Software testing is one of the most important tasks for 91% of IT departments and almost all believe it is crucial to outsource this activity, according to research.

A report from analyst company Pierre Audoin Consultants (PAC) also revealed that three-quarters of companies already use service providers with onshore and offshore capabilities to provide testing services.

The research commissioned by software testing firm SQS, which questioned more than 300 IT decision-makers, revealed the following:

91% of IT decision-makers consider software testing and IT quality management to be among the most important IT tasks.
90% of respondents consider a longer-term, partnership-based collaboration in testing to be indispensable.
76% of companies are already using a service providers offering a mixture of local and offshore or nearshore testing services.

97% of respondents state that technical competence of the testing team is an important or very important criterion.
89% of managers surveyed consider flexible billing of testing services based on results achieved to be important or very important.

Two-thirds of the companies surveyed regularly measure whether the testing team is achieving its agreed objectives by using selected key performance indicators.
60% expect high to very high availability and flexibility from a testing team, including 24/7 round-the-clock service/readiness.

69% of companies surveyed consider multilingual capability is indispensable. The principal requirement is for contacts who can speak the language of the respective country and English.

“Companies that separate out software development and testing benefit in particular from a clear allocation of roles, improved transparency of services and test quality, and also the objectivity of testing performance that is guaranteed by the separation of testing and development,” said the PAC report. “Early involvement from independent testers in the development process also contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of testing performance.”

Source:http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2011/09/22/247970/Software-testing-should-be-in-partnership-with-third.htm

Amcom Software announced that the latest versions of the Amcom Operator Console applications have successfully completed interoperability testing with Cisco UCCX 8.5, UCM 8.5, and UCCE 8.5. The Amcom Operator Console solutions are a foundational element in Amcom Software’s unified communications suite. Amcom Software has been a Cisco Solution Developer since 2003.

The Cisco Developer Network unites Cisco with third-party developers of hardware and software to deliver tested interoperable solutions to joint customers. As a Solution Developer, Amcom Software shares Cisco’s strong commitment to customer service and satisfaction, has completed interoperability verification testing based on criteria set forth by Cisco, and can provide their customers 24 hour, 7 days a week customer support.

With offerings such as the Amcom Operator Console, customers can more quickly deploy a broad range of Cisco Compatible business applications, devices, or services that can enhance the capabilities, performance, and management of their Cisco network. For more information on the Amcom Operator Console interoperability with Cisco UCCX 8.5, UCM 8.5, and UCCE 8.5 go to: http://bit.ly/pVjLcA

About Amcom Software

Amcom Software, a subsidiary of USA Mobility, Inc. /quotes/zigman/94770/quotes/nls/usmo USMO -4.52% , connects people to each other and to the data they need. This helps organizations save lives with communications that are faster, more accurate, and more efficient. Amcom Software’s unified communications technologies include solutions for contact centers, emergency management, mobile event notification, and messaging. The company’s products are used by leading organizations in healthcare, hospitality, education, business, and government. By continually developing its industry-leading technologies, Amcom Software has rapidly grown and solidified its market leadership. For more information, call 800.852.8935 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 800.852.8935 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or go to http://www.amcomsoftware.com or find us on Twitter @AmcomSoftware.

* Interoperability testing is designed to simulate typical customer configurations, and does not replace the need for on-site testing in conjunction with actual implementation.

Source:http://www.marketwatch.com/story/amcom-software-completes-cisco-interoperability-verification-testing-2011-08-25?reflink=MW_news_stmp

Software testing consultancy firm, e-testing, have recently been accredited by The British Computer Society and ISEB to deliver the ISTQB Advanced Test Manager training course. Successful completion of the course leads to the industry recognised Advanced Level ISTQB Certificate in Software Test Management.

The course can be completed in either five consecutive days or split into two modules of two and three days. The course draws upon many years of experience in software testing of the e-testing staff that designed the materials, allowing delegates to take full advantage of one of the best courses of its kind on the market today, where theory is related to real world examples.

The ISEB/ISTQB Foundation Certificate is a compulsory pre-requisite to the course and it is strongly recommended that at least 3 years practical experience in software testing is served before applying for the course.

The course has been praised across the IT industry and looks set to become the standard advanced level certification not only in the UK, but internationally by virtue of ISTQB (International Software Testing Quality Board) syllabus.

Jonathan Binks, Executive Manager at e-testing says, “We have put a great deal of effort into this course to ensure it fully addresses the syllabus, and beyond where practical. Our trainers have used their real life testing experiences and expertise of many years in order to deliver a course that is likely to be one of the very best on the market. We are delighted that ISEB have awarded us this accreditation with such positive comments and look forward to delivering it.”

Source:http://pr-usa.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=731843&Itemid=29

Testing and quality assurance firm KJ Ross & Associates is predicting another 1500 to 2000 software testers will be needed by 2012.

This is partly due to an increase in testing during earlier stages of projects, but also wider recognition of the importance of testing.

“Right now, there is a growing need for software testers in Australia that I believe will increase competition among clients and create strong growth in our industry,” said Kelvin Ross, director of KJ Ross & Associates.

Organisations “should look seriously at booking software testers as soon as possible,” he added, “Otherwise, they may be left waiting for such assistance, or worse – they may release an inferior product to the market.”

Other strategies for dealing with the shortfall could be to put more effort into training people to work as testers, and to increase the level of automation in testing.

Source:http://www.itwire.com/it-people-news/recruitment/45107-software-testing-skills-shortage