In today’s business world, a mobile application is more than just a tool—it’s a momentous component that can drive immense success. Giants like Uber have harnessed the potential of their mobile apps, reaping billions in revenue. Even established platforms like Facebook are witnessing a staggering 67% year-on-year growth in mobile app usage.
As mobile applications continue to dominate user attention; with 90% of mobile internet time spent on apps, the quality of these applications becomes paramount. It falls upon mobile app developers to ensure rigorous testing to deliver a seamless user experience. Initially, manual testing efforts may suffice for small-scale apps.
However, as your mobile application gains traction, the need for automation testing emerges. But how can you determine when it’s time to invest in mobile test automation services? This post aims to demystify that question by uncovering the signs that signal the need for implementing mobile test automation. Stay tuned to unlock the power of mobile automation testing and propel your app toward unparalleled success.
5 Signs That Your Business Needs Mobile Test Automation
Sign 1:
Is your mobile testing cycle taking up an excessive amount of time, causing project delays? If your testing cycles are stretching beyond control and impeding project delivery, it’s a clear indication of wasted time on repetitive tasks. If so, it’s time to address the problem of prolonged testing cycles. The solution lies in harnessing the power of automation. As a mobile app owner or developer, timely project delivery is paramount for success in a competitive landscape. When test cycles become burdensome for testers, mobile test automation steps in as a game-changer. It not only keeps project costs in check but also yields a substantial long-term return on investment. Consider a scenario where a 24-hour testing project would take three days for a tester working eight hours per day. However, with mobile test automation, your testing efforts can run tirelessly, 24 hours a day, completing the task in a fraction of the time.
By implementing mobile test automation, you can effectively tackle the issue at hand. Automation eliminates repetitive tasks, significantly reducing cycle times and expediting project completion. Take control of your mobile testing cycle by embracing automation and unlock the efficiency and speed needed to propel your mobile app toward success.
Sign 2:
As your mobile application gains gradual market traction, the testing responsibilities of your team intensify. Consequently, organizations often opt to procure their own mobile devices, leading to increased in-house device lab costs. While this investment is sound and prudent, it does make a significant dent in the expense sheet. Adding professionals to maintain the lab further escalates expenses. Failure to do so results in longer testing times and delays. Automation mitigates these costs by eliminating the need for additional devices and personnel. Cloud-based automation tools provide support for device labs, allowing test execution without hiring more professionals. Many leading mobile testing companies offer cloud lab integration, executing tests across five labs, saving costs and ensuring timely project delivery.
Sign 3:
In the absence of a comprehensive mobile testing lab, one might resort to utilizing simulators or emulators for testing a mobile application. Although such testing methods serve their intended purpose, they should primarily be employed by developers during code testing. Excessive reliance on simulators and emulators for testing can lead to an increased likelihood of real users encountering unaddressed issues, thus undermining the effectiveness of the testing process. To mitigate this, utilizing a device lab becomes crucial, allowing for the execution of test cases across multiple devices. By automating cross-device testing, the repetition of tests can be minimized, ultimately saving time. Opting for a user-friendly tool facilitates seamless automation and execution of cross-device testing, streamlining the overall testing process.
Sign 4:
In most testing projects, including mobile testing, the testing phase usually takes up about 50% of the allotted time, and in some cases, it can even reach up to 75%. This significant amount of time can pose challenges when it comes to exploring new opportunities and keeping up with market trends in the ever-changing software industry. Automated mobile testing offers a solution by allowing quicker completion of repetitive tasks; thus freeing up time for other projects and conducting research for future strategies. However, it is important to carefully assess projected growth and determine the appropriate stage to invest in project testing and mobile test automation.
Sign 5:
Building a complete mobile application is not a quick task; it involves an ongoing cycle of development, feedback, improvements and further building. However, there comes a time when the app becomes large with numerous features or experiences only minor changes. In both cases, conducting repetitive tests using the same methods for subsequent releases can be a waste of time and resources, such as device labs, leading to unnecessary costs. To address this; mobile test automation is the recommended solution. By implementing mobile test automation, pre-written tests can be automatically executed on the mobile app. Integration with a CI/CD automation pipeline can also be utilized for the same purpose.
For example; let’s consider the login feature or session management for automatic logins in the mobile app. Once the app stabilizes; there are usually minimal changes to the login system, except for occasional additions like multi-factor authentication. Using the same test scripts for subsequent versions would simply be a waste of time. However; it’s important to note that code issues can arise within a mobile app. Even a small change in the database can lead to errors in the front end. Nonetheless, automation can handle such errors by verifying the results at the end of the process.
Conclusion:
Building a complete mobile application is not a quick task; it involves an ongoing cycle of development, feedback, improvements, and further building. However; there comes a time when the app becomes large with numerous features or experiences only minor changes. In both cases, conducting repetitive tests using the same methods for subsequent releases can be a waste of time and resources, such as device labs, leading to unnecessary costs. To address this, mobile test automation is the recommended solution. By implementing mobile test automation, pre-written tests can be automatically executed on the mobile app. Integration with a CI/CD automation pipeline can also be utilized for the same purpose.
For example; let’s consider the login feature or session management for automatic logins in the mobile app. Once the app stabilizes; there are usually minimal changes to the login system, except for occasional additions like multi-factor authentication. Using the same test scripts for subsequent versions would simply be a waste of time. However; it’s important to note that code issues can arise within a mobile app. Even a small change in the database can lead to errors in the front end. Nonetheless, automation can handle such errors by verifying the results at the end of the process.
As a leader in an organization or a team, it is important to recognize the right time to introduce mobile test automation. While there may be initial costs associated with automation; the long-term benefits outweigh them with time.
John Smith, a professional content writer with more than two decades of experience as a writer and editor, covers many topics for ABmantra.com. He began his career writing about Health Tips, Finance, Fashion, Home Decor, Education and many more niches in his hometown of California, USA.