In a digital-first environment, end users are highly particular about enjoying a seamless functional experience for every software they use across all the devices they own.

A critical component of application testing, therefore, is verifying how well it performs on real devices, in both mobile and web format—which is where a real device testing cloud comes in.

However, choosing the right testing cloud for your application depends on various factors, and the multitude of choices can make navigating this step more challenging. In this blog post, we’ll offer a quick guide to help you get started.

What Is a Real Device Testing Cloud?

A real device testing cloud is a platform that gives developers and QA teams the opportunity to test their applications on a wide range of real devices without physically owning each device.

The cloud gives access to various device types across multiple makes, models, and configurations so that developers can accurately test as many real-life scenarios as possible.

Benefits of Real Mobile Device Testing Cloud

The real device testing cloud offers an easy and comprehensive way for developers to test how their software will perform “in real life.” The benefits of using it include:

• Stringent security and privacy measures to safeguard user data
• Easy integration with existing CI/CD pipelines and development workflows
• More cost-effective testing than having to acquire a set of devices physically
• A variety of pricing models, such as pay-as-you-go and subscriptions, to suit different needs
• Easy scalability and flexibility to grow with evolving testing requirements and budgets
• Automation for repetitive test scenarios across multiple devices, thus reducing the testing cycle
• Exhaustive device coverage so that the software can be tested for as wide a range of target customers as possible
• Instant access to those devices without the need for setup, enabling developers to focus entirely on test design and execution
• Real-world environments for testing so that any problems are identified and rectified before the app is released to the public

Strategies for Effective Cloud-Based Device Testing

While the exact strategy might differ based on your priorities, we’ve laid out a structure below that will help guide the process:

1. Define objectives and scope
Start by identifying the key goals for implementing comprehensive device testing device testing, such as improving app quality or ensuring compatibility across the latest iOS and Android devices.

Define the exact parameters, including screen sizes and OS versions to be included, depending on who your target market is.

2. Choose the right testing cloud provider
Go for a provider that offers a wide range of devices, integrations with your existing tools, and support on the go. Compare a few options for their compatibility with your specific frameworks (look for free trials or freemium options).

3. Establish testing frameworks and tools
Use testing frameworks that can easily integrate with the cloud provider you have chosen, such as Selenium for automated web application testing, JUnit/TestNG for Java applications, and PyTest for Python applications.

Make sure they support automation, manual testing, and CI/CD pipelines like Jenkins, CircleCI, or GitHub Actions.

4. Craft a comprehensive test plan
Develop detailed test cases for each functional, non-functional, and performance aspect you want to cover and prioritize them based on device usage patterns. Make sure the testing online environments mimic real-world conditions as closely as possible.

5. Implement continuous testing practices
A common best practice is integrating testing processes with CI/CD pipelines to enable continuous testing and deployment. You should also automate repetitive test cases for quicker feedback.

6. Monitor and optimize your testing processes
It’s vital to keep an eye on your KPIs and have a clear feedback loop in place to resolve any issues quickly. Have weekly review meetings where you can review test results with your developers and identify any major problem areas so that those can be prioritized.

7. Don’t forget security and compliance
In addition to top-notch data security and privacy measures, ensure your testing cloud provider complies with relevant industry regulations and standards, such as GDPR.

8. Invest in training and documentation
When you incorporate a cloud-based device testing platform, host training sessions to familiarize your team with how it works. Ideally, the cloud provider will be able to help you with this. In addition, keep documenting your testing processes, including configurations set and mistakes rectified, to serve as a reference point for the future.

9. Conduct pilot testing
Start with a pilot test of your mobile device cloud platform using a smaller set of devices and test cases. Use the results to adjust your configurations and strategy as needed.

10. Scale and expand
Based on what worked in the initial tests, scale up your testing efforts by including more devices and test cases. Keep reviewing and refining as you go, depending on feedback from relevant stakeholders and any new devices your target market might use.

Final Words

Real device testing allows developers and QA teams to improve the app user experience for real-world users continuously. The sooner issues are identified and fixed, the higher the quality of the application and the happier the market will be.

With customer expectations soaring sky-high and competition surging by the day, applications that hope to succeed must be as perfectly tuned to user patterns as possible.

Source: This article was originally published at testgrid.io