Why you cannot have DevOps without Test Automation

The rapid adoption of digital technologies by enterprises to stay nimble, competitive, and quality-driven has given digital transformation wide currency. The process facilitates decision-making and allows organizations to innovate, accelerate the time to market, and be responsive to customer needs. The world of today is for those enterprises that can quickly turn an idea into a consumer product or service, absorb feedback from the market and customers to refine the product/service and relaunch it. This is where DevOps can help such organizations in terms of offering continuous development, innovation, integration, and deployment.

Fixing glitches with DevOps testing strategy

To stay on the right side of customer preference, enterprises must roll out software updates on a trot, which is not easy by any stretch of imagination. This is because every update needs to be tested across devices, operating platforms, frameworks, geographies, and networks. If the DevOps approach is not right in executing the process of development, testing, and deployment, the inherent glitches can prove to be costly. In many cases, in a bid to be ahead of the curve, enterprises do not give testing its due.

In other words, products or their updates are often launched without letting them pass through a stringent QA pipeline. The consequences of such quick deployment without adequate testing may manifest themselves in various ways. These may include the quality of product taking a beating, regulatory bodies subjecting such organizations to censure and penalties, and customers taking a flight to the competitors. So, with business reputation at stake, enterprises are well-advised to follow a strong DevOps approach and identify/fix glitches quickly in the pipeline.

DevOps and Test Automation

When it comes to the DevOps specialists discussing key elements that go into a Continuous Integration (CI) or Continuous Delivery (CD) pipeline, they mostly talk about code repositories or CI servers. Interestingly, DevOps test automation finds less mention in the rarefied circles where strategies are planned. This is despite the DevOps test automation being considered an integral part or medium to achieve outcomes like CI and CD. DevOps specialists majorly focus on aspects like integration and deployment of the software thereby giving test automation a miss. This can be self-defeating and invariably goes against the grain of DevOps philosophy where QA forms an integral part along with Development and Operations. Does this mean these specialists are more tuned into the manual testing aspect while leaving test automation altogether? The probable answer would be the ingrained belief in some DevOps experts about the efficacy of manual testing. This would not have raised any hackles until the advent of continuous delivery chains.

Why test automation for DevOps?

The two outcomes of DevOps – CI and CD means the development pipeline should deliver quality products quickly and consistently. Besides, the products should be upgraded periodically based on market feedback. This means products should be tested for glitches early in the SDLC instead of later to save cost and time. And what better way to achieve the same than by implementing test automation in DevOps QA.

Faster test outcomes: Test automation can be implemented by writing a test script on a tool. The code in development is put through that script and checked for expected outcomes. Any deviation is noted and investigated for possible errors. This is way faster than manual testing where QA specialists find repetitive testing frustrating and have a tendency to miss errors.

Consistent results: Consistency in QA means the software behaves on expected lines throughout the delivery pipeline. Test automation can validate the code for variables at different stages and mitigate the chances of human errors.

Ease with regression testing: When a major update is implemented, certain types of tests like usability testing are performed manually. However, when the variables are more and the software needs to be checked across devices, operating systems, browsers, geographies, and networks, then automatic testing takes the cake. It can work non-stop and check for deviations or non-compliance.

Human resources utilization: During manual testing scarce human testers are deployed in tasks that require constant attention. Further, to avoid boredom arising out of conducting repeated testing, QA testers can give certain tests a miss. Imagine the type or number of glitches escaping the test dragnet and later ruining the user experience. However, with test automation, repetitive testing can go unhindered wherein scarce human resource can be deployed for better activities.

Conclusion

In today’s age of fast software releases, quality can be ensured through a smooth DevOps-led pipeline ensuring CI and CD. However, achieving consistency in testing and pre-empting issues like cybercrime are underpinned on implementing DevSecOps and enabling a culture of quality control at every step of the way.

How To Keep Your Security Systems Safe

The safety of your workspace, business documents, data storage, severs, and equipment should be top priority. A lot of business owners become concerned about the safety of their offices and try to leave no stone unturned while making sure that their office premises and other valuable things are safe from intruders. Any misplacement of a business document or catalog could prove to be a huge setback for a number of businesses. Therefore, it is necessary to take all security measures to avoid any unforeseen or unfortunate events. These measures include alarm installation, installation of CCTV cameras, integrated intercom systems, and durable locking systems.

While your security systems are in place to keep you and your workplace safe, however, it is equally important that you look after them to ensure they can keep doing their job. Following are some of our top tips to keep your security systems up to scratch.

