Archive for 2007

Next Generation Software Testing Arrives In Israel Thanks to Original Software

IT and QA departments no longer have to put up with legacy software testing tools,
thanks to the introduction of a Hebrew version of TestDrive.

December, 27, 2007 – For the last twenty years, automated testing in Israel has been dominated by tools that use complicated scripting languages. These tools are notoriously difficult to set up, complicated to run, and extremely labour intensive to maintain. It is no wonder then, that 80% of software testing is still carried out manually*, with the majority of this software automation tooling gathering dust on shelves?

Thankfully for the Israeli testing community there is another way. Original Software have enhanced their next generation software testing solution – “TestDrive” to fully support Hebrew software applications, meaning the power and versatility of code-free testing and self-updating scripts are now fully accessible.

Whereas traditional script-based testing tools need a lengthly set up time to install, a specialist workforce to use them, and suffer from continual maintenance problems, the next generation technology in TestDrive offers the users a number of significant advantages:

No Scripting Language: Graphical scripts are built based on the user’s interaction with the application under test. This means that no knowledge of complicated scripting languages is needed. Test automation is no longer the domain of programmers.

Speedy Implementation: Instead of many months of preparation being needed before implementation, with next generation solutions testing can begin in days. This means your investment starts paying you back earlier.

Scripts that Update Themselves when an Application Changes: The intelligent technology behind these solutions mean that they automatically recognise when an application interface has changed and the scripts are updated to reflect the changes. This means that the solutions are completely re-usable, no matter how often the application changes. As a result, the automation zone (the areas of the application that can be tested using automation), is no longer confined to those areas that are stable and risk free.

Dov Kellerman of Original Software reseller, KDe Group, said: “We are very excited to be able to introduce this next generation software solution to the Israel software quality marketplace. For too long people undertaking testing had been left to fend for themselves when their current software testing tool failed them, now we can empower the testing department and enable them to reduce the testing bottleneck in application development.”

A Helping Hand for Manual Testing: If this is not enough, TestDrive also has unique functionality to deliver active support for manual testing. By compiling a pictoral history of recent testing, it is easy to recreate and isolate software defect. Productivity is greatly improved, current customers are enjoying a reduction in their manual testing time by at least 50%.

* Research carried out in 2006/2007 by Original Software at TestExpo, Test Expo North and UK SIGIST user groups.

Original Demonstrates Latest Version of Intelligent Data Extraction for Oracle at Oracle OpenWorld

Only Software Testing Solution for Oracle to Analyze and Test Applications at both Database Level and Visual Layer

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 11, 2007 – Original Software, a leader in software test automation, today demonstrated the latest version of its Intelligent Data Extraction solution which allows, for the first time, Oracle users to test applications at the database level as well as the visual layer. This new functionality for the Oracle market is part of the company’s flagship TestBench automated software testing solution which provides a Total Testing development and quality assurance solution.

The intelligent data extraction capability automates the creation and extraction of test data subsets from live databases, even from remote locations, with full reference integrity. This capability controls the state of the test data by taking checkpoints of the data set throughout the testing, while allowing developers to rollback the data to any prior checkpoint. This eliminates the need to build complex algorithms and external checks to make allowances for changes in the live data. It also protects data in the event of a program failure by restoring the data to its pre-test status.

These multiple data subsets can also be easily created for specific projects, reducing the size of data to a manageable volume and building test-beds based on highly targeted scenarios. The integrity of the data is automatically assured with upward and downward schema relationships. “TestBench tests both batch and interactive programs, and is the only software testing solution to allow total management and manipulation of the underlying database, as well as the visual layer of the application,” said Greg Sengpiel, general manager Americas for Original Software. “This capability is central to our “Total Testing” philosophy that covers all aspects of the application from screens and reports to the database and application performance.”

The company’s complete TestBench solution for Oracle delivers a depth of coverage and confidence in testing that has not been available to Oracle database users until now, and extends Original Software’s existing support for data-driven testing which includes table update visibility, data validation rules, environmental roll back and pair-wise input scenarios, all of which are important elements of Original Software’s Total Testing approach. Total Testing embraces every element of the test process from test data management, through automation of the visual layer, tracking server and database activity to audit-ready reporting.

The company is exhibiting at this year’s Oracle OpenWorld at Booth # 2603

About Original Software

Original Software offers automated software testing and quality assurance solutions that deliver tangible benefits across a wide range of IT and application environments. As a recognized innovator, Original Software’s goal is to reduce business risk and improve application time to market for IT departments through the development of class leading automated solutions.

Over the last 10 years, more than 400 organizations operating in 25 countries have come to depend on Original Software for their software testing solutions. Current users range from small software development shops to major multinationals, including Cargill Global Financial Solutions, Circuit City Stores, Pfizer Pharmaceutical (Ireland), DHL, Coca-Cola, Skandia and hundreds of others.

Original Software operates central offices near Chicago and London. Their solutions can be obtained through these offices or through a network of qualified and knowledgeable business partners throughout Europe, the Middle East, Australasia and the Americas.

