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The sequential Waterfall Model separates software development into pre-established segments. There cannot be any overlap between stages; one must be finished before the next may start. Each phase is created to carry out a particular task within the SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle). Winston Royce presented it in 1970, in exact contrast to the Agile model, which follows a more flexible development routine. 

This article will explore what a waterfall model is and what the “waterfall model” means. Stick around to find out all the essential details and when using the waterfall model is most beneficial. 

Which are the phases of waterfall model

The Waterfall model’s phases flow into each other, as the name suggests. The subsequent steps are: 

Gathering and analyzing 

All potential system requirements are gathered and recorded in a requirement specification document during this stage. 

System design 

The required specifications from the first phase are examined, and a system design is created. This system design aids in determining the overall system architecture as well as the hardware and system requirements.

Implementation

The system is initially built as tiny programs known as units, which are then incorporated into the following phase, using inputs from the system design. Unit testing is the process of developing and evaluating each unit for functionality.

Testing 

During this stage, the program is tested to ensure that it was created following the client’s specifications. 

Deployment phase 

Once the product has undergone functional and non-functional testing, it is either installed in the client environment or made available for purchase.

Maintenance stage

Once your system is operational, you might need to update the code in response to consumer requests.

We will explore how to use the waterfall model effectively with the steps covered.

When to use the waterfall model

The waterfall methodology the best suits projects with detailed documentation, set requirements, plenty of resources, a predetermined timetable, and well-known technology. Joint application development (JAD), rapid application development (RAD), sync-and-stabilize, Agile project management (APM), and the spiral model are alternatives to the waterfall methodology. So, in short, the most appropriate ways to use waterfall are:

• The requirements are extremely clearly defined, documented, and fixed; 
• The definition of the product is steady; 
• Understanding technology means it is not dynamic; 
• No unclear criteria exist; 
• To support the product, many resources are accessible with the necessary knowledge; 
• The project won’t last very extended.

When we should not use waterfall model

The Waterfall methodology involves relatively little client engagement throughout the product’s development. Only when the product is finished can end consumers see it in action. 

If a problem arises after the product has been produced, it will be costly to remedy since everything needs to be updated, from the documents to the logic. 

The waterfall methodology has been replaced in the modern world by various models like iterative, agile, etc.

What are the advantages of waterfall model

Complete design, deployment, testing, installation, troubleshooting, concept, operation, and maintenance follow the development process. Each growth stage must be handled carefully and has its importance. Below is a short list of why using waterfall can benefit your project.

• The criteria are defined precisely and consistently, and they hold throughout the whole project’s development; 
• Waterfall development has the benefit of enabling departmentalization and management. A product can move through the stages of the development process model one at a time by setting deadlines for each step and following a timetable.
• Problems or difficulties are less frequent when the project development structure is carefully planned; 
• Gauging the process is simpler because each phase’s beginning and ending positions are predetermined; 
• Throughout the development process, the duties are as steady as feasible; 
• A tight reporting system gives the consumer simple management and transparency; 
• Before development, the product’s total cost and release date may be determined.

What are the disadvantages of waterfall model

As with any solution, the Waterfall model comes with certain disadvantages, and here are some of them: 

• Once an application is in the testing stage, it might be pretty challenging to go back and change anything that wasn’t carefully thought through at the design stage; 
• No functional software is created up until the life cycle is complete; 
• There are several dangers and unknowns; 
• This is a poor approach for complex and object-oriented applications; 
• This paradigm is unsuitable for long-term enterprises; 
• Not suitable for projects with a moderate to high chance of requirement changes.

In general, it is almost impossible to change something while employing a waterfall process. The following stages will likewise be in danger if a given step has been accomplished incorrectly.

Conclusion

Due to its highly organized character, the waterfall method is best used in enterprises where precise tasks and deadlines must be established and completed. For instance, two very rigid businesses that rely on dependent phases finishing on time are manufacturing and construction. 

It can be expensive and, in some circumstances, impossible to make adjustments to these arrangements. Therefore, waterfall maintains a sequential process and guarantees project stability.

Software testing is a significant part of assuring software quality, which provides confidence that the product is functioning as intended before installation. It can be done manually or automatically, requiring either human effort or the use of automation tools and frameworks, respectively.

Broken software is more than just an annoyance for users. It is all about losing money. Of course, no software is completely bug-free. But for the best experience possible, bugs should be identified before they reach customers. This is where automated testing comes in handy.

Definition of What Automated Testing Is

Automated testing is the process of testing when special software assists in test management and execution instead of leveraging human effort. Tests are scripts that run against the written code by a computer through thousands of scenarios in a matter of moments. Produced results are compared to what is expected, as well as described in each of the test cases.

In software, the automated testing definition refers to the analysis carried out without human interaction but with high confidence in whether the product is working correctly. It helps when the process repeats and functionalities start to pile up by speeding up the procedure and increasing test coverage.

How Does Automated Testing Work?

What a team intends to automate should be highlighted first and foremost. The next step is to instruct a device on running a test case, either with the help of the code or a certain tool with the existing user interface. It depends on the specifications and the allocated budget.

The team creates the list of potentially suitable tests, finalizes it, and selects manual test cases as the basis. Test scripts are either written from scratch or chosen from earlier projects. System testing is implemented through the use of tools that execute tests across various browsers. There are different types of automated testing and tests that take top priority while being carried out by a computer.

Types of Automated Tests

Three common types of automated testing are:

1. Unit testing.
2. Integration testing.
3. End-to-end testing.

A unit is the smallest part of the system. A checkup done at this level is called unit testing. It is the fastest and most stable analysis, usually performed by a developer to check whether something is functioning properly in its standalone environment. A pile of units represents a component. The unit analysis is thus any testing conducted within a single component. A piece of software is made up of numerous components (login, registration, database, etc.) communicating with one another.

Testing more than a single component is called integration testing. Integration testing takes more time compared to unit testing. It has a wider coverage, so it is less stable but more complex.

The end-to-end analysis is performed through the user interface to verify that the components interact as expected. This type of testing is the most valuable because it simulates real users and validates a large set of functionalities. It is useful for monitoring the workflow of critical features and represents the slowest and most unreliable test compared to the previous one.

