As we’ve become physically isolated during the past few years, our reliance on technology grew – whether in our job, day-to-day life, or both. As a result, our expectations have evolved, making it vital that we consider how to deliver high-caliber technology more quickly. Quality has never been so important. An analysis of test automation reveals that there can be different ways to provide software faster while maintaining quality.
Why software vendors should be utilizing testing automation
The most time-consuming aspect of software testing is executing tests manually. In one report, about 75% of respondents said manual testing takes at least three days with every release (Kobiton, Inc., 2020-2021). This can present a challenge to organizations that release software regularly. If there is not an adequate amount of time for testing, the quality of the product is at a higher risk.
Enter test automation – the use of tools and other software to run tests that a machine can execute without much, if any, support from someone. Many organizations want reduced regression test time and faster execution of tests as top priorities for software testing (Perfecto Mobile Ltd., 2022). One notable advantage with building automated tests is that there are many ways technology can be used on itself to check the following, among others:
- Graphical User Interfaces (UI) – what a user can see and interact with on a screen
- Application Programming Interfaces (API) – how computers or programs can communicate behind-the-scenes
- Performance – how an application acts for a given load
Having the ability to test an application in different ways can improve test coverage. Combine that with programmatic tests, and efficiency increases.
It’s also no secret that it is better to test early, especially when the scope for the release is large. It is common for testers to execute at least 100 manual test cases for each app release.
Automated testing of MediSked’s health & human services software
At MediSked, our growing automation team has been creating new scripts that expand the test coverage daily. So far, we’ve developed:
- Over 600 automated UI tests for Connect Exchange
- Over 300 automated UI tests for Coordinate
Manually performing these tests every release is difficult. Allowing those tests to run via scripts frees testers from that burden so they can work on new features for upcoming releases.
MediSked values agility as software development moves into a faster-evolving world. That trend affects the way we validate programs to meet new expectations. Technology has helped us accomplish more than ever before, and automated test cases have shown to be one of many ways to adapt to those circumstances. Achieving high quality is difficult and complex, but incorporating the right tools and skills can make that goal more attainable.
