Modern software development cannot do without high-quality automated testing services. Especially if the goal is to implement a multifunctional and convenient digital product that will appeal to the target audience.
The critical problem with automated testing services is that they are challenging to perform in-house. Moreover, without test cases it is economically unprofitable for an IT company. If you look at the Precedence Research report, it becomes clear why.
The IT services outsourcing market has a CAGR of 8.06% and is growing rapidly. By 2030, its value will reach $1.06 trillion, which indicates a high demand for this type of service. This also applies to the QA industry, which is gradually shifting from an in-house testing method to outsourcing.
QA specialists from Zapple Tech share details about the benefits of automated testing services.
Table of Contents
Test Automation: Simple About Complex
First, let’s understand what automated testing services are and how they differ from other QA methods.
Test automation is a complex process that requires planning, a clear strategy, and reliable tools. Besides, it needs experience in the QA industry, in-depth knowledge of programming languages, and management skills.
Let’s take a closer look at the peculiarities of automated testing services.
Tools
The toolkit is what fundamentally distinguishes automated from manual testing. Manual testing is done in the same space, while automation testing requires a separate environment.
Automated tests are created in the form of firmware using programming languages, for example:
- JS
- Python
- Gherkin
They are deployed in specialized frameworks, for example:
- Selenium
- Cucumber
- Test Cafe
Therefore, automated testing services require in-depth knowledge of both QA and programming languages and more.
Methods
As for unit testing and methods, even in automated QA, they are more or less the same as manual ones. However, there are differences, especially in the approach to solving problems.
While manual tests are characterized by personal control over the verification process, automated testing services focus on collecting and analyzing a lot of results. After that, Zapple Tech experts make decisions about prioritizing them and passing them on to developers.
Types of checks
As for the types of tests, the test coverage most typical for automated testing services are the following:
- Functional
- Unit
- Integration
- Smoke
- Non-functional
- Performance Automation Testing
- Regression Testing Services
- Keyword-driven
- API
- Acceptance
- UI/UX
Almost all types of tests can be automated, but the feasibility of this is determined on an individual basis. If it is faster and easier to conduct the test suite a manual test, the engineer will not spend time creating an algorithm.
Performance measurement
Automated testing services not only speed up software testing and preparation for release. They are also an automation tool aimed at improving developer productivity.
Outsourcing QA tasks frees the company’s staff from additional work and improves the problem-solving algorithm. In addition, the collection of data and test results provides comprehensive information about the efficiency of the team. You can take test data and use it to optimize the production process.
Importance of AQA for Software Development
According to GMI, the value of the QA (and automated testing services) industry reached $45 billion in 2022. The market is projected to reach $90 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of about 5%.
- It is AQA that ensures the proper quality of digital products, their viability and value for the target audience.
Product quality improvement
The quality of an IT solution is a set of its characteristics, both functional and non-functional. This means not only the technical condition and correctness of command processing but also how the software is perceived by the user.
The following plays an important role:
- productivity;
- stability;
- navigation logic;
- usability;
- behavior in atypical scenarios;
- request processing speed, etc.
Automated testing services are used to properly test reports check the state and behavior of the software.
Reducing the influence of human factors on the state of software
Creating and running automated software verification scenarios eliminates the risk of missing an error. In addition, most modern software systems provide comprehensive analytics, point out script blind spots, etc.
Moreover, these test scripts are reused and modernized. That’s why automated testing services help to avoid bugs leaking into working releases due to tester carelessness.
Acceleration of product implementation on the market
The speed of software implementation is one of the critical factors in its viability and competitiveness in the market. Automated testing services accelerate product release, as they require significantly less resources and time than manual testing.
Furthermore, the automation framework allows you to implement an IT solution without any compromises, e.g., sacrificing its quality or deadlines.
What Is the Difference Between an In-House AQA and an Outsourced One
Clearly, without automated testing services, a company won’t be able to produce a high-quality IT product. However, most developers face a dilemma: to conduct QA independently or outsource it.
Zapple Tech experts analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of both solutions. You can evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of these options yourself, guided by a detailed review from experts.
Pros and cons of in-house AQA
Let’s look at the standard option when in-house employees perform automated testing services. This is the best solution for those who want to directly manage the automation testing process, and its results.
But is it worth sacrificing the quality of service and the state of the digital product? Let’s find out.
Pros:
Better control
The advantage of in-house automated testing services is that the team of specialists and their workflows are entirely transparent. A project manager can assess the state of automation testing tool the product at any time and adjust current operations.
This usually has a positive effect on the quality of QA. But in some cases, it harms the test team, especially if it is a new project for them.
Understanding the specifics
If a software development company has testers in-house, they understand how the test execution of the future digital product should work. This allows them to provide excellent automated testing services for the entire IT solution.
Accordingly, the final state of the software will satisfy both the project manager, investors, and the target audience.
Excellent communication
It is always pleasant and exciting to work in a team. It helps to establish communication, build relationships, and more. Even despite its specifics, the IT industry is no exception.
The implementation of automated testing services facilitates efficient communication and collaboration within teams. Moreover, interaction will be face-to-face, so misunderstandings or problems in coordinating operations will be minimized.
Cons:
Involvement of additional resources
Sometimes in-house resources are critically lacking to organize optimal automated testing services. In such cases, you have to hire third-party specialists via freelancing or specialized companies.
But even this is not a cure-all, as many other problems arise, for example, difficulty in integrating into the team, communication problems, management of work, etc.