The range of what you can automate is wide: functional, unit, integration, API, regression, and performance testing.

Misconceptions about Automated Testing

There are some myths of applying automated testing. Here is how to address them.

• Do not get carried away with integration or end-to-end testing. Instead, go deeper into the unit analysis. Always lean heavily on it as the foundation and most important level of a system (60-70% of scripts).
• Not everything should be automated. More is not always better, so keep a balance. A huge number of automated tests can bring a system down.
• There is a misconception that QA engineers do not conduct automated testing. Although coding is required, developers are not the only ones involved in testing. QAs with special skills and a certain level of experience are full participants in the process.
• One more thing to clarify is the cost. While the initial investment is high, the automated method always pays off by minimizing expenses associated with code revisions and frequently repeated tasks. The development time of a product is reduced, and defects are detected earlier, resulting in lower costs.
• Automated tests cannot fully replace manual checkups. You have to utilize both techniques to stay ahead of the game and produce the most accurate test outcome.

What Kind of Tests Should Be Automated?

Consider the following to understand whether a specific test is worth being automated.

• Will your test be run for multiple builds?
• Will it be hard to run manually?
• Will it run on different browsers?
• Will it be time-consuming?
• Will it have an important business impact?
• Will it be a test that frequently generates errors if done manually?

Never automate raw or unstable functionalities, tests that have no clear pass/fail results, features with constantly changing requirements, and newly created test cases (that have not gone through manual checkups yet). Do not automate if a test is going to be run once or twice.

What are the pros of setting up an automated testing process for your system?

Benefits of Automated Testing

Automated testing is a huge win for a business. Here is a list of the main benefits your company might accumulate.

It covers a large amount of work in a short period of time

Human effort spent on verifying a system is minimized. Regression testing is sped up tremendously. As a result, the feedback can reach the team faster, allowing them to respond to the requirements immediately.

Automated tests are easy to repeat

They can be recorded and carried out later, which makes execution and maintenance easier. More can be accomplished within a defined period. Tests can be repeated in an identical way 24/7.

Breaks are not needed

The validation is more objective and comprehensive, and the results are more precise. Every feature is covered. When performing the same simple operation without any automated tool over and over without taking a break, QAs are more likely to make a mistake.

It improves efficiency and reduces costs

You can go into the deepest level of detail, which is impossible to achieve manually. The more complex the test, the more manpower it takes to complete. This is reduced by automating the process, which results in future cost savings. The test execution cycle can be shortened from a few weeks to a few days or even hours.

Defects are discovered earlier

Testers can detect bugs earlier, which helps to cut down on costs. Every time a new feature is released, a quick regression test targeting a specific part of the software can be conducted. Hidden information and bugs can be easily brought out from the application.

There are various testing conditions available

You can test a new software build in various environments, which cannot be achieved manually. You get better quality software even with reduced team size.

The primary reason why automated testing is important is the fact it maximizes efficiency in delivering high-quality software. When working on large projects, it contributes to the stability and functionality of software, reducing the time required to bring a product to market. As a result, it has become a necessity for new product development and effective quality delivery for a high-performing company.

Today, there are a considerable number of sites that provide streaming services. Interest in them is overgrowing, but only some users understand the distinction between OTT and VOD. Let’s discuss these two concepts and explain whether they are different. Or has this border been completely erased?

Definition of VOD

Interest in streaming services is growing, especially during the pandemic, when many are forced to suspend their professional activities or start working remotely. While working from home, some people often watch videos in the background, which they previously could not do in the office. Many companies appreciated the benefits of remote work, so they extended this format after the end of the acute phase of the pandemic.

VOD stands for Video on Demand. Before the advent of this technology, people were forced to study the TV guide to know when and on which channel they could watch their favorite movie or TV show. VOD changed the situation radically. Cable providers have added the function of recording programs (for free or for money). VOD service meaning says users can watch their favorite football match in the recording at any time convenient.

Modern VOD streaming service is not limited to cable and can broadcast video over the Internet. In this case, VOD service means you can watch any video on demand, whether on TV or not.

Basic varieties

VODs come in several varieties. Understanding the difference between them is useful for users, developers, and testers.

SVOD

Different sites offer their customers to pay for a monthly subscription, six months, or a year. Typically, such platforms provide different packages that differ in price, quantity, and quality of content. So, the more expensive the subscription, the more high-quality video and audio files you can get. If you decide to watch movies that are not included in your package of services, the platform may refuse you or ask for an additional fee.

Many users prefer to buy a subscription all at once for a year; in this case, they get a more significant discount compared to purchasing a monthly subscription.

TVOD

If you want to pay for a VOD broadcast, TVOD platforms are better for you. It is the complete opposite of the previous option. Here, you only pay for the videos you want to watch, and no one asks you to sign up for a paid subscription. Many people think this is a new generation DVD – you choose the movie you want to watch, pay and enjoy the video in good quality.

AVOD

Thanks to AVOD, you can watch videos for free, but in return, the platforms ask users to watch ads. It can be integrated into the movie itself, or the video can be interrupted by a short commercial (usually 2 clips of 15 seconds each).

If you don’t want to watch ads, you can pay to watch the video or buy a subscription. Among the most popular such services are YouTube and SlingTV.

There is also a mixture of AVOD with other types of VOD. For example, if you agree to watch ads, Netflix is willing to provide an account for a smaller fee. This type of subscription will become available in November this year.

Benefits of such streaming sites

Modern VODs have several significant benefits:

• Gives you the option to choose content based on your preferences;
• Allows users to watch and record videos for later review;
• No need to buy a DVD or download a player.

Even 10 years ago, it was the easiest way to watch your favorite movie or show at any time convenient.

Definition of OTT

OTT platform means “Over-the-Top” – the content provider service goes beyond existing Internet services. The peculiarity of this technology is that you can not only watch video or audio files, but you can also communicate with other people via video communication. Among the companies that provide such services are Skype and WhatsApp. But can you get more out of them?

OTT streaming service allows users to watch their favorite movies, series, or other videos conveniently at any time and place. You can enjoy live streaming using a computer, laptop, phone, tablet, or any other device.

