Cigniti Technologies to Focus on Driving IP-led Testing Services

Early this year, independent software testing services company, Cigniti Technologies, acquired US-based specialized software testing services firm Gallop Solutions with the aim to become the world leader in software testing. Its CTO, Mahendra Alladi says, “Software testing has reached a stage where it is no longer a pre-release process, but an integral part of development.”

The company has a huge focus on IP-led testing services and is constantly building tools and frameworks in order to speed up the process of software test life cycle.

One of its offerings, Cigniti SMART Tools helps analyze business needs, automates test efforts, and accelerates release cycles. “IP-led testing services backed by Cigniti smart tools complement some of the other leading tools in the market and help us add more value to our client engagements,” says Alladi.

The company also has a robust partner strategy. It has built strategic alliances with leading technology vendors and ISVs to provide complete automation and performance testing solutions to its clients. “We have an enterprise license agreement (ELA) level partnership with HP,” says Alladi.

They are also a preferred HP Professional services partner and a certified integration partner.
Some of its other technology partners include Keynote Systems, Neotys, Ranorex and Testplant, to name a few. They are also on the verge of signing a partnership with App dynamics, an application performance management solutions company.

“We constantly revisit our partner strategy and strive to offer the best possible solutions that meet client needs,” says Alladi. The partners help Cigniti deliver software testing services across automation, enterprise mobility, performance, cloud and security testing services.

The company has taken a tool-agnostic approach to deliver the most relevant, advanced and cost-effective solutions to its clients. It also recently expanded its operations in Hyderabad by adding 34,000 square feet to its existing global test engineering center.

Cigniti IP in Software Testing

The mind boggling flow of innovation drives enterprises and corporations to roll out new software products as well as enhance the existing enterprise applications. The pace of Disruptive innovation not only pushes the markets beyond the imagination of the human race but also demands measures to keep pace with the ongoing change. 

Innovations clash with each other across operating systems, browsers, devices and networks. This flux of technology and the business logic defines the status of the IT systems and the dependent economic activities. 

Softwaretesting has reached a stage where it is no more a pre-release process, but an integral part of development. Any business critical software has to pass through a testing process and more often than not it is not an in house test department. The rise of Software testing as a specialized service industry has led to the growth of Independent software testing companies.

The role and importance of IP comes into place when the concept has to be guarded against leakage. It is crucial to have a testing partner who is mature enough to understand the importance of guarding the client’s IP.

Security systems and protocol adherence of the test service provider is only one half of the IP shield. The other half lies in having a resource pool whose recruitment policy prohibits sharing of client’s information. 

Because the resource pool has access to the information while testing, it is essential to control the flow of information and to ensure zero scope for leakage. Smart testing enterprises recognize the need for ensuring IP protection apart from data integrity and client privacy.

Independent test service providers tend to have multiple engagements on hand at any given time. A filter or wall mechanism among the test teams is mandatory to keep the data and workflow separated round the clock. Security lies in protecting the minute details and then moves to bigger aspects of software.

Before engaging an independent tester, ensure

•     Compliance with industry standards
•    Resources are bound by IPPA and other relevant IP protection laws
•    A robust ISMS policy
• Technology leaders in the management level
• Data integrity modules during and after engagements

If protection of client’s IP by Independent testers is an important concern, then the IP led testing is an equally attractive differentiator for the test service provider. IP takes a different perspective altogether from this vantage point.

Many leading Testing tools and open source tools in Software Testing industry drive ahead with the weight of their IP. But the services and solutions of these tools are limited to two major parameters i.e. they cater to either the frequent or most common test requirements or to large scale requirements.

But since innovation comes up with unique concepts it also needs to be tested in unique ways. At this junction, IP in software testing enriches the process of innovation by providing point solutions where the gaps exist.

While IP drives innovation by adding new dimensions to technology, the trick lies in the utility. A framework developed to dominate the existing technologies creates a redundant loop in the curve. While a smart framework which brings the best of the both worlds by leveraging the leading tools with point solutions might be more useful for the market and gather momentum.

IP which helps bridge the solution gaps left unfilled by the leading service providers as well as open source tools, works as a converging agent within the IT landscape. In a way, IP in software testing brings in a plethora of connecting solutions which usher in more innovations into the market.