At STAR, we've been working with many automated tools over the last decade to include WinRunner, QTP, LoadRunner, Rational Robot, TestPartner, Silk and open source tools. From my personal experience, many companies that buy automation tools for automating there QA processes will stop using them as soon as they lose key personnel or they hit a major road block with their product. The question is, why is there no standard test automation tool, something like "silver bullet" to solve our testing problems and bring happiness to the Quality Assurance world? Why do so many companies believe that test automation implementation will cost a fortune or they go with open source and eventually stop using the tool base on the lack of professional support? Well, we know that the customer would like go with most popular and widely used automation tool to be able to obtain or retain more talent in organization, not losing their ROI. Looks like QTP from HP is "the most widely used" tool in the market, they holding the biggest share in the area of automated tools. However, many test automation issues remain un-solved. Again, people have been sold on record and playback features with next day (after recording) "hangover", a maintenance nightmare. Besides, the cost of this tool is pretty heart stopping experience in itself. Now, why are companies still considering HP QTP versus other tools? More people are using this tool, right? But, not every one of them knows "how to use" the tool efficiently. I've heard many times from our customers that HP customer service for old Mercury products is painful, they are looking for a new solution, tool with compatible features, easy to learn and perhaps more affordable initial investment. On this note, I would like to look at HP rivals, AutomatedQA and Pragmatic Software. AutomatedQA's TestComplete v7 is the most feature rich, yet most affordable automated tool in the market. Software Planner by Pragmatic Software is absolutely the best Test Management ALM tool. Training is cheap at the moment, and I believe those tools will simply win over HP and IBM customers very soon. The TestComplete and SoftwarePlanner community is growing every day, and I would consider converting from QTP and other tools starting tomorrow. Software Planner offers keyword driven automation. You can start automating your application without an automation tool and application available at hand. Silly but true. Start typing your steps, based on user stories, purchase TestComplete later (when application is available), and add objects, run everyday with no maintenance. I think that would solve the main issues: non-technical personnel will be involved in automation from begin.
Tags:
alm, qtp, quicktestpro, software planner, test automation, testcomplete, testing
Posted at: 12:21 AM | Add Comment
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