finally, have a good project management tool that suits best for the startup. If there are any more differences between the dev and outsource team, encourage teams to discuss them openly. Challenge - 3: Missing Deadlines & Unclear Workflows Solution: When startups start working with an outsourced team, the time zone differences may lead to delay in the testing process. This can lead to missing deadlines. The time difference is a huge challenge when working with teams in different parts of the world. It is vital to align your business speed to the speed of the market. Especially when you are in the software industry! A good QA team should always try to keep up with the deadlines and be able to deliver the bug reports as early as possible. This will give the dev team a lot of time work on the bugs and fix them. When your outsourced partner has a workflow already in place to align the actions of the external QA team with those of the in-house team, avoiding the delays becomes easy. By having clear workflows, we can reduce confusion regarding the tasks to be done, roles and responsibilities of each team member. We can also understand the workloads of each team member, and optimize resources. To facilitate the cooperation between teams, the startups should also provide information from their end about the project management approach. They should also be able to identify the stage of SDLC that their project is currently in and should communicate the same to QA outsourcing company. Challenge - 4: Results that don’t meet expectations Solution: Sometimes, the expected results may vary from the actual results. Even though the client has explained all his requirements and the outcomes he is expecting out of the testing process, the results may vary. Because everyone has their own perspectives of quality checks. Therefore it is important for the QA team to understand the problems the startup is looking to solve, the criteria of evaluation of the testing process, the timelines, allocable resources, etc. Similarly, it is the QA team’s responsibility to inform the applicable testing types and achievable benefits from these testing types. It is up to the client to decide on how often the outsourced team should perform regression & retesting and how often they release builds to the market. Challenge - 5: Lack of control Solution: It is quite common for someone who opts for QA outsourcing services to worry about control over critical aspects of the testing process. So, QA vendors must provide a detailed demonstration of the process as well as a report. This report should contain details like testing methodology, the process, test results. Clients can also specify what exact information and the format of presentation they would like to see by the end of the testing process. Also, the startups can create some performance metrics that help in measuring the performance regularly. These metrics can be either time-based or project-based. Creating some benchmarks/performance indicators is very important to monitor the progress of QA teams. Conclusion: Managing an outsourced QA partner can be tricky and complex. But using some fruitful techniques as mentioned in the above blog post, can give a smoother working experience."

"In the past decade, mobile applications have become an unavoidable part of our life. From ordering food to booking tickets, we have apps for everything. AppAnnie says, last year, consumers downloaded more than 218 billion apps worldwide in 2020, a 7% rise from 2019. The numbers appear exciting, but in fact, 1 out of every 4 users will abandon an app within the first use. Today, mobile users want apps to be stable, occupy less storage, load quickly. Seeing how it is cheaper to retain users than acquiring new ones, product leaders should prioritize user engagement and establish App retention rate as a key metric. What is the App retention rate? 'Retention rate' is the percentage of app users that return to the application within three months of their first install. We can calculate an average retention rate over 30 days from when the application gets installed. If many users abandon your product within this period, it would mean that your app does not match their expectations. Reasons to focus on retention rate: Mobile users are quick to install a new application, but what matters the most to the users is if the apps match their requirements, and provide it in a convenient way. Retention rate can help you measure this aspect. There are over 5 million+ mobile apps vying for user attention, and it does not take more than 5 seconds to identify a similar one like that of your product. User acquisition is expensive, and only a quarter of users come again to the app, and the rest lose interest. It's known as the "churn rate," meaning a percentage of users leaving the app during a period. 5 Reasons why your retention rates are Crashing Users uninstall apps when they are not satisfied with the app, and they do not want to waste their time and money on under-quality products. We must now explore some of the factors that will finally lead your customers to say 'Hasta la vista' to your applications. Huge Size: If your product takes up too much storage space, it is more likely that your customers will uninstall it. Due to this reason, many companies generally don't focus on making products that are too large. Your customers may find your product interesting in the initial stage. But once they realize that it is hogging a large amount of space on their mobile device, they will start looking for a smaller and better alternative. Loading speed and complicated UI: Users like to see the app opening within 2-3 seconds of tapping the icon. A simple app that is quick in loading, with simple instructions, is easy to use contributes to the application's success. Privacy Deficient: Hackers pose a significant threat to apps of any type and popularity. Users expect apps to be secure with high-quality protection. So, apps that make them feel insecure will refrain from making in-app purchases and give out negative reviews on the app store. Finding a better alternative: Every app developer claims their app to be the best in the market, but it is the view of the end-users that matters. Close to 29% of app uninstallations happen because the user finds a better app with more enhanced features. The older app will get deleted to save space and the threat of losing data. Misleading buttons and tap objects: In some apps, we see button-like images that are misleading. And in some instances, the actual call-to-action is not visible or accessible enough. It irritates users more than we expect and results in uninstalling the app. How can QA help in Retaining Users? The above-discussed problems occur when you are in a hurry to launch an app before your rival can. It might give you a quick fix and success to your business, but quality cannot concede in the longer run. For better user engagement, testing the app for device compatibility, security, accessibility, and high performance is a must for any app development team. Test the app for promises: Before launching an app, we must test if it can do what they promise to perform. This action makes it possible for the customer to have any disappointment and enhances your business's integrity. Bug-free experience: A thorough QA testing gives you the confidence to push for a bold product launch. You can feel assured that the QA process will have flushed out most technical glitches. While at production, we cannot make any significant changes to the system. So, proactive QA testing will give you a confident implementation. Increases User Engagement:  A smooth, bug-free application attract users, improves engagement and increases positive reviews on the app store. Likewise, experiencing frequent crashes and freezes is unpleasant to users. According to a survey by Techbeacon, 53% of the users uninstalled or deleted an app because of it. QA helps to reduce the risk of glitches and boost an optimistic experience. Better Security: Every app asks for some user data. So, the information stored is prone to online hackers who are waiting to steal it. Online security is a hot topic, and users insist on keeping their data safe. They do not wish to provide it to any external bodies without their permission. Before launching the app, conduct QA testing to fix security loopholes. And avert potential PR disasters that will impact your brand image. Saves Money: Rushing to Launch the app without testing can cost you in many ways. Any uncovered bugs will cause app penalization, bad reviews, and a poor user retention rate. Moreover, it is expensive to fix defects in apps that are in production. Organic Referrals: Organic leads are the best referrals. When the existing users invite their friends to use the app, they come with an open mindset. They will be aware of the benefits and value proposition of the app. Business know-how says 54 % of chief executives opined that customer referrals as their most valuable source of leads. When you have a bug-free, safe and smooth app, customers will gladly bring their friends to your app and fuel continuous growth. 2020 User Engagement Benchmarks For years, retention is a pain point for marketers, and 2020 is not an exception. The average retention rate decreased this year by 12%. The pandemic has caused a swell in app downloads, but the app retention rate slumped because of the intense competition. Key findings: The quality of apps in Apple's IOS stands out 42% higher than Android's. App remarketing can boost revenue and save costs in the long run. Apps that run remarketing campaigns proved to perform better than apps that do not. Developed markets deliver higher quality apps for users with 80% higher retention rates. (Source credits: Appsflyer) Final words Laying down everything on the table, I recommend you hire a QA outsourcing agency. It is best to see your app with an unbiased pair of eyes before launching and check it in a critical mindset. Automated testing with the help of QA testing tools will save a lot of your time and energy. You can focus on your core competence and leave the hassle of QA software testing to us. We at QAoncloud, follow Quality assurance best practices to fix bugs, giving your users an exceptional experience, and ensuring data security. These vital points help to enhance your user engagement and improve retention rates."

"A Penetration Test is a simulated external hacking into your own application to identify security vulnerabilities. By carrying out simulated attacks, you can uncover weak points through which a hacker can gain sensitive information. A weak point can be anything from system glitches, possible human errors, and susceptibility to brute force attacks. Nowadays, due to the increase in the incidents of data breaches, it is in your organization's best interest to conduct Penetration Tests at least once per year. Penetration Tests must be absolute and thorough, if you miss any of the security loopholes in your system, it can and will be exploited by egregious parties. To conduct an effective penetration testing process, follow the infographics below that explain the 5 phases of hacking into your own IT systems: Planning and Reconnaissance, Scanning, Gaining Access, Maintaining Access and, Analyze and WAF Configuration. It is important that you make detailed notes on tests performed so that the results can be validated and resolved. Click on the infographics to know more about how QAonCloud can help you make your IT systems Secure, Scalable, and User Friendly."

"Introduction To Security Testing & Security Testing Tools From individuals to federal bodies, cyber attackers are eyeing every small opportunity to steal valuable data. This data is Personality Identifiable Information (PII). We saw a lot of real-life examples,  like Facebook and Equifax. A single vulnerability has caused them to lose both revenue and reputation. What do security incidents like this teach us? Web security is crucial and even the best system is not safe from it. Website security testing tools play a vital role in detecting vulnerabilities, threats. We can feel impact of the gravity only after experiencing a breach. Imagine the information which your valuable customers trusted you with, sold in Darknet. This information reaches some shady figures with evil machinations. The trust-based relationship that you so carefully built over the years is dissolved in an instant. The owners take ample effort to secure their system and serve their clients better. Confidentiality and Integrity play a major role in any relationship What is Security Testing? Security Testing safeguards your software from vulnerabilities, threats, risks posed by intruders. By detecting the weakness in the system beforehand, you can avoid potential loss of information, revenue, and reputation at the hands of nefarious entities. Therefore, we need to first understand, The Open-Source Security Testing Methodology Manual (OSSTMM), and how it delivers a scientific process for the accurate description of business security that can be used for penetration testing, ethical hacking, and security testing. Open-Source Security Testing: OSSTMM is a peer-reviewed methodology for security testing, maintained by the Institute for Security and Open Methodologies (ISECOM). The manual is updated every six months or so to remain relevant to the current state of security testing. ISECOM focuses on verified facts to perform testing methodologies in their organization and can know they are making fact-based decisions. To enumerate, each security testing method is explained in brief. They are as follows: Vulnerability Scanning Security Scanning Penetration Scanning Risk Assessment Security Auditing Posture Assessment Ethical Hacking 1. Vulnerability Scanning Vulnerability scanners are automated tools that help in checking if systems are intact. Enterprise networks are subjected to vulnerability scanning both internally and externally. External vulnerability scanning is performed from outside their network edge. It determines exposure to attacks of servers and apps that can be accessed from the internet. An Internal vulnerability scan is performed to find out the flaws that hackers could take advantage of. It also helps in identifying spread to different systems and servers if they get access to the network. 2. Security Scanning Security Scanning consists of identifying network and system weaknesses. It helps in providing solutions to reduce these risks. Can be performed by both as Manual and Automated Scanning 3. Penetration Testing Penetration Testing simulates an attack from a malicious intruder. Involves evaluation of a particular system to check for possible exposures from any external hacking. 4. Risk Assessment This Testing involves the assessment of security risks observed in the software applications. Risks are categorized as Low, Medium, and High. Proposes control measures to reduce the risk. 5. Security Auditing Security Auditing performs internal Inspection of Applications and OS for security flaws. Line by line inspection of code audit recommended. 6. Ethical Hacking This is different from other testing methods and it is hacking an entire Organization's Software system. Unlike malicious hackers, the intent is to expose security flaws in the system to fix them. 7. Posture Assessment Posture Assessment is a combination of Securing Auditing, Ethical Hacking, and Risk Assessments to show the security posture of an organization. When to do Security Testing? It’s consented, that the cost will be more if we defer security testing after implementation. So, it is crucial to involve security testing in the earlier SDLC phases. Practices Of Security Testing We can take the below to prepare and plan for Security Testing: Security Architecture Study:  Understand the business requirements, security goals, objectives against the compliance of the organization. Classify Security Testing: Collect system setup information used for the application like Operating System, technology, and Hardware. List the Vulnerabilities and Security Risks. Threat Modelling: Identify the threat and break them into smaller parts. We need to think like an attacker to derive the threat modelling matrix. Test Plan: Create a Test plan by deriving the activities, timelines, and resources needed. Security Test Tool Identification:  Security testing is not always manual, sometimes we need to automate too. This is the heart of our article and will explain it in detail later. Security test tools available in open source and paid range. Test Cases Execution: Security test execution divided into 4 groups: Dependency, User Interface, Design, and Implementation. Attacks of each stage were conducted. Problem report: This is a vital element as it provides proof of the vulnerabilities, the seriousness of the vulnerability, and the manipulated consequences. Perform Post-mortem: The entire security team will take part and analyse how they missed the bugs during the development. By identifying how the security loopholes are skipped, suggestions for process enhancement can be made. The Security testing team will have the following members: Hacker – Will access computer systems or networks without authorization. Crackers - They break into the system to steal or destroy data. Ethical Hacker – Performs activities like a hacker but with authorization from the owner. Script Kiddies/Packet monkeys – Hackers with less experience and a programming language skillset. Security Testing Tools The List of open-source security testing tools are as follows: Netsparker Immuniweb Vega Wapiti Nogotofail Acunetix W3af SQLMap ZED Attack Proxy (ZAP) BeEF (Browser Exploitation Framework) Let us find out what is unique about each of these tools and how it can help you keep your software system secure- Netsparker: One-stop shop for all web security needs. Integrated with any type of test and development environment. It uses a proof-based Scanning technology. It has a unique automation feature to identify vulnerabilities, verify false positives and finally reducing huge man-hours. ImmuniWeb A Next-gen platform as it employs Artificial Intelligence to enable security testing. Security Teams, Developers, CISOs, and CIOs benefited. This security testing tool has a one-click virtual patching system that assists continuous compliance monitoring. Multilayer Application Security testing is an attraction and checks website for compliance, server strengthening, and privacy. Vega The Vulnerability testing tool is written in Java. Its automated scanner powered by a website crawler facilitates quick tests. Intercepting Proxy aids tactical inspection by observing and monitoring client-server communication. Detects vulnerabilities like Blind SQL injection, shell injection, etc. Detection modules written in JavaScript helps to create new attack modules as and when required with APIs. Wapiti This is a command-line application. Crawls through web pages and thus identifies the scripts and forms where data injected. Detects vulnerabilities like file disclosure, database injection, file inclusion, cross Site Scripting, weak .htaccess configuration. On finding an anomaly, it raises warnings. Google Nogotofail Network traffic security testing tool. Checks application for known TLS/SSL vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. Checks if they are vulnerable to man-in-the-middle (MiTM)attacks. Acunetix Its vulnerability scanner pioneered automated web application security testing. Black box scanning and SPA crawling techniques performed by AcuSensor and DeepScan. Its in-built vulnerability management system helps with the generation of various technical compliance reports in addition to the vulnerability scanning. W3af It’s a web application audit and attack framework effective against over 200 vulnerabilities. Assists in limiting total exposure of a website to malicious elements. Used to send HTTP requests and cluster HTTP responses. Has both a graphical and console-based interface. So, we can protect the website in less than five clicks. Output logged into a console, file, or via email. SQLMap It is a Penetration testing tool, powered by a detection engine to identify SQL injecting flaws. Seven levels of verbosity support offer ETA support for each query. Fingerprint and enumeration features are valuable in streamlining. ZED Attack Proxy (ZAP) One more open-source penetration testing tool – developed and maintained under OWASP. Suited for both manual and automated testing. Available for all OS – Windows, Linux, Macintosh. Stands as a middle-man proxy between the tester’s browser and web application. Used to intercept and moderate the transmitted messages. Key features include - AJAX spiders, Fuzzer, Websocket support, and REST-based API. BeEF (Browser Exploitation Framework) Helps in detecting application’s weakness using browser vulnerabilities. Uses client-side attack attributes to verify the security of an application and issue browser commands like redirection, changing URLs, generating dialogue boxes, etc. Expands scan circumference beyond usual network perimeter and client system to analyze security system standards. Intruder An Enterprise-grade vulnerability scanner, easy to use. Runs over 10,000 high-quality security checks across your IT infrastructure including – Configuration weaknesses, application weaknesses, and missing patches. Proactive scans for the latest threats, save time and keeps businesses of all sizes safe from hackers. AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud connectors enabled. High- Quality reporting and API integration with your CI/CD pipeline. Wireshark Network analysis tool formerly known as Ethereal. Provides minute details about network protocols, decryption, and also packet information We can see the retrieved information through a GUI or the TTY mode TShark Utility. Final Words There is a prevailing myth that Security policies are only applicable to bigger organizations. But the fact is - Security-first approach is critical for an organization of any size to make a highly vulnerable place like the internet safe for your customers. QAonCloud has rich expertise in Web security testing catering to your diversified needs and also have vast experience in serving clients across industry verticals and Organization sizes by using various security testing tools based on client requirement. Reach out to us to get a free consultation. Let us together keep the system and our clients safe."

"Introduction To Usability Testing Of Website Our Website users are a mixture of three generations, the '80s,'90s, and 2k. They have evolved from different transactional habits, and they also have a different approach towards technology. But the best part is technology has met all three expectations and standing firm and continuing to move forward. So as product developers, we have the responsibility to meet their needs and give them a feel-good experience throughout. To achieve this, before implementing the website or any UI to the vast crowd, we need to do usability testing of the website. This way, we can control the risks and save a lot of money. What Is Usability Testing? Usability testing helps us test the website’s functionality by real users and how they approach to complete the flow of tasks with minimal help. Why Usability testing of Website Is Important? Reveal the pain points of the user. Identify the areas of confusion. Seizing opportunities to improve the overall experience of the user. User Testing Vs. Usability Testing We generally tend to confuse between User testing and Usability testing. So, a brief description about the same is as below: 1. User Testing This is more of a discussion or testing about your business/product idea. E.g., If you feel there is a demand for organic products in your location, the business owner extends his service by creating online booking to that audience as he does not have a physical shop in that state. 2. Usability Testing After you have drafted the plan to open an online business to that audience, this comes into action. We give the audience a set of tasks to use our product and understand how accessible we are and their overall experience in executing the search to the transaction. We might now feel that the trained developers would have checked the website before bringing it to the customers, so why is usability testing of the website vital? Why the buzz? Here, we need to understand that people with in-depth knowledge can go blind to real-time website usability issues. So, the ideal crowd to do the usability testing would be real-life users. Ordinary people will be of varied IQ and experiences and therefore we can see various approaches when they use the website. It will help us to enhance our website experience. Some everyday observations during the Usability testing of the website: Were they able to understand the site or they get confused? Feeling lost in the middle of the site. It helps to learn about user's behavior and preferences. Usability Testing Methods When there is a process in place, we would have derived some strategies and techniques to achieve the results—developing the below-mentioned methods keeping end-users interest in focus. We can classify the first two testing methods we have discussed as Moderated testing: A. Guerrilla Testing It is the primary form of testing to go into a public place and ask people about our prototype. We choose test participants randomly. It is low-cost testing but efficient as we can get real-time feedback and emotional impressions about our concepts. B. Lab Usability Testing It is done in unique environments like laboratories and supervised by a moderator. Moderators are professionals who look to obtain feedback from real users. These moderators also facilitate participants through their tasks by asking questions and giving responses to their difficulties. Compared to Guerrilla testing, this is much costlier as you need to organize and run in a secure environment. Some risk factors in moderated testing are we need to invest in choosing efficient moderators. In lab testing, the users might not be having a usual behavior as it is a controlled environment. C. Unmoderated Remote Usability Testing A usability testing of a website is done without a moderator, mostly remotely. Test results are quick, robust, and inexpensive. The Cost of unmoderated testing is lower. More natural user behavior can happen as they are in their comfortable environment. We use unmoderated usability testing when you need larger samples to prove critical findings. For example, when you have a particular hypothesis and need to validate a large segment of users, it helps better. D. Contextual Inquiry It's less a usability testing method and more of an observation method. The Product team asks questions about their user experience with the product and then observes to question them while working in the environments. Contextual inquiry helps to find helpful information like a workspace, personal preferences, and habits. This info helps the product team to give a tailored experience. There will be no immediate opinion provision; instead, participants are watched, observed, and taken notes to offer detailed reports later. E. Phone Interview Moderators will guide the users to complete a task on their device, and instant feedbacks are collected. We use this test to achieve results from users in a different part of the globe. Also, to conduct this test, we need trained moderators with good communication skills. F. Card Sorting The Card sorting technique helps when you want to derive an optimized architecture of your product. It is a comparatively uncomplicated technique where you place concepts on cards and allows the users to manipulate the cards into groups and categories. Once the users sorted and arranged the cards, we ask them to explain their logic to understand the reasoning. This usability technique of the website will help the product team to organize their contents and features. It would be a hypothesis, so it's mandatory to validate with real users. Data-informed decisions can be achieved using this technique. G. Session Recording This usability testing will have anonymous users. When they are interacting with the site, we record Their interactions live. So, we can understand what content and features interest the users. Mostly Session recording technique complements the other mentioned techniques rather than a standalone. A/B testing vs. Usability Testing Of Website - Confused often? It is another common testing technique that takes a similar avatar like that of usability testing, but when investigated deeply, we can clearly understand the difference as below: A/B testing – This technique helps us to identify which version of the page converts better. Usability testing – The usability testing of a website helps identify issues that stop the user from having a fantastic experience. Usability Testing Tools How to use Website Usability testing tools effectively? Choose the appropriate tool which meets your requirements. Test with your target users Gather Feedback Based on the information from peers in Usability testing who have 15+ years of experience, we have suggested the below tools: 1. Loop11 This usability testing of the website tool helps to unmoderated remote usability testing. The features consist of: It supports testing on PC, mobile, and Tablets. Screen recording with video and audio features. Inclusive of varied metrics like task completion rate, click stream analysis, System usability, and so on. 2. Usabilla When our motive is to achieve usability testing, we first must prioritize the user journey, and the best tool to achieve the same is Usabilla. Four significant concerns to validate user journey analysis – Ease to use. Integrity Efficiency Accuracy Usabilla fits rightly to prioritize these qualities and helps us to validate the same. 3. Website Content Readability – Juicy Studio We insist website readability is one of the critical features for a great user experience. Though a web app is not content-centric, a user interface problem can affect retaining the customer. So, we suggest Juicy Studio analyze the readability of all given content. It works based on various readability algorithms. USER EXPERIENCE User feedback is ideal to improve the user experience of your website. Few points to address before suggesting a tool are: Sense of Fulfilment Useful Quotient Emotional Quotient Based on these scenarios I would suggest the following tools to grade the user experience by getting actual feedback- UserVoice User Report Final words on Usability Testing Of Website - I would like to conclude by giving the benefits we get when usability testing of the website is accomplished: Saves money and time in the long run for development projects. It strengthens the product's potential to succeed and retain the market. Customer Retention Emotional connectivity Performing Usability testing enables us to effectively enhance our product before and during the development. So, we suggest anyone who creates a product should be aware of the benefits and importance of usability testing."

"Test Data Generation - Introduction Test data generation is a critical aspect of the software testing life cycle. Tests like Stress Testing, Performance Testing, and Load testing require a huge volume of data to produce proper results. Thus, testers constantly need to look for ways to generate a large amount of data in addition to the ones they are already collecting & maintaining. Testers must also ensure the test data are valid, credible, and reliable. According to an IBM study, up to 30% of the test failures are directly the result of improper test data. This makes the process of managing and creating test data a labor-intensive and cost-intensive exercise. This could eat up to 30-60% of the resources of testing projects. Moreover, the recent advances in data privacy laws require testers to exclude Personally Identifiable Information (PII) from test-case projects. This keeps real-time production data out of most testers' hands. It raises the challenge of generating fictional yet realistic privacy-compliant test data. So how do testers generate an adequate volume of test data accurately within a short time frame? Some innovative test data generation solutions to this complex situation have come forth, which we will cover in this article. Test Data Generation Techniques 1. Masked Production Data: Using live production data may be a tempting shortcut to generate quick test data, but this method is highly vulnerable to breaches and violates existing privacy laws. However, it doesn't mean you should stay away from production data. By anonymizing and masking GDPR sensitive PII, you can create a quality, highly representative data set quickly. If you do not have production data readily available, you can quickly try out the following methods to generate a large volume of realistic test data. 2. Automated Test data generation and 3rd-party tools: Test automation tools such as Selenium allows testers to reach an adequate amount of data by automating data generation. Time constraints are not applicable in this method, and Web APIs will improve the data's volume and accuracy. Testers, however, need to spend more time defining test cases while using automated testing tools. In addition to open-source testing frameworks, various 3rd party testing tools have emerged in the market.  to help testers generate quick test data over time. These tools have in-built test scenarios that cover a wide range of use cases. Most of these tools create highly accurate data based on the parameters set, freeing up time for testers to carry out the testing process. These tools are quite expensive, and you need to consider a tradeoff between time and cost. 3. Based on Mathematical models: The latest iteration in data generation techniques, mathematical modeling, or path selection modeling generates data based on the test data generator's predefined paths. It uses a mathematical approach to data generation which works in the principle of: for a program X and user flow Y, inject data A, such that A follows the user flow Y. Some of the popular path data generator models are the Random test data approach, chaining approach, and assertion-oriented approach. To acquire large-scale adoption, path selection model testing shows enormous potential to replace manual testing methods in their entirety. Final Words on Test Data Generation Test data generation techniques are constantly evolving, and testers need to be aware of the latest approaches to build quality software. The techniques discussed can tremendously reduce the time to generate reliable test data and make the testing process efficient. If you need help in adopting the latest best testing practices, reach out to us at QAonCloud."

"Introduction To Banking Application Testing We live in a digital age when everything we need is literary at our fingertips. With recent innovations and advancements in technology, the banking industry is also going through digital evolution. But the complexities tangled in the functioning of a banking application and the amount of crucial data these apps are holding made these apps the most advanced and complex enterprise solution. Customers, through these applications, can make all types of transactions like paying bills, making deposits, investing, transferring funds, balance verification, etc., Customers are also sharing their crucial personal and financial data to access these banking applications. This calls for the need to test the banking applications under various test environments to deliver a high performance that meets customer's requirements. Furthermore, banks need to develop a robust reporting system to secure the customer's day-to-day transactions. Testing a banking app helps banks to ensure that these apps are working efficiently. It needs a witty team experienced in software testing, particularly with banking domain expertise, to craft an effective banking application testing strategy. The strategy should be to cover mobile, cloud, internet, and other features of the application. First, let us have an understanding of Banking application testing. What is Banking Application Testing? It refers to the process of testing banking apps for functionality, performance, and security. The main aim of testing banking applications is to ensure that the app runs smoothly with no errors and remains secured. According to our domain experts, here are some main characteristics of a banking application in general. Characteristics of a Banking Application: The following are the main characteristics of a banking application, according to our banking domain expert. There must provide proper integration of banking app with other applications like trading accounts, bill payment utility, credit cards, etc., The processing of transactions should be fast and secure. Must support thousands of user sessions from multiple locations at once. Systems should have massive storage capacity. Capability to perform high audits while troubleshooting customer issues The app should be able to handle complex workflows. Should support multiple Operating systems and platforms like Windows, Mac, Linux, and so on Able to provide support for multilingual customers Systems must support multiple service sectors and payments systems. Disaster management mechanisms must be Foolproof. Areas To Focus For Achieving Best Results In Banking Application Testing: Software testing is very crucial to assess whether the banking application is working efficiently and seamlessly. Testers often face nerve-wracking challenges while testing a banking app. In this article we tried to shed some light on the critical areas that require more focus to achieve the best results in Testing a banking application software. 1. Checking User Interfaces And User Experiences Banking Softwares generally have a user-friendly and intuitive interface since most bank employees lack computer skills. The UI of the app should contain simple graphic attributes like buttons, icons, fields, etc... The application interface should be so that the bankers won't have a hard time creating or adding new client profiles, assigning them new banking outputs, managing everyday banking operations seamlessly, etc. Having user-friendly interfaces can save a lot of time for bankers, thereby forming a positive relationship. So, it is advised for testers to put their full focus on testing User interfaces and User experience thoroughly 2. Checking Application’s Performance The primary issue that could affect the user experience is performance. This is why every banking company must provide their customers with an application that performs well under different network conditions. This also includes the time taken by the app to respond to customer interactions on different devices. Testers also should focus on additional vital areas like CPU, RAM usage, Battery consumption, Data Consumption, sensitivity to operating system versions, and other factors. Check all the parameters to make sure that the app can provide incredible performance. 3. Testing For Security Vulnerabilities No matter what industry a company belongs to, if they work with customer's crucial data, the company must ensure data security, confidentiality, and protection against data leaks. Particularly in the banking sector, data security and integrity should be the top priority. Therefore, security testing is mandatory while testing a banking application. This calls for in-depth knowledge in security testing and the ability to craft a comprehensive test strategy that checks for possible vulnerabilities. QA team should have experience dealing with banking software to test the app and assess potential security risks in the future. In Online banking systems, it is much needed to simulate possible issues by performing load & stress testing and performance testing. 4. Testing Functionality Of The Banking App Banking apps are complex due to the thousands of modules and dependencies between these modules. Due to this reason, it might take more time and resources to test a banking app. The app should create, update, integrate, and delete internal and external operations in the banking process chain. A tester should test all the dependencies of the modules and the boundary sections. It is recommended to combine API with functional testing to avoid flaky tests, if any, to minimize setup costs, and to keep functional testing short and focussed. 5. Testing Specific Scenarios in Banking Not all industries are the same. There are some unique sets of scenarios that apply only to specific industries. Mobile banking applications have specific scenarios that are unique for the banking industry, which cannot be observed or applied to any other industry. For example, cheque scanning, fingerprint authentication for transactions, Rooting or jailbreak device identification, SSL pinning, OTP requirements and so on. Due to this, our domain experts suggest testing all use case scenarios. Final Words on Banking Application Testing A tester should always test an app from a user's perspective. And that is why testers should understand the application and list out the categories for which a user uses the banking app. By shifting more focus to the areas mentioned above, a QA engineer can increase his testing speed and help the banking company provide high-quality mobile banking apps to their customers on time. If you have any more queries, feel free to talk to our experts today!"

