What is on-premise testing, you ask?

‘On-premise testing is a type of testing in which testers run tests on local PCs, systems, or devices set up in an office. As the name implies., it takes place on-site.‘

On-premise testing entails a significant responsibility, from machine and software maintenance and monitoring to upgrades and installations. Besides, on-site testing is on the expensive side as well.

on-premise testing

Advantages of On-Premise Testing:

1. Control
Organizations have better control over setups, hardware, and software while conducting on-premise testing. Hence, they can plan their upgrades and operational maintenance without having to rely on third-party companies.

2. Security
Data is entirely secure because all the tools and machines are placed within the premises. Moreover, only after the security and data storage infrastructure meet specified security compliances and standards can you use it for testing.

3. Less cost for the limited scope
If you only need to test internal apps or websites with a small number of users, or you only need to run a few test scripts, on-premise testing with a spare system or two is a good option.

4. No Internet Required
One of the critical advantages of on-premises storage is that users do not need an internet connection to access data. Even though most organizations rely on the internet to conduct business, there is always the risk that losing a connection will reduce productivity and make it impossible to access vital data.

On-premises servers give you an internal network that you may access at any time, regardless of your internet connection.

Drawbacks of On-Premise Testing:

1. Creating the Environment:-
To undertake on-premise testing, you must first construct and configure a testing environment. It entails establishing a data center that complies with security regulations and other variables.

They include physical components, virtual elements, storage management, and physical infrastructure, among others. All of these things necessitate substantial amounts of money.

To match requirements, you’ll have to manually establish test environments and configure devices, machines, software, and so on. Hence, to be honest, if you’re looking for efficiency and speed, this isn’t the best option.

2. Maintaining Devices and Software:-
When it comes to on-premise testing, keep in mind that there are many costs involved. This is because the equipment and machines need to be upgraded on a regular basis. Maintaining a slew of tools, systems, servers, and software is no easy task.

3. Cost for Infrastructure:-
Machines are stored in one primary site or scattered across multiple locations for on-premise testing, depending on the nature of the organization. This may necessitate the use of virtual and physical storage areas, as well as data centers. On-premise testing also requires a big team with various professionals. With the rapid advancement of technology and software development, this team must constantly learn new skills and keep up with the latest innovations, which is not always practical.

What is Cloud-Based Testing, and Can It Help Solve On-Premise Testing issues?

Cloud-based testing is a type of testing in which end-to-end testing takes place in the cloud. This means that a cloud provider handles all of your infrastructure, maintenance, storage, and device management.

So can it help with the challenges of on-premise testing? The answer is YES.

Here are some ways it will solve said issues:

1. Scalability:-
Cloud computing is scalable, allowing testers to add or decrease computing capacity quickly. Hence, this is helpful when the customer’s business requirements change regularly.

2. Cost-effective:-
With cloud computing, you only pay for what you use. Therefore, the need to spend money on hardware you must purchase, maintain, and upgrade is eliminated. Hence, you can have all of the software and hardware you need at your disposal while only paying for what you use.

3. Adequately set up test environment:-
Setting up a test environment on several devices takes a long time. Moreover, any faults committed during the configuration of the environment can be duplicated across all devices.

Fortunately, you may prevent this by utilizing cloud-based solutions that have been preset by their provider, saving you time and money. Additionally, you can also combine and configure different testing conditions to get the best results,

4. Comprehensive Testing:-
To do extensive testing, the test team must run the application on all feasible devices, including those that support various platforms, operating systems, and browsers. As cloud-based testing includes all of these devices and settings, you don’t have to buy them all.

5. Improved team communication:-
Because cloud-based testing necessitates collaboration between developers and testers, it helps software businesses to incorporate DevOps into their workflows.

Testers can use the cloud to create test environments with various settings and data. Moreover, they can automate testing processes, integrate with development tools to provide rapid feedback, and obtain help from DevOps in setting up.

6. Remote access:-
Working from home has become the standard in most companies today. Cloud-based technologies are incredibly beneficial if your team consists of workers from several geographical locations.

Moreover, since a cloud is always available, your teams may access it from any location, at any time, and collaborate as needed. Contrarily, on-premise testing requires the team to be physically present at a specific place.

7. Testing data parallelly:-
Cloud-based test automation systems provide parallel test execution. Hence, you can run numerous tests in different settings simultaneously. As a result, this saves time and allows for quicker feedback loops. So, this will enable you to match DevOps speed effortlessly.

Cloud-based testing is more collaborative, time-saving, and efficient, with fewer maintenance expenses. So, if you’re ready to embrace the digital transition and overcome on-premise testing challenges, cloud-based testing is essential.

As it’s here to stay, and the cloud is the way to go if you want to remain ahead of the game with the least amount of operational overhead and be more adaptable and versatile.

Conclusion

In conclusion, on-premise testing offers significant control, security, and independence from internet reliance, making it a viable option for smaller-scale, internal testing. However, it comes with high costs for infrastructure, maintenance, and setup, which can slow down operations. On the other hand, cloud-based testing provides scalability, cost-efficiency, and flexibility, addressing many of the challenges posed by on-premise testing. With benefits like remote access, parallel testing, and improved collaboration, cloud-based testing is an ideal solution for organizations aiming to enhance efficiency, reduce operational overhead, and adapt to evolving business needs.

Source: This article was originally published at testgrid.io