Retailer Anna’s Linens Selects Original Software

Automated Software Testing Helps Retailer More Quickly and Accurately Test its Merchandise Management and Financial Applications

November, 4, 2007 – Home fashion retailer Anna’s Linens has turned to Original Software, a leader in software test automation, to provide a complete quality assurance and testing solution to help the national retailer streamline application updates and enhancements of their merchandise management and financials applications.

The California-based retailer, with 225 250 stores in 17 20 states, recently purchased Original Software’s TestBench solution to more thoroughly test applications from both a visual and data perspective. Anna’s Linens was attracted to the accuracy and automated features of the Original Software solutions as well as the products’ ability to manage the test data.

“By integrating Original Software’s automated solutions with our existing change management application, Anna’s Linens now has a comprehensive environment to develop and distribute business critical applications” said Scott Gladstone, COO of Anna’s Linens. “The TestBench product will enable us to accelerate the time to production, which has become increasingly important as our business environment expands and grows.”

“By using Original Software automated solutions, Anna’s Linens can ensure that it is testing its critical business applications accurately, quickly and cost effectively,” said Gregory M. Sengpiel, General Manager, Americas, for Original Software. “Testing constitutes upwards of 40- to 50-percent of application development life-cycle. Consequently, this was a critical issue for Anna’s Linens. Anna’s was interested in reducing time to market through use of Original Software applications.”

About Anna’s Linens
Anna’s Linens, headquartered in Costa Mesa, California, is a rapidly growing specialty retailer of quality, value priced domestics and home furnishings. The company was founded in 1987 by its current president and chief executive officer, Alan Gladstone. Anna’s Linens operates 225 250 stores in 17 20 states and has more than 2,000 employees. For additional information, visit the Anna’s Linens website at www.AnnasLinens.com.

Original Expands its European Sales Operations to Benelux

September, 20, 2007 – Original Software, a leader in software test automation, has expanded their European sales operation by opening up a direct presence in The Netherlands, which will also cover Belgium and Luxemburg. This move comes at a time when the company is enjoying strong growth and positive sales on the back of their ability to deliver solutions that reduce application time to market and improve software quality through technology leadership and innovation.

Colin Armitage, CEO of Original Software, comments, “We are finding our customers very enthusiastic about our fresh approach. It seems the software test industry had become a little skeptical of automation in general over the last few years, but the market is very positive towards our new way of thinking and this expansion is testament to such an encouraging response.”

The operation will be spearheaded by Colin Pollitt who recently joined the company as Business Development Manager, He will focus on expanding Original’s customer base whilst delivering key messages to the wider Benelux IT community.

“I am very excited to part of the growing success at Original Software,” Pollitt explains. “There has been a strong increase in business activity in this region over the last 6-12 months. The market is positively embracing our code free technology and re-useable scripting techniques, as these have been problem areas for many people in the past.”

TestDrive-Assist is available as a dedicated manual testing support solution or can be incorporated with the Original Software’s Test-Drive Gold solution to allowing the user to benefit from automated regression testing, code-free scripting and self-healing scripts.

Pollitt, of British Dutch origin, brings valuable Oracle sales experience and extensive iSeries knowledge to the team and is looking forward to a challenging venture. “I am happy to be part of the Original Software and I am thrilled to be delivering new test automation technology to the market.”

One of the key messages Pollitt is keen to communicate is that automation success is possible with just three simple steps, taken at the customers own pace. “At Original Software we believe that the key requirement is to align effort with benefits while embracing the other requirements at every stage. We call this approach ‘Crawl, Walk, and then Run’ to testing success.”

Large corporations such as Pfizer of Benelux are already enjoying the rewards from this approach. Brendon McMahon, managing director, Millennium Software who aided Pfizer’s FDA compliance said, “The reduced testing has saved Pfizer a lot of money…There is no better way to do this as far as I can see.” Other big brands in the region include Nike and Sligro, who are also saving time, money and resources on software testing.

Stations Casinos Selects Original Software

Automated Software Testing Helps Leading Gaming corporation Improve Application Quality and Compliance

September, 14, 2007 – Gaming and entertainment company, Station Casinos Inc., has turned to Original Software (www.origsoft.com), a leader in software test automation, to provide a quality assurance and testing solution that will enable them to reduce risk, improve time to market and improve the quality of their application developments.

The Nevada-based gaming and entertainment company, with their numerous restaurants and entertainment venues, recently purchased a range of solutions from Original Software, including TestBench Advanced, which tests all server-side and database transactions; TestDrive Gold, a GUI and Web testing solution; Extractor, an analysis tool that extracts and manages data in a secure test environment; and TestDrive-Assist, which supplies active support for manual testing.

Station Casinos selected Original Software’s products to more thoroughly test applications from both a visual and data perspective, as well as being able to obfuscate their player records for security and compliance purposes. They were attracted to the accuracy and automated features of the Original Software solutions as well as the products’ capacity to manage the test data.

