In the fast-paced world in which we live there are three old sayings that tend to apply. 

• “You do not get a second chance to make a first impression.”
• “Better safe than sorry!”
• “You can pay me now or pay me later.”

The facts are, especially when it comes to new Web-delivered products and services, there really is no alternative to getting it right the first time. Beta versions are nice, but when it comes to something on which it is your intention to generate revenues, the above sayings highlight that there is no margin for error in a world where the competition is always just a click away, and where a potential customer left unimpressed by their initial experience is one that is unlikely to return. In short, there has never been a time when testing has been more important for success. 

Getting it right the first time

Since global commerce now moves at Internet speed, where real time is the only time, getting it right has also become more challenging. New devices, standards, cross-industry applications, and infrastructure are being introduced seemingly by the minute. It is now imperative to test for seamless integration into the network and broad interoperability with both contemporary and legacy technologies. Plus, products must be compliant with a growing number of complex global certification requirements.

This means that testing methods and processes must be constantly re-evaluated and updated.  It also means that the delivery of compelling user experiences makes it requisite that testing be done end-to-end in order to ensure success. The challenge is that the costs of functional testing, never mind end-to-end and interoperability testing, are escalating beyond many companies’ reach. In fact, this has led equipment manufacturers to seek new ways to obtain the thoroughness they require at a cost they can afford to pay. Enter cloud-based testing. The cloud holds the answer

Cloud-based testing may be a capability you have yet to hear about. TMCnet in conjunction with subject matter experts from Aricent Group invites you to learn about what cloud-based testing is and why it deserves your consideration in an insightful webinar, Cloud-based Telecom Testing: Why and How, to be held Wednesday, March 14, 11 a.m. ET/8 a.m. PST.

Subjects to be explored on cloud-based testing include:

• How to create a telecom testing environment
• Challenges addressed
• Customer benefits

The facts are that cloud-based testing overcomes significant limitations of existing testing methods in terms of the depth of tests that can be conducted, the price for doing such testing, and the extensibility and reliability of cloud-based solutions. Along with information about the basics, speakers will highlight the Aricent (News - Alert) view on the need for total testing and the capabilities of their platform agnostic cloud-based test tool - the Software Tool for Automated Test Environment (STATE). 

Testing to be effective must be comprehensive. This is why STATE performs:

• Accelerates unit testing
• Subsystem and system integration testing
• Regression testing of telecom products and applications

The Internet continues to accelerate the creation of new opportunities as well as disruption of traditional businesses and business models around the globe as speed to market, and speed in the market have become paramount.  The concomitant need to get it right on launch has never been greater which is why while the cloud may not be top of mind when it comes to ensuring your products work as close to flawlessly as possible when they go commercial it is a good time to find out why you may be underestimating the value of a cloud-based testing solution. As the title of this article suggests, it is best to be safe rather than sorry.