"Product risks and Project Risks - Introduction "A Project is a solution to a Problem, Solving which you get a working Product" - Anonymous Many people will often have a puzzled look on their faces when they hear the terms; Product risks and Project risks. Many individuals find it difficult to understand. Henceforth let us try to understand it. So, first, let us see what Project and Product are? Product: A Product is like 'All set to Use.' Companies usually manufacture the products and sell them to different customers or may also provide it for free. If If a customer asks for a customization, like changing color, title, appearance and would like to have additional Functionality, companies can customize the product based on their customers needs/requirements. Here are a few examples for better understanding: Buying a flat after the completion of construction. But for this situation, you can make minor changes like paints and interiors only. Google products like Gmail, Drive (Free sources), Oracle products like Databases, etc. Project: A project is a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service, or result to achieve an outcome. Often, we gather the requirements from a particular client outside the company. Here are some examples: Buying a flat before construction. Here as per your wish and need, you can do the construction. Developing a new product or service Product Risks and Project Risks What Is Product risk The risk which is associated with the software is The Product Risk. It results from problems that occur after the delivery of product. The products risks are also known as Quality Risks. Characteristics Of Product Risks Functionality as per client requirements Reliability of software Performance Efficiency Usability Security of software Compatibility Ease of maintenance Portability Examples Of Product Risks 1) Software doesn't work according to users' desires. e.g., A user wants to purchase an item and adds it to his Cart. During checkout, the item goes out of stock and its value is deducted from the Cart. However, the application did not display any message to the user about what went wrong. 2) Tight timelines that make individuals work in a hurry and perform more mistakes. What Is Project risk The risk associated with the testing activity, endangering the test project cycle, is The Project Risk. In other words, it is an uncertain event or activity that can impact the project's progress. To manage project risks, we have to apply concepts like identifying, prioritizing, and managing the project risks. Examples Of Project Risks 1) Due to the lack of system admin postponement in fixing the test environment. 2) Test Environment is unavailable. Risks are unavoidable in a business, yet it is crucial to guarantee that the effect of risk ought to be least. Content Contributor: Ranvitha Rao, QAonCloud"

"Multiple Device Testing - Introduction Today, we can see how the technology involved in mobile is swiftly evolving. Mobile phones have now developed from primary devices for communication to a gadget that can do anything. Ultimately, millions of apps are entering the market. Regularly, millions of people use various types of apps. There are apps for every aspect of our lives, ranging from photos; music to office applications and games and fitness and health. These suggest that today, applications dominate our planet. Mobile phones have customized the choices in our lives practically. Our mobile phones occupy a crucial part of our lives today, and we are more mobile than ever before! There are multiple mobile devices, browsers, and operating systems that you need to consider when designing an app. Henceforth, the applications require testing based on functionality, security, usability, etc. It increases the overall efficiency of apps on all fronts while at the same time increasing the user reliability factor. Why Testing On Multiple Devices Is Essential? It is essential to check your apps on various operating systems and versions because users have various OS versions installed on their phones and tablets. We will find a large number of different Android OS versions in the market. Also, in older devices, newer versions of Android or ios are not installed. For Example, some features may work on Android OS version Lollipop (5.0) correctly, but not in OS version Oreo (8.0). Therefore, to make sure that features work in all Android versions and ios, we need to test the applications on different OS versions. Hence, we need to test the apps on different device models to ensure that a flawless application is delivered to the end-users. Softwares/Tools To Perform Multiple Device Testing Let us look into some best options to test your website/apps on various mobile devices. 1. Browser Emulator URL: Check the Developer Tools by hitting F12 on the page Cost: 0$ For Example, in Chrome, open your app, go to Tools→Developer Tools→Toggle Device Tool Bar [ Mobile Icon]. You are ready to check your app on any given list of devices. In the same way, open any browser, Hit F12 to go to the developer console, and open the responsive design [mobile icon] to check your website on various devices. It is the most simple and best emulator solution for necessary app verification on multiple devices. 2. Mobiletest.me URL: http://mobiletest.me/ It is used to test your websites in smartphone & tablet emulators. All that you have to do is to launch the URL and select a device to start. Free Trial: Available Subscription: $9.99 per month What you Get with subscription: One price, unlimited testing. Only $9.99/m per user. Tests your websites on more than 100 devices Responsive & Mobile emulation modes. Unlimited sharing of your tests. 3. Screenfly URL: https://screenfly.org/ Cost: FREE - Open Source We use Screenfly to test your website on various tablets, mobiles, and also television screens. One adds of this tool is you can also customize screen size. 4. AWS Device Farm URL: https://aws.amazon.com/device-farm/ Cost: AWS Free Tier / Pay what you consume There is a huge list of real devices available for testing on AWS Device Farm. With Device Farm, you can interact with real Android and iOS devices from your browser or run automated tests written in popular frameworks like Appium, Espresso, and XCTest. 5. Test Project URL: https://testproject.io/ Cost: FREE - Open Source Test Project is a Cloud Hosted, and Community Powered end-to-end automation platform for web, mobile, and API testing. Unlike selenium, it eliminates the complexity of managing and installing drivers for each platform and browser that you need to test. Test Project's AI-driven capacity makes the script identify the elements if something breaks. 6. Samsung Remote Test Lab URL: https://developer.samsung.com/remotetestlab/ Cost: FREE If your testing is specific to Samsung devices, here you have a solution. Samsung has made its devices available to the public for testing through the Samsung Remote Test Lab. Check on the requirements to connect to the test lab, register with your email id, and you will get an option to choose the device, OS version, and some limited period. 7. The Firebase Test Lab URL: https://firebase.google.com/docs/test-lab Cost: FREE - Pay as you go The Firebase test lab allows you to test your app on devices hosted in a Google data center. Firebase has several virtual and real devices where you can run your tests. Firebase offers a lot of customizations, which you can do as per your requirements. Test lab also has free automated tests called Robo tests that can create tests on your app. You don't have to write any code or configurations for using the pre-existing Robo tests. Firebase works for Android, iOS, and web apps as well. Final Words On Multiple Device Testing I hope this article helps you with some of the device testing options. Mobile device testing is a challenging job, and you have lots of options to choose from. Do let us know if you find some exciting tools for multiple device testing. We are happy to hear from you. Content Contributor: Ranvitha Rao, QAonCloud"

"In terms of software testing, the year 2020 had plenty to offer. A big trend this year was artificial intelligence alongside automation. The trends have begun to migrate to new verticals as we head toward 2021. Software testing has been driven to a new stage now by the need to develop quality software. The trends in Software testing are evolving. You can sense the shift is in the air already. Many Companies/businesses are starting with Agile, DevOps, etc. Let us discuss where the software testing industry is heading to stay one step ahead in the coming year (2021). trends. Top Trends In Software Testing Industry - 2021 1. Automation for Mobile App Testing: We can see a rapid/flourishing growth in the use of handheld devices and apps. There are millions of smartphone applications listed in various play stores with different operating systems today. Also, the development of more and more complex technologies that are capable of handling multiple consumer needs. It requires checking from end-to-end. So, in mobile app testing, the trend of increased automation persists until 2021. 2. Testing IoT (Internet of Things) With the latest technological advancement, the Internet of Things is getting bigger. The critical focus of the IoT testing will be safety, usability, compatibility with the systems, data integrity, performance, and scalability. According to a survey, IoT is expected to see a significant increase in growth and testing. We cannot ignore the testing of IoT in 2021. 3. Automation for API and Service Test The use of APIs is increasing every day. QA team has to ensure that the APIs interact well and are operating independently. Test Automation on the API and service level will rise as we go on into 2021. 4. More info/data, better quality product In Software Testing and Quality Assurance, data plays a vital role. Test teams are now looking for ways to successfully process data into specific observations, validating it against multiple standards such as precision, accuracy, duplication, and completeness. More and more data aims to boost a product's quality and will undoubtedly be on the rise in 2021. 5. Blend of Manual and Automation Testing Testing applications without human(manual) testing is insufficient since some things cannot be addressed by automation testing. There has been an increase in automation and the need for automation testers in recent times. Like user experience, usability, design, etc., various aspects cannot be covered by automation. Therefore, when it comes to the Software development process, the balance for manual and automation testing is the testing future. So, the trend for 2021 will be the search for the right balance between manual and automation testing. 6. Robotic Process Automation As the name implies, it features Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, Cognitive Computing. For better process performance, RPA is used to automate data-intensive and repetitive tasks. RPA is undoubtedly going to be something you need to follow in 2021. 7. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) The Davos Economic Forum has declared AI and ML as the trendiest approaches that will become the main drivers of the next industrial revolution. Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence implementations are expected to continue throughout the testing industry in the coming year and beyond. 8. Blockchain Testing For banking, automotive, cryptocurrency, blockchain technology is critical. The main goal of Blockchain Testing is to provide the highest level of protection for any economic transaction. 9. Agile & DevOps In the Software Development industry, Agile and DevOps are trending topics. Most companies noticed Agile and DevOps methodologies' advantages and used the Agile Framework and DevOps process for software testing. These models allow the tech team to produce high-quality IT products, obtain a quick review, and reach the market more quickly. This trend will stick in 2021, for sure. 10. Key Testing Tools In the software development process, testing tools play a vital role. In 2021, the use of Open Source tools for software testing will increase."

"Importance of Customer Experience Testing Do you know who has the supreme power of authority in any business in the Digital world? Well, you guessed it right. “THE CUSTOMERS” A customer who has a positive and happy experience with business always remain loyal and stay with the product for a longer period. According to research by American Express, 86% of customers are willing to pay more for a better experience. Remember, “word of mouth travels fast!” So, if a company wants to outperform its competitors, it should invest in the best teams, processes, and technology along with a clear customer-focused vision. An effective customer experience testing strategy plays a vital role in reaching the business objectives with the best customer experience. CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE TESTING In today’s digital world, end-user delight has become paramount for every business. The customers are the ultimate decision-makers and thus have the power to make/break a business with the social media channels available today. The customer experience testing needs to be a continuous process as the user expectations of a product/service are continuously evolving.With the increased emphasis on product quality, the companies have to strengthen the quality assurance solutions to go in-line with the present market competition.QUALITY IS THE BACKBONE OF CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE. Customer experience testing is different from regular exploratory testing. Even though verification-driven testing is the fundamental element of testing, the organizations should also give equal importance to continuous quality processes to cope with current trends like DevOps and continuous delivery.The QA team should keep in mind the following points to design the best customer experience strategy: Understand the target customers Learn to live the customer’s journey. Think from the customer’s point of view and understand their behavior and intent behind the product interaction. A customer journey map helps assess the different testing needs like functional, performance, security, data privacy, etc. Remember that these factors differ according to demographics. User-Centric approach A user-centric approach to testing helps identify the defects long before the application goes into production and eliminates the negative impact on the customer experience. Automation Accelerate and enhance the testing methods by using automation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), coupled with automation, help test and monitor the end-end digital user experience continuously. Effective test strategy A well-defined customer experience test strategy based on the user analytics and customer data helps the QA team to understand the customers from all perspectives and ensures coverage of the maximum user flows. User Analytics User analytics are very important in understanding customer behavior and gives us a better insight into his preferences. This way, the QA team should concentrate on the most widely used flows, transactions and devices. Focus on Performance The performance parameters should also be given importance in conjunction with the functional behavior of the system. Remember, this is a fast-moving digital world, and if your product’s performance in terms of velocity is not satisfactory, then the business might end up losing its customers even though it is functionally good. Example: Let us consider a user coming to an e-commerce website to purchase a product.Here, the QA team should validate the customer experience in three stages. Pre-Purchase Purchase Process Post-Purchase In the Pre-Purchase phase, the team should focus on the aspects like: Accessibility of the application Compatibility Contact details User Interface Available information Options Look and feel of the app Product details Available offers, if any Screen navigations User intuition In Purchase phase, the tester should focus on the following points: Screen Navigations Confirmation Messages Cancel Transaction Mode of Payments Transaction Failures Secured Payments Shopping Cart Response Times In Post-Purchase phase, the tester should focus on the following points: Order Status Delivery Times Shipment Tracking ID Proper package Invoices Return Policy Order History These are just a few validation points. There will be many more checks once you enter into the application while testing. Final words- Customer experience Testing A positive interaction, communication, and trust are significant for any business to keep their customers longer. Quality of service is what makes your customers happy. It is said that 60% of users will not return to a website once they have had a bad user experience. A business cannot let its customers go to their competitors, which will significantly impact their revenue. So, implementing the best customer experience test strategy, quality standards, and methodologies is a must for any product before it hits the market."

"fintech application testing infographic Fintech Fintech is about the idea of the financial sector going digital. To put it merely, Fintech is anywhere where technology applies in financial services. Today, we can perceive how the financial world is changing quicker than at any other time! The tools provided by fintech are changing how many consumers track, oversee, and facilitate their finances. Everyone with a smartphone utilizes some mobile payment. For instance, applications like Phonepe, PayPal, google play permit users to transfer money through the internet or mobile technology; this is nothing but fintech. Why do we need Fintech Application Testing? Financial Technology is, by and large, progressively utilized in many industries to make processes like mobile payment, loan management, bank security, money transfers, fundraising, etc. Thus, it turns out to be crucial to check fintech applications that involve any money transfer, third party payment gateways, sensitive financial data, and so on; Henceforth, before the application's release into the market, testing of these fintech applications are necessary. Let’s look at some of the characteristics of Fintech Application Real-time processing Batch processing Fintech applications can run a massive number of simultaneous sessions at a specific moment. Data that is exceptionally private and significant is outfitted with disaster management. Keeps everyday exchanges' track in a recording section. Transactions are quick and secure. Information is critical. Thus fintech has data recovery systems. To discover the error/mistake, it has troubleshooting features. How FinTech is changing the financial industry? Biometric sensors:  FinTech in the banking industry has brought numerous advancements, and biometric sensors are one of them. Biometric sensors alongside Iris scanners are two technological advancements that ATMs are seeing. E-Wallets:  Some of the significant e-wallet companies in the world are Samsung Pay, PayPal, Android Pay, and Apple Pay. These wallets are utilized for plenty of purposes, specifically P2P payments, top-up and utility charges, booking tickets, etc. This is where the fintech application testing comes to play. Mobile Banking: Most of the banks today have mobile applications that have a user-friendly interface. Additionally, banks have also introduced mobile apps that recognize the fingerprint of the user. Conclusion: In the coming years, the growth of fintech will increase rapidly, replacing old methodologies with new technological ones. With retail banking software, financial core banking software, and many other components, it is all set to become even more prominent. The future of fintech will be bright in the upcoming years and so is the Fintech Application Testing!"

"At the point when you start to find out about test automation, you may go over the expression "Test automation framework". Perhaps some of you get overwhelmed with this term and start to feel that it is something that is tough to understand and considerably more hard to execute. The Test Automation Framework  is nothing but  a set of rules. Firstly, let us understand what the Test Automation Framework is? It is a platform where all the required sets of tools, libraries, and all the specialized components for Test Automation in a sole spot are what we call Test Automation Framework. Let's see an example for better understanding. Suppose you go to a railway platform and you want to board a train, then all the necessary information regarding how to get in and out of the train will be available at a single place, which makes it easy to board the train. Like there is an information center, ticket counter, and a resting area all at a single place. Imagine if these were in different far places, then it would not be easy to board a train. Similarly, the automation framework will provide all the required features for test automation in a single destination! The testing framework is responsible for Executing the tests Reporting the results Why do we need an automation testing framework? Imagine when you have to run a bunch of codes multiple times with different builds to test the application again, and again, it is very time-consuming! So, this is where we need the hand of automation testing Framework because it helps the team to organize test suites and also helps to improve the efficiency of testing. Manual Test takes a lot of time than we think it would, and that is an apparent reason why we need a Test automation framework. The Test Automation framework provides the user with various benefits that help them develop, execute, and report the automation test scripts efficiently. Types of Test Automation Framework Now Let's have a look at some of the most popular test automation frameworks: 1. Linear Scripting Framework: The other name for the linear scripting framework is the 'Record and Playback' Framework. It is considered the simplest of all frameworks. Small-sized applications are tested using this Framework. It follows a simple approach with no reusability. In this process, the tester records each step, such as navigation, user input, or checkpoints, and then automatically plays the script back to conduct the test. For each test case, the creation and execution of test scripts happen individually. Pros: No need to write custom code The fastest way to generate test scripts Cons: Lack of re-usability Maintenance is considered a hassle. 2. Modular Testing Framework: In this Framework, the complete application under test is broken into smaller, independent modules. Then the tester creates test scripts individually. A key strategy in using the modular Framework is to build an abstraction layer so that any changes made in individual sections won't affect the overarching module. Pros: Test scripts are reusable. To make changes, if any, to the application, we need to fix only the test scripts of the particular individual module, and hence there is no need to touch other modules. Cons: To set up this Framework, programming knowledge is necessary. Does not use multiple data sets. 3. Data-Driven Testing Framework: In this Framework, testers can store the data externally. It allows us to create test automation scripts by passing through different sets of test data. Test Data is read from the external files (Excel Files, Text Files, CSV Files, ODBC Sources, DAO Objects, ADO Objects). Pros: Saves time Multiple data sets are for test execution. Cons: Need a significant amount of time to set up this Framework. Testers who work on this Framework need to have hands-on programming language to develop test scripts. 4. Keyword Driven Testing Framework: It is also known as table-driven testing or action based testing framework. In a keyword-driven test, the documentation of the functionality of the application-under-test should be in a table. It performs automation test scripts based on the keywords specified in the excel sheet. Keyword, Application Map, Component Function are the three essential components of the Keyword-driven testing framework. Pros: Doesn't require much programming skills. The code is reusable. Cons: It is complex and time-consuming. Initial Set up the cost of the Framework is high. 5. Hybrid Testing Framework: As the name suggests, it is the combination of two or more previously mentioned frameworks.  We can adapt a hybrid framework to get the best test results. In the current market, most of the teams are building this Framework. Pros: Quickest and less costly approach to build automation scripts because of code re-usability. Useful to automate any application. Cons: For common code and business logic code, there are no separate function libraries. To maintain reports for test results, error logs there is no reporting mechanism. Final words: The above-mentioned framework is the most common frameworks in use by the testing  fraternity. Test automation using test automation framework has numerous points of interest (advantages), for example, quicker defect identification, reusable test scripts  and least intervention by  people while running the test scripts. Henceforth, Test automation Framework plays a vital role in automation testing and is an essential part of any successful automation testing process. So, choose the Framework that suits best to your project."

"Tools for automating MAC: Before looking at the best tools for automating MAC stand-alone applications, let's have a glance at 'Standalone application' ! A standalone application is an application that runs locally on the device and doesn't require anything else to be functional. All the logic is built into the app, so it doesn't need an internet connection nor any other services installed. They are not bound to any specific platform, and there is no need for installing them, which makes them a better solution for your problem no matter what platform you are. Well, there are a limitless number of tools available for automating Mac standalone applications. But, we are listing out the very best tools only! "Tools that help you work smarter, not Harder," Tweet Automator: "Don't repeat yourself"! If you are already fed up by doing the task repeatedly, and it's so boring, then there is a solution for it! Apple has developed an automation framework called "Automator."It has been around for more than a period of ten years!  It is free and comes along with OS X and provides a drag and drop Graphical User Interface to automate the tasks. This makes the work super easy. You do not need any scripting knowledge as automator workflows are easy to create with the GUI. For example, When you are very busy, you don't realize how many apps you have opened. And it is very time-consuming to close all the apps by yourself. But with the help of Automator, you will be able to quit all the apps at once! The Automator library consists of hundreds of actions that help you to create workflows.So, a workflow is nothing but a series of actions to be performed for a task.These actions can interact with the applications of macOS. To perform the tasks using an Automator, you need to trigger the workflows. A hotkey, a folder action, a Services trigger, or an application are some of the triggers. Source: https://support.apple.com/ Tools for automating MAC - automator Now let's have a look at the types of workflows you can create using Automator! Workflow: It is nothing but a collection of one or more actions. It can be run from within an Automator. It can run as an application and is triggered by folder action, service action, voice command, etc. Application: Application is a standalone workflow. These are self-running applications. It runs when you open it or drop files or folders on to it. Quick Action: You can add these Quick Action workflows to Services Menu, Touch bar and finder window. Service: This triggers workflow as a part of the Contextual Services menu. They accept text or files from the current application or the Finder. They appear in the Service Menu. Image Capture: This workflow runs in the Image Capture Application. Dictation Command: We can run the workflow using a specified voice command, such as opening a specified file. Calendar Alarm: This workflow runs when a calendar event occurs. Automation workflows can save you from repetitive tasks  like typing, clicking, cursor movements, image resize, rotation and many more.Also, whenever you have multiple applications that perform action on  the same file, you can use Automator. Keyboard maestro: Keyboard Maestro is a premiere automation software for   macOS that allows you to customize your computer.  It is termed as the most powerful Mac automation app available that can automate any tasks, Control applications and manipulate text/images.It can automate tasks that range from simple to very complex using its hundreds of  Built-in actions. Here, you can create a macro by adding any number of actions from the list of actions available in the software.The actions are combined using Full Flow Control with variables,controls and loops.Scripted actions like apple script,javascript, python etc., can also be used .The macros are triggered by many triggers like hotkey,Application,Folder,Login,Remote and many more. Source: https://www.keyboardmaestro.com/ The three major functionalities of Keyboard Maestro includ Automate Any Tasks : It can certainly automate anything right from a simple task like launching a page to trivial complicated tasks like multi-application reporting systems. Control Apps: It can control the apps like open the app,play music,typing your email,open specific documents etc.,It can also help you to fill the forms and generate the reports. Manipulate text and images: It handles texts and images by transform texts, filter clipboards, file downloads ,create images with text ,extract text from images etc., APPLE SCRIPT: Applescript is a scripting language used to automate the mac actions and applications.It comes as a built-in application with macOS and is simple & powerful.Experience in any programming language is beneficial for the users of Applescript.But, the scripting language is like english-like verbs,nouns and articles, which is easy to understand.“Say”,”tell application”,”display dialog” are examples of simple commands in this script.If you have repeated and time consuming manual tasks, then applescript is a best solution. Source: https://macosxautomation.com/applescript/ TextExpander: Quoted "The Indispensable Typing Shortcut Tool For Busy People"; we can find Mac version features through this. Also, it can create snippet groups, assigning abbreviations, and also can add predefined groups here. It helps to configure the keyboard shortcuts, which expands automatically to significant texts. This tool can be a massive time saver when you are doing repetitive writing tasks. It allows you to save texts, phrases, or even entire paragraphs as shortcuts. For example, if you want to type out your email address, you have to type the alternative that you have given, and it will display your entire Email. Conclusion: Automating the manual and repeated tasks makes your life easier and  improves the speed,accuracy,scalability and consistency. The right choice depends on your need. But, each tool has its pros and cons. So, before you pick the best tool for you, be sure that it satisfies the requirement.All these tools are well documented and easy to understand. Content Contributors: Swetha G, & Ranvitha Rao, (QAonCloud)"

"Biggest IoT testing challenges Content Contributors: Ranvitha Rao & Pooja B K Information is a great way to reduce waste and increase efficiency; that's really what the Internet of things provide. -Kevin Ashton, the Father of the Internet of Things. overcome IoT Testing Challenges The term "Internet of Things" was first coined by Kevin Ashton, a British Technology Pioneer, in 1999 in one of his presentations. His concept was mostly based on RFID (radio frequency identification) technology to connect devices. This concept has slowly evolved since then, and today's IoT has become massively popular. Moreover, this has become a reality with the growth of the Cloud. What is IoT? Why is this one of the top tech buzzing words? Well, the Internet of Things has been transforming the world completely. It is a network through which all the physical devices are integrated with software and also connected to the internet to exchange information or data. Through this, We can control any device without human interaction. The use of the internet is increasing day by day. Therefore, the concept of using the internet of things has a higher weight than others. Moreover, any physical device gets converted to an IoT device if it is connected to the internet for controlling. It also helps to manage your tasks smoothly and reduces the human workload. Now, in this blog post, we give you a few examples of such devices in the present world. Smart Phones, Smart Home devices like smart kitchen appliances to advanced surveillance cameras, Wearable health monitors like smartwatches, continuous glucose monitors, Smart factory equipment like driver-less transport vehicles, Smart retail, etc., are few examples of smart devices. IoT technology is growing exponentially. According to experts, by the year 2025, there will be around 41.6 billion connected IoT devices. IoT Testing Challenges With the scaling-up demand for IoT devices in the market, the need for efficient testing services also increased. It is vital to test the quality of a device before it enters the market, as any minor defect in the product could cause significant damage to the users and the business. With a whole new level of approach for IoT devices, the testing team should focus on the key areas to curtail the complexities. With the increase in the number of devices, along comes Challenges. Testing has its challenges. Let's take a look at some of them. 1) Security Issues Security and data privacy is the first and main aspect of any product in the market. As IoT simplifies the lives of many, the number of security risks is prone to increase exponentially. The time to market pressure might lead to more vulnerabilities. So, the tester should think earlier and perform security testing for all the components involved in the system. The testing should focus on multi-factor authentication, authorization, security patches, security of connected devices, data security, strong password management policy, etc., As we know, vast amounts of data transmit between connected devices. So it is imperative to test in-depth to avert and shut out attacks and risks. 2) Network Issues It is required to have a robust network infrastructure and high-speed data transfer techniques for the emerging needs of IoT devices. Testing different network protocols & mechanisms for the device to server connections such as MQTT, HTTP, COAP, and WebSockets is next to impossible. Therefore, it is important to have in-depth knowledge of end-use scenarios, domain knowledge, and automated test suite. Also, ensuring the reliability of these networks is crucial. The QA should test these devices across different network conditions with the help of network virtualization. Measuring performance by various metrics such as battery and memory consumption, CPU usage, dropped connections, long waits, etc., is crucial. 3) Expensive Test environment setup Setting up the entire ecosystem for the IoT is another costly and challenging task. The QA should focus on the cloud and virtualization solutions to create a perfect test environment. A comprehensive test strategy should be built to validate the humongous number of things, software, hardware, etc., 4) Software & hardware Integration: IoT testing is not only about the testing of the software part, but also ensuring the integration with the hardware components. Multiple devices and several Softwares are well- integrated to form a complete IoT system. So, Interoperability testing is a must due to its complicated architecture. The QA should ensure that all the components work together according to the requirements and ensure the combination of products and networks enables seamless communication. 5) Lack of Standardization of IoT system It is challenging to test IoT devices when there is a lack of uniform standardization of IoT systems as most IoT device manufacturing companies build devices as they want. In turn, this makes it difficult to use the devices and creates problems for the users as they may have to compete and often conflicting standards. The common standardization problems occur in an IoT system at four levels, namely, platforms, connectivity, Business Models, and the applications. In general, testers conduct the testing based on the use case and the device system's intended use. There will be a lack of standard testing procedures at all levels, and that is why it is the major IoT testing challenge. 6) IoT Device Diversity There are different types of IoT devices available in the market today. These diverse IoT devices and applications demand in-depth knowledge of testing techniques and strong testing capabilities. It is necessary to maintain consistency in the performance of the applications across all devices simultaneously to achieve better user experience. Testers must develop the best test strategy by understanding architecture. In case, the system depends on a third-party service, there is a possibility of test failure due to the changes in third-party services. But those failures can be detected through automated tests. IoT Testing Challenges Conclusion: The Internet of Things has the potential to connect different devices, making human life much more comfortable. Also, the testers can not move ahead with the traditional testing process and they have to develop new skills in the relevant domain. Creating conventional test methodologies, executing the right practices, automation, and overall knowledge of software, hardware, networking, protocols, security, etc., are essential for the testing team to check this connected world."

