Software testing outsourcing provides for software testing carried out by the forces of an additionally engaged company or a group of people not directly involved in the process of software development. Contemporary testing outsourcing is an independent IT field , the so called Software Testing & Quality Assurance.
Software testing is an essential phase of software development, but is definitely not the core activity of most companies. Outsourcing enables the company to concentrate on its core activities while external software testing experts handle the independent validation work. This offer many tangible business benefits. These include independent assessment leading to enhanced delivery confidence, reduced time to market, lower infrastructure investment, predictable software quality, de-risking of deadlines and increased time to focus on designing better solutions. Today stress, performance and security testing are the most demanded types in software testing outsourcing.
At present 5 main options of software testing outsourcing are available depending on the detected problems with software development:
Availability of the effective channels of communication and information sharing is one of the core aspects that allow to guarantee the high quality of testing, being at the same time the main obstacle for outsourcing. Due to this channels software testing outsourcing allows to cut down the number of software defects 3 – 30 times depending on the quality of the legacy system.
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According to Tholons Global Services - Top 50 [1], in 2009, Top Established and Emerging Global Outsourcing Cities in Testing function were:
Cities were benchmark against six categories included: skills and scalability, savings, business environment, operational environment, business risk and non-business environment.
Vietnam has become a major player in software outsourcing. Tholon’s Global Services annual report highlights Ho Chi Minh City ability to competitively meet client nations’ needs in scale and capacity. Its rapid maturing business environment has caught the eye of international investors aware of the country’s stability in political and labor conditions, its increasing number of English speakers and its high service-level maturity [2].
Californian based companies such as Global CyberSoft Inc. and LogiGear Corporation are optimistic with Vietnam’s ability to execute their global offshoring industry requirements. Despite the 2008-2009 financial crisis, both companies expect to fulfill their projected goals. LogiGear has addressed a shortage of highly qualified software technicians for its testing and automation services but remains confident that professionals are available to increase its staff in anticipation of the US recovery [2].