Lack of certain talents
Automated testing services require experts with specialized knowledge and experience organizing critical processes. If a company is engaged in the development, it is complicated to prepare in-house specialists for all the challenges that may theoretically arise.
The lack of experts, skills, and experience can play a cruel joke on your project. At best, the release date will be delayed. At worst, you’ll have to restart development or simply close it.
High cost
If you want to launch automated testing services on your own, you should be prepared to spend money on the following:
- frameworks and test suites;
- training of employees;
- purchase of server resources;
- providing additional equipment.
Add to this the reputational and financial risks that may occur if the quality of the software does not meet the audience’s expectations. It will be much cheaper to hire professionals or outsource the project.
Problems with deadlines
Distributing staff resources for development and automated testing services can lead to a delay in a software release. This, in turn, will negatively affect the competitiveness and viability of the digital product.
If you conduct low-quality testing to meet the deadline, such an IT solution will also cause a negative reaction from the target audience.
Pros and Cons of Outsourcing AQA
The developer company gains significant advantages when automated testing services are performed by third parties, i.e., an outsourcing team. Despite the cost of hiring specialists, this solution will ultimately save money.
- Outsourcing QA frees up your employees to focus on their primary responsibilities. Although this is a significant advantage, it is not the only one.
Pros:
Low cost
It is believed that attracting additional resources is an avoidable budget expense. However, the opposite is true. External automated testing services can save money. The reasons are as follows:
- the quality of the digital product is improving;
- risks associated with deadlines and technical status are minimized;
- compromises that have to be made are reduced;
- the viability and competitiveness of the IT solution increase;
- the cost of hiring contractors is offset by the product’s profitability.
The better the IT solution you release, the more money it will bring you. That’s why investing in third-party automated testing services is beneficial.
Access to any talent
To conduct comprehensive QA, performers need experience, skills, and knowledge of development languages, frameworks operating systems, and more. Zapple Tech offers specialized automated testing services with convenient outsourcing solutions for clients.
By working with contractors, you get the talent your project needs.
Unloading of full-time specialists
Saving resources is the most important advantage of external automated testing services. And we’re not talking about money here.
Your staff is engaged in development and does it very well. So why burden your specialists with extraneous tasks if you can hire specialized experts and entrust QA processes to them?
This will positively affect the quality of your IT solution and the productivity of the team that creates it.
Cons:
Problems with uptime synchronization
But the automated testing services are not without their challenges. The key one is related to workflow synchronization. For example, a company from the United States hires QA performers from Poland. The time difference does not allow for online adjustments.
However, this is not a reason to refuse to cooperate, as there are ways to mitigate this problem.
Problems with communication
Similar to the previous point. The difference in languages between the customer and the contractor somewhat complicates the process of providing automated testing services. At least, it used to be that way.
Nowadays, English is considered to be the standard for the QA industry. We can see that 100% of IT companies communicate in this language. This issue has been partly resolved, but it’s still a problem in some places.
Process control is somewhat complicated
The first problem leads to the last one. Due to the time difference, it is pretty challenging to make timely adjustments to the project and tasks. However, this does not make it difficult for companies like Zapple Tech to provide automated testing tools and services.
All thanks to the fact that modern teams use practical tools like Jira.
How to Eliminate Possible Problems of Outsourcing QA?
To ensure smooth automated testing services, it is crucial to adhere to some straightforward yet impactful guidelines.
Find a compromise time of communication
The time difference between the customer and the automated testing service provider is not a reason to refuse to cooperate. To minimize it, you should discuss the frequency and time of communication with the team representative. This will allow you to find a compromise acceptable to both parties.
Connect project management software
Jira and Slack are just examples of software you can use to coordinate processes and operations with automated and automation testing tools and service providers. There are many more tools, and their features are almost unlimited. Choose the most convenient one and agree on its use with the contractor.
Choose managers responsible for the project from both sides
The simplest but most effective tip is to appoint a team member responsible for the project and ask the contractor to do it. As a result, you will establish better communication and eliminate 99.9% of automated testing services problems.
Most outsourcing problems are solved almost automatically if you work with an experienced contractor, such as Zapple Tech.
How to Choose a Reliable AQA Task Executor
While the benefits of third-party automated testing tool and services are clear, not everyone knows how to choose the right performer. There are no comprehensive instructions on how to do it.
However, based on the experience of Zapple Tech, the team’s experts are ready to give some effective tips on choosing and hiring a contractor that provides automated testing services.
Assess the expertise of potential contractors
Firstly, you need to find those who provide automated testing services and identify the best ones.
You can do this using specialized resources:
Here you can find the top teams that provide excellent automated testing services.
View the portfolio and chat with the manager
Once you’ve found a regression testing company whose experience and range of automated testing services fit your project, you need to study their cases better.
To do this, you can talk to the team representatives or look through the portfolio on their website.
Determine if the contractor can meet the needs of your project
If you’re unsure whether the company’s automated testing services suit you, you should book a free consultation. Communication with the team manager will give you an idea of the actual level and scope of automation skills of the specialists.
You will also find out whether the services cover the needs of your project, the approximate cost of the work, and more.
Bottom Line
Outsourced automated testing services are an ideal way to save your budget and ensure the highest quality of your digital product. If you are worried about the technical state of your IT solution, its UX, viability, and competitiveness, delegate QA tasks to industry professionals.
When it comes to resolving quality issues in the automation test your digital product, you can count on Zapple Tech’s automated testing services for reliable solutions.