"Regression Testing and Retesting sound very similar, but they are two different terms used in different situations in Software Testing. Regression Testing and retesting meaning What is Regression Testing? Regression Testing is a type of software testing used to check the change of code/defect fix does not impact the originally working functionality of the application. The regression test cycle consists of a set of test cases that verifies the new functionality of the application as well as the existing functionality to make sure that the changes do not break the application. Regression is exhaustive in nature and hence automation is preferred in many cases. It is always advisable to create an automated regression suite and run them as often as possible for each build/release. For example, If a  build 2.0 releases with a list of new functionalities in the release notes, then the tester will perform a regression testing on the basic functionality of the application to ensure the new functionality does not impact the existing functionality. The tester also checks the new code changes with a list of new test cases. When is Regression Performed? In general, the testing team performs regression testing in the following circumstances: When the developer implements a new feature or a new requirement to the existing functionality. When the development team changes the code to fix the defects. Change of requirements A new patch fix to the code Application configuration changes Performance issue fixes In the case of agile projects, the tester should run a regression suite for each sprint. What is Re-Testing? Re-Testing is a type of software testing used to execute the previously failed test cases in the new environment to check the defect-fix. When a defect fix occurs, the tester executes the corresponding test cases and re-tests the defect to ensure the functionality is working as expected. For example, If a  build 2.0 releases with a list of fixed defects in the release notes, then the tester will re-test all these fixed defects and executes the related test cases which failed in the previous build to confirm the defect fix. Difference between Regression Testing and Re-Testing: Here we list out a few differences between these two confusing terms in software testing. Regression Testing Re Testing Ensures a change of code in the software does not affect the working functionality Checks if a previously failed test passes in the new build after defect fix Performed for passed test cases Performed for failed test cases Happens after/in parallel with Retesting Happens before Regression Testing Checks for unexpected side-effects Checks for defect-fix Automation is possible Automation is not possible Defect verification is not a part of the Regression Testing Defect verification is a part of ReTesting Conclusion Regression Testings help to improve the overall quality of a product and ensures the user experience. Many automation tools like Katalon Studio, Watir, Selenium etc., are available in the market and they provide the best automation solution to your regression suits. Performing and expanding the regression test suit for each build helps to identify and eliminate the defects in the early stage. Re-testing, which runs before the regression ( sometimes in parallel with Regression) helps to verify the previous defect does not occur in the new build, thereby ensuring a defect-free application."

"best mobile test automation tool Mobile test automation has become indispensable in the software development industry. Testing a mobile application through mobile test automation helps development teams to progress faster and without breaking existing features. Testing out each and every feature on different devices, operating systems, and versions is difficult and very time-consuming for test engineering teams. Also, the cost involved in building infrastructure and testing teams to test their mobile applications is more. That is why most of the development teams are opting for mobile test automation as this saves a lot of time, effort and money. Teams can concentrate on other important things. There are a lot of automation tools that are available in the market, using which we can test mobile applications effectively. But how do we choose the right automation tool? By the end of this article, you will be able to decide and select the right mobile test automation tool that can help you test the mobile apps. Also Read: Why Is It Important To Test Mobile Applications? Types of Mobile Test Automation Tools Generally, there are three types of automation testing tools, namely, Open-source Tools Commercial automation testing tools, and Custom Tools Types of Mobile Test automation Tools 1. Open Source Tools These are Free platforms that allow testers to access or use source code. Testers can also modify the source code without incurring any costs or charges. These open-source tools can be used at any phase of the testing process, including test case management, bug tracking, debugging, etc. The main disadvantage of Open source tools is limited features when compared to Commercial Test automation tools. Examples of Open-Source Tools include: Selenium Appium Cucumber Test Project Robotium Watir FitNesse Soap UI 2. Commercial Tools: These tools are specifically designed for commercial purposes. These tools are mainly used by large organizations and enterprises as these tools provide extended features and support. Some of the best Commercial test automation tools include: Lambda Test Browserstack TestComplete Testsigma Katalon Studio Micro Focus UFT 3. Custom Tools There will be particular characteristics for the test environment and testing process, the open-source or commercial mobile test automation tool cannot fulfill. In such a case, the organizations will consider developing a custom test automation tool. As these tools are explicitly developed, these tools are considered to be the costliest option. These tools are used rarely. How do people Select The Test Automation Tool The first thing that you have to keep in mind before choosing an automation tool is, there is no “one size fits all” test automation tool available. In other words, not every tool fits for every development environment and pipeline. One tool may work well with one project but not with others. Always try to implement a sample app, which contains all the elements of the production app, in the test automation tool. If the tool is able to handle and interact with the elements and fulfill all your requirements for the sample app, you can consider that as a right mobile test automation tool. Customizing a test automation tool requires basic programming skills. you might be using a record and replay tool, but that will ultimately land you in nightmares if you fail to fix broken scripts. So, it is always advisable to learn programming languages. The following checklist will help you find the test automation tool best suited to your testing process. Checklist To select Right Mobile Test Automation Tool It is important to assess the following checklist before we choose a tool to automate mobile app testing: Supports native, hybrid, and web apps Supports testing in multiple languages Supports various mobile platforms (Android, iOS, windows phone, etc) Supports all the UI elements and the change of orientation of the app from the landscape to portrait & vice-versa Does the tool support proper object identification methods? (native, image, text or coordinate) Can the tool execute the test cases on real devices as well as on emulators and simulators? Will the tool be able to take screenshots during the execution of tests? Can the tool be able to give a report along with the screenshots at the end of the tests? Will the tool be able to execute test-suite on several different devices simultaneously? Does the time taken by the tool to execute tests suits your requirements?  Supports Performance Testing  Supports Security Testing  Does it Support Interoperability Testing   Ability to Record and Playback  Does the tool have required library functionality like Zoom In/Out, Swipe, etc., Conclusion https://www.qaoncloud.com/Choosing right automation framework for mobile application testing, is a very critical task. Our Domain Experts will test your applications, across all platforms with the right mobile test automation that fits your purpose and meets all your requirements. Talk to our Test Experts to discuss your requirements in detail."

"top database testing service providersData Everywhere!Today we have humongous data available. Everybody is Online either making a transaction or surfing the Internet. And that generates a massive amount of data every minute. For example, Google processes 24 petabytes of data every day, whereas Twitter processes 400 million tweets per day.So with these complicated databases and enormous amounts of data, back-end Testing becomes a crucial step towards high-quality software. Furthermore, we often forget how important the Back-end Testing is.  What is Database and Database Testing? The Database is an organized collection of data. It is organized so that it can easily be accessed, updated, and also managed. For example, the Railway reservation system, files on your computer hard drive, etc.Therefore, the kind of software testing that examines schema, tables, triggers, etc. of the Database under test is known as Database Testing. Man believes in what he sees, but a coin has two sides; similar is the case with UI and database. A major misunderstanding that we have about testing is that we believe it constrains to Front-End UI only. Still, every information stored in the Backend is equally essential while testing. Validations for Database Testing 1. Data Mapping: In Software systems, data moves from Front-End (User Interface) to Back-End (Database) and vice-versa. Usually, the data entered by the user is mapped to corresponding table in the database. 2. ACID Properties Validation: ACID is an acronym which stands for Atomicity, Consistency, Isolation and Durability.Atomicity:  This means that the transaction either Passes or Fails. It is also known as All-or-Nothing.Consistency:  Represents that the database remains valid after the completion of the transaction.Isolation:  This means that multiple transactions can run without impacting each other.Durability: Represents that once a transaction happens, no external factors like power loss or crash can change it.3. Data Integrity: Performing the CRUD (Create, Retrieve, Update, and Delete) operations on data, should display the latest information on the Interface.4. Business Rule Conformance: Complexities in data mean more complicated components like constraints, triggers, procedures, etc. So, Tester will have to come up with a proper SQL queries to validate these complex objects. Types of Database Testing Structural Testing: It deals with table and column testing, schema testing, stored procedures, and views testing, checking triggers, etc. It can also involve testing your DB servers.Functional Testing: It includes checking the functionality of the Database (DB) from the end-users point of view. White box and Black box testing are the most common type of Functional Testing. Moreover, the main focus is on how data is mapped from Front-End to the Data.Non-Functional Testing: – It includes load-testing, risk testing, stress testing, and minimum system requirements, and also deals with the performance of data. Testing Process (Explained step-by-step) The process for Database Testing is as follows:Keep the environment ready.Carry out the test.Examine the test result.Validate based on the expected output.Report the findings Database Testing Tools These tools save time and also helps Tester to find issues in a short period.DataFactoryMockupDataDTM Data GeneratorMS SQL ServerSQL TestOracle SQL DeveloperNoSQLUnitSeLite Conclusion The Database is the main and the most important part of almost every application. Hence, Testing it helps to identify the issues before the application is released for End-Users."

"selenium for automation testingContent Contributors: Susmitha.S & Jayasurya.A (QAonCloud)Jason Hugins created Selenium in 2004 at ThoughtWorks. Since then Selenium has grown into one of the best open-source tools for automation testing of different web-browsers. For testing web applications, Selenium is a portable framework.   Selenium Suite is a collection of 4 different components:Selenium Integrated Development Environment(IDE)Remote Control(RC)Selenium WebDriverSelenium Gridsuite components 1. Selenium IDE Selenium IDE(Integrated Development Environment) is a straightforward tool in the Selenium suite. Therefore, It is easy to install and learn. Moreover, you can use Selenium IDE without any programming knowledge. You can record and playback the test actions easily with this browser plug-in. Just add the extension to your required browser. And then you are ready to start your recording through the GUI(Graphical User Interface) provided by Selenium IDE. 2. Selenium Remote Control(RC) The Remote Control(Selenium RC) is a tool used to design the UI test. It is a testing framework that helps the user to develop the test cases in any programming language. Besides, Selenium RC works based on its components. The components of the Selenium RC are Selenium server and Client libraries. RC Server is like a mediator between browser and selenium commands. Furthermore, Selenium RC supports different programming languages like C, Java, Pearl, PHP, Python, and Ruby. Due to RC’s complicated architecture and limitations, another automation Framework Selenium Webdriver was developed. RC is still available, but the support can’t be availed. 3. Selenium WebDriver As discussed above, web driver is a replacement for RC with a simple architecture.  This architecture just needs an IDE to write the code and a browser to perform the test. Selenium Web-Driver permits you to execute cross-browser testing. It does not require any server to interact with the browser unlike RC. Besides, it directly calls the web browser which makes it faster compared to RC. The only drawback here is that it can not generate automatic HTML reports like selenium RC. It supports all programming languages that RC supports. And also each browser has its own web driver like Chrome Driver, Safari Driver, etc., 4. Selenium Grid Selenium Grid is a testing tool that is used in combination with RC. It specializes in running multiple tests across different Operating Systems and Browsers. Grid 1 and Grid 2 are the two versions of Selenium Grid. But nowadays, we only focus on Grid 2 because, as it supports RC as well as Webdriver scripts. Grid 1 can automate only one browser Per RC  and Grid 2 can automate up to 5 browsers per Remote Control. REASONS TO CHOOSE SELENIUM FOR AUTOMATION TESTING 1. FRAMEWORK AND LANGUAGE SUPPORT When a customer chooses a tool for automation testing, they need to make sure whether the tool supports all major languages in software automation testing or not? Selenium supports all major languages like Java, Python, JavaScript, C#, Ruby, and Perl programming languages for software automation. When we write your script in any one language, it will convert it into Selenium compatible codes. Every Selenium supported language has dedicated frameworks. It helps to write test scripts for selenium automation tests. 2. EASY TO USE Selenium script is not like a sophisticated algorithm. To begin with selenium automation testing, the customer has to be satisfied with the documentation on the selenium website. In the Firefox browser, the Selenium IDE extension can record and play the functionality to generate the Selenium script for reference. Also, Selenium supports parallel test execution. 3. CROSS-BROWSER AND CROSS-DEVICE TESTING SUPPORT Like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, Opera, and Edge are the commonly used browsers, and selenium script is compatible with all these browsers. For every browser, we need not rewrite the script, just the same script for all browsers. And Selenium web driver can work across multiple devices and can write automated test cases for testing on Blackberry, Android,iPhones. 4. WORK WITH THE VARIOUS OPERATING SYSTEMS Selenium is a very portable tool that supports and works with different operating systems especially like the Windows, UNIX, LINUX, etc. Hence, if you create test suites in any platform like Windows, you can execute the same test suites on other platforms like UNIX or LINUX. 5. LESS HARDWARE USAGE When you compare with other vendor automation tools like QTP, UFT, etc., you will find that the Selenium requires less hardware. Besides, Selenium is free and has a zero license cost. 6. EASY TO IMPLEMENTATION Selenium provides a user-friendly interface that helps to create and also execute test scripts effectively and efficiently. There are a considerable number of communities available to help in case of any need. 7. FLEXIBILITIES  Test management is vital in the testing life cycle. It becomes more comfortable and also more efficient with selenium features like regrouping and refactoring of the test case. Undoubtedly, Selenium is more flexible and usable compared to other automation testing tools. 8. OPEN SOURCE AVAILABILITY Selenium is the open-source availability and also helps to customize the code for better code management. It is a publically accessible automation framework and at no cost, and thus we can use them for good causes. Selenium is the most usable web automation tool because it quickly generates test scripts to validate functionality. 9. REUSABLE AND INTEGRATION Usually, Selenium automation test suites are reusable. Therefore, it can be tested across multiple browsers and operating systems. 10. ADVANCED BROWSER INTERACTION Selenium Web drivers also make it possible to simulate the advanced interaction like clicking the browser back and front button. And also, there are No such open-source tools that can’t provide automated testing for this kind of scenario. Talk to a Quality ExpertWant to discuss your requirements today with a quality expert?  GET STARTED"

"virtualization in software testing Software testing is an essential & comprehensive part of the software development process. Therefore, the amount of time and money that a company invests in testing will have an ultimate effect on the end product. A tester has to perform different tasks in the process of testing a product which includes tasks specifically preparation of test environment, performing testing, and reporting bugs. Hence, preparation of the environment will often consume a lot of time and money. In the case of website testing, a tester has to ensure that the software is working as intended on all the possible combinations of memory, OS, browsers, and versions of such browsers. Doing that with the help of actual hardware will add up to the cost of the company. Also, it takes a lot of manual efforts. Virtualization is a smart solution in this scenario. Through Virtualization in testing, we can provide a test environment where the testers can indeed test the software on all possible configurations and a single hardware system. Customization is easy in these Virtual systems. Testers can customize the system based on the client requirements. Hence, if we properly implement Virtualization in software testing, we can simplify our testing methods. Did you like our content? Read more informative blog posts here. QAonCloud is a software quality as a service platform. We offer a complete package of various automated testing solutions. Talk to our Experts today!"

"website testing - the guide for QA engineers Here is an infographic on Website TestingWe can't ignore the fact that the internet has become an integral part of our life. People are making decisions by googling the information on the Internet. Therefore, having or hosting a website for the organization is no longer an option but mandatory for all kinds of businesses to stay relevant in this fast-changing market.It is every organization's responsibility to host a website that is informative, user-friendly, and accessible to anyone around the world. To ensure the Accessibility, Security, and functionality of a site, thorough testing of the website is very necessary.It is required to perform End-to-End testing on the web-based systems to make sure that the system is fully functional and is acceptable to real-time users before it goes live for end users. UI design and functionality are the two major areas to focus in testing web applications.Hope this infographic is informative to you! You can read more QA related topics here https://www.qaoncloud.com/blogYou might still have some questions in your mind. Please don't hesitate to leave them in the comment section. Our team will be more than happy to answer them. Share this content with your colleagues and friends on social media."

"e-commerce testing techniques intoduction:Planning, designing, and finally building an eCommerce website is a time taking and complicated process. If we take no step to ensure the functionality of the app, all the efforts and the time spent to build the application will go in vain. Testing an eCommerce website requires domain knowledge and different website testing techniques. In this article, we have mentioned some critical e-Commerce testing techniques that can fuel up your testing process. Structure Of An E-com Site: e-commerce testing techniques Any e-com website will have a standard site structure and theme, that includes:A HomepageSearch Results PageProducts PageOrder FormOrder Confirmation PageLogin PageAccount Management PageFeedback on the buying experience In addition to these above-mentioned pages, e-com businesses might have more web pages. But the journey of a typical online customer would be mostly around these pages. And also that's where we have to do rigorous testing. The ideal way of testing e com site is to test individual services like product search, customer service, booking portal services, payments and account management services, etc., We should test the integration of all these individual components thoroughly. Hence, We should ensure best customer experience at the end of the testing. e-commerce Testing Techniques - Key Areas To Focus: Continuous testing is crucial in e-commerce website / mobile application Testing. Ensuring software reliable performance and by maintaining the optimum quality of the website/application can help in making customers happy. Therefore, the process of testing requires a tester to pay more attention to every minute detail of the web application.The testing process, which we usually carry out to test web applications, is also applicable in e com testing. In addition to that, we also have to consider some generic techniques that are specifically for an e-commerce business. The following are the key areas to focus and to apply the best e-Commerce testing techniques: e-commerce testing techniques 1. The Functionality Of Application (homepage, product details page, categories page) Before performing functional testing of the application, we need to have a basic understanding of e-commerce application, be it a website or a mobile app.Any e-commerce application will have pages like Home page, Products page, category page, Shopping Cart, etc., which plays a crucial role in providing users an excellent buying experience. Also, there will be search algorithms that let users search for the product and sort & filter options. What A Tester Should Test? Test whether the slideshow that appears on the homepage (HERO IMAGE) is clickable and is taking users to the relevant page. Also, verify whether the  Check the loading and playing speed of the slideshow and compare it with the loading speed of the rest of the content.Verify the functionality of the sort option. The user should be able to sort based on brand, price, reviews/ratings, etc.Search based on attributes of the product, brand name, or product name and also verify the results are relevant.Select a product and go to the product details/information page. Check display images of the products are correct and also the specifications, reviews, checkout & delivery options and make sure every element is functioning as it is intended to be.Also, check the navigation functionality by going through the categories and subcategories.See and verify compatibility with different browsers and platforms. The application should have language support for global customers.Finally, the system should be able to handle run-time errors. Ensure that the system is displaying the proper message in case of any run-time error. 2. Pricing & the shopping cart functionality Products should be tagged to the price tier before they are set up in the system. The end users must see the correct prices of the products, or else it will lead to substantial business losses. Also, check the performance of the shopping cart by adding or removing the items from the cart. What A Tester Should Test? Check whether the correct prices of the product are being loaded into the system.Add one product to the shopping cart and then see whether the amount shows any difference in the price of the product after adding it to the cart.Check whether the application of discounts to the cart is correct, and also the amount is shown correctly. Verify updation of prices by adding multiple items, editing the number of items, and removing some products from the cart.Finally, perform negative testing. Try to skip the payment in the middle of the purchase process & verify whether there is any deduction of money from the user's account. 3. Testing the order creation flow The primary purpose of any e-commerce site is to allow buyers and sellers to make buy-sell transactions effortlessly. So, it is essential to ensure that the app is proving a fantastic buying experience. The tester needs to place himself in the buyer's shoes and test the order creation flow from a user perspective.   What A Tester Should Test? Start by verifying whether the user can select the desired product based on the attribute of the product (color, size, seller, etc.).Verify whether the user can add one or more products to the cart and also to wishlist.Sign in to the application and check whether the user can buy the added products in the cart after making a successful payment.Check whether the order is placed successfully, and a proper order number is created for end-users to track the order.Also, check whether the verification note was sent to the buyer upon order creation. 4. Checkout Process & Payment Gateways Payments are one of the most crucial functions that require multiple tests to ensure the proper functioning and provides safety to all the online transactions made in the application. Nobody likes to get stuck on the payments page or to see a page saying 'Payment Failed. Please try later'. So, we have to ensure a smooth, safe, and secure payment process. What A Tester Should Test? It is the tester's job to find whether the price is showing correctly on the checkout page.VAT, Delivery charges, Discounts and coupons, if any, should be applied correctly and the final amount should be right.Make changes in the products in the cart, try different coupon codes, change the shipping address to see the difference in delivery and shipping charges.Place the order using all the supported payment methods and see if payment is successful.Validate certain crucial features like coupon code/ gift card redemption and discounts.Find whether generation of the invoice has happened, and the same is sent in the mail to the buyer.In case of a canceled order, check whether the refund is made. Reflection of the same should be there in the same payment method. Also, verify whether the generation of receipt of the refund. 5. Security and Vulnerability Assessment Verifying whether the e-commerce application is prone to any severe securities issues is very important. Pages like login and registration contain essential data of the buyer. It is imperative to protect such information. What A Tester Should Test? Verify the session expiry feature and see whether the user's confidential data like his bank account details, credit/debit card details, and also other sensitive information.Ensure that all the data transmissions and exchanges between the user’s device and the application server are happening through HTTPS protocol. Encryption of the sensitive data like session tokens, credentials and the transmission of the data should occur over a secured channel only.Verify whether there is any data loss during the transmission and make sure that in case of any loss, the recovery systems are working perfectly.The error messages should not reveal any personal information of the user.Find the cookies and the data stored in them. Check whether the encryption of the data is successful and no storage of passwords in the cookies.At QAonCloud, we leverage advanced technologies &  comprehensive testing frameworks to deliver unparalleled E-commerce testing services. Talk to our Quality Expert"

"As we all know, the world is continuously moving towards digital transformation. It has been happening for the past many years. But now, with the rise of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, the IoT, and so many do you think there is a need to shift from Traditional Quality Assurance to Digital Assurance? The answer is a definite 'Yes. QA must be able to keep up and move away from its traditional approach to face the new challenges. Digital Assurance is the most demanding testing approach to meet digital transformation needs. So, what is Digital Transformation? What are the challenges faced by Traditional Quality Assurance? Also, How does the Digital Quality Assurance meet the expectations? Well, there are many concerns and many questions in addition to digital transformation. Let us try to find out the answers one by one. WHAT IS DIGITAL ASSURANCE? Digitalization is an outcome of technology-induced changes in the business process of organizations. It helps an organization to do its business better, faster, and cheaper by standing ahead of its competitors. So, digital solutions and services provide a better customer experience. Airbnb and Uber are the best examples of Transformation. WHAT ARE THE DIGITAL ASSURANCE TECHNOLOGIES? Here are some widely used technologies in business transformation. SOCIAL MEDIA SOCIAL MEDIA not only delivers the content but also monitors the customer interactions to find out the recent trends and customer requirements. Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin collect a massive amount of content. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Artificial Intelligence set standards. At the same time, it thinks just like humans to make intelligent decisions. Self-guided vehicles and Chatbots are examples of AI. BIG DATA Big Data is for making data visualization to make better business decisions. Netflix, Amazon uses Big Data visualization. CLOUD COMPUTING Cloud Computing is to store, manage, and process data in remote servers rather than the local computers. Apple's iCloud, Google cloud platform, Microsoft Azure, etc., are cloud computing service platforms. Internet of Things Internet Of Things (IoT) is to transfer the data over the network without human-human also human-computer interactions. Smart TV, Smart Watch are examples of IoT devices. What are the challenges faced by Traditional Quality Assurance? How does Digital Assurance meet the expectations? From the ages, quality assurance is only meant to certify the functionality of the software, hardware, and networking components. And the results of traditional QA testing depend on the production defects and from the surveys of the client's customer's feedback. But, Today, the customer experience represents the brand, the quality, and the value of an organization. Customer experience plays a crucial role in the digital transformation phase and hence the demand for a reliable Digital Assurance strategy from the QA. Apart from Quality Assurance, Digital Quality Assurance should be able to address the following challenges: SPEED ASSURANCE The organizations want to reduce time to market while delivering flawless products. Automation, as always, plays a crucial role in the testing market. As the traditional approach does not suit the testing of the trending IoT systems, the companies make their frameworks to accelerate the testing process. Digital QA does not only focus on advanced test automation but also involves more use of Artificial Intelligence-based components in test automation solutions. QA should provide Custom Automation Solutions to speed up the process. ASSURE RISK-FREE BUSINESS Failing to predict market risks on time leads to the failure of businesses. RIGHT TIME and RIGHT TOOLS play a significant role in doing this job. Digital QA is not only committed to testing but also predicts the future. Yes, The testing team does predictive analysis to identify the impact of changes, which reduces the costs of correction at a later point of time. A continuous QA process leads to improved customer experience. Hence, future predictions of market risks is a significant factor in DQA. BRAND ASSURANCE The brand is a crucial factor in any organization. And, the DQA should test the ''Real Customer Experience'' to maintain and enhance the company's brand value. Because Good customer experience always leads to the profitable growth of the organization. SECURITY ASSURANCE ​Security assurance is an essential part of testing. And, the protection of sensitive user information against data breaches and vulnerabilities is a necessity. So, we need to have continuous supervision to find any security gaps. Including that, Digital QA must provide security to all digital assets like photos, videos, electronic mails of the customer. PERFORMANCE ASSURANCE Performance plays a significant role when any new technology rolls in. As there is a need to prepare a well-defined performance strategy, the performance validations should go hand -in - hand with the development cycle. CONCLUSION As the Digital business chain is expanding, it's getting critical to consider quality assurance of any project to make sure the consistency of customer experience. Digital assurance testing is driving a higher focus on QA and Quality Testing. This shift is not only about using new digital technologies but,  also about being creative and effective in using new digital technologies & ahead of the competition. Connect with our experts to leverage the methodologies, techniques adapted by our testers for effective QA through digital assurance. Also, follow @QAonCLoud to read more about Testing."

