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Why Testing Software in the Cloud?

Robert Fey

Oct 09, 2024 / 4 min read

Table of Contents

Series

This article is part of the series
"Cloud-Based Embedded Testing: A Case Study."

Discover more:
 

Part 2: Technical Aspects of Setting Up Cloud Testing

Part 3: Cost Structures in Cloud Testing

Part 4: Operating Strategies for Cost Optimization

Cloud Solutions for Accelerated Software Testing

Cloud Solutions are rapidly transforming the field of software testing by offering unparalleled scalability and efficiency, especially in resource-intensive sectors like automotive software development. Traditional on-premise testing often requires significant computational resources and time, resulting in delays that can slow down software deployment. However, scaling this infrastructure on-premise often hits logistical, technical, and financial constraints. A cloud-based approach to testing overcomes these barriers, providing development teams, IT departments, and management with flexible, efficient options to address real-world challenges in software testing.

To illustrate the power of cloud-based testing, our collaboration with AGSOTEC explores practical use cases that showcase how cloud technology can improve test automation and efficiency. This case study outlines how cloud testing works from a technical perspective, what obstacles may arise, and how the overall costs compare to on-premise setups. Specifically, the cloud’s role in continuous integration (CI) pipelines can accelerate testing, enhance feedback loops, and ultimately reduce time-to-market for automotive software functions.

4 Use Cases from Real-World Examples

Last-Minute Change before Start-of-Production

Situation

Imagine, right before the release, a last-minute change urgently needs to be included in the current version, decided by CCB or management. Implementation only takes a day, but it’s in a central software module, so three-quarters of all tests need to be re-run.

Challenge

The necessary test run on a high-performance machine takes at least five days - later than the promised delivery date. Plus, documentation still needs to be created, the deadline must be met at all costs. In critical situations, such as impending shifts in the start-of-production, short-term, significantly higher costs may be justified.

Cloud Approach

You can create as many computers as needed in no time - set up as desired and cloned multiple times. Making it concrete: If one test case is executed per one machine, then 7,200 tests would take 7,200 machines. If the test case takes one minute, then a complete test run could be completed in a matter of minutes due to the large number of virtual machines, instead of five days on a single physical machine.

Accelerating Feedback Loops

Situation

To us, testing is the feedback for development. The faster the development receives feedback on the success of the changes made, the more effective and efficient it becomes. Especially since a small change can lead to significant problems in complex software products with various dependencies.

Challenge

According to the Rule of Ten, the cost of fixing errors increases exponentially with the time it takes to discover the error. This means that the later an error is found, the more expensive it is. That’s why early testing and fast results are so important.

Cloud Approach

For quick starts, Continuous Integration (CI) environments have become established in professional software development. With every change made to the codebase (Push/Commit), tests are automatically initiated. The CI orchestrates the entire integration process by incrementally loading, building, and testing software components from unit to end product. Tests can be executed on one or more different computing units. Additionally, cloud integration with CI environments is possible to further accelerate testing.

Reduction of Investments in Test Infrastructure:
Renting Instead of Buying

Situation

Companies often have to invest a considerable amount in hardware to be able to run a large number of tests simultaneously. The setup and operation tie up valuable internal resources, as there is usually not enough personnel in the IT departments for the growing future demand. Scalability is therefore fundamentally inadequate.  

Challenge

During start-of-production launches and just before new releases, development teams often have temporarily increased and unpredictable infrastructure needs for their tests.

Cloud Approach

With virtual machines in the cloud, temporarily occurring demand peaks can be absorbed, which also means relief for the IT department. Hybrid approaches, such as combining on-premise and cloud, in conjunction with sophisticated IT cloud operation strategies, can lead to optimal cost-benefit ratios, as well as cloud-only approaches, with the option for immediate, rapid scaling. 

Archiving and Reactivation of Infrastructure for Testing

Situation

And then there’s the release from five years ago: There’s a need to implement a small change for only a small number of vehicles now.

Challenge

The infrastructure has since evolved, been enhanced, and software has been updated. Now, all old tests need to be migrated to the new infrastructure. A huge effort for a small change.

Cloud Approach

Here too, the cloud offers an interesting solution: Once set up, virtual machines can be archived and reactivated at a later time. One would need to re-familiarize themselves with the processes, methods, and tools used at that time. In our experience, however, this is easier and faster than a complete migration from old to new.

Test Automation Efficiency with Cloud Technology

Our Case Study with AGSOTEC

We wanted to know in detail, how and in which ways cloud testing enables a more efficient embedded testing. So we set up tests in the cloud together with AGSOTEC and described our experiences in a case study with these points illuminated:

  • How is this technically feasible?
  • What challenges arise during the setup?
  • How do we evaluate the operating costs of the cloud solution?

In our case study, we examined the benefits of using the cloud for software testing in the automotive industry and described various use cases. Cloud technologies can shorten test execution times, accelerate feedback loops, and reduce costs for test infrastructure. The use of cloud-based solutions, especially in CI pipelines, provides development teams, IT, and management with efficient ways to optimize the testing processes, scale resources, and improve the time-to-market of software-based vehicle functions.

Take the decisive step to elevate your company to the next level! Embrace cloud technology and optimize solutions with AGSOTEC, while relying on TPT as a powerful testing tool. Seize the initiative now and turn challenges into successes!

This article introduced the benefits and challenges of cloud-based testing for embedded software.

To dive deeper into the technical aspects, proceed to
Part 2: Technical Aspects of Setting Up Cloud Testing.

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