Introduction

Several years back, virtualization became a buzzword in the industry which flourished, evolved and became famously known as Cloud computing. It involved sharing computing resources on different platforms, acted as a tool to improve scalability, and enabled effective IT administration and cost reduction. In other words, it includes sharing services like programming, infrastructure, platforms, and software on-demand on the cloud via the internet. To verify the quality of everything that is rendered on the cloud environment, Cloud testing was performed running manual or automation testing or both. The entire process of Cloud Testing is operated online with the help of the required infrastructure. This primarily helps the QA teams to deal with the challenges like limited availability of devices, browsers, and operating systems. It also scrapes the geographical limitations, large infra setup, and process maintenance, making testing on the cloud easier, faster, and manageable. Hence most organizations are focusing on web or mobile app testing on cloud to make app testing simpler , faster and qualitative

What is Cloud Testing?

Cloud Testing deals with the validation of the software services provided on the cloud. In other words, it allows testers to access multiple resources like devices, browsers, operating systems networks, screen sizes, etc., on the cloud to test the app and scrutinize its viability. It uses cloud testing tools and simulates the real user environments to test cloud, web, and other installed applications on a third-party cloud environment equipped with infrastructure to perform cloud testing. It has been a revolutionary road towards strengthening the Testing as a Service model. Cloud testing eventually increases scalability and saves the cost and time of the QA team. For example, mobile app testing on cloud enables testing of apps on real devices, achieving high scalability, 24/7 accessibility and saving a high amount of infrastructural investment.

There are three main kinds of cloud systems:

Public Cloud: Public cloud services are open to the public where help is provided on a need basis.

Private Cloud: Private clouds are completely managed under the data privacy terms of the organization and available to closed users within the firm.

Hybrid Cloud: Hybrid Cloud, as the name suggests, shares a mix of characteristics of both public and private clouds. It depends on the organization to decide which services to be open publically and which ones private.

Cloud testing

Types of Cloud Delivery models

Every computing service is available on the cloud nowadays, but cloud service providers broadly deliver cloud services using three models mentioned below:

SaaS (Software as a Service) – Involves sharing products like Email, CRM, ERP, etc., that are consumed directly by the users on-demand using internet services. For Example, Gmail, Google Drive, etc.

PaaS (Platform as a Service) – It provides an environment and required platforms to build or test your IT products on-demand. For example, it supports application development, web, streaming, etc.

IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service) – It is the most important component of cloud delivery and involves services like Cloud Migration

Here is a helpful comparison poster highlighting the differences between IAAS, PAAS, and SAAS
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Here is a helpful comparison poster highlighting the differences between IAAS, PAAS, and SAAS

Why do you need cloud testing?

We all have tasted manual testing; it is not possible to test everything manually. Even performing automation testing is not a cakewalk; it is more complicated to set up and execute. The teams face many challenges in executing automation testing on in-house device labs. So, we need web or mobile app testing on cloud to simplify the process.

Here is how:

Cloud testing eases the testing process as it facilitates tests for more users on multiple devices parallelly. QA teams can handle their respective test environments individually. In case the tests are queued, Cloud based testing expedites the tests without impacting accuracy.

Cloud based testing allows easy team collaborations, keeps them aligned with the project progress, and helps to track each team member’s performance from time to time.

Setting up an in-house device lab requires financial capital, dedicated human resources, skills, expertise, etc. To perform automation testing, testers need continuous access to the devices and test automation frameworks. Along with this, access to CI/CD tools, test logs, and screenshots, etc., is also required. It becomes arduous to handle all at once, but cloud based testing brings everything under one roof. Cloud platforms are pre-equipped with such features, making it uncomplicated for both developers and testers.

As the apps start gaining traction in terms of more features and users, it demands much faster, reliable, and extensive testing than ever. Cloud based testing easily handles the responsibility of ensuring that the software is capable enough to manage the increased loads as well as provide a great user experience at the same time. So, instead of going back to the in-house labs for the solution, it is better to depend on automated cloud based testing solutions.

As scaling devices is very simple for cloud platforms, enterprises want to implement mobile app testing on cloud as much as possible.

Benefits of adopting Cloud Testing and Cloud based testing tools

We all know that Cloud Testing provides countless benefits to testers. Let’s discuss its advantages and why you should shift to testing on the cloud.

1. Scalability:

Organizations generally do not possess the complete infrastructure required to perform testing. And due to dynamic changes in the business requirements and standards, upgrading their in-house device labs becomes challenging and overburdening. It demands too much in terms of investment in money and expertise as well. Cloud testing solves this problem in a snap by providing benefits that are basic and yet important. It simulates the real environment and allows testing on a mirrored testing environment. Testers follow the easiest steps; they just have to sign up, select devices of their choice, and start testing on them instantly.

