Introduction to Mobile Cloud Testing
Cloud mobile testing is defined as running software application tests on the cloud instead of in on-premises environments. Testing in the cloud allows testers and developers across the world to communicate seamlessly via the internet. This is because it keeps all devices and test-related information in a central location where everyone can access them when needed. Additional, cloud testing grants testers the ability to test multiple devices with different OS platforms, versions, screen sizes, network carriers, etc.
Testers may use virtual software environments (simulators and emulators) or real devices in cloud testing. Contrary to real devices, which require an actual mobile device for testing, emulators and simulators are software testing platforms where testers can run tests in a virtual environment. An emulator is used to mimic the software and hardware features of a device. A simulator emulates only the software part of a device. While simulators and emulators eliminate the troubles and costs associated with real devices setup, you should note that both tools are only used to set-up an environment similar to a real device to run tests more quickly. They are not perfect at mimicking an actual device response as a real mobile device would.
Why Mobile Cloud Testing?
According to Statista, 1.5 billion phones would get sold in 2020. This fact puts companies and testers under pressure to produce new applications and features. However, there is a need to test all these applications on new devices across different OS versions, screen resolutions, etc. Hence, more companies are gradually shifting to cloud-based mobile testing. This rise in the use of cloud mobile testing will only increase in the nearest future.
The benefits testers could get from mobile cloud-testing are:
- Maintenance and set up
Mobile cloud testing abolishes the need to maintain and set up mobile testing devices on-premises. As a result, testers can easily access multiple devices, OS platforms, display densities, etc. on demands. Furthermore, should you use automation cloud testing tools, the installation, and setup process is significantly shorter, if non-existent, compared to traditional tools.
- Time-saving
Without mobile cloud testing, testers may need to run tests on multiple devices one by one. This could take a lot of time to complete. On the other hand, cloud mobile testing allows testers to run tests on multiple devices simultaneously, thereby making tests easier and faster.
- Worldwide accessibility
Another benefit of mobile cloud testing is that it is always available and easily accessible to testers and developers if they have an internet connection. That is, teams can carry out tests from different locations and access the report from anywhere in the world. It also fosters transparent communication, thus ensuring efficient project management.
- Cost
Cloud mobile testing encourages pay per user basis. This means it would be more cost-effective than setting up and maintaining an on-premises mobile testing infrastructure.
- Easy availability and high scalability
Finally, cloud testing offers elastic scalability of testing. It allows testers to ramp up and down as the project change or project goals shift.
Limitations of Mobile Cloud Testing
The most common limitations of mobile cloud testing include:
- Lacks backup and redundant test
One common limitation of mobile cloud testing is that it is not designed to store test plans or backup. Hence, a re-execution may be needed during testing – at an extra cost.
- Bandwidth issues
Another problem testers face when using mobile cloud testing is that cloud resources are usually shared and available to everyone. This could lead to fluctuations. In order to maximize the effectiveness of these tools during the testing, there is a need to have enough bandwidth.
- Limited security
The third limitation to mobile cloud testing is that although the testing tools used during the process are safe and secure, they do not proffer remote clean-up sessions. You are also putting your information (such as application data, codes, etc.) on a third-party platform, which makes it susceptible to hacking.
- Inconsistent feature coverage
Additionally, testing service in a mobile cloud testing may not be fully equipped to test each new feature released. The constant changes in functionality may then cause inadequate test coverage.
Implementation of Mobile Cloud Testing
Before choosing mobile cloud testing, here are factors to consider:
Define if Your Application Needs Cloud Testing
First, you would need to determine if the targeted application requires cloud testing or not. The criteria to consider include:
- Potential audience
The end-users are one of the primary factors to consider before choosing mobile cloud testing. For example, mobile applications created for millions of end-users globally would need to be tested for load, penetration, and stress tests for real-world scenarios. Such testing can only with mobile cloud testing as other testing methods will only slow down the testing process. Examples of apps that fall into this category are travel apps, gaming apps, etc.
- Phone model testing
The testing of various phone model screen sizes is another crucial part to consider before choosing mobile cloud-testing. For example, if an application has a feature that will need to work differently on multiple phone models or screen sizes (e.g., imaging feature, flashy UI), cloud testing is needed. This is because designing test beds to suit each of these requirements would be costly and time-consuming.
- Operating system testing
Applications designed based on specific features of a particular operating system, versions, and native app should run on mobile cloud testing. Such apps need to be regressed across several versions; hence it requires a testbed that consists of different versions.
Tool Selection
There are several tools available for mobile cloud testing. Here are some of the cloud-based software testing tool on the market:
- Saucelabs
Saucelabs is a paid tool that allows mobile application testing across IOS and Android real devices, emulators, and simulators. Test automation can be done for both native and hybrid applications when using this tool. It also utilizes open source frameworks like Appium, Espresso, or Robotium for testing.
- Perfecto
It is a paid and completely web-based software as a service platform. It offers manual, automation, and performance testing on real devices (it doesn’t support emulators). Perfecto supports testing on IOS, android, and more than a thousand real devices. It provides a plug-in for Appium, Eclipse, Jenkins, and many more.
- Kobiton
It is an affordable and highly flexible cloud-based mobile device platform. Kobiton speeds up testing and delivering web, native, and hybrid applications on both IOS and android. It also offers real-time mobile devices to testers and developers. The integration of Katalon Studio on Kobiton devices helps to achieve the easy execution of automation tests.
Read more: Top 4 & Top 15 Mobile Testing Tools for 2020.
How to Elevate Your Cloud Testing Plan?
In order to get more value out of the mobile cloud testing, these are additional set up to put in place:
- Consider automation integration
Testers should consider using automation tools like Katalon to enhance their cloud testing. There are a lot of benefits to doing this. First, automation integration is cost-effective. Companies will spend less on hardware requirements. Other benefits of automation integration include quicker testing, reduced manual efforts (e.g. installation, adding/replacing users), etc. To ensure you select the right tool for your automation integration, please read how to select automation tools.
- Mobile testing environment
Identify the mobile test environment that is most important to your target market. This enables testers to save a considerable amount of testing time, rather than testing on every type of mobile hardware and software available.
- Conduct parallel testing
With the right automation tool in place, parallel execution will help speed up test routines. It allows testers to run unlimited numbers of tests at once, on different devices without supervision. It also helps combine different sizes, versions, operating systems, and simulated network conditions for testing.
Conclusion
Mobile cloud testing offers easy, time-saving, and cost-effective mobile software testing. This can be achieved by following the right implementation tips to lead to a successful outcome. With this article, you now have the necessary information about mobile cloud testing and methods of implementation to successfully leverage cloud technology into your mobile testing strategy.