Case Study: Digital Lightwave Speeds Up Testing With TestComplete

Digital Lightwave introduced its first product, the Network Information Computer, in 1996. It was the world's first truly portable device for testing fiber-optic networks. They now have some of the world's largest and most sophisticated telecommunications and network companies as their customers. Digital Lightwave needed to automate their product testing and found that TestComplete improved their releases and dramatically reduced the time spent testing their products.

Overview

Digital Lightwave uses TestComplete to test Visual C++ front end applications used to control their portable test equipment products.

Testing on Portable Devices and Computers

"The graphical user interface that controls our portable products also operates as a remote interface on stand alone computers as well. Utilizing TestComplete and TestExecute we have the ability to test the remote interface on stand alone computers and run the same exact scripts on our portable devices. The system controller for our products operates the Windows XP Embedded OS. Even though AutomatedQA states that they do not support XP Embedded, it works well for us. During this process, the minimal resources required to run TestExecute make it an ideal application to run in this environment," said Keith Cole, from Digital Lightwave.

"TestComplete also helps us by handling Static Window objects. TestComplete handles this type of window object far better than other automated testing solutions. By recognizing the Window objects by their control Id property and using TestComplete's Object Driven Testing functionality we were able to incorporate the testing of numerous Static Window objects in our automation platform with ease."

TestComplete Frees Resources

Keith explained the benefits of regression testing: "The regression testing of the product can now be completed outside of office hours allowing us to use our resources on other activities. Also, TestComplete allows us to run regression/sanity tests against every build so problems are found early in the testing process eliminating surprises at the end of a test cycle."

Great Features and Time Savings

"In the short time that we have been utilizing TestComplete, we have found that Object Driven Testing, screen compare, flexible results logging, and the generic Winform testing features are very useful. The ability to quickly create, manage, run, and analyze flexible tests has had a positive affect on our projects," said Keith.

"TestComplete is also very beneficial to help with reproducing intermittent issues. These types of problems could have easily taken weeks to isolate and debug in the past, but now with TestComplete, they are completed in just a few days."

Early Detection is Key

"Our QA staff performs regression tests using TestComplete for every software build that is created throughout the project development cycle. This allows us to find defects early eliminating surprises at the end of the test cycle," said Keith.

TestComplete is the "Hands Down Winner"

"The first functional test tool that I would recommend evaluating would be TestComplete. We found TestComplete to be the hands down winner. The product is affordable, feature rich, easy to use, and Automated QA’s technical support is the greatest," said Keith.

Conclusion

Automated testing with TestComplete allows Digital Lightwave to perform more regression testing, free resources, and helps to ensure quality product releases.