A Software Test Lab: The Place Where The Testing Takes PlaceCompanies that create and develop software are often approached by software testing labs who wish to do business with them. Initially, they may ask, "What is a software test lab?" Software test labs have been around for many years, but perhaps under a different title, but for as long as software has been around, there have been companies and technicians testing it. When software testers first began, it was just individuals with education and knowledge of software that worked independently. With computers taking over the world as they have in recent years, the need for more software testers has resulted them starting their own business in labs where they can better do their work. Software test labs work with businesses that use their software. They are the ones responsible for the testing of the software to make sure it passes all the required tests before it is released for use or to be sold to the public. Many times individual software testers have too large of a workload to handle themselves, so they outsource it to software test labs. Testing the software is not just a simple method of running it to see if it operates correctly. It is a combination of many intricate and complex tests to assure its performance is up to standards. One of the first tests is an application compatibility test to determine is the software is compatible with other applications. Many times software will run by itself until another application is installed on the system, at which time the first software fails to function as it should. Capacity and load testing is a method where the lab techs will make sure that the capacity is large enough to hold a heavy workflow and that it will load properly without bogging down. The software test lab will have many technicians working at the same time all on different aspects of the software. By using these labs, companies are able to have their software tested and ready for use much quicker. Another test that is vital to the software is network testing along with making sure it is compatible with the web server. Functionality and performance tests are also done on the software. The functionality is to assure the software functions as it should upon loading it, whereas the performance tests makes sure each detail of the software performs as it should. They also make sure the software is compatible for every operating system. A security test is almost the final test to assure that the company using the software will not be subject to intrusion such as hackers, crackers or data theft. Last, but not least, the technicians will do an onsite performance test to make sure the software will work at the location it will be used. Software test labs are highly qualified technicians that make business run more efficiently thus saving the company time and money. |