TaaS stands for “Testing as a Service” which is related to the outsourcing of testing activities to a third party that focuses on simulating real-world testing environments as specified in the client requirements. In other words, TaaS is an outsourcing model. Given below is the block diagram for TaaS (Testing as a Service).

 

 

TaaS (Testing as a Service)

Types of TaaS

Application testing is usually associated with functional, performance and security testing. Using TaaS, we can conduct all of these three types.

• Functional Testing as a Service: It is a behavioral testing supported by TaaS Functional Testing. It includes GUI Testing, integration testing (SIT), regression testing, and Acceptance Testing or UAT testing.
• Performance Testing as a Service: We can perform performance testing for any software application where we allow multiple users to access the application simultaneously and figure out the threshold point for that application to perform smoothly. Load testing and stress testing are part of performance testing which could be conducted with the help of TaaS Performance testing. TaaS allows creating an environment of real world users which are actually virtual users who contribute towards performing the load and stress testing for an application under test.
• Security Testing as a Service: TaaS is also capable to perform Security testing by simply executing vulnerability scans on the software applications and websites under test.

 

 

Testing as a Service (TaaS) Features

TaaS has the following key features.

• Self-service portal for running application which helps to execution functional as well as load tests.
• Test library with full security controls which helps to save the test assets available to the end users.
• It maximizes the hardware utilization through the sharing of cloud hardware resource pool which is well abided by security policies.
• The test lab is available which can help to provide on-demand deployment of complex multi-tier applications, test scripts, and test tools.
• Bottlenecks if any are well detected and helps to solve any problem for the application under test by simply monitoring it.
• It has metering services that help in billing the customer based on the usage of the Services. It tracks the usage and charges for the service as agreed.

 

Testing as a Service (TaaS) over Cloud

Like any traditional testing approach, we need to first create user scenarios and design the test cases. Once we have our test plan ready then these service providers deliver required servers in order to generate virtual traffic across the globe. In the TaaS cloud, software testing occurs in the following steps.

• Development of the user’s scenarios.
• Test cases designing.
• Selection of cloud service provider.
• Setting up of infrastructure.
• Leveraging cloud services.
• Start execution of tests.
• Monitor the setup goals for which testing is to be achieved.
• Deliver test results.

TaaS is recommended to use and conduct testing when there are the like challenges as given below.

• An application testing has very short execution cycle.
• Application testing requires extensive automation.
• The testing task does not require deep knowledge of the system design.
• The testing team needs to conduct ad-hoc testing.
• Application testing requires extensive resources in order to achieve performance or functional testing.

 

Advantages of Cloud Testing

The following are the advantages of cloud testing or TaaS.

• It provides flexibility in terms of execution of Test and maintains well Test Assets.
• Saves the overall testing cost which is spent in terms of procuring hardware and setting up a test Users have claimed that they have saved 50-60% of the cost through cloud testing vs. the traditional testing approach.
• Cloud testing ensures quick test results through rapid procurement, project set-up, and test execution.
• Ensures data integrity with access only to the intended users.
• TaaS can be though as an investment towards the elimination of the hardware procurement, management, software licensing, and regular maintenance cost of hardware assets as a test
• It helps to reduce the overall operational costs, maintenance costs for software testing in an organization.
• TaaS also provides the customer support which helps in the resolution of environment-related issues at no additional cost.
• Pay as per use and only on need basis.

 

Disadvantages of Cloud Testing

The following are the disadvantages of cloud testing or TaaS.

• An organization needs to outsource its testing which may be the exposure of Intellectual Property (IP) outside the organization.
• The testing team may need to work with cloud Support team which may be external to the organization.
• An organization may become dependent on the external organization for fulfilling testing needs.

 

Comparison between TaaS service vs Traditional Testing Approach

Test assets are generated manually.License for test tools to be purchased and these to be installed and set up manually in order to make them for use.Test data is manually generated.Test documentation and reports are generated manually by the testing team.

Approach	TaaS Service	Traditional testing Approach
Test Environment	It is an on-demand test environment.	It is manually created and maintained.
Test Assets	It has dynamic test assets.	Test assets are generated manually.
Test Tools	Test tool can be brought and use on TaaS on-demand basis and charged on use basis.	License for test tools to be purchased and these to be installed and set up manually in order to make them for use.
Test data	It is dynamically generated as per requirements.	Test data is manually generated.
Test Documentation	Test documentation and reports are generated dynamically as per preformat in the TaaS system.	Test documentation and reports are generated manually by the testing team.
Knowledge of Business Domain	Business domain knowledge is extracted dynamically.	Business domain knowledge is extracted manually by the testing team.

 

Conclusion

TaaS is an outsourcing model that aimed at achieving maximum testing for the software application from functional, performance, and security aspects. Organizations always want to reduce the testing cost for saving money and under such scenario, TaaS is the best choice. The reason behind that TaaS allows to get rid of procuring additional test environment, hardware, software licenses, etc. All of these services are made available on Cloud which can be paid to the service provider only on need basis. Also it saves lots of money to the organization in terms of hardware and test environment maintenance cost.