For skill-intensive training

THE field of Information Technology education has developed to a level where institutions need to provide extremely focussed skills to companies on the lookout for talent. Although software development has acquired much attention, software testing has been a relatively neglected area.

Testing is a critical part of the software development process. Software developers need to ensure that newly developed products or enhancements of an existing product meet stringent functional and performance parameters. The risks involved in releasing a product that is not yet ready is so great that developers need to eliminate the danger of the product failing in a critical situation.

The most effective way to reduce risk is to start testing at an early stage in the development cycle and to test iteratively, with every build. With this approach, defects are removed even as features are implemented. The testing of the application is completed shortly after the final features are coded. As a result the product is ready for release much earlier. Additionally, the knowledge of the kind of features that are completed (both coded and tested) offers managements greater control over the process and promotes effective execution of business strategy.

Testing early offers several key advantages. The process enables the identification and reduction of risk at the primary stage. Spotting a mistake late can mean substantial cost over-runs for the developer. Repairs to problems are less costly. The establishment of a robust testing system enables the developer to predict the release date of the software. This will enable the marketing to be done in a more focussed manner. Apart from these advantages, a good testing system sets the base for a more transparent system in the organisation.

Although software testing is essential, not all organisations have the expertise or resources to carry out the testing process. Moreover, it may not be a core activity in most organisations that require it. In such a situation, the outsourcing of testing activity has acquired importance. Outsourcing enables a company to concentrate on its core activities while software outsourcers handle the work of testing the software. Chennai-based STC Technologies offers software testing services to companies that require them.

STC Technologies offers training programmes with industry-recognised certification programmes such as CSTP (Certified Software Test Professional) and white box testing programmes such as ADST (Advanced Diploma in Software Testing).