What is Cloud Testing?
Cloud testing uses the capabilities of cloud computing to streamline and enhance software testing systems. It is like testing your software on a vast number of devices and environments, all being accessible from the comfort of your desk.
Usually software testing involves setting up physical devices and infrastructure which is a resource-intensive and time-consuming endeavour. Cloud testing eliminates this need. It instead uses cloud-based infrastructure to provide access to a vast array of devices (desktops, mobiles and tablets) with different operating systems, configurations and browsers. This enables testers to perform testing across a wider range of environments, mimicking real-world user scenarios.
Here's how cloud automation testing creates a more efficient testing process:
Scalability: Cloud testing offers unparalleled scalability. Need to test across hundreds of devices? No problem! Cloud platforms provide the infrastructure and resources to accommodate large-scale testing needs on demand. This eliminates the limitations of physical device labs and allows for parallel testing across diverse configurations, thus saving significant time.
Reduced Costs: Setting up and maintaining a physical device lab can be expensive. Cloud testing eliminates this upfront cost by providing access to testing infrastructure on a pay-as-you-go basis. The ability to conduct parallel testing with cloud automation testing reduces the overall time spent in testing, further contributing to cost savings.
Accessibility and Flexibility: Cloud testing allows geographically dispersed teams to collaborate without hassles. Testers can access the cloud platform from anywhere with an internet connection, eliminating the need for physical access to devices. This flexibility fosters a more agile and viable development process and allows for rapid testing iterations.
Cloud automation testing does not stop at only providing access to devices. Cloud platforms offer tools and features to automate repetitive tasks like test script execution and data management. This frees up testers to focus on designing strategic test cases and analysing results, further streamlining the testing process.
What Are the Benefits of Cloud Automation Testing?
Since software development thrives on continuous testing and improvement, cloud automation testing offers a transformative approach by using the power of cloud computing to streamline and enhance the testing process. Here's a closer look at the key benefits that cloud automation testing brings to the table:
1. Scalability:
Traditional testing methods often face limitations in terms of scalability. Maintaining a physical device laboratory with a host of devices and configurations is expensive and cumbersome. Cloud automation testing fixes these limitations. Cloud platforms provide access to a vast pool of virtual devices across various operating systems and configurations.
This scalability extends beyond devices. Cloud platforms allow for parallel execution of test scripts, thereby enabling teams to test across multiple configurations simultaneously. This significantly mitigates testing time compared to sequential testing in a physical laboratory environment. It is like testing a mobile application across various Android versions – cloud automation testing helps achieve this in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods.
2. Improved Collaboration:
Software development often involves working with teams located in geographically different zones and with varied expertise. Cloud automation testing fosters improved collaboration by providing a centralised platform accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. Testers, developers and other stakeholders can access the testing environment and results in real-time, eliminating the need for physical access to devices or shared lab environments.
This centralized platform facilitates seamless communication and harmonious collaboration. Testers and developers can share test cases, analyse results collaboratively and identify bugs efficiently. Cloud automation testing integrates well with popular DevOps tools and methodologies, promoting a more agile and collaborative development process.
3. Future-Proofing Your Business:
Cloud automation testing helps businesses stay ahead of the curve. Cloud platforms offer access to the latest devices and configurations, ensuring your software is tested in an environment that reflects current user trends.
Cloud automation testing is inherently flexible and adaptable. The cloud platform can adapt to accommodate new testing requirements, as testing needs evolve. This future-proofs your testing strategy, ensuring it can handle the ever-changing demands of modern software.
4. Reduced Costs:
The initial setup and ongoing maintenance of a physical device laboratory can be a significant cost burden. Cloud automation testing eliminates this upfront cost by providing access to testing infrastructure on a pay-as-you-go basis. You only pay for the resources you utilise, therefore significantly reducing overall testing costs.
Cloud automation testing streamlines the testing process and reduces the time it takes to complete testing cycles by enabling parallel testing and automated test execution. This results in reduced labor costs for manual testing efforts. Faster testing cycles also allow for quicker bug identification and resolution, further contributing to cost savings by avoiding costly rework and delayed deployments.
5. Parallelisation:
Cloud automation testing allows parallel execution of test cases across multiple virtual devices. This parallelisation significantly reduces overall testing time compared to running tests sequentially on a single device. It is like testing your software's login functionality across different browsers simultaneously.
Furthermore, the need for high-performance hardware in an on-premise lab environment is eliminated as cloud platforms can handle the heavy processing load associated with parallel testing. This not only reduces costs but also allows for smoother and faster testing cycles, accelerating the entire development and deployment process. Best Practices of Cloud Testing
It is imperative to maximise the benefits of cloud testing and this requires strategic implementation. Here are some best practices to consider:
Define Your Testing Goals: The testing objectives need to be defined clearly. Is performance testing, compatibility across devices or user experience being prioritised? A focused approach ensures cloud testing efforts are aligned with the overall testing strategy.
Choose the Right Cloud Provider: Not all cloud testing platforms are created equal. Time should be spent on research for providers that offer a varied range of devices, configurations and testing tools that align with your specific needs. Factors like scalability, pricing models and integrations should be considered with your existing development tools.
