Tips to Overcome Challenges of Testing in Cloud Computing

Cloud computing services or cloud infrastructure management have been acquiring popularity and are considered one of the most disruptive forces in the IT industry. Today, companies are embracing cloud solutions as it allows them to save money and effort that would otherwise be spent in maintaining and elevating their on-premise infrastructure. Clearly, cloud computing solutions are in more demand as they present different advantages to businesses.

What is cloud computing?

Cloud computing is the on-demand delivery/access of computing resources such as servers, applications, data storage, networks, etc., over the internet.

It functions on the pay-as-you-go model and provides hosted services on the internet.

Today’s companies are rapidly adopting cloud computing, and its dominance in the market is increasing significantly.

Some Use Cases of cloud computing

1. Video streaming platforms:

Some on-demand video streaming apps include Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime that leverage cloud computing and work on an on-demand streaming model.

2. File hosting services:

Most of the storage services that are developed to store data and build backup services are based on cloud computing models.

3. Chatbots/Voice assistants:

All major natural language intelligent chatbots/voice assistants, such as Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, etc., leverages cloud computing abilities to deliver human-like responses to customer queries. Cloud computing allows storing data related to user responses and preferences to deliver a personalized experience.

4. Communication/collaboration apps:

Apps like Skype, emails, calendars, WhatsApp are all based on cloud models. All the messages and details are stored in the cloud to be accessed anywhere and anytime.

Major benefits for businesses with cloud computing

1. Offers flexibility:

Cloud computing delivers great flexibility to users, as the data stored on the cloud is available from anywhere at any time.

2. Allows scalability:

Scaling the cloud computing services is very easy. If the user wants to accept extra storage space, the cloud provider can easily deliver extra space by elevating the package within a few minutes.

3. Improves collaboration:

Cloud computing services enable employees located at various places to collaborate easily. Employees can collaborate and work efficiently by simultaneously syncing, working, sharing the documents, and much more.

4. Provides security:

Storing data on the cloud is much safer than holding it on physical devices. As any breach of security in company premises can lead to loss of data, breaching the security of the cloud is not as easy as an on-premise breach due to the added layers of security.

5. Reduces risk of data loss:

Cloud computing services also reduce data loss chances. Cloud providers ensure data backup and recovery services that help users save their data without worrying about the potential risk of hackers, viruses, ransomware attacks, etc.

6. Ensures cost-savings:

Establishing and operating the data center on-premise is expensive. Cloud computing cuts down the high cost of maintaining and updating hardware on-premise. Also, the pay-as-you-go model or the subscription-based model of cloud solutions saves companies a lot of costs and allows them also have access to automatic updates.

Common testing challenges faced in cloud computing

1. The complexity of creating a test environment:

One of the major challenges testers encounters while testing in the cloud is developing a test environment including all necessary app configurations and test data. Developing a test environment and handling the test environment is time-consuming and poses a considerable challenge.

2. Challenge with testing diverse components:

Another challenge that testers encounter in cloud computing is testing diverse components that need the preparation of different test cases. The tester requires to determine the problem and prioritize the test cases, which consumes a lot of time and delays the delivery.

3. Security and privacy concerns:

Though cloud providers offer data backup, great security, and data recovery options, the risk of security breaches still exists. While performing security testing manually, the testers can miss out on certain security bugs; therefore, the possibilities of human-prone errors work as a great challenge for testers.

4. Compliance issues:

Compliance with legal regulations and measures is another challenge that cloud testers have to peek at while testing in the cloud. Non-compliance of apps with these norms can lead to high penalties and sometimes even monetary and reputation loss.

5. Integration testing issues:

While conducting the integration testing in the cloud, the test is conducted on different components, such as database, systems, network, devices, servers, etc. Since testers have no control over the environment in the cloud testing, the probabilities of a database crash, any other breakdown, or server downtime might happen.

6. Performance issues:

If the network bandwidth offered by cloud services is low, it hinders the testing and delivery of apps in the cloud.

Tips to overcome the challenges of testing in cloud computing

1. The challenge of building a test environment can be overcome by leveraging cloud-based test environment management tools and frameworks, such as Testim.io., Plutora, etc.

2. The challenge of testing diverse elements in the cloud can be overcome by leveraging automated cloud testing tools, such as Blaze Meter, LoadStorm,  Xamarin Test Cloud, etc.

3. Testers should leverage automated cloud-based security testing tools such as Acunetix, Metasploit, Nessus, Nmap, etc., to overcome the challenge of security testing in the cloud.

4. Testers can overcome the challenge of compliance by building a unique and comprehensive cloud test procedure to assure compliance with standards like HIPAA, GDPR,  PCI DSS, etc.

5. Testers should leverage cloud-based integration testing tools, such as Rational Integration Tester, Protractor, SOASTA CloudTest, etc., to overcome the challenge of integration testing.

6. The challenge of app performance in the cloud can be overcome by leveraging cloud-based performance testing tools that operate well under differing bandwidths. Some cloud-based performance testing tools are LoadStorms, OctoPerf, LoadView, Blazemeter, etc.

Also Read: Business In The Cloud: How To Perform Testing For SaaS

Conclusion

Cloud solutions have achieved significant importance in recent times and have become the requirement of the hour for companies. Companies should assure end-to-end testing of their apps in the cloud to reap the maximum advantages of cloud computing. However, some testing challenges in the cloud environment should be carefully managed and addressed. 

Businesses should leverage cloud testing from next-gen QA and independent software testing services providers for fully functional, high-performing, secure, and scalable cloud apps. At TestUnity, we strive for the highest quality in every project, and our professional QA specialists are ready to ensure it. Contact us if you’re looking for a dedicated team to enhance your product’s quality.

TestUnity

Testunity is a SaaS-based technology platform driven by a vast community of testers & QAs spread around the world, powered by technology & testing experts to create the dedicated testing hub. Which is capable of providing almost all kind of testing services for almost all the platforms exists in software word.