Identify Common Issues:

Equipment failure is a common risk, however, it is necessary to identify these common issues with security systems so that they don’t defy you in the moments when they are needed the most. There are some simple steps to rectify small issues with security systems that can be conducted easily yourself. However, there are some issues that can only be resolved by hiring the services of trained professionals who know everything about the system to avoid any failure during critical times. It is also necessary that you also try to understand the common issues happening with security systems in order to make sure that whenever you see any signs of failure you know what could be the root cause behind that failure. Some common issues include repetitive false alarms, incorrect programming, sensor calibration issues, inability to arm and disarm security alarms, and malfunctioning of security barriers and doors. These common issues can be avoided with the help of regular maintenance and help you in avoiding potentially chaotic situations easily.

Inspection and Routine Check:

The safety and optimum performance of any equipment is linked with regular maintenance, inspections, and performance checks. Same is the case with multiple elements included in a security system. If you want to make sure that your security system is working efficiently it is necessary for you to ensure system inspection and performance check on a regular basis. The practice of having regular inspections will go a long way in keeping your office premises and valuable property safe from any kind of breach. Therefore, you should always keep relevant technicians or agencies at your disposal to rectify the issues with industrial security systems as soon as possible.

Update Technology:

There are multiple improvements and modifications happening in security equipment to ensure an un compromised security of your property and office premises. Make sure you are always updating your security system on a yearly or bi-annual basis. This will make sure that your security system is up to date and there will be no threats from any kind of breachers who try to enter your premises illegally with negative intentions. You should also make sure that while installing new security systems, you are also getting regular maintenance service with thema as a part of the package. This will go a long way in making sure that your security equipment and system is working in an optimum condition.

The Euro-India 2013- Physical and Online Exhibition Part of the 38th Cyprus International Fair

IMC Business Global Plc, the pioneering online exhibitions organizer running 200+ national portals globally, in a strategic partnership with the Cyprus State Fairs Authority (CSFA ). The Online Exhibition will be hosted on www.IndiaExpoonline.com

Euro India 2013, is a first of its kind ‘Physical and Online Exhibition’ of Indian products and services which will enable Indian companies to benefit from the thousands of international visitors from South Europe, North Africa and Middle East and the Balkans, visiting the prestigious 38th Cyprus International Fair. The annual Cyprus International Fair, of which Euro India 2013 is an integral part attracts more than 50,000 visitors.

The Physical exhibition will take place between the 4th and 9th of October 2013 and will be an integral part of the Cyprus International Fair, while the online exhibition will start on the 1st of September and last for two months after the completion of the physical exhibition. From the 1st of September onwards and for two months following the completion of the physical exhibition the online exhibition will go live on www.Indiaexpoonline.com and will run in parallel on all the country portals of the region. Online exhibitors will have the benefit of one month additional exposure prior to the opening of the physical exhibition thereby multiplying the effectiveness of their physical presence.

As online exhibitors, Indian companies will have all the advantages of having a complete www.ExpoOnline.com pavilion in a special exhibition; including presentations of their products, documents and brochures, business cards etc. At the end of the physical fair, a video for each exhibitor’s stand/booth will be uploaded to the online exhibition on www.Indiaexpoonline.com
As physical exhibitors, Indian companies will be able to promote their products to a wide geographic region through a single fair. The Euro India 2013 exhibition will be hosted on IndiaExpoOnline.com, ChinaExpoOnline.com and CyprusExpoOnline.com. It will therefore be directly visited from an Expo Hall from all 25 regional portals with a captive audience of 5,000,000 business visitors per month

Euro India 2013 hosted on www.Indiaexpoonline.com, will be the gateway of business opportunity and the golden chance for any Indian companies to penetrate the Middle East, Southern Europe and North Africa. Some industries which may gain enormously from this platform include, General Trading, Food Stuff, Spices & Condiments, Ingredients Handicrafts, Art, Fashion, Jewellery, Interiors Furnishing, Furniture & Home Accessories, Electrical, Electronic & Home Appliances, Textiles, Garments & Clothing Accessories, Light Engineering, Building Materials & Industrial Products Services . There is also good scope for IT, Financial Services, Auditing & Investment Consulting, other Industry participants. The exhibition offers competitive rates for physical and online participation
The Target Market includes the traditional markets of the Cyprus International Trade Fair such as Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, UAE, Abu Dhabi, Dubai Sharjah, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Greece, Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Russia, Malta, Italy, Spain etc

The CSFA will undertake an extensive mass media campaign to promote the 38th Cyprus International Fair of which Euro India 2013 exhibition is an integral part. The trade missions of Cyprus in the target countries will contact trade buyers and invite them to visit the exhibition. The exhibition is also promoted by the Cyprus Tourism Organization and the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency. The exhibition enjoys the support of the Indian High Commission in Cyprus, the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Cyprus High Commission and the Commercial Consoler’s office in India as well as the Cyprus India Business Association.