Quality Assurance & Software Testing Services

Quality assurance testing represents an integral part of our development process. Our QA staff works closely with the development team, ensuring the reliability and timely delivery of all our products.

A quality tested product is defined by many requirements including: feature-completion, stability, security, compatibility (with all supported software and hardware), applicable online help and documentation, grammar and spelling checks, proper error handling, and a smooth user experience.

Whatever your requirements may be, Access Softek is geared to be your partner—by working with you in providing quality assurance services through our professional software testing facilities. Our quality assurance engineers are trained and equipped to test advanced applications on Windows NT, 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP (all versions), and CE, as well as Palm and Handspring platforms.

Our broad range of testing services are also available independently. Whether you require immediate crisis intervention or long-term management and support, our staff is experienced and flexible enough to meet your testing needs.

Access Softek's QA experience includes testing wireless connectivity and e-mail/web services, client-server systems, multimedia, personal finance, Microsoft Office add-ins, graphics filters and converters, e-mail and MAPI products, handheld applications and synchronization, educational products, and design tools.

Types of testing

Experience

Acceptance Ad hoc Automated—using Segue's SilkTest Tool Suite and other macro based utilities Boundary Compatibility (OS, system, s/w, h/w) Compliance Control Flow Data comparison Documentation / Online help Functionality Installation / Serviceability Integrity and Release Load / Performance / Stress OFX Query / Response Verification Regression Specification feature confirmation System hardware variance User Experience Utility

Design tools E-mail and MAPI products Educational products Graphics filters and converters Handheld and palm-size Windows CE Platforms, Palm platforms Windows NT, 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP (all versions) Mac OS9, OSX Microsoft Office add-ins Multi-media / Games OFX Related Data Query / Response functionality Web sites and client-server systems Wireless connectivity, security, printing, e-mail and web services

The QA Process
For any given software project the following steps are taken by QA:

• Communicate with the client and develop an understanding of the product from the client's specification and/or marketing requirements document.
• Develop a test plan to cover areas to be tested. Communicate with client and development as to when major features and milestones will be implemented in order to designate Alpha/Beta/Gold/Release stages.
• Communicate with client for any extra test data or hardware required to reproduce customized testing environments.
• Create test cases based upon the test plan.
• Create and customize a new project in the Defect Tracking program for reporting defects.
• Receive initial product builds. Test specific features. Record all defects in defect database. Defects are then assigned to development, which are fixed, and reassigned to QA for verification of fix before being closed.
• When applicable, develop automated testing scripts for testing different areas of the product. These scripts are run throughout the process.
• Upon receiving successive builds, verify fixed defects, and that added features are implemented correctly.
• As crucial schedule dates arrive, verify that feature criteria for each development stage—Alpha, Beta, etc., are met. For critical builds - arrange triage meetings to determine priority of issues that need immediate attention.
• Once a build reaches the Beta milestone, regress all defects found in the database (including those that have been closed) to verify that all issues are being addressed. Maintain communication with project managers and development as to any outstanding issues.
• Review list of messages for error handling and verify that each message properly appears when an incorrect action is performed by the user.
• Review any product documentation and online help for accuracy and applicability. Note any inconsistencies in defect database. Continue to verify and regress fixed issues from development.
• When product reaches release stage - perform final issue regression tests. Deliver report on areas tested and issues found and give QA approval for final product release once all qualifications for release are met.

Quality Assurance Clients

Access Softek Quality Assurance has worked with a wide range of clients:

• AetherSystems
• Apple Computer, Inc.
• Audible, Inc.
• Avidyne
• Block Financial
• Corel Corporation
• Cosmi
• CUNA Mutual Insurance Society
• Franklin Covey
• Infonet / British Telecom
• MEMBERS Development Company
• Microsoft
• Mobile Soft
• OmniSky
• NEC
• Philips Mobile Computing Group
• Symbol Technologies, Inc.

OFX Financial Related Clients

• Brookfield Financial Group
• First National Bank of Bryan
• Fremont Bank
• Information Technology, Inc.
• Silver State Schools Credit Union
• Southern National Bank of Texas
• Texas State Bank
• Washington State Employee's Credit Union

Automated Testing

Automated testing is a crucial part of developing and deploying superior software applications. Automation can significantly reduce testing time and cost as well as human error. It is essential to understand what areas of your product are best automated and identify the stages and the sequence in which manual testing can be automated. Good automation must be versatile and well planned out, creating a framework that can be easily maintained and improved in the future.

Some projects we have done using automation are:

Various Financial Institutions

OFX Server

Used our own scripts and in-house automation tools to create a suite of tests to automate transaction data comparison, transfer and bill payment tests. These tests were parameterized whenever possible so that the scripts could work for any financial institution without changes. They were also written with the idea of maintainability and scalability for future releases.

Microsoft, Inc.
Access My Money

Used Segue Silk Performer to automate web based tests. Used data driven and parameterized tests rather than just "record and play back" techniques.

Access Softek Inc. can analyze your individual needs and advise or help with the following:

• Plan your automation and establish automation architecture and infrastructure.
• Choose the correct automation tool that fits your needs and budget.
• Create automation that is reusable, flexible and maintainable.
• Set up load and performance tests.

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