"Defects, errors, and bugs are the nightmare for any software company. Defects may occur during the development process, but the identification of such defects should happen before releasing the build. Software testing is the only process through which we can identify them. Identifying bugs in an application is not an easy task. It requires a lot of skills relating to the tools, techniques, and also domain expertise. Here in this article, we have jotted out some basic and essential software testing skills that can help you to test applications effectively.As per Wikipedia, "Software testing is an investigation conducted to provide stakeholders with information about the quality of the software product or service under test." The following are the top 6 testing skills that are highly essential for any leading software tester. Apart from the above-mentioned skills, a software test engineer should also have some basic characteristics and also software testing certifications through which the tester can excel in his career. Having automation testing skills will always be an added advantage!We at QA on Cloud, have a team of domain experts vetted and experienced in software testing. We work around the clock and across the globe, to help our clients release a bug-free product.Liked what you read in this blog post? Don't miss reading this articles too! 5 Ways To Improve Your Testing Skills"

"What is going to be the future of software testing? Here are the emerging and latest testing trends that are going to happen in 2020.According to Gartner, by 2020, the costs involved in developing the IT industry will grow from 3.76 to 3.87 trillion dollars. Therefore, we are going to witness a lot of changes and technological advancements in the IT industry. This burdens entrepreneurs with expectations as everyone is aiming for high Return on Investment (ROI). Software industry has a lot to offer, only if you know how to reap its' benefits.Continuous research coupled with new advancements in software industry will help entrepreneurs reap more returns. These new advancements will always come with complexities that can be avoiding through testing. A recent Nelson Halls’ report states that testing accounts for 24% of the software industry spending. With the Digitalization taking over the world by storm, Software testing is also growing enormously. Enterprises figured out that the deployment of bug-free software is possible only through the collaboration between the QA team and the developer team throughout the development process. Organizations' focus has now been shifted to shaping and expanding QA teams & the test environment.We have asked an essential question to our testing experts. 'What trends do you think would critically affect testing & how software testing and quality assurance industry is going to be like in 2020?'Based on their past experiences and also through the observation of advancements in the IT sector, especially the software testing industry, they have cast a few predictions on the current software testing trends in the industry.  Top 5 latest testing trends in 2020 1. AI & ML Powered Testing Comes Of Age AI is spreading its wings in innovative technology. We can expect massive growth in AI in the upcoming years. According to Statista, the total market revenue of AI technology is $14.69 billion in 2019. It is expected to grow further to $118.6 billion by 2025. AI in testing is not a new concept. It has always been on the software testing radar since 2018. AI and ML became the main directions of software testing and test automation. so, we can't deny the fact that testing became smarter and faster after the implementation of AI. QA Testers are applying Artificial intelligence coupled with machine learning in Test automation to predict the quality of the tests performed, to write and also to prioritize test cases, to interact with the apps and websites, and so on.One of our test experts opined that in 2020, application of AI and ML in software testing helps to:  Optimize test suites to find and reduce unnecessary test cases,  Prediction of main test configurations like key parameters, user behavior, and key focus areas. Identification of test cases which are to be automated. Identification of key application points that are highly risky and prioritize regression tests. Understanding Requirement Traceability Matrix based on the keywords in RTM, to ensure maximum possible requirement coverage.The more we use AI and ML in software testing, the faster and reliable results we get from testing. But that doesn't mean that AI will be stealing the spot. Software testers are the one who has to find whether the AI-extracted data is statistically justified. 2. Big Data Testing Most of the business sectors have shifted to data-driven technology. These sectors include industries like technology, healthcare, banking, retail, telecom, and so on. The majority of the decisions in these industries are being taken based on the enormous volumes of optimized data. Because of the massive shift of various sectors towards the data-driven world, our experts say that the Big data testing will grow exponentially in 2020.Enormous volumes of data are being created every minute. In the light of this enormous data, evaluating the Performance and the functionality of the data are the main challenging tasks in Big Data Testing. It is imperative to ensure that the tera bytes of information are verified correctly before performing testing. Considering the amount of data, it is quite challenging to verify and test the data in a given time. Testers require more time to test, and also need more tools to ensure quality.In 2020, we can observe the rise of new platforms that help testers do big data testing in less time. 3. QAOps Development We know that DevOps is a set of software development practices that combines Development and IT Operations so as to shorten the software development lifecycle (SDLC). DevOps helps teams to focus on more important tasks like building features, fixing bugs, and releasing frequent updates.DevOps helps the Developer team and the business operationalists to collaborate. Similarly, QAops abridges the collaboration between Test Engineers and developers teams through the integration of Software testing into the SDLC. Through this QAOps, QA engineers will work in alignment with developers throughout the continuous integration and deployment (CI/CD) process. 4. IoT Testing IoT market has been burgeoning. Previously, there used to be a thing called 'IoT-Device.' But now, every device, every product is a part of the Internet of Things (IoT) Technology. Devices that communicate are not only limited to computers, laptops, and smart mobiles but also include objects that have been equipped with chips to gather data over the network. So, we can say that the entire IoT market is depending upon the software, and thus, this is going to be the latest testing trend for 2020.According to norton.com, there will be more than 21 billion IoT devices in the market by 2025. According to a blog post by Symantec, We may observe the usage of IoT devices to direct other Botnet-powered distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks. So, it is necessary to perform IoT testing. Monitoring communication protocols & operating systems requires a lot of time. QA teams should equip themselves with knowledge relating to IoT devices; the usability, scalability, and also Performance of such IoT devices.IoT testing will help us assess the safety, to test the compatibility of versions, to evaluate data integrity, to monitor the delay in connection, and to perform scalability testing. 5. Test Automation & Agile Teams Today, the IT sector is increasingly dependent on Automation. The software testing industry is no exception. Our experts said that 2020 is going to be a year of transition in the software testing industry and that we can see a continuous rise in the adoption of automated testing practices.  Many enterprises are using Agile and DevOps processes to achieve 'Quality At Speed.' Test automation has become a significant component in the Agile & DevOps process to perform repetitive tasks, to detect quality bugs faster, to provide continuous feedback loops and thereby ensuring test coverage. Test Automation will not eliminate manual testing. Some testing types, such as Exploratory testing or usability testing, need to be carried out manually. Performing manual testing, along with Test automation, will help robust QA teams to squeeze the most out of software quality assurance. Henceforth, we should no longer consider test automation as functional. We have to consider it as a full-cycle requirement. Final Words on the latest testing trends In short, software testing and quality assurance are going to witness a lot of changes and advancements in the coming future, just like any other development element. That's our list of latest testing trends in the software testing industry in 2020. Did we miss anything? Please share your thoughts on the latest testing and QA trends in the comment section.QAonCloud is a QA-as-a-service based company. Our dedicated testing team provides the digital economy with Test automation services that are reliable, Cost-efficient, and also effective."

" Do you know that there are some Chrome extension for testing to make your QA easier? Yes, we know that there are numerous challenges erupting from inability of testers to perform their task effectively including time consumption. But these google chrome extensions for testing can make things easier and increase your productivity in testing. Extensions are small software programs, which enable the users to customize browser functionality & behavior, as per their preferences. It provides cool features, high functionality, excellent user interface, and a wide variety of extensions for various types of domains, enhances its further abilities. These make the tool powerful for both development and testing community. WHAT DOES A CHROME EXTENSION MEAN FOR TESTING? The tiny widgets that can be installed on your Chrome browser and help you accomplish your testing objectives are known as Extensions. They take away the tedious work. These are lifesaver tools used for QA Testing, as they assist the testers in increasing their efficiency and make life easy. WHY DO WE NEED A CHROME EXTENSION FOR TESTING?​ Using Chrome Extensions for testing software, can help you to block ads on Web pages, add pages to a third-party bookmark service such as Evernote, or translate text. There are plenty of extensions available in the store for productivity, customization, shopping, games, and more. But with so many extensions available out there in the Chrome store, it's quite challenging to choose the best extension that fits the purpose of testing. Don’t worry! Here we have come up with a list of top useful chrome extensions for Testing software to fuel up things for you which in turn increases your productivity. Chrome Extensions for Testing Software products Ghostery Ghostery is a powerful privacy chrome extension in API testing. This extension blocks ads, stop trackers, & speeds up websites. It uncovers all the trackers on a web page and also provides an option to disable individual trackers. Also, it anonymizes data to protect your privacy. Postman Postman Chrome Extension for testing API is the go-to tool for testing API requests – particularly RESTful APIs by sending a request to the web server and getting the response back. It is a single, unified tool that has API documentation & integration tests in one place. Also, It helps in conceptualizing the results of the API in action, without  the requirement of writing any code. It allows users to set up all the headers and cookies the API expects and checks the response. It gives the ability to set-up and switches environment variables on the go and also saves you plenty of time. Postman has a low learning curve. Therefore, you can test APIs in lesser time. Clear Cache Is it a hassle to clear browser cache in chrome browser when you are in the middle of Testing? This chrome extension for Testing allows you to clear browser cache from the toolbar. Be it the app cache, downloads, file systems, form data, browsing history, local storage or passwords, this extension allows you to customize which data you want to clear and clear cache for you in a blink. Bug Magnet This is a handy extension, that gives you access to a whole bunch of tools that helps in performing exploratory Testing. Through a right-click on any field of the web application, it brings up a context menu with predefined values such as in emails, names, phone numbers, and postal zip codes. So, when you plan for exploratory Testing, you don't have to make-up any test values for field value testing. Bug Magnet does it for you. Bug Magnet chrome extension in Testing is a huge time-saver and most of our test experts recommend it. Give it a try! WhatFont If you need to identify the name of the fonts used on a webpage, then this extension makes it a child's play. Hover over the text, and it shows the font name. WhatFont is a simple chrome extension that sticks to its name – easily find fonts on any web page. Bonus: Wave Accessbility Tool This is a tool that provides visual feedback on the accessibility of your web content. This tool injects icons and indicators into your page to find the accessibility. No other automated tool is capable of telling you whether your page is accessible, but the WAVE facilitates individual evaluation and keeps you informed of the accessibility issues. Use this chrome extension for Testing to check if your site and applications are compliant to web accessibility standards. Screencastify Screencastify is a screen-recorder extension for Chrome, we could use while Testing. It allows capturing user behavior & activity on any web page as a video that you can share with developers as test evidence. Talk to our experts today and know more about the chrome extensions we use for our clients."

"Do you know these statistics on Cybersecurity for 2019? According to a report on cyber threats by Verizon revealed that there is a huge increase in the amount of data that is being hacked/breached in the workplace. With the increase in the amount of data, number of users, and the systems, the rate of cyber crime is also increasing each day. So, it is crucial to take a look at these statistics. STATISTICS ON CYBERSECURITY 2019-2020 A study shows that by the year 2020, the cost of damage due to cyber attack may reach $5 trillion. That is why it too essential to ensure that your business process is up-to-date and ready to ward off cyber attack. Additionally, recent cybersecurity statistics suggests that most companies have poor practices of protecting data at work place. This makes the system vulnerable to data loss. To fight against cyber threats it's imperative that companies need some awareness. They also need to understand the practices to prevent such cyber crimes. These stats are needed to realize the real dangers of the virtual world. In order to give you a better idea, here we have jotted down the 5 must-known statistics. Know them and stay constantly vigilant to these threats. As the digital platform continues to grow in scope, the threats will continue to grow as well. Keeping  the cybersecurity statistics above in mind, you can develop your own strategy. Clearly, developing a strategy for comprehensive cybersecurity is a task that all businesses must take special care of. No matter how big or small they are! Liked our infographic presentation of these stats? Do share this with your friends on social media. At QAonCloud, we strive to make the world a better place by providing testing services to budding software companies. We provide tailored solutions to your problems, as per your requirement. Talk to our experts today!"

"Connecting buyers and sellers through the internet are made possible with the help of e-Commerce. The E-commerce websites are designed to have a rapid interaction with customers and then to provide quick solutions to them through the products/ services. But the customers can easily get turned down if your e-commerce website or application provides them with poor user experience.Online customers became more delicate Now-a-days. If they find any minor issue or error on the e-commerce website or application, they probably will leave your business ad in the worst case, may look at other alternatives. Online customers are looking out for the fastest, easiest, & extraordinary shopping experiences. This is why the verification of the quality of applications through testing in e commerce is very critical. Testing In E commerce E-commerce sites are virtual places where buying and selling of goods and services occur through an application. E-commerce is a software or an app that allows B2B and B2C transactions through the internet.Processes like Marketing goods/services, inventory management, fund transfers are done digitally through an application.As money is involved in the process, People should feel secure and also be able to operate the application smoothly because nobody wants to toss out their credit card or bank information, without ensuring the safety. Therefore, testing interface quality and security are very critical. Meticulous attention should be paid to essential factors like the functionality of the product, the correctness of the system in calculations, payment gateways, site performance, and usability, and soon. Because even a tiny flaw can result in a very significant loss of business revenue.The e-commerce sites and applications should meet high-quality standards, as these are very similar to any other banking application. Testing all the features of the application will help us ensure that it doesn’t have any bugs and also to ensure that it gives a better customer experience. Testing in e commerce adds value to the product by providing conformity to the requirements of the clients. The objective of testing in e-commerce The global revenue in e-commerce businesses is growing each year. As per the latest reports from statista, E-Commerce sales accounted for 14.1% of all retail sales worldwide. And this will reach 17.5% by 2021. Since this sector is more profitable than any other industry, there has been significant growth in the number of online stores.The objective of testing in e commerce industry is to ensure Software reliability, Quality, System assurance, and optimum performance & capacity utilization. Software Reliability Software Reliability refers to the ability of the software to perform critical tasks like collecting and securing customer data, providing payment gateway to function correctly in a given environment, for a particular amount of time. Testing software reliability will provide us with insights into many problems in software design and functionality. Software Quality Software Quality is the degree of conformance to the correctness of program logic & implementation. Testing each module while writing or modifying will help us to increase the quality. Verifying boundary conditions and test values & performing interface testing to find functional errors will prevent complex problems. When the user is trying to check out, and the application shows inaccurate tax, and shipping charges lead to abandoned carts. So, testing in e commerce is very critical to increasing the quality of the product. System Assurance System Assurance helps in delivering quality products after the conformance of requirements. The interdependence of the parties (bank, clearinghouse, and the customer) involved in the system makes the process more complicated. If there is an error in the system, all the parties may lose much money, and in the worst case, the e commerce business can lose its reputation. The primary purpose of System Assurance is to increase the organization’s confidence in the e commerce system and also the processes.Ensuring Optimum Performance and Capacity utilization of the components of e commerce system is possible only through the testing in e commerce system. Planning and performing Stress or capacity testing to be sure that the system is capable of performing flawlessly even at peak usage. Advantages These are some of the benefits of performing testing in e commerce industry:Ensures that the system is safe and secure.Helps in making the e commerce application bug free.Enables organizations to offer customers, transparency in all activities.Helps organizations to increase conversions and ROI.Ensures the performance, usability, accessibility, & other features of the sites in the given environment. Major Challenges Invigorate change in technology brings in new features and better functionality. In order to test new features, the tester has to set the environment according to the changes in technology. This makes the testing process difficult from time to time.Simulating all kinds of customers, from a new customer to experienced customer, to meet the needs of testing. And also simulating business environment to buy goods, calculating taxes and shipping charges, and making credit card payments.Tight time frames and budget limitations.Difficulty in the integration of third-party systems in the testing process.Compliance with security guidelines to safeguard confidential data like customer data, bank/ credit card details, & identity. Conclusion Undoubtedly, E commerce testing is a challenging task to perform. The difficulty is due to the complex nature of the e commerce system. But we know how to overcome these challenges to help e commerce businesses make the best quality product.At QAonCloud, we have qualified e commerce domain experts who can test all the functionalities of your e commerce applications. Talk to our experts today!We will explain the types of testing and the key areas to focus on testing in e commerce industry, in the next blog post. So, keep visiting this site."

"Introduction to Cypress Testing ‘Technology make our life easier’, but how about the people who are behind the success of this Technology. Yes, the developers and testers also want to make their lives easier. Even though there exist many tools to speedup the development /testing process, many say that Cypress has made it much easier. What is Cypress? What makes Cypress so unique? Lets us check on the pros and cons of this End-End testing framework. Well, Cypress is one of the most popular opensource, front end automation testing tool, which can be used by both developers and QA engineers. The architecture is mainly designed to suit the modern web applications built using JavaScript frameworks. The main advantage of Cypress is that it can basically test anything that runs on the browser. You do not need any remote commands through the network. It runs in the same loop as your application and hence cypress can be termed as Fast, Easy and more reliable .So, Cypress is purely a non-selenium framework. You don’t have to take the pain of multiple installations/dependencies before you start the work. Cypress comes out as an all-in-one framework, just run the .exe and that’s it. You are ready to start the work. image source: cypress.io Cypress helps to automate       Unit Tests       Integration Tests and       End-End tests. Cypress Testing Services: When you go through the Cypress.io website, we find that cypress provides two services. Cypress Test Runner, which is free and can be locally installed. It is open source and no limitations. Dashboard service is like a web application, which gives more insight into the test runs. It provides features like parallelization across machines, automated load balancing etc., There are a variety of plans in Dashboard service, a free plan, open source plan and paid plans. But, the locally installed Cypress Test Runner would serve the purpose in most of the cases. Cypress Test Runner: The Cypress Test Runner allows you to see the commands as well as the application at once. image source: cypress.io Dashboard Services: The Dashboard gives an overall view of runs, setting up the projects etc., image source: cypress.io What makes Cypress Unique? We have listed a few points to claim that Cypress is unique in its own way. Here is the list, though it is not complete. Free: Cypress is Open source and no limitations/restrictions. Architecture: Complete new architecture built from the ground up that can overcome many shortcomings found in the existing open source tools. Target Audience: It is made especially for developers and QA engineers. Time Travel: Cypress takes screen shots at every step .So, you can go back and see what happened at each step. Debugging: Time travel makes it easy to find out where the failure occurred and debugging can be done by the familiar chrome dev tools. Automatic Waiting: No need of any sync/wait statements as Cypress automatically waits for commands/assertions before moving on to the next step. Installation: Fast and easy set up and you do not have to install any dependencies separately as cypress is fully baked and ready to serve. Documentation: A very well written documentation is available on the cypress website which makes it easy to understand. Cons of Cypress Testing Cross-Browser Support: Cypress works only for one browser i.e. Chrome. But, the cross browser support will be an upcoming feature as per the Cypress website. Supports only one language ‘JavaScript’ Only one Testing Framework ‘Mocha’ is allowed. Conclusion: The main target of cypress seems to be the front-end developers, who can run their Unit, Integration and End-end tests with ease. Using this tool is a relief for the front end developers as they use JavaScript and cypress tests can be written only in JavaScript. The drawback of cross browser testing may not impact the developer because there are not many differences between the browsers and testing in Chrome might be enough for their job. Cypress, on the other hand, may not fulfil the general purpose of the automation testers. You may not be able to use cypress for indexing the web, scripting 3rd party sites, performance testing etc., you cannot do much outside the browser, like connecting to the database. Though there are a few workarounds, still it is a painful job compared to the ease that cypress gives with the front-end automation. Cross-browser testing is something which is expected out of automation scripts. We should wait on this feature to be completely developed in Cypress. Still, for small companies where the users need general end-end testing with only one browser (chrome) cypress can be implemented."

"User Acceptance Testing (UAT) is nothing but an end to end testing which the user for a particular period of time prepares. It is the final step before rolling out the application. This helps you identify if the software is able to handle real-time business scenarios or not. Some companies call it acceptance testing while others call it Final Acceptance Testing (FAT), while others name it as Red Box Testing (RBT).  The generic way of  UAT often occurs before a client or a customer accepts a new system in software development. UAT is one of the final stages of a project. Usually, when  the company develops the product, the user tests the application before accepting the application from the developing company.  So, How does this User acceptance Testing work?  To ensure effective user acceptance testing, we create Test Cases.  This User Acceptance Testing creates Different test cases at different requirement levels. These number of test cases ensure the user the proper coverage of all the scenarios during the testing process. User acceptance testing is similar to the black box type of testing. But UAT requires more than two end-users to process it. The company tends to undergo the various types of testing processes before getting into user acceptance testing.  the application goes through unit testing, integration testing, system-level testing. However, most of the bugs have already been fixed before user acceptance testing.   So, the main focus of this user acceptance testing is on the functionality and usability of the application rather than the technical aspects  Companies who tend to have a software, approach a software developing company. they give the requirement significantly describing how they want their software to be designed. However by testing the application the end-user gains some kind of confidence in accepting the application. The specific focus of this UAT testing helps the end-user check if all the requirements have been fulfilled by the developer.  TYPES OF USER ACCEPTANCE TESTING : Alpha & Beta Testing Contract Acceptance Testing Regulation Acceptance Testing Operational Acceptance Testing Black Box Testing   ALPHA AND BETA TESTING :  Alpha testing :  It is to perform at the developing organization’s site by an independent test team. Alpha testing mainly focuses on finding bugs before releasing the product to the real users or the public. Beta testing:  Beta testing mainly focuses on  Pre-release test performed by the potential or existing customers or operators at their own locations. This type of testing usually done after alpha testing. Focus on finding customer's feedback/suggestions.    Contract Acceptance Testing: The objective of the CAT is to test if the developed software meets the pre-decided and mutually agreed specifications in the contract. The project team works on defining the relevant criteria and at the same time agrees to work on a pre-defined contract.   Regulation acceptance testing : This type of testing is necessary to test the developed product against certain rules and legal regulations.  Compliance acceptance testing is the other term for regulation acceptance testing .   Operational acceptance testing : Operational acceptance testing (OAT) is a common type non-functional testing. The main  usage of this type of testing is in maintaining and developing the projects. OAT may sometime include activities like checking the backup or the restore facilities   Black box testing:  One of the types of user acceptance testing is black-box testing. One of the common testing which is applicable to almost all the levels of testing like unit testing, integration testing and system testing and acceptance testing as well. Black box testing basically examines the functionality of an application without looking into its internal structures or workings.   Tools Used for User Acceptance Testing (UAT) Usersnap Java  Watir, and more Usersnap – Your testers will love it Usersnap is a great solution for asking alpha and beta testers for feedback. In fact, it creates bug reports and gives you visual feedback in the browser itself. That being the case Usersnap tool helps you to discuss with your team to come up with better solutions.  Fitness tool: It is a java tool used as a testing engine. It is easy to create tests and record results in a table. Users of the tool enter the formatted input and tests are created automatically. However, the tests are then executed and the output is returned back to the user. Watir : It is a toolkit used to automate browser-based tests during User acceptance testing. Ruby is the programming language applicable for inter-process communication between ruby and Internet Explorer.   DO YOU NEED SOMEONE TO GIVE YOU A SOLUTION THAT ACTUALLY WORKS FOR YOU?  QAonCloud brings out the best output for you ensuring you the requirements and your expectations are fulfilled. "

"Testing industry is growing. With the increased growth in the industry, the basic knowledge of testing is not sufficient anymore. The demand of 'Domain Knowledge' in software testing is rising. Domain knowledge has become a crucial factor for a successful project. While there are many software tools, methodologies, and approaches existing in the market, there is one more critical aspect of software testing, which would help the tester to achieve his best. That is the DOMAIN KNOWLEDGE. So, what is a Domain? The domain is nothing but a specialized discipline or a field. A person having proficiency in a particular domain is considered as an SME (Subject Matter Expert) in the IT industry. Generally, in any software organization, the projects are categorized based on the domains they work for. Some call it as verticals, like Insurance ,Banking,Healthcare etc., What are the different domains in the market? Many software domains exist in the market. Here are some major domains in the industry. BANKING INSURANCE HEALTHCARE E - COMMERCE TELECOM AUTOMOBILE MANUFACTURING REAL-ESTATE, CONSTRUCTION & ARCHITECTURE EDUCATION Hospitality, Travel & Tourism ENTERTAINMENT Importance of Domain Knowledge In Software Testing Is domain knowledge essential only for a developer? NO, it is equally essential for a QA tester too. Quality of the testing can be improved when the person who tests the application has sufficient domain knowledge along with the technical skills. A person without domain knowledge can also test the application, but the testing capability gets better by having the relevant expertise. Domain knowledge would help in Perceiving the terminologies used in the business to understand the application functionality. For Example, you can easily test a banking application when you know the functionalities like Account Summary, Funds Transfer, etc., It makes your day to day job activities easier. Helps you to get into a project easily When you don’t know the concept, then you tend to focus on the wrong things which are time-consuming for your testing If you want to stand out of the crowd, the only choice left for you is to become a domain expert. Then, you will definitely be considered as a value add to the project. How to gain Domain Knowledge? So, one can gain the domain skills by Going through various tutorials on the web. Focus on understanding the business of the application and think like an end-user. Attend domain training sessions conducted by your company and write the internal certifications. It will help you in moving to a project which you would prefer. External certifications in each domain would help you for a better career. For example, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) certification helps you to get into Healthcare projects. LOMA (Life Office Management Association) is also popular when it comes to the insurance domain. We at QAonCloud, have  expertise in various domains. You can talk to our quality experts."

"By now, you might have come across the buzz words like AI, Machine learning and Big data. Out of these, Big data is the term which has exploded over the past few years. To understand the big data, we need to understand what it actually constitutes. So, Here are the 5 Vs of Big Data. THE 5 Vs OF BIG DATA Big Data is changing our world completely and there are no signs of fading away in the near future. There is no doubt about it.   The data which is being fed and stored into the big data might be overwhelming. To make sense out of this data, we have to know the 5 V's of big data, which acts as a basis of understanding the bigger picture. The five V's are as follow: Volume - Volume refers to the incredibly large amounts of data generated each second. Velocity - It refers to the pace at which large amounts of data which we generate, collect & analyze. Variety - Variety defines the different kinds/types of data that is being stored and analyzed. Veracity - It is nothing but the quality or trustworthiness of the data. Value - Value refers to the total worth of the extracted data. we at QAonCloud, offer reliable big data testing services that comply with international quality standards. We perform testing across various platforms. Send us your requirement today or talk to our quality experts!"

"We are already aware of the fact that Google has released Android 10, which includes many new features. But are you sure that your app is ready to migrate to android Q? Do you think that this newer version of Android will have any impact on the existing apps? Do you think your app is ready to experiment with Android Q? WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF ANDROID 10? Even though you don’t want to target Android Q just yet, Some of the features of this new version  are going to impact your app. So, you have to use all of those impacting features to give your users the best experience. Our experts opined that the old apps will have more impact than ever, keeping in mind, the number of new features that Google is offering in this new version. It is important for the organisations to update the apps in such a way it supports all the behaviour changes & features it offers. Now it is the responsibility of all developers to build an amazing UI/UX for the best experience of the users. In this blog post, we are going to take you through all the features that you need to add to your new build and also steps to do while you migrate to Android Q. So, stay with us and read the article till the end. OK! But, How Do I Enhance My App Before I Migrate To Android Q Well, Android version 10 has brought us many features, which aims to improve the UI/UX of the Android. If you are not aware of what new features to look out for, Read our blog post here. (link). The following are the things to take care of, if you want to increase the number of downloads and ratings of your app on the App store. 1. It’s Okay To Go Dark - Reduce Eyestrain & Boost Visibility (DARK THEME) Dark theme refers to a color scheme that uses dark background and light-colored text. Android is introducing Dark Mode at system level. That means, the dark mode applies to Android system UI and also to all the apps running on the device. There is also a feature called ‘Force-Dark’, which will let the system to create a dynamic dark version from the existing theme. source: developer.android.com Dark Theme will reduce eye-strain, boost visibility in low-light conditions. It can also help in reducing power usage on smartphones with OLED screens. You have two options to make use of this dark theme. One is to build your own custom dark mode for your app or to support Force-dark. Caution: Don’t forget to get your app tested thoroughly if you have decided to support ‘Force Dark’ feature. We have a team of experts you are already performing mobile app testing on various Android 10 devices. 2. Gesture navigation for increased accessibility We have to bid farewell to the navigation bar. Android 10 introduces a full gesture navigation mode that allows users to use apps in full screen. Full screen gestures are known to deliver rich and immersive experiences. Navigating through edge swipes is the new trend! Don’t want to update your app to target Android Q? Then be prepared to get affected by the device’s navigation settings. In the worst case, user may also uninstall your app. source: androidauthority.net If you don’t want your users to uninstall your app or give you bad reviews, just because of the compatibility issues, then you have to ensure that your app is compatible with the complete gestural navigation. But before you release your app to the market, get your app tested thoroughly. During the testing you need to check whether the gestures are triggering any other app controls like, displaying menu or showing buttons etc., Do not let any of your app’s UI elements interfere with the gestural navigation. 3. Optimize Your App For Foldables Android 10 is built to support multiple devices, including the devices with fold-able screens and secondary screens. It also supports a plethora of screen aspect ratios as the screen size may differ from vendor to vendor. Create apps to support multiple devices and It is better to test the app on multiple screen aspect ratios, 1:1, 16:10, 4:3, 16:9, 5:3, 3:2, 21:9 etc., The multi-resume feature is another highlight of Android 10. ‘Multi-Resume’ is a feature that allows multiple apps to be in the resumed state. Make sure you use ‘OnResume’ and ‘OnPause’ methods to handle UI perfectly. source : developer.android.com 4. Make Your App Support 5G Network Android 10 supports 5G network which gives users a super-fast network connectivity with lower latency than ever. Your app should be able to cope up with the 5G network speed, so that your user would get faster access to the info on your app. 5. Check For Bio-metrics Authentication Capability Now google is providing users with an implicit authentication API, which allow them to authenticate their identify using “hands-free” bio-metric verification methods, like facial recognition, voice recognition or iris authentication. But, even though the user verified his identity successfully, they still have to confirm it by tapping on a dialog box, to finish the authentication process. Google has also made some changes to this and gave an option using which you can request the system to remove the Confirm button. If your app uses biometric modalities for authentication, then make use of this feature perfectly. 6. Capture Audio with ‘Audio Playback Capture’ The new AudioPlaybackCapture API helps you to capture audio from other applications. This is helpful for you, if you are creating screen recording apps. If your app contains some copyrighted content and you don’t want third party apps to capture the audio, you can also prevent them from capturing audio! 7. Transcribe The Audio Using ‘Live Captioning’ With Android 10, Google is bringing out another new feature called Live Captioning. This is a revolutionary accessibility feature that transcribes the audio which is being played on your screen. It applies to text and all formats of pre-recorded videos. This is useful for people with hearing disability. Don’t forget to add this functionality to your app. 8. No More Navigating Away! - Settings Panel API Using this you can display settings of the device over your app content. Through this API, users will be able to alter the device settings without being redirected to or launching the settings app. source: migrate to Android Q-settings panel API Through this API, the developers also can change Wi-Fi status or any other important device settings without navigating away from the app. 9. Keep Your Users Secured! - Privacy Changes Android 10 introduces a number of privacy changes. Google has given users greater control over their data than ever. These privacy changes have the potential to affect your app’s behavior and in the worst case, may completely break your app and make it obsolete. This feature gives users more control over when an application can access their location. Whenever an app requires user’s location information, the users can see a dialog asking whether the user wants to share their location information. They can also choose to share this information, when the app is running in the foreground ONLY or any time ( Foreground and background). They also have an option to deny location permission altogether. Final Words: Verify whether your application is providing the best user experience and is compatible with Android Q before you migrate to Android Q. Publish your app to Google Play as soon as possible as it can gather feedback before your competitors get all your user base. Our Team has already started testing apps on Android Q and helping clients to migrate to Android Q. Get a free advice from our Mobile app test engineers at QAonCloud. Content Contributors: Sasi Kumar & Divya G"

"Do software testers really need a testing skills to stand out ?YES!Because “What sets you apart can sometimes feel like a burden and it’s not. And a lot of the time, it’s what makes you great.”Quality determines everything about a product Infact, it is the major priority for all software products.With the booming software industry, the demand for perfectly skilled testers is increasing day by day.This is a big opening which freshers from college are entering into nowadays. Most of the Youngsters do not take any exclusive course on software testing at their undergraduate level. So, when they enter this field, they might know only the basics involved. But, that won’t be enough to improve in this field which is currently earning wide recognition. Having said that, If you want to stand out of the crowd, then, it is not only necessary for you to learn the technical concepts but also grow creatively. This will take you through the in’s and out’s of improving your software testing skills. HERE ARE FEW TIPS TO IMPROVE YOUR TESTING SKILLS Follow this mantra and keep practicing testing . Because Practice is what makes you learn more and improve your testing skill . In each, it is the performance of a dedicated precise set of acts, physical or intellectual, from which comes shape of achievement.We, at QAonCloud, have a team of experts who are qualified and experienced in testing mobile applications. They will help you make your customers satisfied.If you liked what you read, Share this infographic with your friends on Social Media."

