Software testing as a service (STaaS) is an outsourcing model where testing activities are outsourced to a third party testing specialist. STaaS providers simulate real world testing environments and provide on-demand software testing services. STaaS allows organizations to access automation tools and skilled testers flexibly without large investments. Popular STaaS services include automated regression testing, performance testing, security testing, and testing of cloud applications. STaaS can reduce costs for organizations and help deliver high quality software faster.

1. Software Testing as a
Service - STaaS
by
Smriti Verma – Hexaview Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
Rahul Kumar – Element Infomatics Pvt. Ltd.

2. Software testing as a Service
 What is STaaS
 Software testing as a Service (STaaS) is an outsourcing model, in
which testing activities are outsourced to a third party which
specializes in simulating real world testing environments as per
client requirements. In other words, STaaS is a process in which
companies ask service providers to provide software testing services
as and when required.
 Services that are well-suited for the STaaS model include automated
regression testing, performance testing, security testing, testing of
major ERP software, and monitoring/testing of cloud-based
applications.

3. STaaS “As a Service” solutions
 STaaS allows organizations to buy what they need and when they need.
This means, organizations can use automation tools and skilled people on
demand, as and when needed.
 Full testing services will be provided by STaaS providers to the demanding
organizations. Hence, no matter how small or large an organization is, it
can afford STaaS due to its simple and flexible approach.
 STaaS is becoming popular now-a-days, as organizations get the best of
service without huge investments.
Performance
Functional Testing
Testing
STaaS
Compatibility Security
Testing Testing

4. When to use STaaS?
 It is critical for organizations to decide when they really want to use STaaS,
to get the best possible results. STaaS is useful for:-
1. Performing specialized tasks which require a high degree of automation
and quick results.
2. Performing tasks which require people with automation skills .
3. Performing testing efforts that don’t require in-depth knowledge of the
design or the system.
 To be in the market, organizations have to compete, produce the best of
products and deliver out of the box services. Market pressure is so high that
no organization can compromise on the quality of products/services. To
deliver out of the class service in limited budget and time constraints,
STaaS is the answer.

5. STaaS model follows all phases of Software
Testing Life Cycle, confirming to international
standards.
Test Planning
Test Analysis
Test Design
Construction
STaaS and STaaS
Verification
Test Cycles
Final Testing
and
Implementation
Post Implementation

6. Types of STaaS
Types of STaaS Functional testing as
a Service
Performance Testing
as a Service
Security Testing as a
Service

7. Software Testing-as-a-Service includes:-
1. Functional Testing-as-a-Service
STaaS providers enable functional testing services for clients which
include, but not limited to, UI/GUI testing, integration, regression and
automated user acceptance testing (UAT). It brings down the cost of
regression testing, increases test coverage and gives assured results.
2. Performance Testing-as-a-Service
Performance testing is very crucial for an organization where multiple
users are accessing the application at the same time. STaaS simulates
real world users’ environment by creating virtual users, thereby testing
to check if the system can withstand the load and stress. It is a “pay-
as-you-go” method for such tests.
3. Security Testing-as-a-Service
Security testing is very crucial for any web based application. With an
increasing number of websites and applications obtaining critical
information such as credit card or account number, the security for
such information is of utmost importance. STaaS scans the websites
and the applications for any vulnerability.

8. STaaS Providers speak out
 Bogdan Chernyachuk
Project Manager & Resource Manager at EPAM Systems, Ukraine
My team (40+ QA Engineers) executes functional, integration and automation testing
services for a large customer. We are not developing products, only test them. We test
various applications built by various development teams (which are teams on customer side
or other outsourcing vendors) and testers need to adjust their work with the methodologies
and processes implemented in each of that teams (so it varies from true scrum approach to
some kind of waterfall).

9. STaaS Providers speak out
 Ethel Evans
SDET at SEOmoz, Greater Seattle Area
As a service, testing product is information about the development product. What you might
be able to measure, then, is timeliness and quality of information about the product. With so
many different project types, you might not be able to compare between projects or testers
easily, but maybe you can get some trends over time.

10. Here are some thoughts about specifics, drawn largely from
metrics I've seen in the past when working with a "service"
mentality - Ethel Evans, STaaS Provider
How fast can you get testing results back to the developers
after a build?
How thoroughly are failures investigated?
How many bugs are detected by your testing on the first pass,
and how many are found later through other means?

11. How accurate are your time estimates?
How easy is it for the client to get information to and from
testers?
How many of your automated tests are running at any given
time, and how many are broken, blocked, or otherwise
unusable?

