Wireless era: what to expect and how IoT software testing evolves

IoT Testing

Democratization of IoT, impact on industries, easier access via cloud services hit up the competition for customer loyalty. And that`s where the question of software quality steps in. As the number of IoT devices increases enormously, consumer expectations about technology, interface, performance rise fast as well. That`s why our team shares some IoT software testing stages a product usually goes through before the release:

Compatibility Tests

Since the IoT system unites a range of devices, software and hardware configuration of those devices also vary. The goal of compatibility tests is to run through all the required combinations gadgets get connected to the system. Therefore, communication modes, device generations, browser types, different operating systems are the essential testing items needed for IoT compatibility checks.

Performance Tests

These tests ensure faultless implementation of the whole IoT strategy and plan. It makes sure IoT application speed handles environments with large data loads. Non-standard scenarios and simulated loads help check the IoT system through sophisticated working conditions.
Since performance testing requires a well-thought-out plan, these are the key parameters the strategy includes:

• Increasing data capacity ensure IoT performs under the extremes of data volume.
• Test cases with a different number of devices — from a few to a thousand.
• Simulating cross-device data exchange.
• Monitoring utility: system usage display, power & battery consumption, temperature index, etc.
• Network impact testing: measuring performance of a deployed IoT app. The stage includes testing a device for a combination of environment conditions and network size.

Connectivity Tests

The IoT system should be all-times available and seamlessly connected with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 4G, etc. When the connection is running, QA engineers ensure the data storage is smooth. But the “connection down” scenario requires more attention, as the tests for wireless connectivity scenarios bring importance to the software makers. The potential problems with connection shape the application design. No matter how robust the network is, chances are the system goes offline. That`s why QA needs to cover bases and check what happens when the network is unexpectedly dropped.
QA ensures the mechanism of data storage continues working during the offline period. Meaning the data loss should be prevented and stored in an offline mode. Software testing often goes into real-world tests — checking the app in the required environment switching between the connections.

Home Automation

While Dropcam and Nest have successfully made waves with the consumers, the Apple HomeKit works on its full home connectivity. However, testing in an unfamiliar environment might be challenging for QA engineers. In this case, it is crucial to consider compatibility (the other devices present at home) or home layout. Virtualization is a way forward for dev and test teams to model any house type and locate device states, though. Therefore, testers have a full picture of the real-life conditions IoT system would function in.

Automated Testing

The Internet of Things Solutions World Congress (IoTSWC) 2018 predicts slow simplification of communication protocol standards in IoT development. That means automated testing has a good chance to fully enter the industry. For now, testing applications connected to the network often results in sleepless nights, since not all IoT devices can be approached by automation. However, the use of automated tests for IoT is always a matter of a specific device. The simulators might help to render the network of IoT nodes and deliver a range of benefits for IoT product release:

• Speed. Accelerated testing process is one of the goals automation can bring to IoT quality assurance. It removes resource limits and enables continuous app testing to be executed along with a cross-device check.
• Test Coverage. Since automated tests are cost-effective, QA would support a broader range of app versions, desktop & mobile devices detecting the early-stage defects. Performance of the connected device and the controlling app might also increase in efficiency with the help of auto tests.
• Use. Automated testing might ensure the IoT app is multi-user and can be deployed in a dispersed environment.

As IoT is an emerging technology in 2019, the role of automated QA is one of the ways to accelerate product delivery and enhance the competitive edge of the industry.

Seems like 2019 should be exciting since IoT technology continues interacting with the businesses bringing new solutions to our everyday lives. The changes might not be that fast, but one thing is for sure: there are unusual market changes to expect over the next few years.