"‘State Transition Testing’ is a black-box testing technique. State Transition Testing is useful when a system shows different responses to the same input, depending on current condition and previous history. State Transition Diagrams and Tables: Representation of State Transitions will be in the form of ‘State Transition Diagrams and Tables’. A ‘State Transition Diagram’ shows all valid transactions in pictorial format. The ‘State Transition Table’ shows both valid and invalid transactions in tabular forms. State, Event, Transition and Actions: An event occurs through a condition. A condition is nothing but an input value given to a field. The event results in a transition from one state to another. Thus, a change of state results in an action (OUTPUT). So, In other words, a ‘State Transition Testing’ is a “technique used to test the ability of software to enter and exit from specified states through a set of valid and invalid transactions.” A state diagram consists of: State Event Transition Action Example: The State Transition Diagram for a Login Screen is as shown below: User account gets locked after three unsuccessful attempts. If the user gives correct login credentials in any attempt, then it has to display the homepage. The State Transition Table for the above scenario is defined as below: The test cases are as follows: TC001: S1->S2->S5 TC002: S1->S2->S3->S5 TC003: S1->S2->S3->S4->S5 TC004: S1->S2->S3->S4->S6 The State Transition applies to any transactional software like embedded software, web software, control systems etc. State Transition Coverage: State Transition Coverage % = Number of identified states or transitions tested / The total number of states or transitions in the test object. ‘n-Switch Coverage’ represents the ‘Number of Transactions Covered’. If we test a valid sequence of one successive transaction at least once, then we call it as 100% 0-Switch Coverage If we test a valid sequence of two successive transactions at least once, we call it as 100% 1-Switch Coverage And so on... "Round-trip coverage" is applicable where sequences of transitions form loops. So, we will achieve a 100% round-trip coverage when we test all loops from each state back to the same state. The minimum acceptable coverage is to make sure that every state is visited and also every transaction is traversed. Sometimes, a transaction can be traversed more than once in order to execute another transaction in line. Advantages Pictorial and Tabular Representation helps to understand the system effectively. Gives a better idea on the overall test coverage. Limitations We cannot use this technique if the system is not sequential. It works very well for small systems, but gets complicated as the system gets bigger with multiple interfaces. ISTQB Sample Question: Question 1 : Based on the given State Transition Diagram of a switch ,which of the following test case is invalid? Options: OFF to ON ON to OFF FAULT to ON ON to FAULT Answer: Option 3: FAULT to ON Explanation: Here, options 1, 2 and 4 are valid as the transitions occur based on the diagram. Option 3 is not valid as the transition is either ON to FAULT Or FAULT to FAULT and not FAULT to ON. Question 2 : Given the following state transition, which of the following series of state transitions below will provide 100% 0-switch coverage. Options: A,B,E,B,C,F,D A,B,E,B,C,F,F  A,B,E,B,C,D A,B,C,F,F,D Answer: Option 1 : A,B,E,B,C,F,D Explanation: Transitions A,B,E,B,C,F,D cover all the states at least once."

"The wait is over! Google has finally rolled out the final version of its new operating system, Android version 10, to the world on September 3, 2019. This version has landed on Pixel devices and some new mobiles.From a user perspective, getting a new version of Android is exciting. For developers and testers, updates in Android brings mixed feelings.You may ask, ‘WHY?’Does it affect the compatibility of the existing apps in the app store? The answer is a ‘YES.’ So, Start prepping your app before your competitors do. Make your existing app compatible with the new android 10.To shape your app to make it compatible, you need to understand all the new features of android 10. There are a lot of new features, API’s and new behavioral changes, which can affect your app when running on Android. This version of Android is set to come to a device near you.In this article, we are going to explore all the new features of android version 10. We will also have a look at some APIs that help you migrate your apps to this new Android OS version. What’s new in Android version 10? Android 10 is designed to create an innovative platform with machine learning and support for new creative devices like foldable and 5G enabled smartphones. The primary focus in this version of Android is the privacy and security. With over 50 features, Google is now providing users with more protection and control.Here are some of the new features to look forward to in Android 10. Gesture navigation (No Back-Button) Google finally bids farewell to the boring navigation staple of Android. Android now supports full gesture-based navigation, using which we can swipe up to go to the home screen; a swipe-up and hold reveal multitasking menu.Swipe from either the left or right edge of the screen will let you go back to the previous menu. Whereas, a swipe and hold from the right or left side of the screen will take you to the last app in the background.This version allows users to enable the full-screen gesture navigation, which will impact every application installed on the device. image source: developer.android.com Supports 5G Networks Gone are the days of 4G. Now it’s the era of more speed and less latency. 5G networks promise to maintain consistency in delivering faster speed and lower latency. Android 10 supports 5G networks by extending the API’s to get more out of 5G and to give immersive experiences to the users. Better Multi-Display Support For Foldable Devices Foldable devices are undoubtedly one of the greatest innovations in the history of smartphone technology. This version supports multi-windows and displays across all devices and provides support to maintain a stable app state as the device folds and unfolds. The main aim was to optimize for foldable devices of all sizes. Smart reply in notifications Android 10 uses machine learning (ML) to predict and suggest contextual actions such as smart replies or opening maps for an address, etc., via notifications. Google claims that they have created this app, keeping user privacy in mind, and the complete ML processing will only be on the device. You will always have an option to disable this feature. System-wide Dark theme in Android 10 Google is now getting behind the dark mode trend. In the new Android version 10, Google has introduced dark mode to both the system UI and the Apps. There is also another feature when you activate the battery-saving mode, and the dark mode will automatically be enabled. Google has also released a screenshot, through which we can understand, that the dark mode will also affect Google products like G-mail, google podcasts, search, etc.,The dark mode is designed to reduce the stress on the eyes and to improve visibility in low-light conditions. It uses a dark background and light-colored elements in the foreground.Watch this video Background Location Permission This feature extends the transparency & the control that users will have over their location data and the permissions they give to the apps.Now in this new android version 10, you can share your location data only when you are using apps. That means, you will receive a reminder, whenever an inactive app accesses your location data. So, you will have full control over your location data and you are the one who can decide whether to share your location in the background or not. Live captions For the sake of deaf people, closed captions are very much needed. To make them understand what is happening or being said in a media like podcasts, video, or a game, where words are spoken, Android version 10 introduced the ‘Live Captions’ feature. Live captions automatically provide real-time captions, of the media, which is playing on a smartphone of the user. Machine Learning Speech modules are used in Android 10 to make content more accessible with just a single tap.Watch This Video Final Words : Get Your App Ready For Android Version 10 So, what features do you like the most? Share your thoughts in the comment section. Also, read our blog post on ‘How To Make An Existing App ready for Android Q?’ to know what you need to do to ensure that your app is compatible with this new update."

"A Happy customer is  the lifeblood of every business. Why do 90% of American businesses close their doors after 10 years?It is mainly due to improper customer service.A good business is all about customer satisfaction. If there is no customer satisfaction from a company, then you can't survive in a competitive environment. Customer service shouldn't just be a department. It should be the entire company. Similarly keeping your customers happy should be the overall motive of a business.Be it a business to business or business to customer, both the organization and your customer should be satisfied with the quality of the company's output.So now, how to make a customer a  happy customer?Also, what can you do from your end to make sure target customers choose you over others?How do you delight your customers? HERE ARE FEW BUSINESS TIPS TO MAKE A HAPPY CUSTOMER Before you know to make your customer a happy customer,Any business you take, be it a sole proprietorship, or a partnership firm, or a non-profit organization or a family business or any type as such. A company cannot run without customers. Depending upon what type of business it is your customers vary. So know who your customers are.For a business to be successful and reach the right people for your business. It is essential to focus on your targeted buyers. YOUR CUSTOMERS ARE DIFFERENT PEOPLE You are an individual. Your company is not a copy of some other company. You have your way of dealing with your business. Your company is different from your competitors.Similarly, your customers are also unique. Not all your target customers need to think the same way. Different people have different opinions and needs. What may be the need for one may not be the necessity for the other. ADAPT CHANGES Change is inevitable. Customers always look for betterment. People still want to lead a happy and relaxed life. To make their life easy, they look for products that give them comfort. So the more you adapt to customer's wants and needs, the happier they' ll be. You need to step into their shoes and find their future wants. Customers always look into the product as a solution to their problems. KNOW YOUR CUSTOMERS As we have already told you, you need to know your targeted audience first. Then you need to figure out what is essential note that makes your customers choose your competitor over you. Bring out the feature that makes you stand out for your business from others.Sometimes the experience matters. At times the convenience you provide may delight them . Sometimes, the way you portray yourself ( your company) to others. Know what your customers prefer and work on it. You can take a survey from your customers, do some sample tests, and figure out what works for your business and your consumers. SERVE THEM RIGHT It is the primary factor that the buyers have to be benefited by you. Of course, you need to look into the profit factor as well, but that shouldn’t be the only motive. Always remember that your customers are the king of the market. The time when people bought what was available in the market has gone. Now people sell what the buyers want. Yes, the tables have turned. You cannot do a monopoly business in today’s world. Serve them right. ACCEPT YOUR DEFECTS It would be best if you were quick and easy to access. And you need to ensure there are no mistakes from your end product and services. In case the customer finds any fault or defect. We need to accept our imperfection and apologies for the service. Now, what can we do to compensate for our error here? We can't afford to lose a customer like this often. Can we?You can make the replacement for free. Such offers will make buyers happy. It makes them feel they are valued. It makes them think that we are a company for care for the quality of our product as well. Conclusion One should not think if this brand is worth to take an effort. Your customer is your biggest asset. Once lost, it is challenging to regain them. Make your first impression attractive, and like our companies. At the same time, don’t disappoint your customers by any fake promises. Focus on your products’ quality. Concentrate on your targeted customer. Let your business be cost-effective. And then you are good at running a business."

"Do you know how to perform Load Testing? Why do you need it?Let us take the pleasure of explaining what a Load Testing is! We are going to give some tips on how to perform testing for your e-commerce business.Holiday season is approaching!This is the busiest season for every B2C company. If your B2C business is online-based, then brace up for the traffic wave, that is going to hit your site soon. Even your mobile app will see heavy traffic and will experience more load than your website. But before that let me ask you a simple question. Are you sure that your mobile app can take the load?To ensure, you have to perform load testing on your mobile app.Here are some tips for you, presented in an infographic form. Also, Read this Article to know why it is very important for you to get your mobile app tested.  Don't have in-house experts to perform load testing? Hire our testers today!We, at QAonCloud, have a team of experts who are qualified and experienced in testing mobile applications. They will help you make your customers satisfied.If yo liked what you read, Share this infographic with your friends on Social Media.Sharing is caring and its free!!!"

"Do you know that there is an ideal way of testing mobile applications? In this blog post we are going to explain the entire Mobile app testing process. The extensive use of mobile devices, has made mobile devices as a door to the digital world. Mobile devices became our virtual friends. We have witnessed an upsurge in the usage of mobile devices and applications. People are approaching their mobile devices to perform their tasks quickly. Keeping this in mind, almost all businesses, whether it is e-commerce or manufacturers, healthcare providers or a university, have started delivering mobile solutions to their customers. Now-a-days businesses are more focused on developing robust and reliable apps. Why Mobile App Testing? QA plays a crucial role in mobile application development. Sending an app to the  user with all the features embedded into it is not enough. Mobile app testing should be done before releasing your app in the market for the end user to use. Testing will ensure that the app runs smoothly on all types of devices without any possible glitches. Therefore, rigorous mobile application testing is the most important step you should take to increase the number of downloads of your app in the AppStore. Mobile app testing Process: It is important to know the step by step procedure of testing application software developed for mobile devices. When we develop an ideal mobile app testing process, we will be able to find errors, breaks and bugs which are present in a mobile application. It is always confusing for anyone to know where to start the testing process. So, we have decided to reveal and explain the process we follow. We, at QAonCloud follow this mobile app testing process to test mobile apps of our clients. Steps in Mobile App Testing Process We have divided the mobile app testing process into 6 steps for your better understanding. Step 1: Requirement Analysis The first and foremost step in the mobile app testing process is Requirement Analysis. During this phase, we have to know what are the requirements of the client. That requirement may be either functional or non-functional. For example, Incase of a banking application, the functional requirement will be - When a customer selects ‘View Balance’, he should be able to see their latest account balance on the screen. A non-functional requirement of a banking application will be ‘every page of the system should load and be visible to the user within 5 seconds’. In this step you should be able to answer the following questions as well: Is the application interacting with any other app? What are the functional features? What is the type of the mobile app? (Native, Web or Hybrid) What are the limits of testing? Is the testing limited to front-end or does it include back-end as well? How much space or data does the app need? Is the app compatible with multiple networks? Is the mobile app handling the load well? Ensure that you answer all these questions before you proceed further. Prepare a document on requirement analysis and pass it across your team. Step 2: Test Strategy and Plan Planning is the key to success. During this phase you have to make sure you have proper communication with your team members. Discuss about their roles and assign the tasks. Plan the process based on the client requirement analysis. Make sure your team is ready to execute testing. Craft a test strategy and prepare a test plan document and explain the importance of the test plan document to your teammates. Test plan document is a document that describes the scope of testing, test strategy, objectives, effort, schedule and resources required. Test plan document is a guiding document of the whole testing process. Ensure that your test plan document contains the following in it:  Scope (Inscope and Out of Scope) of the tests Well defined Test Objectives Which testing levels you should focus on. Test schedules to monitor testing process Risks and mitigation plans that exists while testing a mobile application Entry and Exit Criteria Test metrics to estimate the efforts in testing Defect Logging tools and Bug reporting tools to be used Roles and responsibilities Test environmental needs Deliverables, Test Artifacts etc., Step 3: Identifying testing types Identify the testing types which we require to test the mobile app. We have to perform testing of mobile apps, to ensure the functionality, usability, compatibility, performance, security etc., based on the requirements of the client. Step 4: Test Design Based on the Requirements Document / Use-Case Document / Business Rules, develop appropriate test cases and prepare a test case document for all features and functionalities of the app. Based on the client requirement, add special cases to the test case document. Special cases include: battery usage, Speed of the app, internet data requirements, memory status etc., Step 5: Test Execution: Manual and automation testing Create Test Suites for manual test execution and test scripts for Automation. Test execution Can be done through any one of the following options: Real devices or Emulators / simulators or Cloud platform The test suite should include the following: Detailed instructions for each set of test cases Information related to system configuration to be used during testing. We love to test apps on real devices as it is the most reliable approach, which gives the most accurate results. Testing on real devices gives us insights to actual performance of the application. Based on client requirement, we will also use emulators / simulators like Bluestacks. Our favorite mobile app testing tools include, Appium, Charles proxy and Crashlytics. Step 6: Bug reporting The entire process of mobile app testing process should be recorded and double checked before crafting the final report. Testers must submit the most ideal bug report that includes all the information which helps developer to be able to reproduce the bug and then finally close the bug. The bug report should include the following: Information uncovered through tests Quality and amount of efforts Types or levels of testing performed Time taken to complete tests Incidence reports and the stats derived from them. Overall quality of mobile application Include key points describing whether the mobile application is fit for use, whether it meets acceptance criteria. Submit accurate and complete bug report using bug tracking & reporting tools like Bugzilla, Jira, Mantis, Phabricator etc., Conclusion Mobile application testing may seem confusing and time consuming. But by carrying out rigorous testing at each stage of mobile app development cycle, can guarantee you a fully functional mobile app. Before you execute testing, it is always advised to craft a mobile app testing process and follow all the steps without any fail. Want to hire a tester to test your mobile application software? Talk to our experts and get your app tested today! Grab an opportunity to get a FREE Detailed Test Strategy and Plan for your mobile application in less than 48 hours."

"Decision Table Testing is a Black Box test design technique (behavioral or behavior-based technique), used where different combinations of test input conditions result in different outcomes.When a system has complex business rules, then the decision table testing technique helps in identifying the correct test cases. As a result, it helps us to validate if the application/system can handle all the possible combinations of input data. The Decision Tables consists of CONDITIONS and ACTIONS which are also termed as INPUTS and OUTPUTS of a system. The representation of Conditions and actions will  be in the form of Table. Usually, we represent the decision rules as True/False or discrete values or numbers or range of numbers. The decision table or Cause-Effect Table is a technique, generally applied when the requirements/business rules are in the form of tables OR flow charts. The main and the most important objective of Decision table testing is to ensure the overall test coverage without missing any possible relation. However, while creating the decision table coverage, it is essential to consider if there exists any boundary values check. In such cases, Equivalence Class and Boundary value analysis also play a vital role as a complementary to Decision Table. COLLAPSED DECISION TABLE TESTING: When we try to validate the system with all possible combinations of data, the table becomes vast. Validating with huge data is a very time-consuming factor and also sometimes become impossible to test. Hence, the tester should follow specific rules to reduce the test data without affecting the test coverage intelligently. Once a decision table is made with all the combinations of condition and actions, the table is shrunk by deleting the following columns: Impossible combinations of actions and conditions Possible, but infeasible combinations Combinations that do not affect the outcome The minimum coverage for a decision table is at least one test case per a decision rule. Coverage % = The number of decision rules tested by at least one test case / The total number of decision rules. Example: Consider a ‘Login’ Page Functionality. Here are the business rules. On entering correct combination of ID & Password, user should be able to login successfully. User is not allowed to login when any or both of the ID & Password are incorrect /blank. In such cases, it should show ‘Invalid Credentials’ message. We created the following combinations of Conditions, Actions and the respective rules in the decision table. In the above table, there are 2 conditions - UserID, Password 2 Actions – Login Successfully, Error showing ‘Invalid Credentials’ and 3 Options -- Blank, Valid, Invalid. So, the total number of test cases are as follows: You can collapse the above decision table based on certain rules as above. So, let us try to reduce the number of test cases. Rules 1,2, 3, 4, and 5 cover the same action Item “Invalid Credentials” with options Blank and Invalid. Hence, we can consider any one of these test cases TC01 OR TC02 OR TC03 OR TC04 OR TC05 Rules 6,7, and 8 cover the same action Item “Invalid Credentials” with options Valid and Invalid. Hence, we can consider any of these test cases TC06 OR TC07 OR TC08 Rule 9 covers the action item “Login Successfully” with all valid options. Hence, we should consider the test case TC09. Finally, we will collapse the Decision Table as shown below: Advantages of Decision Table Testing: Helps to identify all the important combinations of conditions. Otherwise, we may overlook. Identification of any gaps in the requirements is possible. It is useful at any test level where the software behavior depends on a multiple combinations of conditions. Conversion of complex business rules into simple decisions tables which the business users, testers and developers may use. Limitations: The decision table test case design technique is challenging when there are no requirements or no well-designed requirements. The tables becomes more complex as the number of input values increase. Sample Question from ISTQB: Question: One of the most important test goals for your project is to have 100% decision coverage. Therefore, we have to execute the following three tests for the control flow graph shown below. Test01 covers path: A, B, D, E, G Test02 covers path: A, B, D, E, F, G Test03 covers path: A, C, F, C, F, C, F, G Which of the following statements relating to the decision coverage goal is TRUE? Answer Set: Decision D has not been tested completely. 100% decision coverage has been achieved. Decision E has not been tested completely. Decision F has not been tested completely. Explanation: In the diagram ,there are following four conditions/decisions: A, D, E, F The Test_01 covers A->B, D->E and E->G Test_02 covers A->B, D->E, E->F and F->G The Test_03 covers A->C, F->C and F->G. Hence coverage in case of condition A is complete (A->B by Test_01 and A->C by Test_03), condition E is covered (E->G by Test_01 and E->F by Test_02), Covered condition-F (F->C by Test_03 and F->G by Test_02 and Test_03). The no coverage of Condition D, there is only D->E by Test_01 and Test_02, but D->F is not covered. Hence 1) TRUE: D was not covered (see above) 2) FALSE: 1 of 4 decisions was not covered (see above). So, there is only 75% decision coverage. 3) FALSE: E has been fully tested/covered (see above). 4) FALSE: F has been fully tested/covered (see above)"

"What is mobile apps  testing? Why do we need to test our mobile apps before deploying them in app stores? Mobile technology is undoubtedly a disruptive technological invention and has become an integral part of human life. As per a recent survey, people in the USA are spending more than 90% of the mobile time on the apps. In July 2009, only 65000 apps were on the app store. Now with the new businesses entering the digital world, there has been an increase in the number of apps in the app-store to 3.5 Billion!In fact, Enterprises of all sizes are using mobile applications technology to fuel up their operations and to satisfy their customers. This will let customers get access to a plethora of apps to choose from. But will the customer install your application of all the alternatives that are available in the app store?Will they be able to use it easily? How can we ensure that the app is of best quality? How can you increase the number of downloads of your mobile app?This shows us that there is a need to deliver the best quality mobile app. MOBILE APP TESTING:According to Wikipedia, “Mobile application testing is a process by which application software developed for handheld mobile devices is tested for its functionality, usability and consistency.”Today we are living in a digital world, and all the generations have clanged to the mobile revolution. People used to switch ON their laptops or desktops for everything they need to work on. Now, they are choosing mobile devices, as they are convenient and provide quick solutions. Hence we should test the mobile applications before we hand them over to customers to use.Basic characteristics of a highly efficient mobile app:From the conception of the idea of a mobile app to planning and writing code, there are a lot of elements that will affect the efficiency of a mobile app. So, here we are, giving some insights into what makes a mobile app highly efficient.  Uniqueness and Simplicity in design Great UI Fast loading time and performance Compatibility across various mobile platforms Payment gateways and securing data associated with it. Etc., Types of Mobile Apps:There are 3 basic types of mobile applications, namely, Native apps, Web apps and hybrid apps. Native apps: Developers develop the Native apps exclusively for a single mobile OS. For example, apps built for iOS will work only on iOS devices. Similarly, apps developed for Android, Windows phone, Symbian or Blackberry respectively, cannot be used on other platforms.  Web Apps: These are server-based apps, which will allow a user to access websites on their mobile devices using internet browsers and connections. Usually, developers develop web apps either in HTML or JavaScript or CSS. Hybrid Apps: Hybrid apps are known for their cross-platform compatibility. As their name suggests, these apps are a hybrid, having the pros and cons of both native and web applications. These apps are easy to develop but lack in performance and speed compared to native and web apps.Why do we need mobile apps testing?QA has become an integral part of almost all digital products. In case of mobile app development, QA is more critical. Overlooking mobile apps testing and QA, in the development process will result in breaks, bugs, errors and in worst-case scenario, a bad customer experience. Delivering a high-quality mobile app in a given time frame is possible only through continuous & rigorous testing. As the market is very fragmented, Mobile application testing became very intricate. Quality is the key to app success.  Ensuring the quality can be possible only when we perform mobile app testing on multiple devices, networks, operating systems and in different environments. Therefore, performing comprehensive testing on a Mobile app helps us in delivering high quality app, as the process involves testing functionality, usability and consistency.How a mobile app differs from a desktop app?Usually, we do testing in case of desktop apps on the CPU whereas in case of mobile apps, we test apps on handsets like Samsung, iPhone, Blackberry etc., Desktops use broadband connections or Wi-Fi. But mobiles use 3G / 4G or Wi-Fi connections which makes the mobile apps testing more challenging. Also, the mobile apps should be compact in size as the mobile devices will have less memory and screen-size compared to the desktop. The automation testing tools which we use to test desktop apps might not work for the mobile apps. Availability of different operating systems, screen sizes, models and hardware configurations like touch screens, are making the testing process even more complicated. So, the testing process should be in such a way it results in the creation of highly efficient, and best in the quality mobile app and thereby you can increase no of downloads, app ratings and customer satisfaction.Types of Mobile app testing: Usability testing Compatibility testing User Interface testing Security testing Operational testing Localization testing Performance testing Installation testing Functionality testing  Recovery testing Also read : How to select the right mobile test automation toolChallenges of Mobile app testing (Infographic)Here is a graphical presentation of common challenges we face while testing mobile applications Bookmark and keep visiting our blog to learn more about software testing."

"The art of testing software applications is progressing rapidly. Within the blink of an eye, time flies. Technology? Growth is the watchword. Everyday someone or the other is creating something. But when you look at it only very few of the creation Is being recognized. Why is that? People show interest in other creation only when they can relate it to their life, only when they have a necessity for the new product. And only when the product is really worth the use. Here the product we talk about is the software. While developing the product, there is an imperative step that has to be given equal attention as developing the software is testing the software. The business of the product suffers if software testing is not done properly. Here are some keen things to keep in mind before you start testing software applications. 1. There is no such test called a failure : We all know the words Thomas Alva Edison said when his test case for his greatest invention the electric bulb. “ I have not failed, I just found 10000 ways that won't work to light an electric bulb.” similarly do not ignore the final test result when it says “fail”. because every failure is a stepping stone for success. Every test case provides a solution for the software to work perfectly. 2 . Test coverage:  Break down your test coverage into smaller modules. That makes your work organized. Categorize your test case in certain parts. that way you can try to reach the maximum test coverage if not 100 % 3 .Testing software application is your cardio Test your application in such a way you will find some bug. Don’t have a lethargic mind while testing. The more you test the more you find. 4 . Think out of the box Thinking out of the box is one of the good quality for a software tester. What could be the possible errors to occur ? group all the test cases into regression testing. this helps in a lot of time-saving when comes to manual regression testing. 5 . Be a responsible tester Keep track of all the changes you have made at the time of testing.  At the time of releasing the software, you need to ensure that you remove all the test changes you have made in the code for the purpose of testing. 6.  Give your software testing a SWOT analysis Prioritize your testing. Segregate the testing according to the risk. associate the priorities with high to low risk. it helps you to analyze the work more effectively and efficiently. 7. Focus on the solution, not the problem. It is common to provide a bug report which says where the problem is located. But be a good tester by saying why the problem has occurred. And give a proper reason and solution for rectifying the bug in the future. So, before you start to test a product, just remember that your mindset is as important as your effort."

