SaaS is short for Software as a Service, but you must know that already. Every cloud-based solution that functions mostly online via web browsers can be defined as a SaaS. Such applications are convenient, available anytime, easy to access and come with a variety of payment options.
SaaS is only one of the variations of cloud services. Together with PaaS (Platform as a Service), IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), DaaS (Desktop as a Service), and other solutions driven by similar logic, they are united by an umbrella term XaaS (“you-name-it as a service”). But let’s focus on one of its types for now 🙂
SaaS solutions are very diverse in terms of their features and purpose. We are speaking of:
The functionality and complexity of SaaS vary from product to product. But there’s one thing they have in common: only software of high quality has a chance to become widely-used. That’s where QA steps in.
According to LinkedIn research, 55% of people are certain that remote work doesn’t affect their chances to succeed in the industry. Annual research on the state of remote work by Owl Labs shows that 80% of full-time workers expect to work from home at least three times per week after the quarantine. 23% of full-time employees are even willing to take a 10% cut to work remotely at least some of the time.
The traditional office life isn’t going to return to its previous mode. Therefore, businesses understand the value of SaaS implementation. Flexible infrastructure, no physical restrictions on system access, and overall functionality make SaaS a must-have solution for those who plan to keep up with competitors. Besides, flexible subscription options and pay-per-use models make SaaS a cost-efficient solution.
But apart from the potential benefits, product owners should remember that every SaaS is a system with complex architecture. It connects numerous app servers, databases, codes, networks, client devices, etc. To be sure a product delivers the expected value, it is essential to have a proper quality inspection before release. And it doesn’t matter if you cover this part with in-house QA resources or involve outsourced software testing services. Just remember that it should be a professional team specializing in QA, not only developers or enthusiastic stakeholders.
In a way, SaaS application testing is a standard procedure. Of course, a QA team creates a custom testing strategy and test plan based on the project requirements. However, they use techniques and types of testing that can be applied to a vast variety of other software products.
In general, a testing strategy features the following points:
Then comes product support. Testing doesn’t necessarily stop after the first release. A QA team works with new features, runs regression tests, provides tips on product scaling as it evolves.
At some point, you will need to implement test automation on the project. Dealing with a large functionality and numerous users, keeping up with updates and quality standards are the tasks that require significant resources. That’s when automated testing comes in handy.
If you’re looking for test automation tools to use, here’s a list of suggestions:
If your team is new to automation, start your tool research with this list. You can also reach out to discuss the details of test automation for your product with QA Madness. We can help you set up both automated and manual testing processes from scratch.
There is a simple rule software providers should remember: high-quality testing equals high-quality SaaS. Given the proven effectiveness of cloud solutions and current circumstances, the SaaS market will keep increasing and becoming more competitive. Functional and reliable software products will be one step ahead of the competitors that don’t take testing seriously.
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