Test automation is an essential component of DevOps because it enables software development teams to automate the mundane, repetitive aspects of software testing, allowing them to focus on more value-creating, innovative work.

Nowadays, many businesses are moving to a more modernized and latest version of test automation, cloud-based automation testing. With the help of automation testing on cloud, the business has got tons of benefits. 

So, this article lets us know all about cloud automation testing.

Automation Testing on Cloud: Definition, Types, Process, Benefits, & Tools

Let’s discuss all about cloud-based test automation here. Starting with the definition:

What Is Automation Testing on Cloud?

Cloud-based test automation is a software development method that uses cloud technology to accelerate testing and software releases. 

This is accomplished by spinning up’ test environments on-demand, allowing your software development teams to continuously develop, test, and release digital products without the need for new infrastructure. As a result, more test environments equal faster test execution.

This is an excellent method for modernizing your software development, but it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. 

If you’re testing your software on-premises and releasing it quickly enough to keep up with user demand, that’s fantastic; keep it up if your existing infrastructure provides enough test environments for your teams to fix bugs while also releasing new features. So that’s how you were.

Cloud-based test automation is ideal for teams looking to reduce testing cycles and increase release velocity. It has obvious advantages, but it can also present some difficulties. 

Whether you move all of your testings to the cloud, combine it with your existing infrastructure, or keep all testing on-premises, it must be considered as part of your company’s software development strategy. 

Whatever strategy you choose, you must ensure that keeping the lights on does not come at the expense of innovating and future-proofing your organization.

Cloud testing focuses on the essential components such as:

• Application: testing includes functionality testing, end-to-end business workflows, data security, browser compatibility, and so on.
• Network: This includes testing different network bandwidths, protocols, and the successful transfer of data over networks.
• Infrastructure: This section includes disaster recovery testing, backups, secure connections, and storage policies. It will help if you ensure that you validate infrastructure for regulatory compliances.

Type of Automation Testing On Cloud:

There are four significant types of cloud testing:

• Testing the entire cloud: The cloud is viewed as a whole entity, and testing is performed based on its features. This type of testing is being pursued by cloud and SaaS vendors and end-users.
• Cloud-based testing: Testing is carried out by inspecting its internal features. Cloud vendors can only perform this type of testing.
• Cloud-based testing: Testing is carried out on various cloud-like private, public, and hybrid clouds.
• Cloud-based SaaS testing: Functional and non-functional testing is performed in accordance with the application requirements.

Also Read Device Cloud: The Complete Beginner-Friendly Guide

How to do Automation Testing On Cloud?

• Online based application testing on a cloud:

Online application vendors carry out this testing to ensure the performance and functionality of cloud-based services. When applications are linked to legacy systems, the connection between the legacy system and the under-test cloud application is validated.

• SaaS or Cloud-oriented Testing:

Cloud or SaaS vendors are typically in charge of this type of testing. The primary goal is to ensure the quality of the service functions provided in a cloud or SaaS program. Functional, integration security, unit, system function validation, regression testing, and performance and scalability evaluation are all performed in this environment.

Benefits of Automation Testing On Cloud:

#01 Scalability

Cloud computing has always supported quickly scaling up IT resources as demand changes with minimal disruption. The same is true for cloud-based test automation. 

As a result, organizations can increase or decrease their testing capabilities as test requirements change by automating the scaling of test execution using cloud infrastructure.

This solves a long-standing issue in software testing where conflicts arise when teams compete for limited resources. 

What’s more important: releasing a much-desired feature or fixing a bug that’s causing problems with an existing version? This is an all-too-common issue when you have a limited number of test environments.

Teams can now spin up test environments for any story branch at the touch of a button and create whatever is required to test a new feature or fix a bug. 

Your teams now have instant access to testing infrastructure without the limitations or delays associated with physical hardware or local installation.

#02 Improved collaboration

Cloud technology enables teams to collaborate on common goals, whether your coworkers are down the hall or halfway around the world. 

By automating test execution in the cloud, your distributed Dev and QA teams can collaborate on the same products in real-time, eliminating bottlenecks that have previously defined siloed teams. 

Cloud-based test automation provides faster feedback loops, giving your teams better visibility across the CI/CD pipeline as well as actionable insights into how your SUTs perform. 

This speeds up software deployment, giving your company a competitive advantage by bringing digital products to market faster than competitors.

#03 Future-proofing your business

Future-proofing your business is dependent on your employees having the time and energy to think of new ways to provide superior products to your customers. People waste too much time on repetitive tasks that they do not believe can be effectively automated. 

Humans have traditionally been tasked with testing user journeys outside of the ‘happy paths’ that your test scripts can automate, as in exploratory testing. AI-guided exploratory testing vastly improves test coverage of your app without requiring human intervention.

The increased levels of test automation enabled by automation testing on the cloud as it allows your teams to focus on other, more human-centric testing. 