"Is there anyone in the software testing world, that does not know about the upcoming new trends like AI in Software Testing? There is absolutely nobody in the tech world, who has not heard about artificial intelligence and machine learning. We are using the AI and Machine Learning in our everyday life, either consciously or unconsciously. Not sure? Do you know Siri of Apple or Amazon’s Alexa? YES!? Those are all examples of AI and ML-based applications. AI is the most potent and also the power-packed buzz word, which stands as the face of our advanced tech future. AI in software testing: Using machine learning and artificial intelligence, we can unlock the power of crucial data like project documentation, test-artifacts, defect logs, results of tests performed, production incidents, etc., With the help of AI in software testing, we can undoubtedly drive automation & innovation to improvise the QA efficiency. The improvement will be beyond our expectations when compared to traditional testing. What Does ‘AI in Software Testing’ really mean? The only process that guarantees customer satisfaction of using an application is Software Testing. Software testing helps in protecting an application against all the possible potential failures that might finally lead to a defective software product. AI Era In Software Testing Industry Has Already Begun? The complexity of Software development life cycle and the reducing delivery period are increasing at an alarming rate. Correspondingly, there is a need to provide instant feedback and evaluation to the development team. On the other hand, when the developer adds new changes to the code, the existing code, which has already gone through testing, might stop working. So, after every addition made to existing code, new tests are to be conducted for that code. Also, the Tester may always face a plethora of problems and waste a lot of time figuring out perfect solutions for all those problems. It is time for the testers to stop working harder and start working smarter. The software testers are left with no choice than to adapt and make use of AI in Software Testing and become smarter. Does AI In Software Testing Will Fuel Up The Testing Process? The ‘surface area’ of software testing has been expanded significantly. One application will interact with other application using APIs and thus will grow into a sophisticated thing day-by-day. But these complexities may not always be in a linear trend. So, the traditional methods of software development and delivery, lack of fueling innovation. Even though there is a reduction in the delivery period, the technical complexity in the software development and testing process is also increasing. 1. Testing Becomes A Smart Process It is possible for the organizations to cope up with the accelerating pace of testing through AI. Whereas, the manual testing process cannot achieve the accelerating pace, no matter how hard we try. Also, manual testing too expensive in terms of time and money we spend. And that is where the AI comes into the picture. It helps tester in writing script, analyzing large amounts of data sets, as well as sorting log files, faster. 2. Changes Can Be Identified Easily The regular updates in the algorithm of Artificial Intelligence will help testers ensure that even the smallest change made or occurred, especially in the source code, can be identified easily in no time. As a result, we can check in the source code and notify the development team if there is any failure on their side. 3. We Can Improve Accuracy Of Testing AI, when employed in the software testing, we can derive great results in terms of accuracy of the testing process. Even the most experienced tester might miss some crucial bugs and may make mistakes while carrying out the testing. It might require to conduct repetitive manual tests to remove the bugs and also to increase the test coverage. Therefore, AI helps to automate the scripts to run and execute the same steps in the same order. 4. AI Helps You Go Beyond The Manual Testing If a testing department wants to execute a controlled web application testing with more than 1000 users, it will be nearly impossible. But with the help of AI, one can stimulate thousands of interactive users throughout a network or web application. 5. AI Can Increase Overall Test Coverage AI, coupled with software testing, can increase the depth and scope of the tests. It will ultimately lead to the overall improvement of the quality of software. We can put test suit optimization, UI testing enhancement, increasing traceability, analyzing defects, prediction of the next test in order to determine pass/fail outcomes, etc., into the actual working. AI induced software testing can help us take a more in-depth look at the memory and file contents, internal programs and also the data tables. Software should behave as it is expected to behave and with this in mind, testing is performed. The Final Words: In brief, the ultimate aim of using AI in Software Testing is to make the world a better place, by making the testing process more accessible. As a result, we can create the best quality software. We can also execute thousands of test cases in every test run resulting in coverage, which is impossible to get with manual tests. We can expect the testing process to take lesser time in the coming days, because of AI in testing, . So, it saves both time & money and thus helping testers focus on making the software better."

"  Boundary Value Analysis and Equivalence Class Partitioning are the most common technique in Black-box Testing Techniques for test case design. Both are used to design test cases for validating a range of values for any given input domain. Both these techniques are used together at all levels of testing. Exhaustive testing is not possible in all cases. So, a tester should concentrate on validating at least one value from a data set to find out the possible errors, if any. WHAT IS BOUNDARY VALUE ANALYSIS? Boundary Value Analysis (BVA) is a Black-Box testing technique used to check the errors at the boundaries of an input domain. The name comes from the Boundary, which means the limits of an area. So, BVA mainly focuses on testing both valid and invalid input parameters for a given range of a software component. If (Min,MAX) is the range given for a field validation, then the boundary values come as follows: Invalid Boundary Check   { Min-1 ; Max+1 }    Valid Boundary Check   {Min; Min+1 ;Max-1;Max }     Example of Boundary Value Analysis : Requirement: Validate AGE field, which accepts values from 21-60. We verify the following Boundary Value Test cases: TC001: Validate AGE by entering  20 [ Min-1]: Invalid Boundary Check TC002: Validate AGE by entering  21 [ Min]: Valid Boundary Check TC003: Validate AGE by entering  22 [ Min+1]: Valid Boundary Check TC004: Validate AGE by entering  59 [ Max-1]: Valid Boundary Check TC005: Validate AGE by entering  60 [ Max-1]: Valid Boundary Check TC006: Validate AGE by entering  61[ Max+1]: Invalid Boundary Check The main advantage of Boundary Value Analysis is that the testing time is less as the tester will analyze the data only at the boundaries.  Since this technique cannot concentrate on the errors that exist in the center of the input domain, it is always advisable to use BVA with a combination of Equivalence Class Partitioning. EQUIVALENCE CLASS PARTITIONING (ECP) :  Unlike Boundary Value Analysis, in Equivalence Class Partitioning, the input domain values are partitioned into equivalent classes. It validates at least one value from each partition. So, the test cases are designed to cover at least one set of data from each equivalent class. Thus, it reduces the number of test cases. In other words, ECP concentrates on the possible errors at the center of the input domain instead of the boundaries. Example: An online pharmacy website has the following offers for its customers. If the cost of the medicines is  $1 – $25, then a 0% discount If the cost of the medicines is $26 – $ 50, then a 5% discount. 10% discount  if the cost is $51 – $100. A 15% discount, if the price is more than $ 100.    Here, the Equivalence Classes divides the following into valid/invalid cases.   Equivalence Classes Input Value Valid/Invalid x  <   $1 0.05 INVALID $1   <= x <=   $25 20 VALID $26   <= x <=   $50 35 VALID $51  <= x <=   $100 78 VALID x  >  $100 150 VALID  "

"Though the importance of online privacy and security of data has been instilled in us often, most individuals have given a deaf ear to it. In a  country like the U.S, cyber fraud is one of the fastest-growing scams in the category of crime. Do you think that dumping your PC with cookies and installing anti-virus software makes your data entirely secure? No. Nowadays, it has become a common practice for individuals to store their data and card details on various websites. This makes the usage on such websites more accessible and quicker. While some websites store their customer’s data on a highly secure platform, there exist a lot of sites from which data can be easily hacked. On the other hand, some websites misuse the data by selling it to third parties. We give our details/payment details on sites without knowing whether it is safe or not, and it ends up getting misused. Now more than ever, as our lifestyle and day to day routine work grow exponentially with the Internet and technology, We need to take personal action to protect our online freedom.  MEASURES TO PROTECT ONLINE PRIVACY AND SECURITY OF DATA: Online privacy and security is not only a matter of serious concern for individuals but companies as well. Cybersecurity helps the business to build trust among their clients and employees. It has been one of the strategies in building the reputation in the market and also spreading the awareness of minimizing the cyber risk and maximizing customer’s trust. Here are some of the measures and tips to protect your business and its data. 1. Protect it while you Collect it: While individuals should do proper research about a company before giving their details on its website, it is essential for the companies to have a highly secure database so that individuals trust them in giving their details. This also helps companies to increase their customer base. 2. Keep track of your data Companies should restrict customer data access to a few employees as this can help in easily monitoring the utilization of such data, thus preventing any form of misuse. 3. Never fail to think from the hacker’s shoe Every company should also analyze various ways by which their data can be hacked and should devise a solution for each issue . The company should always be cautious and store the data with enough layers of protection 4. Dont underestimate the power of a common threat: Many start-up businesses fail to realize that they are the most targeted ones by hackers. A survey shows that 85% of the grooming businesses don’t pay much attention to cybercrimes. They think that hackers mainly attack the large companies as the small businesses don’t have any valuable information and they end up compromising on having a secure platform for the data, thus losing hundreds and thousands of dollars to cybercriminals. 5. SET up a firewall: ‘The easier it is to crack the data, the more danger you are in.’ Spam filters will weed out malware and phishing scams — many of which are aimed directly at businesses — keeping your email safer and easier to use. Employ a firewall to keep criminals out and sensitive data in. 6. Earn your stakeholder’s confidence You should give an assurance to your people that they are in a secure environment, That their personal information is not disclosed in anyways to outsiders. You can also mention the procedures and precautions you use to protect the data at the time of joining the work. This helps your organization to gain confidence from employees and trust from your customers. 7. Scan all the devices: Before you insert any new tool, be it USB or a Pendrive, make sure it doesn’t have any virus. Scan the device before you use them, else, even a protection software cannot stop a virus from entering your system 8. Updating is significant: Do you know why it is difficult to hack an ios device? Because it updates to a new version frequently and each version keeps fixing all possible bugs and errors and also brings an add on a security feature Similarly, it is our responsibility to upgrade to the latest version of the anti-virus software we use and never procrastinate such upgrading. This is because, the more layer you add in protecting your privacy, the more distant you are from the attackers. 9. Online privacy and security on all devices Devices like smartphones, tablets, laptops contain sensitive information. These are the devices that most of the standard companies and employees use at their workplace. In case this device is stolen or lost; the rightful owner should make sure that the information, which is in the device is immediately deleted since all files are stored on the cloud and can be accessed from anywhere. This will prevent such information from being misused in the hands of the wrong people. 10. Educate your employees : Mostly Employees handle the data of the customers. Many organization provides a separate laptop to its employees. So it is the employees’ responsibility to complain about any issue with the device they are handling. Conclusion Individual online data privacy has been a matter of public concern over the last decade. The phenomenal growth of the Internet has spawned several new concerns about protecting the privacy of individuals. It is a shared responsibility to protect internet privacy. As we all know, Online data breaches are not something new to us. But in recent times the damage it causes, and the risk of reaching us in increased drastically. Security and privacy both are important for every individual. Fifteen years ago, all the IT teams of the company started inoculating anti-virus software on our desktop computers. Now the battle has shifted to the cloud, and we have to begin walling off our digital communications, much of which is now mobile. The more people that inoculate themselves from malware, spear-phishing attacks, or hacker intrusions, the safer we all are. Moreover, I believe that we’ll see more companies become proactive about improving customer trust and transparency around cybersecurity and data protection, aiming to minimize the “soft” costs of breaches that, in today’s security environment, are inevitable."

"Want to know what a bug or a defect life cycle is? Did you find it difficult to understand? Here we are to simplify it for you. “Don’t fix bugs later; fix them now.” – Steve Maguire That’s so true. We should not wait to fix a bug. But to fix and close a bug, you need to understand the basic lifecycle of a bug. To close a bug, it must have been through all the stages of the lifecycle. But What exactly is a Defect and a Bug? The defect is a variation caused between the actual results and the expected results. A bug is an abnormal behavior of the software. A bug starts when the defect is found and ends with it’s closure. Closure of the defect is done after ensuring that the defect is not reproduced.   What is a Defect Life Cycle (DLC)? Another name of the DLC is ‘Bug Life Cycle’. The Cycle represents a journey or a set of stages that a defect goes through. It starts right from the identification of a defect and till the closure. The number of stages of a bug life cycle is not consistent across all organizations. It varies from company to company, and also from project to project, depending on various other factors like policies, the model used in the software development process (e.g.: Agile), Timelines, Structure of the Team etc., The software defect life cycle is also governed by the software testing process that is being followed and the defect tracking tool the organization is using. Defect Life Cycle or A Bug Life Cycle – Diagrammatic Representation The following diagrammatic representation shows us the various stages of an extensive Bug life cycle. STAGES OF DEFECT LIFE CYCLE The following are the various stages of a defect/bug life cycle: New: When a tester identifies, logs, and posts a new bug for the very first time; The status will be recorded as ‘NEW.’ Assigned: Once the bug is logged and posted by the tester, the team-lead of the testers will approve and assign it to the developer team lead or directly to the developer who owns the functionality of the defect. If the bug is assigned to the developer team lead or a dev lead, he will then approves it and moves the defect to the developer.   Open: When the developer starts working on fixing the assigned defect, the status will be assigned as ‘OPEN.’ Fixed: When the developer makes all the necessary changes and verifies such change in code, then the status will be updated as ‘FIXED.’ Pending Retest: The fixed defects will then be available to the tester to retest. As this testing process will be pending from the tester’s end, the status will then become ‘Pending Retest.’ Retest: The tester will then retest the code, to find whether the developer fixed the defect. He then changes the status to ‘RETEST.’ Verified: Tester retests the code after the defect/bug is fixed by the developer. During the retest, if there is no bug detected in the code, then the status will be assigned as ‘VERIFIED.’ Reopen: If the bug is still present in the code even after the developer fixed it, the tester will change the status of such defect to ‘REOPEN.’ The bug will once again go through the life cycle. Closed: If the tester finds that the defect is no longer exists, then the tester will change the status to ‘CLOSED.’ Duplicate: If the defect has appeared twice, or if it parallels to the same concept of the previously raised and closed bug, the status will then become ‘DUPLICATE.’ Rejected: In case the developer opines that the defect is not a real defect, then he changes the status to ‘REJECTED.’ Deferred: If the defect/bug found is not of a high priority or is not a part of the current release, but it is expected to be fixed in the next build, then the status will be ‘Deferred.’ Not a Bug: If there is a presence of a bug/defect in the code, but it does not affect the core functionality of the software application, then the status assigned to the defect is – ‘NOT A BUG.’ Conclusion Some organizations may opt for a Simpler Life Cycle, which may not contain all the stages. Are we clear? Do you have more doubts? Drop us a comment or a mail to know more."

"Black-box Testing is a software testing technique performed usually without the knowledge of internal coding OR the structure of the Application Under Test (AUT). Black-box testing is also known as Behavioral Testing and these tests are both Functional and Non-Functional. We can use Black-box Testing Techniques in the following test levels. Unit Testing Integration Testing System Testing Acceptance Testing Black-Box Testing Techniques This type of testing is usually performed by the QA Team. The following Techniques are used by the testers to design the test cases. Error Guessing Boundary Value Analysis Equivalence Partitioning Decision Table Testing State Transition Testing Graph-based Testing Comparison Testing Error Guessing:   Error Guessing is an intuitive and also an ad-hoc test case design technique based on the tester’s experience, intuition, previous defects, etc., So, we design the test cases, based on the tester’s experience and thinking capability i.e the tester should guess the scenarios that the developer might miss in the coding part. Error Guessing has no specific rules. But, there is a possibility to uncover some major defects which we may miss during the formal testing process. Example: Here is an example of Error Guessing. Suppose, we have to validate a newly added text box in the application screen. Here, the requirement specification is “The text box should accept only two-digit numeric values.” The tester can come up with the following test cases based on the Error Guessing Black-box Testing Technique. In the above example, the tester is validating the field in all possible ways, to ensure that they have inserted the text box field properly, based on the specification. Here, the tester does not have any idea about the back-end coding part, but, still, he is able to verify the code by entering different combinations of the input data, thereby assuring a proper validation of the given requirement. Please follow our blog to see the other black box testing techniques with a detailed explanation as well as examples."

"Do you know that there are pitfalls of software testing which fail the entire software testing process? Here are the most common pitfalls that many professional software testers are succumbed to. Software Testing is the last line of defense to detect defects in software and also to remove them before the release. A Tester invests a lot of time in projects to make a product the best of its kind. Numerous reports of software problems have proven that regardless of the efforts of testers, testing often fails in practice. This is due to the ignorance of some pitfalls of software testing. According to recent reports, a significant share of software engineering research is dedicated to software testing. Testing typically identifies only 25%-50% of defects during the process. This is why most of the delivered software products are with hundreds and thousands of residual defects. So, testers should look out for the most common pitfalls of testing and avoid them. There is still a great potential to improve software testing in practice. Follow our blog for more tips for software testing. Also, check our latest blog post on cybersecurity awareness. Next week, we are going to post another exciting piece of content. So, stay tuned!"

"Why Automation Testing is the best?     Software testing and quality assurance teams struggle a lot to deliver the best quality software products. But the software when reaches the end-user will still have some defects. What is Automation Testing? Automation Testing is a software testing technique, used to check whether actual results of the product are matching with expected results. In this technique, test engineers will use a tool to execute test case suite. Why You Should Migrate? Software testers sit in front of computers for hours to carefully execute all the test cases manually. Testers will go through all the application windows, trying all the possible input combinations. They will compare the actual results with expected results and records their observations. Manual testers will repeat those steps often so that they can find any changes in code that might have occurred. Automation Testing Tools will help testers to record, and playback pre-recorded actions & finally generate a report. Once the test cases are created, they can be repeated and can also be extended to any other similar project. We, at QA on Cloud, provide various Testing services which are reliable and reasonably priced. Hire a Tester today! Talk to our team to get more details."

"Software glitch !!! The most familiar word we hear every day in today’s broad digital landscape. Software glitches, data breaches, and system breakdowns are the nightmares of every global enterprise in the digital world. Software glitches happen all the time, which threatens and puts the brand value of a global enterprise in danger. So, avoiding software errors is very necessary to produce the best quality software and to satisfy end-users. Global companies became much more proactive than before and looking out to secure their applications as well as their client's confidential data.Recent reports showed that more than a billion people became victims of the software glitches across various industries and domains. The Global average cost of a data breach for 2019 is $3.92 million, which is 1.5 per cent more when compared to 2018. Therefore, we need to avoid the occurrence of these breaches and glitches before it hits the market. Software testing can reduce the occurrence of these Glitches and thereby ensures that the best quality has been shipped to the market. What Are Software Glitches? The term ‘Software Glitch’ was first defined in 1965 by an astronaut John Glenn and his team. It refers to “the failure of a program, to complete its functions or to perform a set of functions properly.”  Wikipedia defines ‘Glitch’ as “A short-lived fault in a system such as a transient fault that corrects itself, making it difficult to troubleshoot. Fixing most of these glitches is possible in the earlier stages. But finding Some glitches is too difficult. We can find them when it is too late or after the occurrence of enormous collateral damage. But, Avoiding these glitches is possible through rigorous testing procedures before the application hit the market. Here are the top 5 software glitches of the software industry, which throws a light on the importance and significance of testing. Top Software Glitches & Breaches which could be avoided with Testing We must give more importance to Software Testing and Quality Assurance in the software development process. We have to carefully craft strategies and plans related to Software Testing, so as to find the glitches in the software. 1. Software Glitches in Fiat Chrysler – January 2018 A small software glitch made Fiat Chrysler Automobiles recall 162,000Chrysler Pacifica Minivans, a model which was released back in 2017. A tragic accident happened in 2017, resulting in a crash death and 2 injuries.It was reported that the software glitch caused the vehicles to stall abruptly and temporarily disable the side airbags steering, that resulted in the accident. The software glitch caused the engine control module to compromise, which resulted in a sudden drop. Above all, the automobile sector is a sector where continuous testing is very important and mandatory as it is highly life-sensitive. The software should be continuously tested and upgraded in real-time. Therefore, Strategic QA and testing must be implemented to avoid situations like this. 2. Welsh NHS IT Failure – January 2018 A software glitch in NHS computer systems left doctors unable to access patient’s crucial data like contact details, major health reports, including blood tests, and also X-rays. Later, the Welsh department of health and social services revealed that the problem was due to system failure in two data centers.Due to this, the staff was unable to contact the patients for shuffling their appointments. This software glitch has undoubtedly created a significant disruption.Conducting continuous testing to check the flaws, and to upgrade the software, can help us in avoiding situations like this. 3. Canva Security Breach- May 2019 The Australian tech company and designer’s favorite online tool, ‘Canva’ too suffered from a data breach. This incident took place on May 24, 2019. Data related to 139 million users has fallen into the hands of hackers.After that, Canva Reported that the hackers accessed some crucial user information like usernames, names, email addresses, country, passwords, etc.,Certainly, for companies like Canva, securing sensitive user data using encryption methods should be of high priority. But what’s more important is to check the system and applications for any vulnerabilities.A better security testing strategy to safeguard critical data and to ensure a robust backup is very important for all kinds of institutions and organizations. security testing and network penetration testing helps organizations to find out all kinds of vulnerabilities in the system. 4. Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp Crash – July 2019. Communication apps, namely, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram, experienced a significant downtime which lasted for more than 15 hours in the first week of July. More than 80% of users took to Twitter complaining about not being able to log in, load, send, and receive content via WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter. A technical glitch in WhatsApp, Insta, and Fb, led to an outage, which in turn led to the inconvenience among millions of users. Testing and Quality Assurance (QA), is an integral part of Mobile app development. Ignorance of the critical nature of mobile app leads to the presence of bugs in the software. Therefore, executing mobile app testing procedures like load testing, performance testing, and functionality testing should be conducted to avoid embarrassing problems. 5. British Airways IT System Glitch (airways) – August 2019 We can assure you that your customers will be unsatisfied if they find glitches in your software. Especially if you own airline business. British Airways’ system glitch forced tens of thousands of users to cancel their tickets during the busiest month of August 2019. Nearly 90 short-haul flights got canceled across Europe, and the UK, due to this computer glitch. This problem had also affected the mobile app of British airlines. Functional testing and continuous testing are critical. High traffic businesses like airlines, need to carry out continuous testing procedures and integration to experience seamless and smooth operations. Final Words To sum up, in this software world, delivering the best quality and increase brand value. That is why at QA on Cloud, we want to help you deliver quality software that your end-users would love. We provide various testing services to identify errors, glitches, and also bugs as quickly as possible. Our Team of testers have expertise in conducting various testing procedures using tools based on your requirements. We might not save the world, but hopefully, we’ll save you a bit of your time.To read more about our Software Testing and QA services, check out our services page. Talk to our experts today."

"Are you aware of the most common principles of software testing?Software Testing = Quality + Reliability.In the last decade, the software field is growing very rapidly. The users have become more demanding and faster applications are being sought. While businesses invest a lot of time and money on developing such software, they refuse to invest on its testing. This can have minor to major repercussions. During the development phase, a software can have umpteen number of risks. Why not mitigate the known risks through software testing? SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF SOFTWARE TESTING Testing is an integral part of software development as it ensures a bug-free application. It gives an assurance to the user about the software quality. If this process is skipped, it might lead to huge problems in the future because even a small bug can provide access to the hacker to steal all the important data. Hence, it is necessary to remove all the bugs from an application before delivering it to the user. And to do that you need to understand some basic principles of software testing.There are different ways to perform the software testing. But a software tester should choose the exact strategy and method so that we can achieve optimum test results. A well crafted strategy involves a set of principles and practices. we have to follow them without any fail. Talk to our experts today, to know how we do testing and what process and principles we are following."

"The most important question people ask, “Is the salary of a software tester, same as that of a software developer?” The world is transforming continuously. The demand for digital products is also very high. Software testing and development are the only industries, people would love to know because of the rising demand for testers and developers in the market.   SALARY OF A SOFTWARE TESTER AND A SOFTWARE DEVELOPER Some of the most important questions we hear from the people are as follows: A tester or a developer? What should I become? How will my career be in IT industry as a tester? Why should I choose QA or software testing industry? How will I become a Good Tester?Is it true that ‘the testing is only for Non-technical people’ and ‘Testers don’t need much skills as Developer do’? Will I get enough Recognition as a Tester? But don’t panic! We are going to answer all these questions right here and will also discuss the salary of a software tester and a developer! Do you know the difference between software development and software testing?   SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT: According to the Wikipedia, ‘Software development’ is a process of conceiving, specifying, designing, programming, documenting, testing, and additional bug fixes in creating and maintaining applications, frameworks, or other software components. In short, software development refers to activities involving computer programming. It also includes conducting research, developing, prototyping, modifying, engineering, re-engineering, and maintenance, which are necessary to manifest a software product. WHO IS A SOFTWARE DEVELOPER? A Software Developer is a person who will analyze, design, create, maintain and finally, upgrade programs for users across many platforms like a computer, mobile, laptop, tablet, etc.   Types of software developers: There are two types of software developers, namely, Application Software Developers and System Software Developers. Application Software Developers are the developers who design custom software products for both businesses as well as for the other end user. The System Software Developers are the persons who develop the system which takes care of the basic functioning and also the performance of computers. E.g., Computers run on Operating Systems. These operating systems are known as system software. System Software Developers will build an interface and thus allows users to interact with other computers. SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS OF A SOFTWARE DEVELOPER: To become a software developer the person should have the following qualifications: He/She should additionally possess a bachelor degree or masters in computer science or software engineering or in any other field. Should have strong analytical, communication, and also problem-solving skills. Finally, he/she should be creative, innovative, and expert in database management, program testing & other related software. SOFTWARE TESTING: Software testing, on the other hand, is a process of making software free from bugs and errors and thus making it better before releasing the product to the end-user. In other words, software testing is a set of activities performed with the intent of finding errors in the software. Software testing, on the other hand, is a process of making software free from bugs and errors and thus making it better before releasing the product to the end-user. In other words, software testing is a set of activities performed with the intent of finding errors in the software. Software, once created and ready to release for the end users, will be tested with the requirements with an intention of finding bugs. The ultimate goal of software testing is to detect errors and bugs and also to verify whether the software is performing as per the specifications. In other words, testing is a process done through operating the software under a controlled environment, to check whether the actual results of the software, match with the expected results WHO IS A SOFTWARE TESTER? Software tester tests the software products. Tester’s job is to run a software, analyze it and also to find errors and bugs in the software through various techniques. Thus, testers are responsible to check whether the code, written by the developers is working as it is intended to. Software tester tests the software products the developers have created. Tester’s most important job is to run a software, analyze it and find errors & bugs in the software through various techniques. So, Testers are responsible to check whether the code, written by the developers is working as it is intended to. QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS REQUIRED TO BECOME A SOFTWARE TESTER Generally, there is a myth that software tester need not have any qualification to test the software. But that is not true. To become a pro Software Tester you need to do some certifications and also should satisfy the following requirements: Should have a bachelor degree either in computer science or mathematics or engineering or in any other related field. He /she must have expertise on UNIX, Linux or Windows. Should be an excellent communicator, be it either verbal or non-verbal . Furthermore, he/she should also be able to perform multiple tasks in less time. He/she should know programming languages such as Java, JavaScript, C#, C++, Python, etc. COMPARISON: SALARY OF A SOFTWARE TESTER VS THE SALARY OF A SOFTWARE DEVELOPER The salary of a Software Tester and a Software developer differs from person to person, country to country and also from a company to company. The average compensation includes bonus, incentives, overtime, and other allowances. AVERAGE SALARY OF A SOFTWARE DEVELOPER: The average annual salary of a software developer based on the experience is as follows: (source: www.payscale.com)     source : www.payscale.com Experience of 0-5 years – average salary- $67,000 5-10 years – average salary – $ 80,000 10-20 years – average salary – $ 90,000 Experience > 20 years – average salary – $ 97,000. We can observe a positive trend in salary with growing experience. A software developer should have java, C++ programming language, and javascript, to get paid above the average. Skills like SQL and C# language are also in demand, but compared to the above-mentioned skills, these pay less than the market rate. AVERAGE SALARY OF A SOFTWARE TESTER: The average annual salary of a software tester based on experience is as follows: (source:www.payscale.com).   Experience of 0-5 years – average salary- $47,000 5-10 years – average salary – $ 68,000 10-20 years – average salary – $ 75,000 > 20 years – average salary – $ 82,000. With the increase in the numbers of years of experience, the average salary is also increasing. By comparing the average salary of a Software Developer and the average salary of a Software Tester, we can see that the developers are earning little more when compared to Testers.   Conclusion: But some testers are earning more than what a developer with similar experience is making. A Software Tester should acquire negotiation skills along with the certifications in order to get pay higher than the market average. ]"