Features of work

Unlike VOD, OTT can only work from the Internet. It is limited to a streaming time that consumers cannot access once the live stream has ended. You do not need to download video and audio files, but you can enjoy them in real time. Some platforms have videos pre-downloaded to the server, ready to provide to their users.

Benefits of OTT services

OTT services have a lot of benefits:

• Increasing audience engagement;
• Original content;
• High-quality video and sound;
• Instant and smooth playback.

Most users prefer to use OTT platforms because they can get unlimited access to high-quality video and audio files.

VOD and OTT: What is the distinction?

Many are wondering: is Netflix OTT or VOD? It is tricky to answer this since the border between them is very small. Many streaming sites combine VOD and OTT features, making it difficult to understand the two terms. The most significant distinction between the two is the way data is transferred. While OTT is limited to transmitting over the Internet, VOD also uses cable and satellite.

As you can see, VOD is a more versatile technology that allows users to get more content and view it at their convenience. There is also a difference in the way information is transmitted. It is worth saying that today both technologies are actively developing, and there is an increasing trend toward their merger. From the user’s point of view, this difference is not very big, but it is pretty significant for software developers and testers.

Users expect to be able to use apps across devices and browsers. As a result, you must conduct thorough different API testing types to understand how well it works and whether it can perform its primary functions. Some testers need to pay more attention to this aspect, and as a result, we see many applications of poor quality. Today we want to explain what types of API testing are and why they are so important.

Functional API tests

This type of API testing aims to understand whether this part of the program code can perform the functions for which it was created. It can be verified by positive and negative testing. To do this, the specialist enters correct and incorrect ones and sees how the system reacts to them. If it fails on the correct data, it does not work well even in ideal conditions, which means that blunders have been made.

There are the following types of functional tests:

• Unit testing. It allows you to understand how well each part of the code performs the tasks for which it was created. It is worth conducting this type of test after completing each module.
• Runtime error detection. It allows you to identify the slightest defects in the process of your software. Typically, such tests are run in parallel with unit testing.
• API documentation testing. When you create software, the first thing you do is develop a specification. Subsequently, all the actions that you performed with the code are documented. This testing allows you to check the correctness of filling out such documents and how much what is written on paper corresponds to reality.

The above types of testing allow you to understand how your software meets the goals for which it was created and whether it can meet the needs of customers.

API performance tests

Common API testing is unimaginable without this type of testing that covers quite a lot of different processes. When your software is first released, it will be used by a limited number of users, but gradually their number will grow quite significantly. You may have seen online stores that take a long time to load during sales, or programs that can’t handle the load after adding new modules.

To check the performance, use the following types of tests:

• Load testing. It determines how the application works when many people use it simultaneously, how long it takes to open a new page, how the central systems work, and much more.
• Soak testing. It allows you to detect system instability, such as a memory leak. Such tests take a lot of time because you need to see how the system behaves in dynamics.
• Stress testing. It allows you to understand how your software will behave in stressful situations, such as hacking attempts or power or internet outages.
• Spike testing. Specialists check how the software reacts to a sharp increase and decrease in users. It allows you to understand how quickly the system can stabilize.
• Scalability. As your business grows, you will need to add new features or enter new markets. Scaling testing is used to test how up-to-date your software is.

Different types are used at various stages of software development. Your project will work stably under other loads if you do everything consistently.

API security tests

Your software will store a lot of information about your customers, and this data mustn’t fall into the hands of intruders. It is of utmost importance if you accept payments, as scammers can hack into your system and access critical information.

To prevent this from happening, you need to use the type API tests. It includes:

• Security testing. It allows you to check how well all the data is encrypted, how easy it is to access it, how well the authorization settings are configured, and much more.
• Permeability test. It allows you to identify vulnerabilities in your program code that attackers can use for a hacker attack and how the system reacts to outside interference.
• Fuzz testing. It is usually used in the last stages of development. Specialists are explicitly trying to disable the system and see how it will react to a large amount of incorrect data.

There are many examples where security issues have led to the destruction of a brand. So, if you want customers to trust you, you need to take care of security.

API integration and reliability tests

You need to test the API interface to see how well it integrates between internal and third-party services. It can be done through integration and reliability testing. It allows an understanding of how well your product can communicate with other APIs and whether it will cause errors. Likewise, it also lets you know whether connecting to other APIs will cause a system shutdown.

We can distinguish the following main types of integration and reliability testing:

• Integration testing. This is testing various modules and identifying various defects that can occur when these components are integrated and must interact with each other.
• Reliability testing. It allows you to understand whether the software can perform uptime in a particular environment for a certain period of time. Experts strive to understand if there are any errors in your program code that can affect the level of reliability.
• Web UI testing. It involves testing the visuals that the user will encounter to make sure they meet performance criteria. In addition, web interface tests ensure that there are no bugs in the functions.
• Interoperability testing. It helps you understand if your product can interact with other software components and systems.

The above types of testing for API interface allow you to understand how comfortable it will be for people to use your product, whether various failures will occur during operation, and how reliable your software is.

WS Compliance

There are many specifications that your software must comply with. This kind of test is aimed at helping you understand how your project matches them. It will not only raise the prestige of your company, but will also convince your investors that you are interested in creating a good product.

API testing will help you to ensure that the APIs that your organization is developing or using are working correctly and efficiently. It will identify problems early in the development process, contributing to a greater reliability. Don’t forget that API testing should be emerged with the overall software testing process, as APIs often serve as the interface between different systems and play a key role in the integration of those systems.

HR automation is a method of utilizing software to digitize typical, day-to-day workflows, freeing employees from repetitive, monotonous work and allowing them to focus on critical operations and decisions instead. HR automation saves time and effort by replacing physical paperwork with automatically generated solutions.

So, what is automation in HR, and what impact does it have on the business?

Why Is Automation Important in HR

Automation in HR improves business processes when they are not working well. Since HR departments tend to be stuck with an extensive amount of paper documents, it is hard to produce results consistently. Employees seek HR services that are accessible, accurate, and personalized across different functions. That is something that cannot be offered without AI-based technology. Businesses can be more agile by automating core operations and embracing emerging HR solutions.

How do HR solutions influence the work process?

