Software lifecycle service launched

In a bid to offer customers a value-added service, local CRM specialist Calibre Intellect is offering its customers a software testing solution that will ensure enhanced performance of business-critical applications.

According to Devon Dalbock, CEO of Calibre Solutions, customers and users generally have more product options from which to select, and thus have less patience with products that do not meet their quality expectations.

"Testing software in a structured manner has been shown to improve the quality of the product under test. This occurs because with structured testing, as compared to unstructured testing, there is a reduced likelihood for duplication of test effort, and an increased likelihood for more complete functional coverage," says Dalbock.

Calibre Intellect does not consider software testing to be a separate phase in the software lifecycle, and certainly not as an exam that counts for 100% of the grade. Nor is testing equivalent to debugging program syntax and running an application to make sure that it does not bomb out.

"Calibre Intellect considers software testing as a parallel track to the software lifecycle, and as such it deserves the same type of attention and resources. To keep up with frequent software builds, and evolving software requirements, a testing methodology that leverages up-front planning, modularity, re-usability, and automated testing and tracking tools is called for," explains Dalbock.

Calibre Intellect has identified the following major objectives for software testing:

• Testing to give programmers information they can use to find and prevent bugs;

• Testing to give management information it needs to rationally evaluate the risk of using an object;

• Testing to `break` the software with respect to stated and unstated requirements;

• Testing to achieve an object as bug-free as warranted by the situation; and

• Testing to validate the object.

A factor of major importance is cost avoidance. "The labour cost of extra user or customer support and the impact of corrective engineering and re-test for poorly functioning product is increasing all the time," he says.

Calibre Intellect assists clients in two ways:

• By having the testing of software outsourced to Calibre Intellect. Calibre supplies all the resources and tools, while the client supplies Calibre with all the required documentation inputs (specifications, etc), as well as the developed software product. This type of testing emphasises functional testing activities, as well as performance testing; and

• By assisting the client to establish its own software testing strategy and objectives, to develop a customised testing methodology that fits the requirements of the client, and training the client to use the testing methodology, thereby implementing it in practice on their premises. In this case the full spectrum of testing, from structural testing to functional testing, is covered (white box to black box).

Comprehensive as well as introductory courses on software training are also available. These consist of the following:

• A simple introduction to software testing (3 to 5 hours), aimed at management business analysts and developers; and

• Practical Software Testing (3 days), aimed at Project managers, Software Quality Assurance Managers, Test Managers, Development Managers, Business Specialists, Testers, Developers, Software Maintenance Personnel.

While companies are not always aware of the impact of perceived low quality software on the product`s and the supplier`s reputation, Dalbock believes the threat is real. "Even though it often cannot be accurately measured it is vital companies evaluate their applications on a regular basis to ensure they perform at their peak and do not fail when needed the most," he concludes.