What is better: a pool of tools or universal one? Obviously, one universal tool has more advantages. When you are traveling, you do not do it with a dozen packages and bags but prefer one capacious suitcase or backpack. The same is true for software quality assurance processes. An all-in-one platform that combines the entire set of required tools is much more convenient than a lot of disparate software. We find out the features of work and the advantages of the all-in-one automation reporting platform.
Test automation platform: how does it work
An automation reporting platform is a universal QA tool that manages all processes related to quality assurance, collects all data, and provides reporting. The platform integrates with all the tools involved in the QA workflow and provides a smooth process for software testing and fixing detected defects. Such a platform is an essential and fundamental tool in automated testing.
Without an all-in-one reporting platform, you need to study how different tools can integrate with each other. Moreover, you need to look for solutions to overcome various complications associated with synchronization. If the integrations turn out to be unsupported, you will have to rebuild your tool ecosystem.
The platform does not replace the work of QA engineers. However, this versatile tool automates many tasks, significantly speeds up testing, and brings the release time closer. The freed-up hours can be spent on writing additional scripts to test more functionality and ensure the application performs as well as possible.
Here’s how this tool works:
Step 1. Integration with whatever framework for running tests. It could be TestNG, JUnit, PyTest, Cypress, Playwright, or whatever.
Step 2. Getting the reports on automated test execution results. The platform synchronizes with the test execution tool, receives test results, and generates reports.
Step 3. Working with ready-made reports. You get information about how many automated tests passed successfully, and how many tests failed. The advanced Zebrunner automation reporting platform allows you to enable the automatic detection of known issues and advanced analysis of the root causes of failures. Built-in AI/ML technology automatically categorizes failures and makes it easy to fix the root causes of bugs.
Step 4. Quality monitoring. Dashboards and numerous widgets help you keep track of any metrics that are important for your product. The platform provides a complete picture of the effectiveness of test automation.
Automation reporting platform benefits
The feature-rich automation reporting platform is a must-have tool for many companies. At the same time, it is quite possible for individual developers, as well as small startup teams, to work without such a platform. Possible, until the project began to grow. After a while, it will become increasingly difficult for you to synchronize various tools with each other. Sooner or later you will decide to use a multifunctional platform to provide a decent level of product quality. Let’s take a look at the key benefits of using an all-in-one test automation reporting platform.
Automatically generated reporting
This is one of the key benefits of a test automation platform. After test execution, you get a report that compares the current results with the expected ones. Thus, you do not need to spend hours collecting all the necessary data from different sources and compiling them into a coherent report.
Saving resources: time, money, labor
We have already said that the all-in-one automation reporting platform generates reports instantly and thus saves the time of the QA team. Moreover, the platform allows you to set up processes so that the team works as efficiently as possible and spends a minimum of time on routine tasks. The platform increases the efficiency of automation because it simplifies all the nuances associated with integrating tools and orchestrating the entire process.
Accuracy in determining the failure category
The universal platform automatically categorizes failures. The algorithm can be trained and thus the categorization accuracy will increase to 100%. Moreover, the platform automatically provides all the necessary artifacts for the fast elimination of the defect, such as logs, videos, and screenshots.
Smooth integration into CI/CD processes
A high-quality platform is easily integrated into the CI/CD pipeline. This way, you start testing early in development and can spot bugs right away. Discovered issues do not have a chance to develop into more serious risks for the application. You can immediately send developers information about the identified bugs with all test artifacts.
Safety
The platform allows you to provide different levels of access to functionality and data. Thus, you do not need to be afraid that some information may become available to certain people.
Scalability
A good automated reporting platform adapts to the requirements of your project as it grows. You do not need to look for additional, more powerful tools. The platform provides you with them and you can use this resource for faster, larger testing. Zebrunner testing platform allows you to plan, execute, and analyze your QA activities in one space.
How to choose a test automation reporting platform
In simple words, the platform should fit your needs and easily scale with the growth of your project.
Here are the key characteristics of a good platform:
- High-quality reporting that can be easily understood by people who do not have experience in the field of QA.
- Customization. The platform should be easy to customize to the needs of your project, closing them so that you can really save resources and bring the release time closer.
- Scalability. The platform should not limit your needs. As the product grows, you shouldn’t experience problems with not being able to run more threads at the same time.
- Flexible pricing. The platform should have clear pricing so that you can control your costs and not overpay for a tool if you don’t use it for a while.