HR technologies are always about a company’s learning and development. They alter the distribution of working time. Employees devote their time to customers and strategic tasks rather than waste it on repetitive, excessive paperwork such as manually re-entering data, completing forms, and answering the same questions. The experience people have in your organization with HR technology is different. Some of the simplest tasks can be done through conversational user interfaces or chatbot platforms, allowing for expanded accessibility and engagement.

You cannot successfully manage human resources using a purely manual approach. It involves a flow of information that must be structured and managed when located in different places and formats. Automation has left no room for error-prone work such as incomplete forms, missing documents, or unfinished reports. Getting more done in less time and eliminating monotonous activities enhance employee commitment and lower the risk of errors. Furthermore, it improves employee communication because recruitment time is drastically cut, and access to accurate job-related information is provided.

Of course, in order to keep up with technology, the HR department should get a certain level of occupational retraining. Continuous development and additional knowledge are required to become experts. Things take time and effort, but, in the end, it is technology that will make your human resources department approachable and cohesive.

Benefits of HR Process Automation

HR automation has numerous benefits for businesses, including increased efficiency, reduced errors, and less paperwork. Here is how automation will change human resources in your organization.

Improved control, tracking, and searching

Software is significantly more efficient than people at tracking and searching for something specific in a pile of information, especially with regard to critical records in large volumes. The employment data is centralized. It may be accessed at any moment to optimize the mode of work, correct any failures, and accomplish more of what works for the company.

Higher quality

The business process becomes less dependent on humans. It gives fewer opportunities for human error and produces consistent records, which contributes to the accuracy of the most critical HR activities.

Agility

Procedures managed by software build a flexible organizational structure that is adaptable to the rapidly changing market environment. Technology makes companies more agile. It leads to responsiveness, higher revenue growth, and better customer orientation.

Effective workflows

By eliminating or reducing repetitive manual tasks, you replace them with value-producing activities, which reduce inefficiency and incompetence. The focus is on strategic initiatives and higher-value work that improve performance. Automating the processes does the job of reliving the workflow.

Easier onboarding

A strong onboarding process can help you retain key employees who make major business decisions. Positive experiences of job candidates or new hires affect the employee turnover rate in the company, which can be a costly and productivity-decreasing process if not done correctly. HR automation influences communication and collaboration within a team and provides insight into the company’s processes.

Cost-effectiveness

Several straightforward operations can be managed simultaneously. Optimized costs are achieved by reducing time and fewer resources involved in rewriting and fixing (one mistake can cost your company a lot).

Better business decisions

You can make better business decisions based on the insights and time you save by automating and organizing procedures to obtain accurate reports.

Mobile enablement

HR automation creates a flexible work environment, enabling efficient management of HR processes on the go through the use of mobile devices. Both recruiters and employees can take advantage of employee self-service to get required information or update personal data when they are out of the office.

All these features define automation and how it affects HR, improving the customer centricity of the company and eliminating potential redundancies in the workflow. The advantages are obvious to both employees and organizations.

Common Examples of HR Processes for Automation

Automation will evolve in the coming years, affecting how HR works around critical manual operations.

What can you automate in HR? 

• Recruiting. Applications submitted online can be automatically saved and configured for review by a recruiter. Automation covers candidate testing, interview scheduling, offer letter sending, and more, synchronizing all of the tasks that are typically performed by different apps.
• Onboarding. Any agreements or documents containing confidential information can be easily sent to new hires using an easy-to-follow checklist that contains every employee onboarding file.
• Offboarding. Offboarding can be even more challenging than integrating a new person into a company. Automation allows you to organize it fast by revoking any employee-related information, which is maintained in different files and required when someone is terminated, with a single click. It reduces the extra steps you would have to take manually. Of course, HR automation meaning covers a lot. But first and foremost, it is about simplicity.
• Paid leave management. In a matter of seconds, the program can display the specifics of a leave balance and calculate the amount of unused time off. Leave balances are automatically tracked and updated.
• Reminders. Employees can receive instant notifications and reminder emails on a daily basis as well as on special days and occasions (e.g., work anniversaries, performance analysis, holidays, etc.).
• Expense claims. Submitting expenses is one of the least exciting duties that your team is usually assigned. If possible, the deadline for submitting expenses is pushed back as far as possible. As a result, many reports accumulate on people’s desks or are filled out incorrectly. If you have expense management software that automatically extracts the required data, it is not a problem, neither for you nor for your team.
• Payroll. Anything related to working hours and payment can be simplified via the use of the software. Automation gives rapid access to the full data, covering everything from paychecks to salary changes.
• Tax forms. Tax filing is fairly complicated when done manually. Since the laws are frequently updated, the changes must be monitored and researched regularly. Automation ensures that the tax forms are relevant and correct.
• Time management. Providing a regular reminder to your team to review the timesheets is a good idea, considering that most of them are usually filled out days after the working hours have already occurred.
• Employee benefits. A program helps you monitor when employees become eligible for a benefits package in addition to their regular salary.
• Performance tracking. With the help of technology, an employee’s performance can be reviewed automatically in an electronic format whenever the need arises.

The sooner you adopt automation of HR processes, the sooner you will enhance the human aspect of HR by freeing your team from tedious activities and allowing them to focus on critical responsibilities.

In today’s world, most of our lives are connected to the Internet. Almost all of our activities can be carried out online. And all these actions are so automated that any hitch or a broken user-path begins to annoy consumers. That is why developers, programmers, and designers understand the importance of the interface and speed of websites and applications. It is especially true in the area of eCommerce. Let’s look at more information about these features and capabilities and how to increase competitiveness without sacrificing functionality and interface quality.

An overview of eCommerce project speed

Nowadays, the vast majority of goods are viewed and ordered online, and this has become increasingly popular as people no longer have to physically visit stores or drive around looking for a specific product or service, which may not even be available at that time or location. While eCommerce certainly offers many advantages over traditional shopping methods, it does come with a few potential drawbacks that should be considered.

An unoptimized website or slow loading times can cause potential buyers to quickly leave your website, without even knowing if you have what they’re looking for. According to HubSpot statistics, a staggering 93% of visitors abandon sites due to slow eCommerce loading speed. On the other hand, a loading time of 2 seconds is considered the norm, and even a delay of just 1 or 2 seconds can reduce the percentage of sales by up to 50%.