Accessibility and usability can be prioritized to ensure that your applications reach their full potential. You can also devote time to resilience testing, which will allow you to understand how well your applications and systems respond to and recover from stresses and shocks.

#04 Reduced costs

Another advantage of moving your test automation to the cloud is that it saves you money. Buying servers, data centers, and other physical hardware on your own are costly, not to mention the associated maintenance and labor costs to keep everything running. 

And, if your company is rapidly expanding, the cost of provisioning new servers to meet ever-increasing testing requirements skyrockets.

All of the above are eliminated in cloud environments. In addition, your cloud service provider will cover all hardware, infrastructure, and maintenance costs, removing prohibitive upfront costs. 

Because you can create numerous on-demand test environments in the cloud, you can dynamically adjust your testing capacity to meet your needs. In addition, the shortened release cycles enabled by cloud-based test automation boosts your teams’ efficiency.

#05 Parallelization

Cloud-based test automation improves test execution scalability. Parallelization allows testing teams to run multiple pre-configured test environments simultaneously, simulating various testing parameters of your systems under test (SUT).

This method enables multiple virtual machines to run different software versions of the same application. 

Alternatively, the same software can be used on various devices, browsers, and operating systems. When tests in these environments are finished, the results are reported back, and the machines can be spun down and destroyed with no user data retained.

Read more: Top Benefits of Mobile Cloud Testing you Must Know About

Challenges in Cloud Testing

#01 Data Protection and Privacy

Because cloud applications are multi-tenant in nature, the risk of data theft is always present. Therefore, suppliers should provide users with assurances about their data security as part of a cloud testing strategy.

#02 Short period of notice

Existing customers are given a short notice period of (1-2 weeks) about upgrades from cloud providers. This is a significant issue when manually validating changes to your SaaS application.

#03 Checking for interface compatibility

When a cloud service provider upgrades, the external interface is sometimes upgraded, which can be difficult for some subscribers who are used to the older interface. 

Cloud (SaaS) subscribers must ensure that users can select the interface version they want to work with.

#04 Data Transfer

Data migration from one Cloud provider to another is a massive challenge because the database schemas of both providers may be different, and it takes a lot of effort to understand the data fields, relationships, and how they are mapped across SaaS applications.

#05 Integration of Enterprise Applications

Data integration validation of both outbound and inbound data from the client network to the SaaS application and vice versa is required for enterprise application integration. 

Data privacy necessitates extensive validation to reassure SaaS subscribers about data security and privacy.

#06 Simulating real-world upgrade testing

The most difficult challenge in cloud testing is ensuring that live upgrades do not impact existing connected SaaS users.

#07 Private cloud

Private cloud networks are used by some businesses to strike a balance between the scalability of cloud technology and the security of on-premises solutions. 

For example, your company could own and manage a private cloud, or it could exist off-site in a data center where you pay for dedicated machines. 

This enables you to use parallelization and containerization to achieve faster software test automation while maintaining greater control over security protocols.

#08 Ramp-up time

To get the most out of cloud-based test automation, your teams will need to adjust their workflows, just like with any new technology. 

That is why it is critical to properly plan your technology deployment, including ensuring that your people are adequately trained. 

You’ll also need to consider how cloud testing will interact with on-premises testing to avoid and plan around potential bottlenecks.

Also Read: Cloud Testing and Its On-premise Testing Challenges

Automation Testing Tools For Cloud

#01 TestGrid

Features

• Browser, Mobile devices, and VMs cloud for scalability
• Remote access browsers
• Remote access mobile devices for manual and automation testing.
• Virtual device USB
• On-Prem and Hosted labs
• Multi-OS and Multi-Browser testing
• Higher Device Coverage Index
• 24×7 device availability
• Support for cloud-native applications caters to Micro Services, Containerization, DevOps, Continuous Delivery.

Benefits

• Multiple teams can leverage lab at the same time
• Up to 40% less cost than your existing provider
• Much less latency compared to other popular infra providers.
• Turn-Key
• Parallel execution of test scenarios on multiple devices at the same time
• Adding or removing devices is easy and cost-effective per test cycle
• Significant Savings on Capital Expense over a while

#02 BlazeMeter

It is ideal for small to medium-sized businesses.

BlazeMeter provides a free plan for up to 50 concurrent users. It has three additional pricing plans: Basic ($99 per month), Pro ($499 per month), and Unleashed ($999 per month) (Get a quote)

BlazeMeter is a continuous testing platform that can test the load and performance of websites, mobile apps, APIs, and software. It will perform complete shift-left testing. It is compatible with CLIs, APIs, UI, open-source tools, and so on.

Features

• It has robust reporting, extensive support, and enterprise enhancements.
• It is a free and open-source application.
• It is intended for agile teams and includes real-time reporting and extensive analytics.

#03 SOASTA CloudTest

Startups, agencies, and small to medium-sized businesses benefit the most from this solution.

CloudTest is available for free for 30 days. You can request a quote for pricing information.

SOASTA created CloudTest. It is a software testing tool that runs in the cloud. It tests the load and performance of mobile and web applications. It is possible to host it on one or more physical servers or in the cloud.

