Package Implementation and Upgrade

 

More commonly, businesses are buying 'Off the Shelf' packages developed by 3rd party vendors and sold as executable and customisable software. This means that application code is not available for testing even when customisation is undertakes to deliver different application functionality and requirement.

Once a package has been implemented there will be a need to constantly enhance and maintain the functionality and performance of the package. This will change as new business requirements, package enhancements and updates and bug fixes are implemented.

The role of the tester is very different in this scenario. SQS-UK will then implement Discovery Testing that mediates the customer/user requirement with the constraints of the package performance followed by System Integration Testing, User Acceptance (UAT) and Operational Acceptance Testing (OAT) will be undertaken.

When customisation and upgrade is planned the new functionality must be compared with existing and new requirements. This should be completed before the decision to accept upgrades. This will ensure that support for existing applications are consistent and that users can take advantage of the new functionality. System Integration Testing and UAT and OAT would again be carried out to ensure system stability.

At this point mediation between the package supplier and customer is a vital part of the SQS-UK methodology. Our independent stance and knowledge of major packages allows us to perform as a mediator to ensure customer requirements are fully delivered.

Selective automation is designed and implemented to vastly reduce the huge level of regression testing normally associated with enhancement. It is normal to expect that 100% of the old system must be retested together with the new functionality applied. Good automation reduces both the time and cost of regression testing yet ensures 100% coverage is achieved.

SQS-UK is familiar with the majority of the leading packages and have successfully implemented and tested packages from the accounting, CRM, business software, legal software, information software, application software, integration software, management information software, system and storage management software, security software and enterprise software from many vendors including Oracle, SAP, Microsoft and IBM.