Software testing is key to delivering a flawless and reliable digital product. However, modern businesses need more than just quality assurance. They require a cost-effective and streamlined process that saves time and money and allows them to release web programs or applications earlier than their competitors.
Offshore testing becomes the solution for such cases. It combines the benefits of outsourcing and provides global experience that positively impacts the end result. Below, we’ll go over when it can be a better choice and analyze its basic advantages over other options.
What Does Offshore Testing Mean?
The concept can have several definitions. The simplest is the following: offshore testing is a type of quality assurance process outsourcing that involves delegating a phase to testing teams from other countries. Simply put, it is a kind of partnership with third-party contractors from abroad who provide objective and independent verification results.
Unlike other testing approaches, the offshore model has high flexibility and is an option for significant cost savings. You may provide your abroad contractor with the complete project or just a part of it. You can also start collaborating on an ongoing basis and delegate a large list of your projects. It all relies on your requirements and demands.
When Offshore Testing Could Be the Solution for Your Project
There are numerous circumstances why you may need to consider outsourcing or offshore testing. Here are some of the most typical cases:
- You are a startup that does not have enough time or budget to complete a phase yourself.
- You want to get an objective assessment of the usability or functionality of your product.
- You do not have testers or quality assurance engineers on staff.
- You need to scale the project and attract new specialists.
- You aim to get feedback from testers from different countries.
Offshore testing has a number of advantages, making it one of the most widespread collaboration models. Involving specialists from all over the world helps to get a much deeper idea of the software feasibility and relevance for other countries.
A Few Words About the Main Advantages
There is much to be said about the strengths of cooperating with an offshore QA partner. Let’s highlight 5 primary benefits why involving a vendor from abroad may be more appropriate than managing testing yourself or with the help of onshore teams.
Affordable Solution
Offshore testing is often cheaper in other countries due to lower wage rates. As a result, you can save a considerable amount, which is critically important for small and start-up projects.
Access to a Wide Range of Specialists
By outsourcing the testing phase overseas, you have unlimited opportunities to attract specialists of various qualifications and experience. They provide a comprehensive service regardless of how highly specialized your product is.
Workflow Optimization
The offshore model allows you to reduce the workload on the team while maintaining high standards of service quality. That is, your testers are able to focus on more important tasks without downtime and delaying deadlines.
Reduced Time to Market
The time zone difference between multiple countries, in fact, gives you access to round-the-clock testing. Your product is tested while you rest or cope with other tasks.
Ability to Scale on Demand
As your project starts to expand, you can easily increase the number of testers involved in the product verification. You will not waste your time searching for the right specialists and will not have extra costs for furnishing office spaces.
Offshore testing can be a solution for different types of testing, including functional, performance, and localization. Local teams have greater access to modern tools and can analyze your product faster, taking into account the specifics of each region.
How to Choose a Reliable Supplier: Several Helpful Tips
In most cases, you will benefit from turning to offshore testing. However, a lot depends on the partner you choose. To get the best result, opt for an experienced team. Here are a couple of aspects to consider:
- Project skills. Ask how the supplier manages the project plan and how it organizes interaction with foreign partners.
- Choose specialists who have extensive experience in different testing types and methodologies.
- Learn more about successfully completed projects and customer reviews.
- Find out whether the company follows international standards and adheres to a confidentiality policy.
- Adaptability and flexibility. Detail possibilities for scaling or replacing specialists if necessary.
To sum up, offshore testing is a strategic solution for many teams that need outside help. It has many advantages and can be a good fit for your new project. Take care to choose a reliable contractor and establish effective communication channels to ensure a smooth collaboration process.