"Cybersecurity awareness promotes the basic understanding of cyber crimes, cyber threats, and cyber risks. It informs citizens about the best practices and proactive measures when confronted with cyber risks.The internet is like a busy road with lots of traffic moving in all directions. This traffic is called data. The games, videos, cartoons, emails travel all over the internet as data. While the internet seems spectacular from the outside, it has many unknowns on the inside. It is important to use it very carefully to stay safe. Our generation lives on the internet, and as a user, we generally fail to understand that some people work hard to secure our data. Technology is advancing, and so is the cybercrime. If you work on the computer, you should also be aware of the basic cybersecurity techniques. Here, we try to bring in some basic understanding of the cybersecurity for an amateur.   WHAT IS CYBERSECURITY: We have physical security like locks, fences, and police officers to minimize crime in the real world. Similarly, we need Cyber Security to reduce crime and harm in the virtual world. Cybersecurity specifically focuses on securing computer systems and their components like hardware, software, and other essential data, which should be inaccessible for unauthorized users. Cyber Security protects the data and acts like a saviour trying to bring peace and justice to the cyber-verse. Its purpose is to defend those valuable data throughout the entire life cycle of the cyber attacks Who needs to protect their data? Whenever there is a lot of information stored on computers about people and sensitive things, it needs to be protected. The businesses, government, banking, financial, energy, manufacturing companies, educational institutions, media outlets and finally, we the people, come under a cyber risk. These industries have to secure their money, reputation, and personal details and information of them, their customers from their competitors or any outside person as such. CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS VULNERABILITY AND ATTACKS : Cybersecurity demands focus and dedication. The digital world is developing with new technology every day, and so are the threats and risks. Virtual crimes are dominating all the industries affecting the business and their employees. When a cybercriminal is trying to hack an organization, he will come up with hacking techniques that are highly effective. There are several ways an attacker might try to cause harm. Here are some scenarios of types of common attacks seen today.   MALWARE:   Malware is like a disease to your software that comes with no prediction. It comes with different methods to attack your system like a torrent of water from a firehouse.   What does this malware do?  Malware makes money off you illicitly without damaging your hardware or network equipment physically. One of the functions of the malware software is to slow down your system, that is, it reduces the speed of the operating device. You can see random ads and spam emails popping up when you are working online. Those are the malware threats.For instance, if you see your system often displaying the blue screen of death (BSOD), it is high time to protect your order.Powerful malware can encrypt your password, delete your data, hijack core computer functions, and even spy on your computer without your knowledge and permission. Adware, spyware, a virus, worms, trojans, ransomware, exploits, etc., are some of the most common forms of malware software that affects your device. PHISHING :    Phishing is a trick used on the victims to trap one’s passwords, credit card details on their own. It is the easiest and effective way of cybercrime.  The hackers pose as a trusted institution to get personal and sensitive information of an entity or a user as such. They send an email saying emergency or as an SMS text or a phone call or as a link. The social network has now become the leading site to target phishing attacks. Targeting the online payment systems has now scared the users to use the technology effectively. Though awareness of phone phishing and SMS phishing is worldwide. We fail to protect ourself from targeted attacks like spear-phishing, which costs plenty and is also a critical threat to business.  CRYPTOJACKING: How does it feel when someone takes money out of your pocket and calls it “mine”? Similarly, cryptojacking is the secret use of a computing device to mine bitcoins and other cryptocurrencies. Hackers run hidden cryptocurrency mining scripts without notice. This way of attack is comparatively easier than other methods of cyberattacks. It doesn’t require hacking knowledge or significant technical skills. Cryptojacking kits available are cost-effective. Hackers see this cyberattacks method to be cheaper, more profitable than ransomware. If your system gets heated faster, runs slow or makes noises, there is a high chance that it is affected by cryptojacking.  SQL ATTACK: A standard language used for manipulating and accessing databases is known as SQL, commonly pronounced as the sequel. SQL stands for Structured Query Language. This programming language can execute queries, as well as create new databases, insert, update, and delete records. But, it is also a prevalent form of hacking a web application. User dynamically uses stings that cause SQL injection attacks. To avoid such attacks, it is recommended to use parameterized queries or stored procedures. To exploit anyone of the SQL vulnerability, an SQL injects the attack that runs a malicious code to the SQL server.  CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS:       There are certain things that every user should know:  Getting anti-virus software up-to-date is mandatory. Closing out the browsers after each use makes the window to shut the browser. Hence, this avoids the system to run the browser in the background. Without verifying the destination, they should never click on the links and adds. Report the spam mails and pop up ads if it is recurring when working online. Do not give access to your password and personal information to anybody. Testing is necessary when the system’s speed is slow or when the fan runs fast or a lot of heat generates when the software runs. Users should conduct crypt audit and have their computers checked on a regular basis. It helps the business to protect their system. Nowadays all our work are system-based and there are a lot of cybercriminals to steal your uniqueness, so it becomes our responsibility to secure our device.  "

"Software development and testing use a straightforward concept called Requirements Traceability Matrix. Once you understand it and see the examples in this article, you will understand that the Requirements Traceability Matrix is an easy concept and you will use it effectively in your project.   The implementation of requirement traceability or the more it gets implemented in your project depends on your project lifecycle. OBJECTIVE :   People will try to come out with more and more features or requirements to a project when the project starts. The goal of the Requirements Traceability Matrix is to ensure, all new features meet the projects higher-level business requirement which in turn meet the business objectives.  WHAT IS REQUIREMENTS TRACEABILITY MATRIX : RTM’s shown as a table or a spreadsheet that maps the test cases against each requirement. It is one of the important and necessary documents in test artifacts. Just like every other test artifacts in software testing RTM also varies between project to project and company to company. Most of the organizations use just the requirement ID and the test case ID’s in the RTM. It is necessary to update the RTM whenever there is a change in requirement WHAT IS THE USE OF REQUIREMENTS TRACEABILITY MATRIX? When you look at the table we will come to know whether all the requirements have been covered by your test cases or not:  Determines whether all the requirements are being covered 100% or not. Easy to determine the impacted test cases for regression.  Prevents us from missing any functional requirement.  Helps us to identify the importance of a particular requirement based on the mapping table.  Can be used as a tracker in case of requirement changes. Makes our life easy when we are going over the test case review. TYPES OF REQUIREMENTS TRACEABILITY MATRIX Requirement ID and the test case ID is used by most of the organizations in the RTM. It is essential to update the RTM whenever there is a change in the requirement. 1. FORWARD TRACEABILITY: Forward traceability is mapping requirements to test cases. It ensures that the project progresses in the decided direction. It makes sure that each requirement is testing thoroughly. 2. BACKWARD OR REVERSE TRACEABILITY: Backward or Reverse Traceability Matrix is mapping test cases to requirements. It ensures whether the current product remains on the right track. It also makes sure that we are not expanding the scope of the project by adding other functionality that is not specified in the requirements.  3. BI-DIRECTIONAL TRACEABILITY: Bi-directional Traceability Matrix is mapping requirements to test cases and test cases to requirements. It ensures that all the specified requirements have appropriate test cases and vice verse. It is the combination of both the forward and backward traceability. EXAMPLE : In the below table,  Req1, Req2, etc., are the requirements of a project. But many organisation gives other names according to your software requirement specification like 1.1 or 1.0.1. You can have anything as a requirement ID. Every requirement will have a unique ID. Similarly, for test cases also. Each test case has a different ID. It can be TC001, TC002, etc. Here, the test case has several requirements to be tested. The above example requirement  REQ1 has two test cases – TC001, TC004  REQ2 has  two test cases – TC001, TC003 REQ3 has four test cases – TC001, TC003, TC004, TC005 REQ4 has only one test case – TC004 REQ5 has three test cases – TC002, TC003, TC004., and so on.   CONCLUSION: RTM indicates the relationship between each requirement and each test case. It is a many to many relationships. Which means one requirement may not be covered by a single test case. It may take one or more test cases to test that requirement. PRO TIP: RTM implementation should be a priority in every project. If not, then you will end up with the chaos, having multiple requirements and numerous test cases if not then, you have to go through every test case and requirements to figure out the relationship, which consumes a lot of time. So, it is necessary to create RTM as early as possible in a project. Requirements Traceability Matrix is just a summary of the relationship between requirements and test cases. RTM cannot have any texts. It should be in the ID."

"​ TOM DEMARCO says, “ you can’t control what you can”t measure.” Test artifacts are a set of documents, which the tester of a software project gets during the software testing life cycle (SDLC / STLC). It is to monitor and also to control the process and product. It helps to drive the project towards the planned goals without any deviation. DIFFERENT TEST ARTIFACTS IN SOFTWARE TESTING : There are different kinds of test artifacts. Not all the software products will go through every process mentioned below. The following are a set of test deliverables that are commonly prepared during the process of software testing. TEST STRATEGY : The first or foremost step in test artifacts is to design a strategy. Test strategy explains the way the testing should happen. It gives a set of guidelines on how to determine the scope, documentation formats, test process, and client communication strategy. Once the strategy is set, the test manager decides on what module to test. Only after the preparation of the test strategy document, the testers can proceed with other artifacts and testing process. The test strategy should be standard throughout the process. The tester needs to make sure they are working according to the planned approach. TEST PLAN : “To plan is to act.” A test plan is a detailed document that outlines the test strategy, testing objectives, resources required for testing, test schedule and test deliverables. Test planning describes the scope, scheduled in the test activities. It also allocates the task for each test environment. It measures the amount of risk involved in the process. Test plan contains the test ID, the features to be tested, the entry and exit criteria and then the type of testing. TEST CASE: When you need to execute a particular function or a feature in the software application, we require test cases. We give a set of conditions to each test cases, and the tester determines if the input satisfies the defined objective in software testing. In general, the QA team is responsible to write the Test cases. The Test cases will examine the expected and actual result and gives a pass or fail status at the time of execution. These test cases usually contain the title, description, test steps, expected result, and actual result. It is essential to write the test cases as it has a significant impact on the testing phase. Let us look at some places where we can use the test case. TEST CASE  1: To check results on entering valid user ID and password. TEST CASE  2: Checking results on entering the invalid user ID and password TEST CASE  3: To check whether the login button works without entering the login ID. TEST CASE  4: Try to log in without providing any password and check the response. TEST DATA: It plays a crucial role while doing actual testing. It contains both positive and negative data to perform positive/negative testing. We work on the test data in database or .xls or .csv file or any other format and use that while doing testing. Most of the companies get real-time historical data from the client and use it while testing. REQUIREMENT TRACEABILITY MATRIX:   It is a document which ensures that every requirement has a test case. We write test cases taking the requirements as the basis and then we execute those test cases. If we write the test cases regardless of the test environment, then we cannot test specific features which might have some bugs associated with it. To ensure that we cover all the requirements, we write the traceability matrix. The requirement matrix changes from company to company and project to project.   TEST COVERAGE MATRIX: Test coverage assures the quality of the test. It benefits you in preventing defect leakage. Gaps in requirements, test cases, defects at the unit level and code level can be found easily. We can accomplish it by transforming the ad-hoc defects into executable test cases. TEST SCRIPTS: To achieve the objective of each test case you would write a test script. A test script is writing a set of chronological steps to validate a test case. We use a programming language like JavaScript, Perl, Python, Ruby, Tcl, Unix Shell Script, VBScript and others for Automation testing. Sometimes we write scripts in human language which is used mostly in manual testing. TEST LOG: After executing the test case we have to report in the Test Log document. It consists of percent of test case pass criteria and percent of test case fail criteria. In addition, this criterion is useful in exit criteria to take the decision of whether we have to stop testing or not. In other words, Test Log is a repository to store pass/fail test cases. DEFECT REPORT: The tester identifies the defect and creates a defect report to state the problem as clearly as possible so that the developers can replicate the defect easily and fix it. The document contains the products name, test Id, the project release version, the summary, the results, remarks, the defect severity, defect priority, etc. The report also mentions the testers name and details to report the defect effectively. TEST CLOSURE REPORTS: This is the final document in test artifacts. This document gives a consolidated version of the software testing life cycle. It the report on the testing activities. The benefit of this report is to communicate the system status to the stakeholders about the project and the team. The testing team discuss and analyze the artifacts and evaluate the test cycle completion criteria. It identifies strategies that have to be implemented in the future. The entry criteria in this phase are test case execution report, opened and closed test defect reports. The exit criteria are the test closure reports signed up by the client and test metrics. Click edit button to change this text. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo. Some important activities in this phase: Evaluate test cycle completion criteria Prepare test metrics Documentation of the learning from the project Prepare test closure report Deliverables in this phase : Test closure report and Test metrics."

"Do you think getting a software testing certifications is necessary? Let us know why it is really needed to get certified. After that, we will see different types of software testing certifications.  Every newbie who wants to kick-start their software testing career will have one dream in common.  That is to become a Professional Software Tester.  However, to survive in this competitive career, you not only should possess characteristics of a software tester. You should also show some distinct skills.  Software quality Assurance Certifications will help you stand out of the crowd. This in turn can help you get a job with higher remuneration. But, remember!  Getting a software testing certification benefits you only when such certification is recognized internationally.  Also, there is a massive demand for software testers with certifications. Your question of ‘Certification or No certification?’ is going to be answered here. So, keep reading until the end. WHY DO WE NEED SOFTWARE TESTING CERTIFICATION? If you are looking for growth in your career or looking for new opportunities, then do some software testing certifications. Getting a certification is the only way through which you could differentiate yourself from the rest of the crowd. Your certificate stands as proof of your technical ability, skills, and expertise. Consequently, the possibility of an employer selecting your resume in the initial stages of screening is higher. He will also consider you as an essential asset of the organization. Also, there is a possibility of getting higher pay compared to those without certification. Certification is certainly a valuable tool to gain practical skills and knowledge to bridge the gap between theoretical and practical things. To sum up, certifications can help you keep up with the new advancements to get your dream job. Which Certifications Are In Demand? If this is the question that is running in your mind now, then here is the answer you need. Here are some top software testing certifications, which have the potential to land you in your dream job. TOP SOFTWARE TESTING CERTIFICATIONS These certifications can also make you a pro software tester: 1. ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) – Foundation Level – CTFL 2. CAST (Certified Associate In Software Testing) 3. CSTE (Certified Software Testing Engineer) 4. CSTP (Certified Software Test Professional) 5. CMSQ (Certified Manager of Software Testing) 6. ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) – CTAL 7. CSQA (Certified Software Quality Analyst) 8. ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) – Expert Level BEGINNERS LEVEL : (NEWBIES TO 5-YEAR EXPERIENCE) 1. ISTQB Software Testing Certification – Foundation Level – CTFL ISTQB is one of the best software testing certifications that have a global impact. This certification also has the ability to bring you the desired recognition.  Headquarters of the ISTQB is located in Belgium. However, the ISTQB has its testing exam centers all around the world.  So, you can write this exam in your own country. If you are planning to work abroad, then this is the one for you.  This certification is a favorite of many companies in the USA as well. Eligibility: Everyone Fee: nearly$230 Exam format: 40 multiple choice questions to be answered in 60 minutes Level of Difficulty: Moderate How to apply: connect with your National or Regional Board or visit ISTQB website. More details: Click Here 2. CAST (Certified Associate In Software Testing) The Quality Assurance Institute of the US, located in Florida, provides this certification.  The CAST (Certified Associate In Software Testing) certification is one of the best certifications. If you dream of working in the USA then this is the one you should get. Eligibility: The board will send you books after a successful registration. You don’t need to take any special training. The books sent by the institute alone is enough to get a good score in the exams. Candidates who possess: 1. A 3 or 4 Year degree from an accredited college 2. A 2-year degree in college and 1-year experience in IT 3. 3-year experience in IT Fee: $100 Exam format: 100 multiple choice questions to be answered in 75 minutes Level Of Difficulty: Easy How to apply: Login or register in the customer portal and then proceed with the application. More details: Click Here INTERMEDIATE LEVEL : (6 TO 8-YEAR EXPERIENCE) 3. CSTE (Certified Software Testing Engineer) This certification is provided by the QAI (Quality Assurance Institute) of the USA, which is accepted worldwide.  Getting these software testing certifications in your collection is a must if you want to face the job competition. Eligibility:  Applicant should possess one of the following: A 4-year degree from accredited college-level institution and 2 years’ work experience in the IT field He/she Should have done a 3-year degree from accredited college-level institution and 3 years’ work experience in the IT field  Must have completed a 2-year degree from accredited college-level institution and 4 years’ work experience in the IT field Six years’ work experience in the IT field. Note: He/she must be working or have worked in the IT field within the past 18 months Fee: $350 Exam format: The CSTE examination consists of two parts of 6 questions each. The time given to answer these 12 questions is only 2 1/2 hours. The candidate must secure at least 70% on the average of both papers. Level Of Difficulty: Fairly Difficult How to apply: Candidate must register and log in to the customer portal to pay the fee. More details: Click Here 4. CSTP (Certified Software Test Professional) – Professional level Do you at least five years of experience and are looking for a better position in your career?  In that case, this certification will embellish your resume.  This certification is provided by the International Institute Of Software Testing. Eligibility: Candidates should hold an active CSTP Associate level certifications. Candidate should possess an active CTFL or CSTE Certifications. In addition to the above, The applicant should have completed four days of training as follows: Three days of training to cover 3 areas. Namely, Area #3 (Managing the Test Process), #4 (Test Execution), and #5 (Requirement Analysis and Requirement-Based Testing). At least one year experience in a software testing-related job. Also, the candidate needs to get a letter of support with the signature of the candidate’s supervisor. The letter should have a clear description of the candidate’s role and responsibilities over the past 1 year or more. Fee: $50 (USA) for the first two attempts and $100 for every retake of the exam after the second attempt. Exam format: descriptive exam in which the candidate must secure at least 80% to get the certification.Note: The certification, once awarded, is valid for three years. So, after three years, you have to retake the exam. Difficulty: Easy How to apply: Go to the CSTP site and then carry on with the registration process. More details: Click Here ADVANCE LEVEL : (8 TO 11-YEAR EXPERIENCE) 5. CMST (Certified Manager of Software Testing) This certification is considered a worldwide standard for the assessment of skills, competencies, and capabilities of a tester. That is why it has a huge demand. ELIGIBILITY: Each applicant must: A. Hold an active CSQA Certification (recommended, but not required). B. Should be working in the field related to the certification designation. AND should satisfy any ONE of the three conditions: 1. A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college-level institution & 4 years experience in the software quality assurance field OR 2. An associate degree & 6 years experience in the software quality assurance field OR 3. Eight years of experience in the software quality assurance field. Fee: $450 Exam format: The examination consists of two parts of 6 questions each. And the time given to answer these 12 questions is 2 1/2 hours. The candidate must secure at least 70% on the average of both papers. Level Of Difficulty: Fairly Difficult How to apply: register and log in to the customer portal and then proceed with payment. More details: Click Here 6.ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) – CTAL Candidates who have cleared the foundation level exam of ISTQB, can go for this advanced level certification. Getting an advanced level certification is a little complicated thing when compared to the foundation level certification. But you can do it with little effort! ELIGIBILITY: Candidates who have cleared the foundation level (CTFL). Fee: nearly $250 Exam format: The test will have three parts: Technical Test Analyst; Test Analyst and Test Manager. There will be 65 questions to be answered in 180 minutes. Candidate must pass all the three subjects to get the certification. Level of Difficulty: Fairly Difficult How to apply: Go to the ISTQB site and select your region. After that register and connect with your National or Regional Board and pay the fee. More details: Click Here EXPERT LEVEL – ( 11+ YEARS EXPERIENCE) 7. ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) – Test Manager It is the expert level exam which is being conducted worldwide by ISTQB. Have you completed the foundation and advanced levels? Do you want to expand your knowledge base?  Then this software testing certifications is a must! Eligibility:  The candidate should have completed the Foundation level certification. And should also have: Advanced certificate as per the desired expert module A minimum of 5 years of experience as a tester. At least two years of experience in the selected Expert level Fee: nearly $375 per exam Exam format: This exam will be conducted in 2 sub-modules – Assessing test process and Implementing test process improvement. The ‘Assessing test process’ module contains 25 multiple type questions in 45 minutes.  ‘Implementing Test Process Improvement’ module will have three questions. The candidate should write answers for 2 out of those three questions in 90 minutes. Level of Difficulty: Difficult How to apply: Connect with the National or Regional Board of ISTQB or visit the ISTQB website. More Details: Click Here 8. CSQA (Certified Software Quality Analyst) Getting this certification represents your expert level skills in Quality Assurance field and the IT profession.  With this quality assurance certification in your resume, you can receive the required recognition in your career.  There is also a possibility of getting placed as an advisor to the management. ELIGIBILITY: To qualify each applicant must meet ONE of four prerequisites listed below: Should have a 4-year degree from an accredited institution along with a 2-year experience in the IT field Must complete a 3-year degree from an accredited college-level institution along with three years experience in the IT field. Should have completed a 2-year degree from an accredited college-level institution & 4 years experience in the information services field. Six years of experience in the information services field. AND He/she should be working, or have worked at any time within the 18 months before the date of applying. Also, he/she should have worked or working in a field covered by the certification designation. The applicant should adhere to the Code of Ethics, which outlines the expected ethical behaviors by the ISCB. Fee: nearly $400 Exam format: The examination consists of 2 parts, which are computer-based exams.  Part-1 consists of only 100 objective type questions to be answered in 75 minutes.  Part-2 will contain 12 short answer/essay questions which are to be answered in 75 minutes. Candidate should get 70% on an average to clear the exam. Level of Difficulty: Difficult How to apply: Log in to the CSQA website and register to proceed with the fee payment. More details: Click Here   Are you still wondering how and what software testing certification is better? Feel free to drop your query in the comment section. The more you ask, the more you gain!"

"Why is the ‘Tester vs Developer battle’ never-ending? The main objectives of testing include verifying and validating the product, finding defects before release and ensuring a quality product. The developers aim at creating the product and developing it to the best of their knowledge. Similarly, the tester aims at ensuring the product design is of good quality. A mindset reflects an individual’s attitude and way of thinking for a particular issue. Before we ascertain if a developer can do testing, let us understand the underlying psychology of a software developer. Why do I have to spend additional money for software testing? Who can rectify errors better than the developer himself? Software testing is not very important. Any coders can do software testing. Software testing is an additional expense for my business. Well, I’m sure at the end of this article your queries would have been resolved. It would be possible for you to agree a tester can test the application better than the developer himself. Most of the time, the developers don’t spend their time testing the complete software. They believe that the amount of testing they do is more than enough.   TESTER VS DEVELOPER: CAN A DEVELOPER DO TESTING??? A developer’s mindset may include some of the elements of a tester’s mindset. But successful developers are often more interested in designing and building solutions than contemplating what might be wrong with those solutions. In most of the cases, the developers test their application to a certain extent. They can find errors functionally. All developers can do unit testing. Once they find the error, it is easy for them to fix the bug. But the developer finds testing the software as a strenuous job. They don’t put much effort in checking the application in depth.  They are confident enough to skip the bug without testing. According to the source, more than 50 percent of today’s software is running either with errors, bugs, faults, or defects. Any application with such an output is a failure. It means most of the software in the world is defective. Defects in a software/ an application do not sit well with users and lead to user dissatisfaction. This, in turn, results in poor goodwill and fall in reputation for the business. REASONS WHY EVERY SOFTWARE SHOULD HAVE AN INDEPENDENT TESTER When the developer runs an application, he has to ensure if the application runs similarly in other devices as well. For example, when an application is run in Windows the same application might not run in iOS.  A different set of coding might require the developer to run the same software in Windows and iOS devices. The testers break down the errors into separate parts, and then they jot down its relationship step by step.   1. FOR A DEFECT-FREE END PRODUCT: Every business, whether it is a start-up or an advanced business, will employ a developer to create software for his company. Similarly, it is essential to hire a software tester to test the application before it is used in production. 2. TO FIND ALL THE LOOPHOLES: Testers use different software tools. It makes the process of testing easy. Automation testing detects human errors quickly. The developers manually test the product, which may not work out for most of the testing types. It is always recommended to hire an individual application tester, to find all the loopholes in software. 3. TO ENSURE QUALITY: Testers are an independent third-party who will have a user perspective of the application. Most of the testers try to make the application user-friendly. They will have more in-depth analysis of software. Even a good QA team cannot guarantee a 100% bug-free software. However, an independent tester will ensure that the software is of superior quality, even if all bugs cannot be eliminated. 4. TO INCREASE CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: The developer and the tester should work towards the same goal. The end product is going to be in the hands of the user. So, the motive of the developers and testers should be to satisfy the end users. CONCLUSION: Even if you are a smart, self-proclaimed great developer, You might hate the testing process, Even though if you’re used to spending months in developing and days in coding and hours in rectifying, You need a powerhouse for your software. That powerhouse is software testing. It is necessary to understand that developers and testers are two sides of the same coin. It becomes illogical to pursue the concept of a “Tester Vs Developer” battle. If not for testing, the application might result in a failure, which puts all or most of the development process into waste. For the desired product, you may need the development process. But for a quality-assured, defect-free, satisfactory product, testing is what we need. If you are a business user or a developer and agree with this, give a thumbs up and comment below.  "

"Are you a software tester? If yes, please allow us to appreciate you for your efforts in delivering a quality product. But, do you think you possess all the characteristics of a good tester?‘DO YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A GOOD SOFTWARE TESTER?’ ‘WHAT CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD SOFTWARE TESTER DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE?’This is one of the most asked questions in interviews. One may list out their technical skills to prove that they are good at testing. But there is much more than just technical skills. We have jotted out some of the skills and characteristics of a good tester. We prepared the list after carefully observing and reviewing a couple of professional testers. So, start evaluating yourself based on this list of traits mentioned below and upgrade yourself from a NORMAL tester to a GOOD tester. Remember! You are always invited to add other characteristics of a good tester in the comment section and it’s free!Software testers are the ones whom people, as well as the software industry, believe in. They are the people who ensure the peace of mind for the end users and strive to achieve end-user satisfaction. Software testers often face hostile situations in their work due to the amount of risk involved in finding bugs. Therefore to overcome and also to prevent such situations a software tester should develop these characteristics. 1. DON’T BELIEVE – QUESTION EVERYTHING! A good software tester should always be skeptical. Don’t believe that the code which you received from the developer is bug-free and best in quality. Any Software / product can be accepted as the best in quality software / product, only when it meets the end user requirements with the quality standards. One cannot understand the business unless they ask some questions like: What are the client Requirements What are the Changes in functionality of the software How well are bug-fixes done What is the effect of fixing bug etc., 2. BE PATIENT UNTIL YOU PRODUCE QUALITY PRODUCT A good tester will be patient and never compromise on the quality. You have to love testing and should develop a passion for delivering the best quality products. You may find a bug and report it to the developer. But he may not accept the defect as he expects his code to be correct. In situations like that, the tester should be patient and communicate the defects/failures in the system, along with supporting proofs, in a constructive way. Concentrate only on providing a better end-user experience so that you can become a good tester. 3. DEVELOP ANALYTICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING Analytical and Creative Thinking is one of the most important characteristics of a good tester. Think out of the box and understand the requirements to define a clear test strategy. Every bug will have a root cause and follows certain patterns. To find the root cause, to report it and finally to make the product bug-free, you must develop analytical thinking. 4. BE PROACTIVE AND MANAGE SCHEDULES ‘Early Bird Gets The Worm’. So, always start early and be proactive. Do some research on the product so that you can understand the product well ahead. Start from analyzing requirements, and prepare test cases, plans, and strategies. Concentrate on finding the defects in the earlier stages of the testing cycle. Organize your work, manage your schedules and try to meet your deadlines. You must know how and what to prioritize before the test execution. Pro Tip: Always prioritize work based on the amount of risk involved, testing environment and requirements in the testing process. 5. WORK ON COMMUNICATION SKILLS Poor communication leads to breakdowns and affects the quality of the product. A good tester should always be able to communicate well with other programmers, test managers and customers. To do that, he must possess strong verbal and written communication skills. With exceptionally good communication skills, a tester can become a good team player, as he will be able to put across their ideas to the other party without any difficulty or shyness. 6. ‘TEST TO BREAK’ ATTITUDE IS THE KEY You must develop a test to break the attitude. With this attitude, a tester can develop a suitable test approach by pushing the software to its extremes to see where it breaks. Start with an assumption that the software is full of defects which in turn helps you to explore the depths of it. Pro tip: If you have coding experience, think of all the possible loopholes that might have in the system code. 7. HAVE A HUNGER FOR VALID BUGS The characteristics of a good tester also include the hunger for valid bugs. As a good tester, you should never give up and always explore the software to find as many valid bugs as you can. 8. PAY ATTENTION TO EVERY MINUTE DETAIL, CO-RELATE AND THEN ACT Pay attention to every small detail and try to look deeper. Keep track of all the details and relate them to the real world scenarios. Observe and then act based on the observations. This way you can generate new ideas. 9. LOOK THROUGH THE EYES OF AN END-USER Software products are developed for the end user. The end user may not be a technical person or a person who is an expert in the domain. Therefore You should know and understand them. Prepare test cases, strategies and execute testing as an actual customer. Remember! ‘Doing whatever that make the end user happy’ is the basic nature of a good tester. Because the satisfaction of the end user is the main goal of every tester. 10. HAVE A GOOD EAR FOR SUGGESTIONS A tester should not only be able to communicate well but should also have good listening skills. He should welcome suggestions and feedback to improve the quality of the product. 11. MASTER ALL THE REQUIRED TECHNICAL SKILLS AND HAVE GOOD DOMAIN KNOWLEDGE Gain technical skills according to the requirements. Learn how to use new tools in the market. Gaining knowledge in multiple domains will be an added advantage. 12. ENSURE MAXIMUM TEST COVERAGE A good tester will ensure maximum test coverage in terms of production quality, risks involved and requirement coverage. 13. DON’T STOP LEARNING The software testing industry is evolving and improving every day. Keeping that in mind, You should never stop learning new technologies and domains. A good tester will always upgrade himself with the latest improvements or changes in the industry. Upgrade yourself by doing some certifications in the market. Pro tip: Make a learning schedule and learn every day. Habituate it! SO, WHAT MORE CHARACTERISTICS OF A GOOD TESTER DO YOU HAVE ON YOUR MIND? Mention them below so that we can add them to the list. If you liked the article, Don’t forget to share this post with your friends and colleagues on social media."

