By Kate Priestman - Head Of Marketing, Global App Testing

When creating any new application or infrastructure, you must allow time for quality assurance (QA) testing. Without QA proper testing, you'll likely run into trouble later down the line. If you're creating a new infrastructure this could cause havoc for your business, affecting productivity drastically.

If you're creating an application, customers could encounter issues with your software. This leads to a poor user experience and low levels of customer satisfaction. But traditional testing is expensive and not always effective. Luckily, there is an alternative.

Forward-thinking businesses are adopting new methods, whether it's using io websites, or using collaborative software. In the world of testing, cloud services is the best solution.

What Is Cloud-Based Testing?

 

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The cloud can be used for all sorts of things, from creating a processes library to storing important assets. Fewer people know of the cloud's capacity for app testing.

When testing software on the cloud, you have access to real-world environments. These environments can be configured to match the requirements of your application. If you're carrying out on-site tests such as production testing, you need to invest in software. One of the benefits of cloud testing is that you gain access to tools that you would normally have to purchase as part of a package.

Cloud services include access to testing software and cloud-based testing labs. This helps to make sure that you have access to all of the tools that you need to ensure a fully functioning app. This simplified and cheaper method of testing is leading the way for businesses. In fact, it has been predicted to soon become a mainstream method of testing.

But how can a business make the most of cloud-based testing? Read on to find out.

Why Use Cloud Testing?  

Other than reducing cost, there are all sorts of reasons for using a cloud-based environment for your application development. Here are just a couple of the biggest benefits.

One of the most obvious reasons is that the cloud does away with environment-related issues. Managing your testing locally requires server space. This, in turn, requires constant maintenance. This space could become compromised through events out of your control (fire, flooding, etc).

Another huge benefit is that cloud testing tools can be accessed at any time (although there could be some moments of server downtime). This can be extremely useful if you have teams working across the world, as instant access negates the need to manage time zones.

Have a Clear Plan

 

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Before you even begin to think about testing, ensure that you have a clear plan for your systems development life cycle (SDLC). To properly accommodate QA in SDLC, you'll need an overview of the different development stages of your app. Have a clear plan from the start and build QA into each stage. 

Know the Different Types of Testing

To properly understand how cloud-based testing can be transformational, you need to understand how it functions. There are three types of testing: functional, non-functional, and ability. Together these tests ensure that your application is fully operational.

Functional Testing  

This form of testing is all about ensuring that your software is working as specified to your requirements. Throughout the process of functional testing, each of the different elements of your application are tested to make sure that they are working as they should be.

The main focus of this kind of testing is to ensure functionality in the following areas: mainline functions, basic usability, accessibility, and error conditions. 

Non-Functional Testing

Non-functional testing helps to guarantee that your application will perform well. This means that your app will run both smoothly and speedily. This form of testing also makes sure that your app is reliable. Non-functional Testing is itself split into three different areas: security, scalability, and performance. Ultimately, non-functional testing is vital for ensuring the efficiency and effectiveness of the software.

Ability Testing

In this stage of testing, your application is monitored for its compatibility, ability to provide disaster recovery, and levels of operability.

Pick the Service Model That Suits You

 

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Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS), all provide options for testing.

• With a Saas Solution, the provider deals with all aspects of app management. This means that developers only have to input data into their applications. 
• As the name suggests, IaaS ensures that infrastructure is in place for your application development. This includes physical hardware and computing power. The developer manages application development and operating systems.
• With a PaaS solution, the provider manages most aspects of application development, leaving you with handling code and deployment.

Pick a Hosting Model

When testing an application, you have three hosting options: public, private, or hybrid.

Using a public server, all tools and infrastructure are handled by a third party. This helps to keep costs low and puts more of a focus on testing. The downside is that public servers may be less secure and provide fewer customization options.

With a private cloud, you have greater cybersecurity and many more options for customization. If you have an application with complex needs, this is likely the way forward. The private cloud is, however, much more expensive and requires high levels of maintenance.

As the name suggests, the hybrid cloud combines public and private servers. This means that you can store your most important data on the private cloud. Less sensitive data can be stored on the public cloud. The Hybrid Cloud is less expensive than a public cloud. It is, however, also more complex due to the user having to integrate with two different clouds. 

Pick a Tenancy Option

 

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You'll need to choose between single tenancy and multiple tenancy services. Most users chose multiple tenancy options. This allows customers to share resources, though each customer's data is isolated and invisible to other customers. 

Perhaps surprisingly, it is possible to select multiple tenancy on a private cloud service, though this will generally be different groups within a single company. Security arrangements should ensure that only access is only possible for authorized users.

A single tenancy may give you more control, but you are likely to pay a premium.

What are you waiting for?

From the reduced price to the increased usability, there are very few reasons not to use the cloud for application testing. If you want to modernize your business, it can become a part of your enterprise digital strategy.

If you're looking for ways to elevate your business and improve your app testing, consider looking to the cloud today.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kate Priestman - Head Of Marketing, Global App Testing

 

Kate Priestman is the Head of Marketing at Global App Testing, a trusted and leading end-to-end functional testing solution for QA and crowdtesting challenges. Kate has over 8 years of experience in the field of marketing, helping brands achieve exceptional growth. She has extensive knowledge on brand development, lead and demand generation, and marketing strategy - driving business impact at its best. You can connect with her on LinkedIn.