The success of your project heavily relies on having a competent development team, as the interface, design, and convenience they provide are just as important as the final product. However, as previously mentioned, the site’s loading speed is also of equal importance. By implementing a phased approach to creating your portal, you can conduct eCommerce project testing to ensure that the site is properly optimized. To achieve this, staff augmentation can be a strategic solution, bringing in specialized skills to enhance your team and address these issues efficiently. It’s unfortunate to see how many businesses waste precious resources, money, and time due to minor delays in their site’s performance.

How does page speed affect eCommerce?

Page loading is a complete drawing of all site elements, such as text, pictures, videos, links, etc., and its speed is the time for which this process occurs. Spend  extra time and test website speed for eCommerce on different online platforms. So the sooner this process ends, the more satisfied customers will be, and their purchases are guaranteed on your portal. Everyone wants to see the list of goods for shopping as quickly as possible and not stare at a black screen while waiting.

In addition, the page load speed on eCommerce site is a crucial indicator of the platform’s overall performance, as slow or malfunctioning sites can be a major turn-off for potential buyers. These factors can significantly impact a buyer’s willingness to make a purchase, which is why it’s important to ensure that the site is optimized for speed and user satisfaction. The more satisfied a buyer is with their experience on the site, the greater the chances of conversion and repeat business.

Ways to improve an eCommerce projects performance and speed

And yet, how to optimize site speed eCommerce for your already finished project? You can easily experience updates or a high volume of visits to your portal, so it’s essential to know how to fix it. 

Hosting choice

It is more complicated than it looks because on days with high traffic or sales, your site may stop functioning or experience slow loading speeds, which can cause inconvenience to users. Many popular brands have shared their painful experiences of losing up to $100,000 within just one hour of downtime. To avoid this problem, you need to study your site’s bandwidth and memory limits and anticipate the traffic and influx of users during peak periods. You can also seek help from your hosting provider to prepare for sudden spikes in traffic and optimize your site’s speed.

Performance

There are several options for people to purchase PCs and smartphones online. If you are selling these products you need a strategy to analyze the market and your platform performance to know why purchases on another device suffer. To do this, you can test the site on a PC and phone, optimize the main problems and see how the percentage of conversions changes. It would help if you balance the speed and convenience of the portal for maximum effect.

Image

Photos, videos, and backgrounds often take up a significant portion of a page’s weight, which can cause the browser to load slowly and impact the overall performance of the site. One potential solution is to compress images without losing quality or reducing their number. However, it’s important to remember that visuals play a crucial role in representing the identity and brand of your platform. Alternatively, you can use sprites to combine images into a single file, which can limit the number of requests made to the server and improve the loading speed of your site.

Correct network

You can use a Content Distribution Network (CDN) to speed up your site. These are servers that reduce the load due to their presence around the world. You only work on one router but use local servers for your site visitors, which speeds up the process. With more and more online stores starting to operate in different countries, you need to stay on top too.

Script blocking

Another option to improve your site’s speed and performance is to fix the code. For instance, removing scripts that block the parser can help speed up the loading process. Browsers use HTML parsing to display the site to the buyer, and scripts can interrupt this process, causing the browser to pause and slow down the loading speed of the site.

Pop-up windows

Pop-up windows can be helpful as they allow the client to view the desired product without having to go to a separate page. However, they can also be a hindrance as they may cause the client to misclick or misunderstand the offer, resulting in slower device performance. It’s important to strike a balance and use pop-up windows sparingly to avoid disrupting the user experience.

Miniatures

It is a popular move in e-commerce. It’s possible to have a carousel of the hottest products, but this slows down the site because the browser has to scale down the original image, which takes extra time. To solve the problem, you can use different online platforms that change the image size settings through the browser to suit your requirements without losing quality.

Video use

Video content has become ubiquitous on the internet, but it can also put a strain on your eCommerce portal. It is important to consider how you will embed videos and to use the appropriate code. The standard code will automatically load the video for the user, even if they haven’t clicked on the play button, and it may not adjust the format for different devices. This can be inconvenient for users. Instead, you can use Lite embed code, which will only load the video after the user clicks on a pop-up thumbnail. This solution can help alleviate the strain on your portal and improve user experience.

Economy code

You can also minify your code. Google provides a minification feature that removes poorly coded lines of code from your website without compromising functionality. This will also make your site load faster and help clean up your code. Depending on the type of your sales activity, you can choose the most appropriate ways to improve eCommerce website speed and convenience.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the main transformation elements for digital and virtual technologies. It is widely recognized among the most essential areas of future technology and is continually gaining interest from a variety of industries. The Internet of Things is a network of collaborative devices that can be monitored remotely from any location through the use of the Internet.

What Are IoT Devices?

IoT devices are interconnected electronic devices integrated with IoT gateways to collect, filter, and transport data from one to another without human intervention but with the help of software, sensors, and network-supporting components. Household appliances in a smart home are a classic example of IoT.

What Is IoT Device Testing?

IoT device testing is the execution and evaluation of an IoT system, as well as its components and interactions between them, that is applied to confirm an acceptable level of quality. It is not just about a separate device functioning well; IoT testing involves device testing as well as the entire ecosystem in which it is operating.

IoT devices introduce software complexity and security risks that require significantly more testing than before. Adequate mobile and IoT device testing and improvement are extremely important as cybersecurity concerns continue to rise exponentially.

Why Test IoT Devices?

As the number of devices integrated with software and connected with one another increases, so does the need for them to be properly tested. It is crucial if you want to ensure seamless functioning, effective communication, and accurate data transmission. The device should be safe for both the user and the system. Comprehensive analysis helps to ensure that end-users have a satisfying interaction with the product, which then behaves as it should. In IoT-aided medical apps, for example, an unexpected performance or a minor failure might become a serious problem.

So, the main reasons for thorough IoT device testing are:

• correctly assembled product;
• identification of major performance flaws before presenting the product to the public;
• removal of faulty components from the device;
• increased reliability and quality (the cost of making a mistake in IoT is substantially higher than in any other software product).