Use Automation: Cloud testing excels at automation. Repetitive tasks like test script execution, data management and reporting should be automated to streamline the testing process and free up your team's time for more strategic analysis.
Focus on Real-World Scenarios: While cloud testing offers a vast array of devices, configurations that reflect your target audience should be prioritised. Testing on obscure devices that have minimal user base relevance should not be conducted.
💡 HyperTest create test cases based on the real traffic and convert them into test scenario, learn it here.Prioritise Security: Cloud security is of highest importance. Ensure your chosen cloud provider adheres to rigorous security standards and offers data protection measures to safeguard your software and user information.
Continuous Monitoring and Analysis: Cloud testing enables continuous monitoring of test results. Results should be actively analysed to identify trends, prioritise bugs and ensure your software functions flawlessly across various environments.
Collaboration is Key: Cloud testing fosters collaboration and more importantly harmonious collaboration. Communication between testers, developers and other stakeholders throughout the testing process should be encouraged. This ensures everyone is aligned on priorities and facilitates efficient bug resolution.
Types of Automation Testing On Cloud
1. Exploratory Testing:
Exploratory testing can benefit from cloud automation to a surprising degree even though it is often considered a manual testing approach. Cloud platforms offer the ability to quickly spin up virtual devices with varying configurations. This allows testers to explore various user interactions and functionalities across different environments.
Automated test scripts can be designed to capture exploratory testing sessions, documenting user actions and interactions. This captured information can then be used to refine future automated test cases, improving test coverage and efficiency. Cloud-based screen recording tools can also be used to capture exploratory testing sessions for future reference and collaboration.
2. Regression Testing:
Regression testing is the type of testing that ensures changes have not introduced unintended bugs into previously functional areas of the software. This repetitive and time-consuming process becomes a prime candidate for cloud automation. Automated test scripts can be meticulously designed to cover important functionalities and user flows.
Cloud platforms enable parallel execution of these test scripts across multiple virtual devices, significantly reducing the time it takes to complete regression testing cycles. Cloud-based version control systems enable easy storage and management of test scripts, ensuring they remain up-to-date with the latest code changes.
Read more - What is Regression Testing? Tools, Examples and Techniques
💡 Check how HyperTest caught over 8million+ regressions over a period of 1 year and saved 1000s of failures to happen into production.3. Non-Invasive Testing:
Performance testing and load testing are necessary for ensuring software stability under heavy user loads. Traditional methods often require installing monitoring tools directly on the application server, thus impacting performance. Cloud automation testing offers a non-invasive alternative.
Cloud-based testing tools can be used to simulate realistic user loads and monitor application performance metrics remotely, without directly interacting with the production server. This ensures accurate performance testing without compromising the stability of the live application. Cloud platforms can also scale resources on-demand to accommodate high-load testing scenarios.
4. Web-Based Application Testing:
Cloud automation shines in testing web-based applications. Cloud platforms offer access to a vast range of web browsers with different versions and configurations. Automated test scripts can be designed to simulate user interactions within the web application across these various browsers, ensuring consistent functionality and user experience regardless of the browser used.
Cloud automation allows for testing across different network conditions, simulating real-world user experiences with varying internet speeds and bandwidth limitations. This approach to web application testing helps identify issues and ensures a smooth user experience for all.
Cloud Automation Testing Tools
Cloud automation testing unlocks a world of possibilities, but the right tools are essential to maximise its benefits.
1. TestGrid - Cloud Automation Testing Tool:
This cloud-based platform focuses on facilitating cross-browser and cross-device testing. TestGrid provides access to a vast network of virtual devices and real browsers, enabling testing across a host of environments. Its parallel testing capabilities allow for efficient and speedy test execution, significantly reducing testing cycles.
2. BlazeMeter - Cloud Automation Testing Tool:
BlazeMeter, a veteran in the performance testing domain, integrates very well with cloud platforms. It empowers users to conduct complex load testing and performance analysis in a cloud environment. BlazeMeter offers tools for simulating realistic user loads, monitoring key performance metrics and identifying issues.
3. SOASTA CloudTest - Cloud Automation Testing Tool:
This platform caters to a wide range of testing needs. SOASTA CloudTest offers functionalities for functional testing, performance testing and mobile testing, all within a cloud-based environment. Its modular design allows users to choose the specific testing capabilities they need, making it a viable solution for different testing requirements.
4. Cloudsleuth - Cloud Automation Testing Tool:
This specialised tool focuses on distributed tracing within cloud environments. Cloudsleuth helps developers and testers identify performance issues and troubleshoot them within complex cloud-based applications. By visualising the flow of requests across different micro-services, Cloudsleuth provides valuable insights for optimising performance and ensuring smooth user interactions.
These are just a few examples of the many cloud automation testing tools available. The ideal choice depends on your specific testing needs, project requirements and budget. Considering factors like ease of use, supported functionalities, integrations with your existing tools, and scalability will help you select the tools that best empower your cloud automation testing efforts.
Conclusion
Cloud automation testing revolutionises the software development process and lifecycle. It offers unmatched scalability, fosters collaboration, prepares your business for the future, reduces costs and accelerates testing cycles.
You ensure your software is thoroughly tested, bug-free and delivers a flawless user experience by adopting cloud automation testing.