"Is it really important to get services like Software Testing and Quality Assurance in the software industry? The answer is certainly ‘YES’! Do you know? On average, about 15-50 errors occur per 1000 lines of code. Software Testing and Quality Assurance can help you ensure your software or application is 99.9% bug-free. Errors became a part of our daily lives. Errors may occur in our thoughts, actions and also in the products we make. Likewise in software programming, the number of errors that could occur for every KLoC (1000 lines of code) is more thus making the product defective and useless. But we hate to incur expenses due to the occurrence of these errors. ‘To err is human’ but we say ‘To rectify/prevent is Testing/QA’. QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA) AND SOFTWARE TESTING? – WHY DO WE NEED THEM? No matter how advanced our software development process gets, we simply can’t ignore the increasing importance of QA and Software Testing. A developer tests whether an application is performing properly with the help of basic test cases. Whereas a tester tests the application as an actual end user and pushes the application to its limits to find bugs and to report it to the development team.   QUALITY ASSURANCE (QA) : Quality is a complex word to understand. But we can put it this way for better understanding. ‘Quality’ is an attribute which acts as a measure to find whether a product or service conforms to requirements. In other words, Quality means ensuring the products or services which are released for end users are free from defects, errors or any substantial variants. ‘Assurance’ is a positive declaration given by the management of the organization on a product. In other words, Assurance is a testimony stating that the software will work without any glitches and as per the expectations of the client.  QUALITY ASSURANCE (‘QA TESTING’): It refers to all those planned activities which primarily focuses on improving methodologies or processes to provide the best quality products or services to the client, with respect to functionality, design, durability & reliability of the product. QA testing gives confidence to the client through a guarantee that the product will work the way it is meant to be. In other words, Quality Assurance is a systematic process of managing the quality of the product so as to meet the expectations of the client. SOFTWARE TESTING: When an application is programmed to perform a set of functions, It is expected to work in the same way. In addition to the outcome of such functions, the quality also needs a software tester to validate it before the user gets to use the software.   Software testing ensures that the application works without any functional errors. Most of the time when an application is running, the user gets off due to these errors and faults that the software carries along. Software testers test the applications as a user to ensure it is user-friendly. Software testing is an internal process. Testing teams conduct various examinations to identify all the technical and functional errors so as to make sure that the application is error free. Firstly, it is mandatory to implement Software testing in the early stages of software development. Because the software bugs could be expensive and dangerous. TYPES OF SOFTWARE TESTING: 1. Manual testing 2. Automation testing Manual testing as the name itself says humans test the software. It requires manpower to observe the error and is user-friendly. It is best to use for minor changes in the software. Testing methods like Exploratory testing, ad-hoc testing, usability testing are the areas where manual testing is put in the best use. On the other hand, Automation testing is an advanced level of testing where the system does the work. In automation testing, the testing tools, along with testing software, and scripts will run those test cases. In the case of Regression testing, Load testing, Performance testing, and Repeated execution automation testing are put to best use. DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SOFTWARE TESTING AND QUALITY ASSURANCE: Both Quality Assurance Engineer and Software Tester aims to make software Error free. Let us see how these terms differ in a tabular form. PARTICULARS QUALITY ASSURANCE SOFTWARE TESTING MEANING All those activities that help to ensure the software conform to the specifications of the client constitute Quality Assurance (QA). A process of exploring a system to find and also to report defects in software. AIM The aim of Quality Assurance is ‘To Verify The Quality’ Whereas the aim of Software Testing is ‘To Validate The Quality’. ORIENTATION It is Process-Oriented as it focuses on improving processes used to create deliverable works. It is Product-Oriented as it involves checking the quality of the product. TYPE OF ACTIVITY It is a Proactive / Preventive activity. It is a Reactive / Corrective activity. FOCUS The primary focus is on Quality Control and assuring the quality of software. Main focus is on the Actual testing, Inspecting and finding bugs in the system. TEAMS INVOLVED The Whole Project team. Testers and testing teams WHAT THEY DO Manages software products and product life cycles Finds and reports bugs. IN SIMPLE TERMS QA helps to make sure they do the right things. Software Testing evaluates the actual results of the things done. Conclusion: QA focuses on improving the processes to deliver Quality Products to the customer while the  Software Testing focuses on ensuring the quality of a product or service so that the software becomes better. So finally we can say that both Quality Assurance (QA) and software testing go hand-in-hand and play a major role in software development and thus making a quality/bug-free product."

"Software QA testing, without a doubt, is the backbone of the SDLC process. Besides reducing risks, a comprehensive and thorough approach to testing can help you identify problems. It can effectively reduce the time to fix, the time to market, and therefore, the overall cost. Before you ship your product to the market and into the hands of the users, it is critical that you step back and objectively evaluate the effectiveness of your QA testing strategy.WHAT IS AN EFFECTIVE QA TESTING STRATEGY?For starters, an effective QA strategy is one that can be measured. The key, however, is identifying what to measure and what to ignore. Equally important, if not more so, is measuring the efficacy of the entire testing process. In this post, we look at five key indicators to evaluate if your own business’s QA testing strategy is effective.1. TEST PLANNING AND EXECUTION PRODUCTIVITYThese measures help you assess the effectiveness of your test planning and execution strategy. The test planning productivity parameter is the ratio of the number of designed test cases to the total effort for their design and documentation.Similarly, the test execution productivity is simply the ratio of the Number of Test Steps (Or test cases executed) to the Total Effort for Test Execution.An effective QA testing strategy has high Test Planning and Execution Productivity values to ensure the planning and execution of a higher number of tests per tester per unit of time.2. DEFECT LEAKAGEThe Defect Leakage metric measures the percentage of unidentified defects that occurred during System Testing (ST).In other words, this is a measure of finding errors after the deployment of software.3. ERROR DISCOVERY RATEIt is the ratio of the total number of defects found to the total number of test cases executed and measures the overall deficiencies identified per test case. The higher this number, the higher the coverage of the test case.4. DEFECT REJECTION RATE It is the ratio of total defects rejected by the development team to the total errors identified by the testing team. This metric helps us understand how well the testing team understood requirements. It also tells us how many rejected errors are due to a lack of understanding of the needs.This parameter can also be measured using the bug acceptance rate. A lower defect rejection rate, and in turn, a higher bug acceptance rate shows that the testing requirements were clearly understood and integrated into the QA testing strategy.PERCENTAGE OF AUTOMATION The more automated tests there are in place – the more likely it is that you’ll identify critical defects introduced to your software while ensuring minimal human resource overheads and manual efforts.Ideally, you can focus on improving this parameter as the QA team evolves and matures.However, a target of 20% of automated test cases is a good starting point. It is important to note here that an effective test strategy is one that automate not only the tests but also the testing process.This process of automation improves the rate of execution of the test plan while reducing the time and effort spent on regression testing.EVALUATION OF EFFECTIVENESS OF QA TESTING STRATEGYIt is necessary to define deliverables and milestones. You should be able to define your comprehensive testing plan, testing cases, and metrics for your product.It is interesting to note that a range of factors can affect these parameters. For instance, effective project management and domain expertise can ensure the achievement of test planning and execution efficiency optimally.To achieve higher error discovery rates and lower defect rejection rates, one cannot question the importance of professionals. These people are technically proficient and possess adequate domain knowledge and exposure to automate efficiently and handle unforeseen test scenarios.To increase the efficacy of the QA process, it is vital that you document and structure your strategy well. It should use tools for tracking and managing defects and for the creation and execution of test cases.HIRING AN EXPERT OUTSOURCED QA TESTING AGENCYHiring an expert outsourced QA testing agency can be a strategically important business decision so that you can focus your energies on the core product while leaving the rest to the experts.While considering an outsourced QA partner, you need to ensure that your partner has an understanding of the QA process. He should have the resources to implement an effective and comprehensive QA testing strategy to track and measure.QAOnCloud’s services are specifically to help businesses achieve goals faster while ensuring the fastest onboarding, guaranteed cost reduction, and improved product performance. Write to us to know more about our software testing services and how they can help you."

"Is it better to opt for Outsourcing Software QA Testing? Software QA testing is, without a doubt, one of the critical phases in the entire process of any software development project. The users wish to consume more and more content every day, and the businesses have to respond to this craving by constantly boosting their testing activities. As per a recent survey conducted, we require almost a quarter to half of the total cost of a software project for finding and fixing bugs. Another examination discloses that offshore vendors can save nearly three-fourths of the total in-house expenses involved in the QA and testing function. The businesses, thus need to continually scale up their QA testing strategies and consider the paradigm-shifting option of outsourcing software QA testing. IS OUTSOURCING SOFTWARE QA TESTING A COST-SAVING SOLUTION? National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released a statistic in which they said that the US-based companies spent around $60 billion on fixing defects involved in the software post-release stage. They also stated that transferring the QA and testing to a third party can save almost $20 billion. Let us take a closer look at the reasons why outsourcing software QA testing has become a vital solution for cost savings. 1. MINIMIZED OPERATING COSTS: The current economic condition has pushed the organizations to focus on the bottom line of the expenditure spectrum. Business leaders consistently focus on areas that would result in cost reduction and lessen the pressure on top-line revenues. It is also one of the surest ways for a company to get far in terms of profit creation. To incur lower operational costs, efficient business managers opt for outsourced testing professionals. These skilled experts provide the most trusted and customizable services at the most reasonable prices. They keep absorbing the high level of fluctuations arising in the software complexity and market demand and ensure timely delivery while keeping your IT budget at its minimum. 2. SAVES YOU FROM REVENUE LOSS: As soon as the software products start to reach the end-users, they begin to evaluate it informally. When the customers spot any difficulty while executing, the word about their lousy experience starts to spread fast. And then you will start losing customers, and your revenues start to plummet. The decision of outsourcing software QA testing can help organizations mitigate this problem as the method of continuous testing employed by the outsourced professionals will surely spot and correct the software anomalies and influence your bottom-line revenues. Once it becomes evident that you tested your product on all the testing parameters, the market will accept it wholeheartedly. 3. CUTTING UNNECESSARY COSTS: Smart businesses understand the importance of cost avoidance. They are aware that the problems detected during the later stages of the product development cycle tend to be more expensive. You may end up rewriting the software programs and reestablishing the entire design framework to remove the bottlenecks. You can avoid the unnecessary costs if you render your tasks to the individuals who are experts at performing extensive groundwork in QA testing. Their customized testing solutions can detect errors at the earliest and provide robust solutions to tackle all the vulnerabilities. It proves to be a significant factor in favor of outsourcing software QA testing to avoid unnecessary costs. 4. COST SAVING IN HR: Training and development of professionals for in-house software testing require resources on a substantial scale. On the other hand, outsourcing software QA and Testing play a significant role in saving the costs of investment. Since the third party is assigned to perform the functions, they are entirely responsible for the cost-cutting and benefits involved. Overall, you manage to achieve the best possible results without getting into the trouble of establishing in-house testing capabilities. 5. SAVING OF INFRASTRUCTURE COSTS: The software testing vendor takes care of the entire investment required for building sophisticated hardware and software to perform testing. This will, in turn, help the organizations easily save their infrastructure cost. Their advanced cloud-based testing methodologies are capable of being fully automated and smoothly handling all your worries.   CONCLUSION: Corporations are experiencing a lot of pressure to thrive in the harsh economic environment prevailing in today’s ecosystem. The field of outsourcing brings enormous opportunities for industries, particularly in the field of software development. You can increase product quality significantly once you transfer the QA and Testing functions to skilled third-party professionals. In addition to these factors, businesses can also be made profitable by avoiding the costs involved in post-deployment errors. So, successful outsourcing initiatives prove out to be the game changers in integrating organizational functions and eliminating budget overruns across projects."

"$3.62 billion! That’s how much an average data security breach costs a company in 2017. In today’s interconnected world of business and technology, you cannot afford to take security for granted at any stage of product development. Especially the security in QA testing! A security breach not only places an organization’s IP, technologies, and other sensitive information potentially worth thousands of dollars at risk. It also endangers the personal information of customers. In the light of compliance and regulatory requirements such as the GDPR, failure to meet data security requirements can result in penalties. And such penalties can be potentially devastating for an organization. Such security breaches can be catastrophic for any business and can severely hamper the reputation of an organization while undoing and damaging years of hard work and brand building. In this post, we discuss why security in QA testing should be on top of your business strategy. WHY SECURITY IN QA TESTING SHOULD BE GIVEN THE TOP PRIORITY IN BUSINESS STRATEGY? In a rush to get products to market, we often ignore security in the critical QA testing phase of the software development and delivery process. Quality and software security are not separate, but slightly two sides of the same coin. A defect that causes a system failure today could very well be a vulnerability exploited by an attacker tomorrow. Besides meeting functionality and performance-related benchmarks, QA testing should be comprehensively designed. The design should be in such a way that it integrates robust and rigorous security testing. THREE SIGNIFICANT FACTORS THAT IMPACT SECURITY IN QA TESTING Here are the three major factors that can either directly or indirectly impact the security aspect in QA Testing. 1. TECHNICAL INFRASTRUCTURE Your organization’s technical infrastructure can have several vulnerabilities and gaps that leave your software open to threats. Whether it is an ineffective firewall, absence of power backup or redundant access controls, you should equip your organization’s technical infrastructure to detect and handle the latest threats. 2. POLICIES AND ACCESS PRACTICES In some cases, we implement security policies that restrict access to sensitive data. It might result in the exploitation of data in malicious ways. That’s not all. While remote working may be the order of the day, this useful practice can potentially expose your QA infrastructure to security threats lurking around. In the absence of well-defined access controls like 2-factor authentication, attackers could access your software and malicious software. Organizations need to implement a security-first culture amongst employees in addition to customizing their data and security policies based on the organizational culture and nature of the business. 3. PEOPLE We often overlook the people aspect of the QA process when we think of QA testing. In the absence of a competent team that is trained to follow best security practices, and get updated with the latest security technologies, your QA process can get spoiled because of a single bad hire. Personnel in the QA team need to be vetted and hired with an increased level of scrutiny to ensure there are no data or security breaches introduced at this critical stage of software development. Unfortunately, integrating security in QA testing is not as simple as merely taking care of the above mentioned three factors. Every organization, with its unique infrastructure and associated risks, requires an in-depth analysis. This analysis also includes risk assessments, vulnerability scanning, security assessment, and penetration testing. IS USING THE SERVICES OF AN EXPERT OUTSOURCED QA TESTING AGENCY A GOOD STRATEGY? Using the services of an expert outsourced QA testing agency can be a strategically important business decision. A QA partner with a robust infrastructure and proven experience in Security testing in QA could help you prioritize security in QA testing while providing you with reports and recommendations tailored to the security needs of your business. However, this doesn’t come without its risks. In the case of outsourced QA testing, the aspect of security takes a whole new dimension. Studies show that organizations that allow third-party access are 63% more likely to experience a cybersecurity breach versus those who don’t. It brings us to an important question. What makes for a stable and secure QA testing strategy? A comprehensive QA strategy not only integrates security testing as part of the QA process but also ensures that we prioritize security at every stage of the testing process. THINGS YOU NEED TO CONSIDER IN YOUR INTERNAL QA PROCESSES Here are a few things you need to consider in your internal QA processes or while reviewing the services of an outsourced QA testing partner. 1. SECURED AND AUTHORIZED ACCESS In the context of infrastructure, we cannot understate the importance of a secured network. Reliable firewall protection and authorized remote access are two other critical factors that a QA strategy cannot afford to overlook. 2. MULTI-LEVEL VERIFICATION Authorization of any access to the code or data via multiple levels of verification-based access. 3. AUTOMATED SECURITY MEASURES You should automate the technical infrastructure with security measures like unauthorized access alerts and 2-factor based login methods, to ensure prioritized security at each stage. 4. QUALIFIED AND THOROUGHLY VETTED QA PERSONNEL A QA team, carefully vetted after security and background checks is a critical step to bolstering your security posture. Additionally, you need to ensure that the QA personnel has undergone training in the latest security practices. Such personnel should also be able to understand and detect any security lapses without any delays. Conclusion: Ensure that your partner has the understanding and the resources to implement a robust, fail-proof QA testing strategy. Whether it is an array of automated security tools or infrastructure measures, a QA testing partner should ensure there is no scope for security lapses in the QA process. Besides a thorough understanding of best security practices and their application, a competent QA organization should not only identify and assess risks but also share recommendations and remediation plans. QAOnCloud’s security testing services help you develop QA processes for your business. Write to us to know more about our software testing services. Also, know how we can implement Security QA Testing for your business."

"Outsourcing your QA testing is no longer just a way of cutting costs. For most businesses, an outsourcing QA testing is now a strategic management technique. While the lower price is part of the appeal for outsourcing, there is the advantage of raising the quality of operations. However, we should consider several factors before choosing a strategic testing partner for outsourced QA testing. 7 THINGS THAT SHOULD BE ON YOUR CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU OPT FOR OUTSOURCED QA TESTING TEAM: 1. RESEARCH: Before zeroing in on a QA company, make sure you’ve done extensive research. It also includes looking into past projects, the company’s history, and their experience in QA testing. Asking for a demo can be a great way to gauge the efficiency of your prospective partner. 2. PRICE: When the concept of outsourcing first gained popularity, it was primarily because of the cost-efficiency of the practice. However, choosing the lowest bidder for QA testing could very well be the equivalent of buying a Rolex for a tenth of the price from a hawker at 2 am. When looking into the pricing of a partner, check out the volume of their clients, and customer retention rate are good indicators of the quality of work you can expect. 3.ENGAGEMENT MODEL: Deciding whether you want to implement incremental outsourcing or total outsourcing is relatively significant. Would you want to fragment the work into more manageable projects or assign the entire project to one QA testing service? Assessing the risks that you are willing to take this decision. Most engagement models have a 30% onsite to 70% offsite ratio. 4. SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT (SLA): Clearly outlining the services that you expect your partner to provide your business is vital. Aspects such as the volume of work, delivery timelines, effectiveness, and client satisfaction are types of SLAs you should take into consideration. 5. SECURITY: From a business perspective, data security is fundamental. When choosing a service provider, ensure they have all security standards in place to prevent any breach of confidentiality. It also includes employee confidentiality contracts, non-disclosure agreements, and IP protection.   6. INNOVATION: When choosing a service provider, a partner that guide you based on current industry trends and provide a fresh perspective can help you stay ahead of the curve. 7. PEOPLE: Before finalizing a QA testing company, make enquires about the experts who will be working on your product. Experience and qualifications can give you an idea of the caliber of the individuals who will be getting the job done. Employee retention rates can also give you an idea of the quality of work you could expect. High retention rates usually mean happy employees, and happy employees say a good job. Therefore, there is no doubt that outsourcing QA testing is a great way to improve the quality of your applications. In addition to the level of efficiency of operations, a job well done can give your business a competitive advantage. CONSIDER THESE FACTORS BEFORE OPTING FOR OUTSOURCED QA TEAM"

"In this article, we are going to talk about how QA outsourcing is becoming a popular concept among various businesses. Find out why is it so essential and beneficial to your business to hire a capable team to get the job done instead of taking on the mammoth task of building an in-house QA team. The software industry is a fast-changing discipline, and the organisations are always in a rush to bring out newer and better versions of their product into a dynamic market. Every day new and disruptive technology trends and they are bound to make some of the most profound impacts. The end-user is always demanding for more and more, and thus, the companies can’t risk leaving any stone unturned. As a result, the focus on QA and software testing has increased manifold. Consequently, the costs of testing have increased as the right vision and skill set is required to implement the testing infrastructure and bring out the best possible results. In today’s scenario, the field of testing works with an omnichannel objective and has become multi-dimensional. We have to take expertise, infrastructure, skilled resources, and strategy into consideration. Opting for outsourcing software testing services is one of the essential factors ensuring significant financial and technical approaches concerning an organisation. A survey conducted by KPMG revealed that most of the game changers in the software industry prefer to outsource their performance and security testing activities from expert players. Why outsourcing QA services can prove out to be one of the best decisions for your organisation. Let’s scroll through some of the primary reasons why outsourcing QA services can prove out to be one of the best decisions for your organisation. 1. EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE QA and software testing are mainly dependent on experience as well as knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to have a well-established and accomplished testing partner. Keeping the latest trends, strategies, and best practices in mind, you should be responsible while choosing QA outsourcing software testing company. A competent testing partner can better understand emerging technologies like IoT and Cloud. 2. FLEXIBILITY IN BUSINESS Along with an efficient skill set and right resources that are available readily, flexibility is another important reason for relying on outsourcing software testing. QA and testing teams update themselves with new technology every day. They also keep their clients updated with the latest trends in technology. They can handle all the software complexities and tailor it to your business demands. QA outsourcing teams deliver amazing results despite working on strict timelines. 3. COST EFFECTIVENESS When you are entering the field of entrepreneurship, money matters to the core. You need to take care of both expenditure and savings. We require a lot of time and money for maintaining an in-house team or employing people full-time. And that is where outsourcing QA services comes to play. Apart from taking care of the financial aspects, outsourced QA service providers are specialized in managing core functions of software testing in the long run. 4. BETTER PRODUCTIVITY Some companies may treat this factor like a paradox, but QA outsourcing plays an essential role in managing productivity. The outsourced QA teams work tirelessly to detect and repair the software defects and errors in a short period, thereby making the product development process as quick as possible. It speeds up the overall process and enhances the productivity of the organisation. 5. INNOVATION The domain of QA testing requires immense groundwork and constant change to cater to the ever-changing customer requirements. Your decision of outsourcing software testing can prove beneficial for your business as the outsourced QA testing experts continuously sharpen their skills and wholeheartedly utilise innovative measures to ensure that your software works smoothly and assess its security in such a way that hackers stay miles away from it. 6. FOCUS ON CORE BUSINESSES Outsourcing, once deployed in an organisation, lets you focus on other works necessary for adding more value. While outsourced QA testing experts check the functionality of APIs in your product, you can sit back and focus on enhancing other vital metrics of your organisation and think of ways to bring some new and exciting features for your customers. 7. FREEDOM FROM RESOURCE MAINTENANCE AND TECHNOLOGY LICENSE WOES Several tools and technologies require you to pay for license fees to get access to usage and distribution. QA outsourcing helps you procure the right tools and techniques for testing without worrying about their licensing costs. Also, the maintenance and development of back-end resources become smooth when we outsource projects to an offshore IT team. QA Outsourcing software testing has proved out to be a ground-breaking decision for many organisations, and the results obtained so far reflect that it continues to be so. The expert QA agencies apply right testing metrics and ensure that your product is as per the user expectations. It is an essential functional strategy that propels business organisations towards core business strengthening and innovation. So finally, we can achieve quality outcomes and positive business results with the help of QA outsourcing providers."

"Being the best outsourced QA testing company is not merely a claim you can make. Here’s a post that details why QAonCloud has earned that title. Software testing and Quality Analysis are two of the most critical aspects of your software development process.  Timely and thorough QA testing is key to building high-quality products and services that your customers trust and love. From a business perspective, it is a quite challenging task if you don’t have the right resources and expertise on your side. Often, in-house employees may not have the time, specialised skills, training, or even the technical resources necessary for this. HOW TO FIND THE BEST OUTSOURCED QA TESTING COMPANY? Outsourcing QA testing to a specialist company can help by taking the load off your professional teams while ensuring a faster time to market for your products. Besides cutting down costs and reducing development efforts, working with a specialised global QA testing company can help improve objectivity, efficiency, and productivity for your business. ATTRIBUTES OF THE BEST OUTSOURCED TESTING COMPANY A comprehensive Service Level Agreement (SLA), strict adherence to Intellectual Property norms, and effective communication channels for continuous collaboration and communication are some of the main things to consider before you outsource QA testing. Answering the below questions will help you identify and also to select the best Outsourced QA testing company for your business. DOES THE COMPANY POSSESS RELEVANT INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE? This one’s a no-brainer. It is crucial that the QA testing provider brings with it proven industry experience and relevant expertise in technology and QA processes. Before you outsource testing, you need to see whether the company can share its experience, propose new ideas and fresh approaches. You must also get critical insights and guidance from the company, based on the latest developments in the industry. However, a vendor who can help you channel your efforts to the right areas and communicates the learnings from other global companies can dramatically improve your product. DOES IT CONTAIN THE BEST TECHNOLOGY FRAMEWORK AND PRACTICES? A prospective QA testing partner should have well laid out best practices for IP confidentiality, resource, and workflow management. Whether it is project planning, management, bug reporting, or test case documentation, you need an expert. Also, that expert should have a clearly defined technology framework and processes for complete transparency and efficiency. Your best bet is an organisation that has built on its years of valuable experience in completing projects on time. Above all, such an organisation should use well-documented best practices, methodologies, and tool-chains. Agile methods play a crucial role in software development, and we cannot ignore the importance of testing in Agile methods. Therefore, it is really important to see that your testing partner integrated agile practices into its framework or not. DOES THE COMPANY SUPPORT GLOBAL BUSINESSES AND TEAMS? One of the main benefits of outsourced testing is FLEXIBILITY, while the coordinating efforts for global businesses can be more tricky. Your outsourced QA testing company should have the ability to work seamlessly with all your global teams. ESSENTIAL QUALITIES OF THE BEST OUTSOURCED QA TESTING COMPANY Look out for these qualities to decide whether your outsourced testing company is the best in industry or not: Transparency in work Clear and Timely communication Good understanding of priorities Ability to respond dynamically to the changing needs of your product and business. WHAT MAKES QAONCLOUD THE BEST OUTSOURCED QA TESTING COMPANY? QAonCloud supports global clients from across the world on a range of products from SaaS to mobile to web products. QAonCloud’s fully managed end-to-end software testing solutions combine all the above features. We aim at providing your business with flexible and customised QA outsourced testing services. Here are six reasons why you can trust QAonCloud’s outsourced QA testing for your business. 1. END TO END MANAGEMENT QAonCloud provides dedicated technical architects and delivery managers who offer you a seamless experience. They are experts in managing all aspects of your project. From manual testing and automation testing to functional and UI testing, QAonCloud’s services span the entire range of the spectrum. It deploys best agile practices with defect identification at all stages of testing. 2. BEST IN CLASS PROCESSES Tightly run processes lie at the core of QAonCloud’s engagement plans. Also, every business need is different. Keeping that in mind, We at QAonCloud, formulate a comprehensive Test Strategy and Plan at the beginning of the engagement. These test strategies are tailored to fit your business’s software, timelines, and needs. This guiding document is, however, regularly updated and modified with time to keep in sync with your changing needs. The expert team at QAonCloud is responsible for the preparation of test cases as per the test strategy. Automation scripting and also the detailed bug reporting are other features that ensure improved efficiency, timely delivery, and complete transparency. 3. SECURITY, CONFIDENTIALITY, AND IP PROTECTION Security and IP protection are at the forefront of QAonCloud’s plans. As QAonCloud performs black box and user level testing, complete code security and ensuring integrity at all times. All IP rights remain with your business. Every QAonCloud employee signs an NDA and has access to your software only from secure office environments. 4. DEDICATED QA TEAM A dedicated testing team will monitor your business to ensure a consistent experience throughout the project cycle. Every tester of QAonCloud undergoes a rigorous training process before we assign them to your business. Our team of testers possess all the necessary qualities of the best software tester and are trained on the latest technologies and tools so they can add maximum value to your product. But that’s not all!  Each project is lead by a delivery manager, who is the single point of contact for all your needs. 5. FLEXIBLE TEAM SIZE Since QAonCloud can act either as an independent QA team or as an extension on your side. Hence, you have complete flexibility to up-size or downsize the team based on your requirements and schedule. 6. SHORTEST LEAD TIME The team works across multiple platforms on your schedule. It includes fast onboarding, to make sure you meet deadlines, and the project is on the table at all times. 7. GENUINE GLOBAL CLIENTELE QAonCloud is consistently delivering superior results and also quick turnaround times. After all, our diverse clientele comprises businesses of all sizes with engagement timelines ranging from 4 months to 4+ years. To conclude, here are some of the case studies on the projects that QAonCloud has successfully worked on over the years. QAonCloud has consistently delivered results while ensuring the fastest on-boarding, guaranteed cost reduction, and improved product performance. Therefore, If you’re looking for a genuinely global outsourced QA testing company that you can count on,  get in touch so QAonCloud can partner with you to build products that can take your business to the next level."