IoT testing is more complex than standard software testing since every IoT device involves a unique strategy. System scalability, real-time scenario complexity, and an extremely dynamic environment are common challenges associated with it. A system checkup is a sequence of steps that address performance and security. The only question is, how do we organize the IoT device test process to deliver the desired quality criteria?

How to Perform IoT Device Testing?

IoT device testing introduces new challenges to the development lifecycle, since the process varies according to the IoT system and the specific configuration you are working on. It may include more than just a typical test strategy or method for testing IoT device software. But there are some common steps implemented in most IoT testing practices.

Analyze the requirements

At the very beginning, the relevant questions regarding the product and how it is intended to function are discussed in order to gain a deeper insight into what the final result is going to look like. During the requirement-gathering stage, QA managers define IoT software features, document the requirements to learn them, and identify the testable ones.

Create a plan

This step is entirely dependent on the outcomes of the previous one. It helps to define what the entire process entails from start to finish, prioritizing the appropriate set of scenarios based on different factors. A team agrees upon the scope of work as well as the experts and framework required for the next steps. The roles and responsibilities are assigned. The risks are evaluated.

Design

The team prepares and reviews test cases and scripts. Test case designs are allocated to a QA specialist to go through functionality and priority in a test suite according to the requirements and priority values of test scenarios.

Set up a test environment

When testing an IoT solution, building the environment, which must include numerous devices, is a significant challenge. It is not enough to verify the interaction between the application and the software feature in the setup. To test IoT device in a way that will be officially available for real users, you should come up with an idea of how to incorporate factors such as network connectivity or power into the testing environment. The environment you are building must reproduce the exact production environment.

Execute tests

At this point, the test cases are executed. The intended and actual results are compared to determine if the product behaves according to the requirements and is ready for release. In case of bugs, testers create bug reports with a summary, severity, and steps to reproduce, communicate them, and send the product back to the developers.

Perform continuous regression tests

Regression testing continues until QA experts are confident that the product is stable and that only a few low-priority defects are left. Because of the number of layers involved in an IoT system (sensor, network, and backend), it is highly critical. Any changes to one of them may have an impact on how the rest of the layers interact.

Automate majority tests

Automated IoT testing is a game-changer in product quality. By automating IoT tests, you can improve test coverage, prevent human error, and maintain product quality despite the growing complexity of IoT. The more areas covered by testing, the better the outcome. The sheer number of devices and data in the IoT makes it prone to error if manually tested. Automating the majority of work is an ideal test solution since it brings new capabilities. For example, you can run tests that would be impossible or prohibitively expensive to execute manually. Though automated testing will take more time at first, it will reduce the overall cost of testing already in the middle of the process just by running tests repetitively again and again at a low cost.

Understanding IoT testing and applying an appropriate technique are top priorities for companies striving to manage the complexity of IoT and their share of the market. In the last couple of years, it has already shifted from being just a tech opportunity to a business one.

Communication with an external server to transfer data in a particular form specified by API can be accomplished in a variety of ways and formats. Yet, when discussing popular web services used in modern software development, most people refer to SOAP-based and REST-based API formats.

SOAP (or Simple Object Access Protocol) is nothing but a protocol with a specified structure that works with a number of internet protocols but can only support the XML file type. SOAP is typically used for large volumes of data and security configurations that require more bandwidth than usual. With SOAP, developers constantly need to write a lot of specifications in order to set up the required XML structure.

REST (or Representational State Transfer) is a form of architectural style with isolated client/ server sides that is mostly based on the HTTP protocol. REST is more adaptable, flexible, faster, and offers superior performance compared to SOAP due to less code and reduced CPU intensity. It is best for low bandwidth conditions and a smaller amount of information supplied. REST works just the same as a website does: a client makes a call to a server, which in turn sends back data using the HTTP protocol.

Testing APIs is typical for almost any project you can think of. Since it is the engine driving the process, it should be taken seriously. Here are fundamental soap/ rest API tips for executing it properly.

API Testing Best Practices

In order to perform effective API testing, it is important to follow certain best practices. These practices can help improve the efficiency and accuracy of the testing process, and ultimately lead to better quality software. In this article, we will discuss some of the key API testing best practices that developers and testers should keep in mind when testing APIs.

• Comprehending API requirements. To comprehend the requirements, you must first understand the goal of the API, which will help to prepare the appropriate testing data. What will be verified – responses versus the database/ or versus APIs? It depends on the scope of the test and what exactly you plan to validate. First, define API requirements, and only then proceed further.
• Indicate the API output status. The next step would be to identify the accepted outputs. The response code is verified to ascertain whether the testing succeeded or not. How do you understand that? Compare whether it adheres to the global standard classes and whether it is listed in the requirement. The classes are:

• 1xx – temporary status about a server processing the request;
• 2xx – the server has accepted the request;
• 3xx – the procedure is not completed; additional steps are required;
• 4xx – a client error;
• 5xx – a database/ server overload (the procedure has failed to complete).

Testing with both valid and invalid data reveals how most errors can be handled.

• Concentrate on small functional APIs. Prior to analyzing complex combinations, focus on simpler APIs. Remember the basics of API testing: do not add multiple APIs to the same test case. Introduce a sequence of APIs only after they have all been separately analyzed.
• Arrange API endpoints. One test project does not have to be limited to a single API. The quantity may change, but the process management strategy remains consistent. APIs are divided into categories, which makes the practice of test managing easier. Arrange them into groups based on their similarities. For example, distinguish them by the resource type or path they share. Use a hierarchical system and consistent naming conventions. Grouping different tests that are similar to each other in some way makes them reusable and integrated.
• Apply automation to improve API testing. Utilize automation testing as an efficient technique to check APIs. You can return to previously created tests after they are completed. The implementation is faster, though the test coverage is increased despite the fact that the number of endpoints is already high. Overall, automation in API testing affects testing time, consistency, accuracy, coverage, early bug detection, and cost, allowing fast and efficient software deployment.
• Select appropriate API verification methods. Verification of API response body content, which is a form of structured data requested by a client and returned by the API, is of decisive importance for proving that the programming interface is functioning properly and delivering the desired results. Responses come in different forms and sizes, as well as being validated in a multitude of ways. Common comparisons are the entire response body content against the expected data and one of each attribute values in the response (for dynamic content).

