Cloud-based app testing is gaining traction in today’s context of application development. App testing on the cloud is considered one of the most disruptive forces in the IT industry. Today, app developers are adopting cloud solutions to save money and time. Maintaining and upgrading the on-premise infrastructure can be resource-intensive and expensive.
Cloud-based application testing enhances collaboration and helps you achieve faster and more reliable outcomes. While cloud architecture is highly scalable, you will have some challenges to overcome for seamless app testing. Let’s explore
How to Migrate to a Cloud-Based App Testing Platform And The Challenges Associated With It.
Step 1- Assess Your Current Testing Environment
Before starting the cloud migration testing process, it is crucial to conduct a thorough analysis of your current testing environment. It involves the assessment of your existing testing tools, infrastructure, etc. Listed are some common factors to consider while analyzing your testing environment.
- Testing Tools
Make yourself aware of the testing tools and inventory of tools that are currently used by your team. You must determine whether they’re compatible with the cloud platform you are migrating to or not, this will help make better decisions when considering to migrate or explore other tools.
- Data and Security
It is crucial to evaluate data security and compliance requirements. Recognize the sensitive datasets and ensure that they are handled securely in the cloud.
Step 2- Define your Migration Strategy
You should define your cloud migration testing strategy after clearly understanding your current testing scenario. This involves setting clear goals, choosing the right cloud-based testing platform, and outlining the migration platform.
Step 3- Preparation and Migration of Data
The smooth transition of your test data is always a critical aspect of migration. Listed are some steps to help you prepare and migrate your data to the cloud.
- Organize Data
You should clean and organize your test data. During this process, remove obsolete or duplicate data to make sure that you’re migrating only what is necessary.
- Data Migration Tools
You must use appropriate data migration tools based on the cloud-based testing platform. Ask your development team to test the migration process in a controlled environment to identify and sort out any issues or anomalies.
Step 4- Setting Up the Application Testing Environment
The app testing environment needs to be established properly to thwart any issues in the future. One of the best ways to set up the app testing environment is to leverage the platform’s built-in management tools.
Install and configure your application migration testing tools and frameworks in the cloud environment. Ensure that your developers have access and permission to use these tools.
Step 5- Adapting the Test Cases to the Cloud
Adapting your existing test cases to the cloud environment is crucial to ensure your testing processes remain effective. Your team should emphasize parallel testing. Consider running tests both in the on-premises platform and the cloud. It will allow you to compare the outcomes of both testing activities.
Step 6- Testing
Execute the test cases and validate the results to ensure that the migration is successful. This phase comprises the following elements.
- Initial testing
- Performance testing
- User acceptance testing
Common Challenges of Migrating to a Cloud-Based Testing Platform and Strategies to Overcome Them
There are numerous benefits of transitioning to a cloud-based application testing platform. But you may encounter various challenges during the migration process. Listed are some common challenges and strategies to overcome them.
1. While migrating to the cloud, ensuring the security of sensitive testing data, and complying with industry regulations is tough.
One of the best solutions is to select a cloud platform that features robust security measures and compliance certifications. Conduct an extensive audit of the platform’s security features.
2. Integrating existing testing tools, processes, and frameworks with the cloud platform is becoming difficult.
Your team must prioritize platforms that offer compatibility with the current testing tools used by your company as an effective solution. Moreover, you can also consider phased migration to minimize disruption.
3. Ensuring optimal performance and minimal latency for application migration testing activities in the cloud is tough.
As the best strategy, you have to select a cloud platform that is situated geographically closer to your app testing team. Moreover, you can optimize network configurations and resource allocation to eliminate issues associated with latency.
4. Navigating the intricacies of data migration, environment setup, and test case transition.
One of the best strategies is to meticulously instruct your team to plan the migration. It is essential to take inputs from cross-functional teams. Developers should prioritize data accuracy and integrity during the migration process. Execute thorough testing to recognize and address any discrepancies.
5. If not monitored closely, cost management with cloud resource usage can escalate.
Your team must implement the mechanisms to help keep a track of the costs. You should leverage the tools of the cloud-based testing platform for cost optimization.
6. The testing team is not skilled in using the cloud-based platform.
One of the best strategies is to arrange comprehensive training and onboarding sessions to fine-tune your team’s skills. Organize hands-on training workshops and ensure that the team members have easy access to documentation.
There is no denying that migrating to a cloud-based testing platform allows you to enhance your testing processes. While various migration challenges are an integral part of any type of cloud migration process, careful planning, and thorough assessment can help your testing team overcome the common roadblocks. You can test apps properly and ensure their quality by addressing these challenges.
