Based on my conversations with hundreds of testers each year, automation testing has become a cornerstone for enabling teams to deliver quality software in today’s fast-paced digital landscape.
I’ve noticed, however, that it’s even more critical (and more difficult) to implement at the enterprise level for companies aiming to provide their users with an awesome user experience.
As the scale of operations grows, so do the challenges.
To make matters worse, many open-source solutions and SaaS tools are not optimized for the enterprise.
One area I’ve seen this in is trying to scale automation testing with regulated companies like healthcare, finance, insurance, etc. A team needs to get through lots of red tape before they can even begin implementing some testing solutions.
For example, when I worked in healthcare, it was nearly impossible to be able to use a tool that lived outside the company firewall.
So, what do you do?
Introducing the Enterprise Testing Solluton SBOX
Enter SBOX—an on-prem test automation infrastructure solution that promises security, performance, and scalability.
I learned about SBOX on my Test Guild Automation Podcast, during an interview with Michael Palotas and Lee Walsh, who explained the world of on-prem test automation infrastructure and its benefits for enterprise testing.
I realize you may not be sure what enterprise testing even is.
What is Enterprise Testing?
Enterprise Testing is a specialized software testing domain that focuses on ensuring the robustness, security, and scalability of large-scale software applications and systems that cater to enterprise-level organizations' complex and diverse needs.
Unlike maybe testing at a startup, enterprise testing addresses challenges unique to big corporations, such as strict data privacy regulations, vast infrastructure demands, and the need for seamless integration with other enterprise systems.
This often requires a tool like SBOX, which offers on-prem solutions.
Often, enterprise testing emphasizes functionality, performance testing, security, and cost efficiency.
As organizations grow, their software testing infrastructure demands increase, making solutions that can scale while ensuring data remains within the company's firewall crucial.
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Why SBOX (Benefits)
1. Unparalleled Security: In an era where data breaches are becoming increasingly common, security is paramount. SBOX stands out by offering an on-prem solution, ensuring that no data goes outside the company's firewall. This is a game-changer for enterprises with strict data privacy regulations or customer agreements. As Lee Walsh aptly points out, “Given where SBOX is installed, it's completely airtight.”
2. Peak Performance: Latency can be a significant bottleneck in automation testing. With SBOX, tests are run within a company's own network, drastically reducing latency. The result? Improved performance and fewer test failures due to timeouts or other performance-related issues.
3. Seamless Scalability: As companies grow, so does their need for automation testing. SBOX is designed to scale effortlessly, accommodating the ever-growing demands of enterprise testing. Whether you're running ten tests or 1000, SBOX ensures that your infrastructure can handle it.
4. Cost Efficiency: While open-source solutions might seem like a cost-effective option, there are often hidden costs associated with maintenance, troubleshooting, and scaling. SBOX addresses these challenges head-on, offering a robust and cost-efficient solution.
Transitioning to SBOX: A Breeze
I know what you’re thinking – you’ve already invested in a solution, and merging to a newer one would be a nightmare.
Well, the good news is that one of the standout features of SBOX is the ease of transition.
Companies with existing test scripts will find that moving to SBOX requires minimal changes. The primary adjustment is in the driver initialization, where tests are simply pointed to the SBOX home address. As Lee Walsh highlights, “Selenium is Selenium,” emphasizing the minimal changes required to integrate with SBOX.
Whenever I look for a solution, I also consider the expertise of the founders and key employees at a company.
After speaking with the folks at Element34, I found that they also checked this box.
Meet the Folks Who Created and Support SBOX
Michael Palotas, with his rich experience at eBay and as the head of product at Element34, brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. On my podcast, he recalled the early days at eBay when they realized the need for a tool to handle their operations' scale and pace. This led to the birth of the Selenium Grid, a precursor to solutions like SBOX.
With his background at BrowserStack and now as the director of Customer Success at Element34, Lee Walsh also offered insights into the competitive landscape of automation testing. Given the ease with which companies can transition between solutions, he emphasized the importance of staying on top of the game.
Is SBOX for You?
In a world where security, performance, and scalability are non-negotiable, SBOX emerges as a frontrunner for enterprise automation testing. Its on-prem nature and robust features make it a must-have for companies looking to stay ahead in the automation testing game.
As enterprises continue to evolve, tools like SBOX will play a pivotal role in ensuring that software delivery remains seamless, secure, and efficient.
Check out a demo for yourself, and let me know what you think.