The technique depends on the specific needs of your project, since each one has its advantages and disadvantages.

• Establish both positive and negative API tests. While positive tests guarantee that the programming interface functions as defined, API testing negative scenarios assist in discovering potential flaws with error processing and input validation capabilities. Negative tests measure the performance when the data is inappropriate. Both types are valuable for validation from various points of view.
• Regular API testing process. API testing must take place on a regular schedule (during the entire process) for several reasons, including early issue detection, enhanced API stability over time, bug prevention, and an increased number of tests introduced at a specific moment of testing. Frequent checkups help to uncover flaws before they cause major problems.
• Don’t underrate API automation testing. Although the API testing flow appears to be straightforward (submit – receive – validate), the procedure is more complex than it seems. The most challenging in analyzing the API is data management and verification, rather than request and response. Testing becomes more complicated as it progresses. The problems may arise with the increased number of similarly structured return data. Overall, automated API testing is crucial for quality. It contributes to accuracy and consistency.
• Choose a suitable dedicated testing team. The team you select determines the quality of the outcome. API analysis requires more than just technical skills and expertise. Success relies on communication and interpersonal skills as well. API testing involves working with other teams. That is why collaboration skills and teamwork are important in determining how the process will unfold. The team you will be working with should have a specialized background, testing experience and knowledge of working with APIs, as different approaches will be applied. The team should be familiar with most API technologies and tools.

API testing has become increasingly complex due to the constantly evolving technology landscape and various API testing task approaches available. According to a report by MarketsandMarkets, the global API testing market is expected to grow from $432 million in 2020 to $1.4 billion by 2025, representing a compound annual growth rate of 26.5%. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for API testing services to ensure the quality, security, and reliability of APIs in various industries, including healthcare, retail, and finance.

To meet this growing demand, API testing teams must stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies in the industry. At ZerodefectQA, our API testing team has developed multiple approaches and strategies over the years of experience and a number of cases in development. We use a full-cycle API testing strategy that is tailored to each project, even the most complex ones, to ensure that our clients’ APIs are thoroughly tested and meet the highest standards of quality.

Software testing is one of the most crucial stages in any development life cycle that is done to ensure the software performs in accordance with the existing requirements. Regardless of how well or poorly made the application is, there will be defects to find and fix before customers experience operational failures. Testing can be done either by a human manually entering data (manual) or by using tools and software to imitate user behaviors (automated).

Today we will focus on a manual method and the ways to improve it while implementing in the development process. The first item on our agenda is the definition of the manual software testing process itself.

What Is Manual Testing Process?

Manual testing is the process of manually performing some sort of quality analysis by a quality analyst (usually a tester) to identify any defects or issues before the software is released to the end user. As the name suggests, it is entirely done manually without the use of scripts or automation tools. Manual testing is an essential part of the software development process and one of the most widely used methods to find and remove bugs, ensure the quality of software, and confirm correspondence with the requirements. When is it necessary to use manual testing?

Manual testing is crucial in scenarios when the project has a limited budget or requires a certain level of expertise (that cannot be replaced by automated means). It is the first and most important form of testing to undertake when starting an application or any other software.

Main Reasons to Improve Your Manual Testing Processes

Since the process of manual testing has always been at the heart of testing, the procedure should be constantly monitored and, if possible, enhanced. This is relevant for a couple of reasons.

Cycle Times

Manual testing increases agility while reducing lead times. When testing manually, testers quickly adapt to any changes in requirements or customer needs. The defects are caught early in the process, so the time required to fix them later in the process is reduced. The test coverage within a test cycle increases.

UI Validations

Manual testing is useful for UI validations when a tester directly interacts with the UI, verifying the elements without the risk of them being misinterpreted. Manually clicking on each element verifies that its placement, appearance, and functionality are visually appealing, easy to use, and behave as desired. If something is wrong, the tester catches the discrepancy right away.

Un-Automatable Scenarios

Some testing scenarios are either designed to be done exclusively manually or are not worth automating. In other words, it is either not practical in terms of cost and time or possible to accomplish other than manually. Even when it might not appear to be so, manual testing is always on point.

Exploratory Testing

Manual testing, particularly exploratory testing, enhances bug detection and adaptability throughout the process. Relying on a tester’s expertise and background in the industry, for example, makes it easier to spot potential flaws and tricky issues that might not be caught as quickly if utilizing scripted approaches. QA specialists immediately adapt to newly occurring changes, adjusting test strategies as the process goes on.

Empathy in Testing

Manual testing allows testers to empathize with the end user by mimicking their experience while interacting with the application. This human perspective is essential for identifying usability issues and understanding how users may feel while using the product. Testers can provide valuable feedback on the overall user experience, which may not be possible with automated testing alone.

Real-World Scenarios

Manual testing enables testers to simulate real-world scenarios, including the unpredictable ways users may interact with the application. This helps identify potential bugs or issues that automated testing might miss, as automated tests are typically designed to follow specific, pre-defined paths. Testers can explore different scenarios, taking into account varying user behaviors and environmental conditions, to ensure the application functions optimally across different situations.

Tester’s Intuition

Testers bring their intuition and experience to the manual testing process. This expertise helps them to recognize patterns, identify potential issues, and apply their judgment to determine the best course of action. Manual testing allows testers to apply their critical thinking skills to find defects that might not be captured by automated test cases or scripts, improving the overall quality of the application.

Cost-Effectiveness

While automated testing has its benefits, it can be expensive and time-consuming to implement and maintain. Manual testing is often more cost-effective for small-scale projects or when dealing with rapidly changing requirements. Additionally, manual testing can be used to supplement automated testing, providing more comprehensive coverage and helping organizations to optimize their testing efforts without incurring excessive costs.

With manual testing process improvement, a company can obtain instant results with customer satisfaction and quality, deploying the product to the market more quickly and less expensively.

The Advantages of Improving Manual Testing

Enhancing the testing process can benefit organizations by improving the overall quality of their software. It has a direct impact on the internal process throughout the development cycle while providing a competitive advantage in the market.