12. STaaS Benefits
Software Testing-as-a-Service or STaaS is used in all spheres of the
industry. With the advent of testing an application on not just computers,
it’s increasingly important to test on laptops, notebook PCs, smart phones,
tablets, dual monitors etc. with different versions of the OS and different
versions of browsers
In-Depth
Coverage
Low cost Quick &
STaaS
& Trusted timely
Benefits
result results
Flexibility

13. Software Testing as a Service over Cloud
 Cloud Testing is a form of software testing in which web applications
use cloud computing environment to simulate real-world user traffic.
 Cloud Testing offers effective unlimited storage, quick availability of the
infrastructure with scalability, flexibility and availability of distributed
testing environment reduce the execution time of testing of large
applications and lead to cost-effective solutions.
 Companies simulate real world Web users by using cloud testing
services that are provided by cloud service vendors such as
SOASTA, HP, Load Impact, Compuware and Keynote systems.
 Once user scenarios are developed and the test is designed, these
service providers leverage cloud servers (provided by cloud platform
vendors such as Amazon.com, Google etc.) to generate web traffic
that originates from around the world.

14. STaaS Over Cloud
Deliver
Monitor
Goals
Start Testing
Leverage Cloud Services
Setup Infrastructure
Select Cloud service Provider
Design test cases
Develop User scenarios

15. Case Study 1
A dedicated offshore Software testing service centre provided end – to –
end testing service to client realizing a cost reduction over 35% along with
faster product launch and reduction in testing cycle time.
• Client Situation – One of the world’s largest financial groups delivering
service to over 60 countries across Europe, America, Africa and Asia.
• The Challenge – For expansive growth in India and other emerging
markets was facing excessive overhead and operation costs in its
product rollout for overall business plan. Lack of location specific domain
knowledge and poor quality of product would delay the launch of retail
operations on multiple occasions.
• The Solution – With incorporation of STaaS there was established a
dedicated testing centre which offered a wide spectrum of key services
encompassing –

16. Case Study 1
Test Consulting
System Testing
Integration Testing
Performance Testing
Functional Testing
Regression Testing
UAT

17. - Benefits
• Faster resource ramp- ups through investment in training and knowledge
management of niche skills.
• 33% improvement in time-to-market and faster product launch / roll outs
through leveraging reuse & business process testing solutions , leveraging
product knowledge & competencies and generic regression test packs.
• 35% reduction in total testing cost through leveraging offshore team,
extensive test automation and extensive reuse through libraries.

18. Case Study 2 : - An Agile Approach
The implementation of managed software testing as service resulted in
a 60% decrease in cost, spanning over a short period of two years.
The planned approach to workflow was effective enough to have a
positive effect on throughput of the projects.
• Client Situation - In the autumn of 2007, a global telecom provider
based out of UK hot listed a number of challenges being faced with the
management and supply of software testing services. The major
objectives were outlined as:
• Overall cost reduction of the services
• Utilization of a cheaper offshore resource where appropriate
• Reducing the cost of managing the service
• Increasing the stability of resource base

19. • The Challenge – A crest trough pattern of testing demand resulted out
of client’s dynamic and fast –paced environment. Ad hoc testing that
was utilized as a reaction to the crest and troughs of demand resulted
in the client dealing with a lack of accountability from vendors as
testing was not being planned holistically.
• The Solution – STaaS carved out a solution to the scenario and the
proposed resolution included :
• Depending on the amount of planned project over a rolling period –
workflow requirements , tester infrastructure and costs were
calculated
• A year - on - year cost reduction competitive pricing model was
devised
• Wide range of KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) ensured that
both the client and solutions provider had agreed measures for
success

20. - Benefits
Cost reduction in services management as account/resource
management was an integral part of service which was delivered to the
client at no cost.
• Long term, localized staff commitment ensured the testing was
continuous.
• Efficiency of projects increased with appropriate mix of onshore,
offshore and automation within the testing services undertaken.
Summary
Software testing as a Service is a model which allows organizations to
pay for what they need, when they need it. By using a flexible approach,
STaaS allows organizations to get the benefits of automation testing
without the risk of huge investments.

21. A graphical representation of evolution of the service
(X – Time, Y - Staff)

22. Conclusion
With all the known benefits of STaaS, it’s a great way to lessen the
burden on organizations and help them concentrate on developing
world class applications.
Hence, STaaS solutions may be the answer to give your organization
state-of-the-art testing solution without the high price tag.

23. Questions Please …

24. Thank You !
- Smriti Verma – SQE @ Hexaview Technologies
- Rahul Kumar – QA @ Element Infomatics