“By using Original Software automated solutions, Station Casinos can ensure that it is testing its critical business applications more accurately, efficiently and cost effectively, than they were able to previously” said Gregory M. Sengpiel, general manager, Americas, for Original Software.

About Station Casinos, Inc
Station Casinos, Inc. is a leading provider of gaming and entertainment in Nevada. Station’s properties are regional entertainment destinations and include various amenities, including numerous restaurants, entertainment venues, movie theaters, bowling and convention/banquet space, as well as traditional casino gaming offerings such as video poker, slot machines, table games, bingo and race and sports wagering. For additional information, visit their website at www.stationcasinos.com.

About Original Software
Original Software offers automated software testing and quality assurance solutions that deliver tangible benefits across a wide range of IT and application environments. As a recognized innovator, Original Software’s goal is to reduce business risk and improve application time to market for IT departments through the development of class leading automated solutions.

Over the last 10 years, more than 400 organizations operating in 25 countries have come to depend on Original Software for their software testing solutions. Current users range from small software development shops to major multinationals, including Cargill Global Financial Solutions, Circuit City Stores, Pfizer Pharmaceutical (Ireland), DHL, Coca-Cola, Skandia and hundreds of others.

Original Software operates central offices near Chicago and London. Their solutions can be obtained through these offices or through a network of qualified and knowledgeable business partners throughout Europe, the Middle East, Australasia and the Americas.

Original Software offers a helping hand to Manual Testers

New test automation software improves productivity in every testing situation. Implementation is painless and delivers major benefits that other testing solutions fail to offer.

February, 23, 2007 -With today’s introduction of TestDrive-Assist, Original Software continues to redefine software testing, and plans to prove it by showing the world that its ‘Crawl, Walk, Run’ solution strategy is the only practical methodology to address 100% of testing needs.

TestDrive-Assist is a key element of the ‘Crawl’ in the ‘Crawl, Walk, Run’ approach, and offers a totally new concept in testing in that it delivers active support for manual testing in a non-intrusive way, without forcing testers to change the way they work. When manually testing Web-based, GUI, or legacy green-screen applications, TestDrive-Assist guides you through a list of the steps needed to properly and thoroughly test applications. Then, it monitors and records your progress and documents all of your test results. Since TestDrive-Assist provides a full history of all of the test steps taken, it is much easier to recreate and isolate defects in software, thus speeding the time to resolution. Furthermore, documented test results can serve the growing number of audit and compliance requirements that businesses face. To improve workflow in the IT department, all results can be accessed and viewed by other team members and any problems simply re-created.

A Fast Start to Full Automation

Requiring minimal training, TestDrive-Assist is an ideal entry level product for those testers who may not yet need full automation but want some way of capturing their work and findings to improve their time to market.

As comfort or requirement levels grow, you can seamlessly incorporate extra automation by utilizing more of the TestDrive solution offered by Original Software, thus providing a first step on the ladder to full automation.

“TestDrive-Assist offers a significant helping hand to existing manual processes and testers have seen immediate benefits from its use,” says Colin Armitage, CEO of Original Software. “TestDrive-Assist gives powerful tracking functions to testers that are non-intrusive and feel more natural. Developers can correct defects much faster, as the problem can be simply re-created, while the results can eventually be used to build fully automated tests. No one else does this.”

Original Software Unveils Intelligent Data Extraction for Oracle Users

Only Software Testing Solution for Oracle to Analyze and Test Applications at both Database Level and Visual Layer

January, 27, 2007 – Completing the total software testing cycle from “keystroke to database,” Original Software has unveiled its Intelligent Data Extraction capability which allows Oracle users for the first time test applications at the database level as well as the visual layer. This new functionality is part of the company’s flagship TestBench automated software testing solution.

The intelligent data extraction capability automates the creation and extraction of test data subsets from live databases, even from remote locations, with full reference integrity. This capability controls the state of the test data by taking checkpoints of the data set throughout the testing, whilst allowing developers to rollback the data to any prior checkpoint. This eliminates the need to build complex algorithms and external checks to make allowances for changes in the live data. It also protects data in the event of a program failure by restoring the data to its pre-test status.

These multiple data subsets can also be easily created for specific projects, reducing the size of data to a manageable volume and building test-beds based on highly targeted scenarios. The integrity of the data is automatically assured with upward and downward schema relationships.

The TestBench Suite – Total Testing

“TestBench tests both batch and interactive programs, and is the only software testing solutions to allow total management and manipulation of the underlying database, as well as the visual layer of the application,” said Colin Armitage, CEO of Original Software. “This capability is central to our “Total Testing” philosophy that covers all aspects of the application from screens and reports to the database and application performance.”

The company’s complete TestBench solution for Oracle delivers a depth of coverage and confidence in testing that has not been available to Oracle database users until now, and extends Original Software’s existing support for data-driven testing which includes table update visibility, data validation rules, environmental roll back and pair-wise input scenarios, all of which are important elements of Original Software’s Total Testing approach. Total Testing embraces every element of the test process from test data management, through automation of the visual layer, tracking server and database activity to audit ready reporting.