Advantages of Cloud-Based Automated Software Testing

COVID-19 has prompted a bold shift towards testing software on the cloud. An increasing number of enterprises have plans or are in the process of conducting tests on the cloud to benefit from flexibility in architecture, availability of resources, and most importantly, the remote testing environment. Not to mention, cloud-based automated software testing is easily scalable due to its on-demand service model. What’s more, a company can run as many tests in parallel without waiting for one test to finish for the infrastructure to become available.

Why Cloud Testing Is Critical During a Pandemic 

Organizations around the globe are in dire need of faster deployment and require quality software simultaneously. However, the novel coronavirus pandemic has disrupted their operations, reducing their ability to fulfill their go-to-market timelines. That said, smart enterprises are considering adopting the cloud as it provides them with the ability to easily flex down or up when required in a short period. 

Cloud-based testing enables teams to collaborate for quicker test cycles while maintaining social distancing. Testers don’t need to be sitting in rooms next to each other – they can be dispersed across the country and conduct the same tests available to them in a conventional testing environment. The only exception is that the tester may have to bring a device home or make an occasional trip to the office for machine-specific test environments (if the local law permits that). 

Benefits of Cloud-Based Automated Software Testing 

To better understand why enterprises are paying so much attention to automated cloud software testing, let’s look at some of its main benefits. 

Low TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) 

Ownership costs of cloud-based automation tools are much less than the costs of conventional test automation solutions. The former don’t have as many hardware requirements, nor do they involve costly per-seat licensing fees. Plus, cloud-based solutions allow high reusability of the components used in test scenarios. Testers can utilize the components to see how software or apps perform on various devices (be it a desktop, tablet, or mobile services application). 

Continuous Access to Shared Resources 

Cloud-based testing also lets users access resources 24/7, regardless of the device. Around-the-clock access helps them accommodate client requests quickly. Moreover, testers are able to identify the bugs and errors at an early stage in the software development lifecycle. And because QA teams based in different time zones can access the resources whenever they like, cloud-based environments allow for efficient test coverage in a short period. Teams registered on the platform can log in and start testing immediately. The cloud’s virtual environment offers the advantage of resource sharing at low capital costs. 

Simplified Disaster Recovery 

Traditional backup recovery solutions require costly upgrades and maintenance. Plus, in case of a hardware malfunction, recovering critical data may be impossible. Cloud software testing offers a hassle-free way to retrieve all assets, often requiring a click of a button. The data is also stored on multiple servers, so if one server goes down, the other servers can be used to bring back the data. As a result, cloud testing ensures the sustainability of your future operations. (The technology also enables enterprises to be prepared for audits by retrieving past data, for instance). 

Enables DevOps 

It’s safe to say that DevOps and the cloud are a match made in heaven. If you aren’t aware, the cloud delivers these DevOps advantages:

• Easy and quick experimentation
• Remote monitoring
• Simplified deployment, reconfiguration, and deployment of applications
• Automation of testing and reporting
• Configuration of a similar test, production, and development infrastructure
• One-time user access for feedback

Hence, the cloud helps the entire team get up and running on DevOps almost immediately.

Parallel Testing 

We mentioned parallel testing at the start. Now, let’s break it down in a bit more detail. In an ideal setting, software test targets involve various browsers, OS, platforms and devices. When you use the cloud, you can perform parallel tests in all of these environments instead of following a scheduled progression. This saves you testing time, making cloud testing valuable to agile and CI methodologies. Additionally, the cloud lets companies scale both mobile and web platforms’ elasticity and coverage. Plus, with the right cloud vendor, you get the capacity available and tools required to simulate different devices, users, requests, and more to test your software. 

Customizable Environment 

With cloud-based software testing, it’s easy for the enterprise to emulate the “end-user” environment by customizing it according to their usage. Teams can easily conduct performance and load testing scenarios in multiple combinations and permutations, saving time and cost. Creating a user-centric environment requires a larger investment in an offline grid, which is not possible for every firm. Further, hosting and managing tests eats up a major portion of the investment. Cloud-based testing can help reduce costs and combat these limitations at the same time. 

Automatic Updates for New Device 

Consider this scenario: A new testing framework just came out, and you need to add it for the OS or device you’re going to test the software on. On a local test grid, you may need to get new hardware to support the change. Aside from that, you will need to make configurations that require a hefty investment of time. But when you move to a cloud test grid, it’s a hands-off process: updates occur automatically, and new devices are integrated as they’re introduced on the market. The cloud testing vendors silently handle software updates for you behind-the-scenes. Put simply, cloud-based testing is meant to give you more time to focus on enhancing your software while vendors take care of updating your test grid. 

If you’re impressed by these advantages and thinking of conducting your next test on the cloud, we invite you to check out The Functionize test cloud. It’s designed to equip teams to conduct performance, canary, stress, load and functional acceptance testing on a single, intelligent platform. Plus, it offers the advantages we’ve discussed above to help you perform durable, scalable software tests.