Customer Case Studies
Posera Software
Posera Uses SmarteScript™ to Dramatically Improve Software Quality While Accelerating Time to Market
Background:
Posera, Inc. provides Point of Sale (POS) system
solutions to the hospitality industry. One of Posera’s
products, Maitre’D, is a series of software modules
offering highly developed, fully integrated applications
that can be personalized to suit specific restaurants
management needs. The software can be used by an
individually owned restaurant or an international
franchise.
It was crucial to Posera that an improved version of
Maitre’D under development be extensively and
thoroughly tested in order to be the new industry
standard in robustness and quality.
The Challenge:
Previous testing of Maitre’D software had been
conducted via a combination of simple automated
scripting and manual testing. The manual tests
required the test operator to have detailed knowledge
of Maitre’D.
Posera was looking for an automated test solution
that would address its specific goals:
- Decrease the amount of time required to
conduct testing
- Develop a set of tests that provided for full
testing of the application
- Escalate the testing coverage for each product
release
- Reduce cost of testing while doing all of the
above
Maitre’D system testing provided some additional
difficulties. Posera wanted to be able to read and
validate pricing and order information that appeared
on various menu and report screens. Most automated
test software packages did not have such an Optical
Character Recognition (OCR) feature. Also, Maitre’D
uses a touch screen user interface, and most
automated testing programs could not recognize the
touch screen buttons.
The Smarte Solution:
Posera conducted a throughout review of the
automated software testing market and, after careful
analysis, selected SmarteScript™. The decision to
select SmarteScript™ was based upon the following
factors:
- Exceptionally rapid test automation development
- Easy to learn
- First class support
- OCR capability
- Touch screen capability
Rapid test development. SmarteScript™ is designed from the ground up for rapid development of automated test cases.
Using SmarteScript™, Posera were able to automate testing of hundreds of complex scenarios 4-5 times faster than with other tools from other vendors.
Easy to learn. SmarteScript™ did not require programming or scripting knowledge. The program was intuitive and, after a short training
session, users would be able to create test scripts.
Support. SmarteScript™ offered excellent support, both technical and subject matter.
Optical Character Recognition (OCR). SmarteScript™ was able to read prices, amounts and order information.
Touch screen interface. SmarteScript™ was able to recognize simulated buttons and other objects in the Maitre’D user interface. Pressing of
touch screen buttons could be simulated in SmarteScript™.
Posera also contracted with SmarteSoft’s Professional Services team to design and implement
a comprehensive test suite from the ground up. SmarteSoft provided a Test Automation Architect and
team that were able to rapidly learn Posera’s Maitre’D
product, design the test cases, and work in partnership with Posera staff to implement the
automated test cases necessary to ensure highly robust software. While doing so, the SmarteSoft team
also developed written test plans that conform to IEEE standards and form the basis for future test
plans at Posera.
The Results:
Within four months of project start, Posera created a
set of test scripts covering all functions of the Maitre’D
system. The test scripts would serve as the
foundation for later, extended testing.
The execution time for all the scripts was
approximately 5 hours; manual testing of the same
features would have taken a week or more. By
implementing SmarteScript™, testing coverage was
increased over a much shorter time period.
Execution of the test scripts was transferred from a
highly trained Maitre’D QA analyst to a newly hired
Posera employee. This left the Senior QA Analyst free
to perform more advanced testing procedures that will
be converted into new scripts that will be developed
by the junior employees.
SmarteScript™ test scripts were easy to maintain. A
newly-hired employee who had not previously used
SmarteScript was able to modify and enhance the test
scripts during his first week on the job.
The test scripts supported a quicker turn around for
the QA group which, in turn, led to improved software
quality. Time to market was substantially reduced.
The Conclusion:
SmarteSoft’s SmarteScript™ was the ideal solution to
Posera’s testing needs. Its unique technical
capabilities, unparalleled speed and ease of use
enabled Posera to complete a very successful project
in record time.