Features

• CloudTest includes a Visual Playback Editor as well as Visual Test Creation.
• You will receive a customizable dashboard as well as real-time feedback.
• You will increase or decrease the load during the test using real-time analytics.
• It uses cloud providers such as AWS and Rackspace to simulate traffic to stress test your application.

#04 Cloudsleuth

CloudSleuth is best for businesses. It is a Spring Cloud-compatible distributed tracing solution that will aid you in the capture of data in logs. 

Spring cloud sleuth will function by incorporating two types of IDs: trace ID and span ID. The Span ID is used for the basic unit of work, such as sending an HTTP request.

Features

• From a given trace, you will be able to extract all of the logs.
• It will provide you with an abstraction for the most common distributed tracing data models.
• Implements Spring applications’ common ingress and egress points

#05 AppPerfect

Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses.

Price: You can request a quote for pricing information. The AppPerfect Starter Pack will set you back $399. An annual subscription to Tech Support costs $499.

AppPerfect is a cloud-based software testing tool for Cloud Load Testing, Cloud Hosted Testing, and Cloud Security Testing. This cloud testing framework will assist you in testing web applications on various browser, hardware, and operating system combinations.

Features

• It includes features for designing and recording test scripts, distributed testing, scheduling test execution over a cloud environment, viewing and exporting test results, and comprehensive reporting for Cloud Load testing.
• It offers fully managed, on-demand, and scalable Cloud Hosted Testing.
• It includes features for designing and recording test scripts, scheduling test execution in a cloud environment, viewing and exporting test results, comprehensive reporting, and more.
• Cloud Security Testing includes Cloud Security Compliance, Encryption, Business Continuity, and Disaster Recovery capabilities.

#05 Nessus

Best for security professionals.

Nessus provides a free trial, Nessus Pro is $2390 for a single year, $4660 for two years, and $6811.50 for three years.

A vulnerability assessment solution is Nessus Professional. It can provide visibility for your AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform accounts. In addition, it will give comprehensive vulnerability coverage.

Features

• Plugins will be automatically and in real-time updated.
• It includes pre-configured policies and templates.
• The reports can be customized.
• Offline vulnerability assessment.

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Selenium for Cloud Testing

Selenium is a popular cloud testing tool due to its flexibility and perfection. It works with a wide range of browsers and provides a lot of freedom for writing test scripts. 

Selenium supports various programming languages, including C#, Java, Python, and Ruby. Working with Selenium requires only a basic understanding of any of these languages.

Benefits of Selenium Testing Tool

#01 Cost-effective: It is a free and open-source application.

#02 Languages supported: include Java, Ruby, Python, and C#. Browser: Supports multiple browsers, including Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Opera, Chrome, and Safari – allowing for cross-browser testing and easy integration into the recently launched browser Framework

#03 Supports multiple frameworks: including Junit, TestNG, Bromine, Nunit, and Rspec, to make automation more robust, and can create its framework.

#04 System of Operation: Supports various operating systems, including Windows, Mac, and Linux.

#05 Time-Saving: Parallel execution of test cases is possible with the help of the Selenium grid.

AutomationTesting on cloud Using Selenium

Today’s software applications are primarily web-based, and with the advent of cloud infrastructure, this trend is gaining traction. 

They are typically hosted on cloud servers. Selenium is unquestionably the most popular open-source solution for meeting the needs of your testing project. 

It can be used with cloud services to test web apps across multiple browsers and platforms successfully. In addition, selenium integrates with web browsers to test actions, inputs, and expected results, improving device and platform coverage.

Features of a Selenium Data Driven Framework

Works exceptionally well with various browsers, including Mozilla, Chrome, and Opera.

The execution can be started with a single click, either from Jenkins or locally.

Jenkins can automatically trigger execution when changes are made to the BitBucket/Git code.

Detailed report generation includes application logs, line and bar graphs, platform details, test execution details such as the number of passes, the number of fails, total test cases, each test case with line-by-line test steps, screenshot at the time of failure, and so on.

Benefits of a Selenium Data Driven Framework

• Because scripting is done in Excel, creating test cases is simple. Even a manual tester who understands customized methods and trace elements from the application can write test cases.
• Manual and automated test cases can both be kept on the same sheet.
• Extremely productive and scalable.
• It is cost-effective because it reduces human resources requirements.
• Because scripting is done in Excel, creating test cases is simple. Even a manual tester who understands customized methods and trace elements from the application can write test cases.
• Manual and automated test cases can both be kept on the same sheet.
• Extremely productive and scalable.
• It is cost-effective because it reduces human resources requirements.

Conclusion

There are tons of benefits of automation testing on the cloud. Today, we are in a world where everything from gaming to storing data is moving to the cloud. 

The cloud is the future, and the combination of automation testing and cloud is the best combination for faster and performing automation testing at scale.

With TestGrid, you get better infrastructure at 40% less cost. 

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