• By improving manual testing, you boost customer satisfaction. The product can be extensively tested, with extra attention paid to how it looks and feels, which influences a brand’s reputation in the marketplace.
• The majority of UX/ UI- related issues are discovered through manual testing. The higher the level of testing, the more layout/ text issues will be resolved.
• The cost of a checkup will not be drastically increased even if you continuously improve the process, since no extra tools or scripts are required to execute test cases.
• The more advanced the process, the easier it is to incorporate unplanned modifications into the software as they arise. Manual method is adaptive to various changes.
• Enhanced manual verification allows for a more in-depth analysis of the final product’s usability. It provides humans insight into the testing process. Real people test the product and provide feedback based on their knowledge, technical skills, intuition, and direct observation.

How do you get from where you are to where you would like to be with a manual testing process? What kind of changes have to be made?

Steps to Improve a Manual Testing Process

To optimize the effectiveness of manual testing, it is essential to continuously improve and enhance the procedures involved. In this guide, we will explore various steps to improve your manual testing processes, enabling you to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and ultimately deliver a high-quality product to your users. To optimize manual testing flow, consider the following steps to take.

1. A Good Test Plan. Develop a comprehensive test plan with clearly outlined objectives and strategies. A well-written plan consists of the expected deliverables, scripts and reports, resources, metrics, test environment description, and the estimated period for each testing activity.
2. Clear Requirement. Clear requirements make the process more efficient. Requirement reexamination and explanation reduce rework that happens when functionalities and features are not understood correctly the first time.
3. Write Test Scenarios. Test scenarios are created once the requirements have been explained and queries have been handled to guarantee that the objectives and outcomes are appropriately identified by a team. They provide a visual representation of the entire test coverage situation throughout the process.
4. Reviewing The Test Cases. Analysts and testers should regularly review the test cases and the overall test plan to ensure that all testing scenarios are covered and there are no inconsistencies or redundancies. This cuts down on the time and effort required to run unnecessary tests.
5. The Validity Of Tests is essential for increasing the state and quality of manual testing. It is up to a tester to go through the application from the end user’s perspective, following the procedure step-by-step through various test cases. Any subjective or personal biases are completely avoided by using valid test cases. As a result, the software desired behavior is measured as precisely as possible.
6. Defect Management. During the test execution phase, a number of defects will be identified and collected. The task of a tester is to organize and present them to developers in a way that makes them easily understandable and reproducible for everyone. Defect reporting should include all the necessary information for a developer to investigate a bug and implement a fix: severity, priority, description, environment, test data, steps to reproduce, screenshots of failures, date reported, status, etc.
7. Pertinent Manual Testing Usage. To maximize the efficiency of manual testing and amplify its influence, fully comprehend both the strengths and limitations it has to offer. Apply it in the right way and at the right time where it is required most: early defect detection, newly added or changing features, complex functionality analysis, user experience and interface evaluation, testing while simultaneously learning about the behavior and functionality of a product, etc.
8. Implementing the Expertise of a QA Partner. An external QA partner brings a wealth of expertise and experience to a team. When you invite experienced QAs, who are not part of your team to join the project, you introduce a new objective perspective on the application under the test. Hiring and maintaining an internal testing team is less cost-effective than cooperating with external experts. Of course, they should possess a certain level of proficiency with the tools and technologies involved to accumulate superior outcomes and improve return on investment. Outsourcing allows your company to focus on core competencies and business objectives rather than manage every detail of manual testing by yourself.

The improvement of manual testing ensures that it always remains relevant, effective, and efficient, tailored to the business goals and utilized technologies. When testing adequacy is high, your confidence in the goodness of the upcoming product can be high as well.

Just as you wouldn’t launch a rocket without testing it thoroughly, you shouldn’t release a software product without testing it first. Yet, not all companies see a problem in bringing a product to market that isn’t sufficiently tested. Some do this to reduce development costs, while others simply don’t have the budget to build their own in-house QA team.

Whatever fits your situation, make sure you don’t make this mistake. Software errors found after a product’s launch can be too costly to fix, and some can lead to much more serious consequences, from damage to a company’s reputation to financial losses and even lawsuits.

If this doesn’t sound like the scenario you have planned for your business, this post is for you. In this article, we’ll tell you about Testing as a Service, which could be a game-changer for many tech companies.

What Is Testing as a Service?

Testing as a Service (or TaaS) is an outsourcing model in which an independent service provider undertakes testing activities instead of a company, providing ready access to the right tools, experts, and automation test environments.

With TaaS testing, you can decide how much work you want to outsource. Many companies delegate the entire area of testing to a third-party service provider, but it is also possible to outsource only some activities and leave the rest of the testing to internal specialists, depending on your business needs.

How Does Testing as a Service Work?

TaaS can assume various shapes and forms, but the basic principle remains consistent. A company engages an external service provider to conduct testing, which is typically utilized for automated processes that require massive amounts of resources and effort if done manually.

Here are a few more scenarios where TaaS proves helpful:

• When the time to perform testing is limited.
• There needs to be more testing infrastructure (e.g., technology, space for servers, etc.).
• There are a lot of repetitive tasks.
• Testing requires skilled testing personnel.
• There is a need for unbiased testing.

Depending on the situation, the vendor suggests custom testing solutions that can help automate nearly half of the test cases while reducing testing time and cost (tools and infrastructure are provided by cloud).
The overall procedure is as follows:

1. Continuous improvement. The provider and the client cooperate to address any issues found during testing, improve the product, enhance its performance, and achieve high-quality results in the future. 
2. Test scenarios creation. The first step is developing test scenarios focusing on key aspects of the software. For example, this can be authentication, data processing speed, or the application’s performance under heavy load, depending on the specific requirements of the product.
3. Configuration of test environments. Next up, the testing team would set up virtual machines and configure network conditions to simulate the actual environment in which this application will run. One of the biggest advantages of TaaS providers is the diversity of hardware and resources they’ve got to run tests.
4. Test preparation and execution. Once the test environments are set up, the actual tests are prepared and executed. This step involves writing and running automated test scripts that will be used to perform the tests outlined in the test scenarios.
5. Performance monitoring and analysis. After executing tests, testers gather and analyze performance metrics such as response time, throughput, and error rates to understand how the app behaves under different conditions and if there are any bottlenecks.