Many companies realise they must introduce test automation practices to their organisation. However, most are not blessed with the skills in-house to create an automation framework strong enough to keep up with the pace of change. In many instances the development of the automation framework is outsourced to a company such as NMQA, but once the rig is delivered back to the client the maintenance overhead can be too great and the asset can become out dated – especially if the system under test is significantly enhanced or upgraded. In many instances it takes more effort to update the automation scripts than it does to run them manually resulting in test automation being abandoned. This has resulted in test automation receiving a poor reputation.

The good news is that NMQA can help overcome these issues and enable willing companies to harness the power and efficiencies of true automated testing without the headache. NMQA have extensive experience with the Axe framework, an automation tool with a difference. It provides a totally table driven Microsoft® Excel interface to automated testing negating the need for traditional scripting techniques, future proofing test assets and enforcing standardisation. Axe provides a means to rapidly deploy test automation that can be used by non-technical staff with the minimum of training.

Often the best testers on your project do not have the technical background necessary to successfully work with automation tools.  These testers will however, be the best judge as to how and when automation would work within your organisation. Their main concerns will be how automation is implemented and who would champion the tool(s) of choice.  NMQA can help your best testers become those tool ‘champions’, and maintain your automation suite without the need for heavy scripting, through the use of Axe.

Below are some of the highlights of Axe:

• Axe tests are designed in Microsoft® Excel. No code, no scripts, just business logic and data in a simple modular format.
• You chose an automation tool that best suits your company. Perhaps you already have a tool that is no longer in use? This could be MS Visual Studio, QTP, Selenium, Watin, Watir or one of the many other tools supported by Axe.
• With one click scripts are automatically built by Axe for your preferred test automation tool.
• Automation tests will be created in a much quicker fashion than when using the actual end tools.
• Test documentation or Manual tests can also be generated.
• Tests are executed in your preferred test automation tool without having to write a single line of code. Axe leverages the strengths of those tools without the complexity.
• Full execution information is produced for analysis anywhere in a compatible web browser. Drill down through test runs to diagnose errors all the way down to single test step and view screenshots automatically captured by Axe.
• This approach fits in with the Agile methodology
• It enhances integration by easily setting up different Test Runs to suit each team
• Integrate with the end automation tools to further enhance your reporting capability