1. Cost Effectiveness:

Setting up your device labs will be a huge investment. Coping up with the changing business needs, buying new devices, new frameworks, new software, and licenses every time a new one hits the market becomes a costly affair, additionally you would have to spend time and money in maintaining the lab as well. Which is not at all a feasible option and seems illogical even when the organizations have the choice of opting for cloud testing solutions that can handle their testing needs. Hence enterprise mobility is entirely driven by mobile app testing on cloud.

1. Optimized Environment:

Cloud testing provides all the necessary services in one place, covering all software and hardware configurations required for testing successfully. Continuous Testing Cloud platforms like pCloudy ensure that every time a new user accesses any device on a real device cloud, it is in mint condition and offered with adjustable factory settings. After every test completion, the data is wiped clean for the next user ensuring data privacy.

1. Faster Output:

Cloud testing allows testers to run parallel and automated tests that significantly expedite the delivery of the output. Features like cloud collaboration also contribute to delivering faster results where multiple team members can access, review, and edit tasks in real-time, resulting in improved project management. This improvement in collaboration between diverse teams allows members to monitor their respective activities and avoid activity overlaps.

1. No Geographical limitations:

Testers can access Cloud testing tools to perform cloud based testing automation anytime from anywhere. It makes software testing and deployment quick and easy. It makes it easy to collaborate with geographically dispersed teams of testers and developers.

1. Streamlined Development Pipelines:

Cloud platforms like pCloudy allow easy integrations with tools helping DevOps and CI/CD implementations and building a much reliable and streamlined software development pipeline.

1. Easy Performance Management:

Cloud based testing tools are equipped to identify any issues related to the performance of the mobile or web application. It allows multiple users to virtually access the web application resources simultaneously and report any issues they face. It does not seem easily achievable with an in-house infrastructure where the team would manually manage these issues for all existing browsers. It is the responsibility of the cloud testing platform to keep the testing infrastructure updated all the time so that the users have no problem working on existing projects.

1. Better Test Management:

No product owner would want to leave any bug unresolved in the live web app. This can happen when there is a lack of coordination and poor communication between the Development and testing teams. This can result in a blunder for the organization. To solve this problem, the organization should look for a locally hosted web app that supports integration with commonly favored CI/CD tools and helps to build a strong delivery pipeline. Relying on trusted third-party cloud based testing tools simplifies tracking bugs, prioritizing tests and managing projects, ensuring bug-free apps.

1. Cloud based testing tools advantage:

Cloud testing tools provide test coverage, allowing extensive testing across multiple platforms, devices, browsers, simulated platforms, making testing faster than before. pCloudy provides cloud based Selenium automation testing tools that support various test reporting and management tools for proper analysis and test performance management.

1. Saves time:

Cloud testing allows running multiple applications simultaneously on different hardware so that the focus of testers is more on fixing bugs than handling this laborious task.

Challenges and Considerations in Cloud Testing:

Adopting cloud testing brings numerous benefits, but organizations must be aware of the challenges and considerations that come with it. Here are some key challenges and guidance on how to overcome them:

Data Security: One of the primary concerns when adopting cloud testing is data security. Organizations need to ensure that their sensitive and confidential data is protected throughout the testing process. To address this challenge, it is crucial to choose a reliable cloud testing provider that offers robust security measures. Look for providers that have implemented encryption, access controls, and compliance with industry standards. Conduct thorough due diligence and review the provider’s security certifications and practices before selecting them.

Migration and Integration: Migrating existing testing processes and integrating them into the cloud environment can be a complex task. It requires careful planning, coordination, and expertise. Considerations include migrating test cases, test data, test environments, and test scripts to the cloud. To overcome this challenge, organizations should develop a comprehensive migration plan, including identifying dependencies, ensuring data integrity, and establishing proper integration with other systems and tools. Collaborate closely with the cloud testing provider to facilitate a smooth transition.

Simulation: Simulating real-world environments and conditions for testing purposes is critical to ensure comprehensive and accurate results. However, achieving realistic simulations in the cloud can be challenging. Organizations need to ensure that the cloud testing environment accurately replicates the intended production environment, including factors such as network conditions, user loads, and device diversity. Work closely with the cloud testing provider to configure the test environment appropriately and leverage their expertise in simulating realistic scenarios.

Reliability and Performance: When relying on a cloud testing provider, organizations must consider the provider’s reliability and performance. Downtime or delays in test execution can impact project timelines and deliverables. It is important to choose a reputable and reliable cloud testing provider with a proven track record. Evaluate their service level agreements (SLAs), uptime guarantees, and customer reviews. Conduct performance tests to assess the provider’s ability to handle high volumes of testing activities efficiently.

Continuous Testing and DevOps Integration:

Cloud testing seamlessly integrates with continuous testing practices and DevOps methodologies, providing organizations with several benefits. Here are some key points to understand:

Automated Testing: Cloud testing enables organizations to automate their testing processes effectively. By leveraging cloud-based testing tools and frameworks, test automation can be easily implemented, reducing manual effort and improving efficiency. Automated tests can be triggered as part of the continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipeline, ensuring that every code change undergoes thorough testing before deployment.

Faster Feedback Loops: Cloud testing supports faster feedback loops by enabling rapid and parallel test execution. With the ability to run tests concurrently on multiple devices and platforms, organizations can obtain quick test results and identify issues early in the development cycle. This allows for timely bug fixes and prevents issues from escalating to later stages, ensuring high-quality software delivery.

Scalability and Flexibility: Cloud testing provides the scalability and flexibility required for DevOps practices. Organizations can easily scale their testing infrastructure based on project needs, without the constraints of physical devices or on-premises resources. This scalability enables efficient parallel testing across multiple configurations, accelerating the overall testing process and reducing time-to-market.

Collaboration and Visibility: Cloud testing promotes collaboration between development, testing, and operations teams. Through shared access to the cloud testing environment, teams can collaborate in real-time, share test artifacts, and track the progress of testing activities. This improves communication, streamlines workflows, and enhances visibility into the testing process, facilitating better coordination and faster issue resolution.

By embracing cloud testing and integrating it into their continuous testing and DevOps practices, organizations can achieve higher efficiency, improved software quality, and faster time-to-market. It is essential to choose a reliable cloud testing provider that aligns with the organization’s specific needs and requirements, ensuring a seamless and successful adoption of cloud testing in the DevOps pipeline.

App Testing on the Cloud with pCloudy:

App testing presents unique challenges due to the wide variety of devices, operating systems, and configurations in the market. Testing across multiple devices and platforms can be time-consuming, resource-intensive, and costly for organizations. This is where cloud-based solutions like pCloudy come into play, offering specific advantages for mobile app testing. Here are some insights into mobile app testing on the cloud:

Testing Across Device and OS Fragmentation: With thousands of different device models and operating system versions, testing mobile apps for compatibility can be daunting. Cloud-based mobile testing platforms like pCloudy provide access to a comprehensive range of real devices, covering various manufacturers, models, screen sizes, and OS versions. This allows testers to execute tests on a wide range of devices without the need for physical access to each device, ensuring comprehensive coverage and reducing testing time.

Seamless Test Execution: Cloud-based mobile testing solutions simplify and streamline the test execution process. Testers can upload their app onto the cloud platform and execute tests remotely on multiple devices simultaneously. This parallel execution significantly reduces the testing time and accelerates the overall testing process. It also eliminates the need for testers to manually install and configure the app on each device, making the testing process more efficient.

Real-World Testing Environments: Cloud testing platforms like pCloudy offer real-world testing environments that simulate network conditions, such as 2G, 3G, 4G, or varying network speeds. This enables testers to evaluate app performance under different network conditions and identify potential issues related to connectivity, data usage, or latency. It ensures that the app delivers a consistent user experience across different network scenarios.

Automated Testing Capabilities: Cloud-based mobile testing solutions often provide robust automation frameworks and integrations with popular test automation tools. This allows testers to automate test scripts and execute them across multiple devices and OS configurations simultaneously. With automation, organizations can achieve faster test cycles, higher test coverage, and improved accuracy in their mobile app testing efforts.

AI Capabilities in pCloudy:

pCloudy incorporates AI capabilities that further enhance the testing experience and efficiency. Here are some key AI-driven features offered by pCloudy:

Visual AI: pCloudy’s Visual AI feature uses artificial intelligence and computer vision algorithms to automatically detect and highlight visual UI defects within the app. It enables testers to identify visual inconsistencies, layout issues, and design flaws across various devices and screen sizes. Visual AI simplifies the process of UI testing and ensures a visually appealing and consistent user experience.

Certifaya: Certifaya is an AI-powered bot developed by pCloudy that performs automated app testing. It leverages machine learning algorithms to analyze app behavior, identify potential issues, and provide comprehensive test reports. Certifaya detects anomalies, performance bottlenecks, and functional glitches, helping organizations identify and resolve issues efficiently.
By utilizing these AI capabilities, pCloudy empowers organizations to achieve higher test accuracy, faster defect detection, and improved overall app quality. These AI-driven features complement the robust testing infrastructure of pCloudy, making it a comprehensive and efficient solution for mobile app testing on the cloud.

Conclusion:

Cloud testing is the need of the hour, aiming to bring efficiency, flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness in achieving testing goals. Although cloud based testing has proved to be the best option in the automation testing area, few organizations are still hesitant to adopt it because of the challenges of data security, migration, integration, and simulation. But it is good to know that there are more benefits than disadvantages. Testing products frequently reveals all possible problem areas that can cause any damage later. In the present competitive times, the focus should be on leveraging modern cloud technologies to the maximum and reduce infrastructure costs. Opting for web or mobile app testing on cloud reduces the huge investments on devices infrastructure and accelerates the testing process. pCloudy makes cross-browser testing easy by allowing organizations to test their applications on multiple platforms, browsers, devices, giving you various browser-OS and device combinations. Cloud testing is a practical way of achieving organizational goals of every business requirement.