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As Internet of Things (IoT) gets set to connect about 50 billion devices by the year 2020, quality assurance and testing teams in software development companies begin revamping their testing strategies to fit into the IoT.

The environment in which IoT operates requires a different approach when it comes to testing methods and strategies. Automation has emerged as the most critical component of IoT and most testing methods are being designed to make the most out of it. Software development companies have paced up the rate at which they deliver software services alongside updates and patches hence the need for automation testing becomes even more important.

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The complete application for IoT is mostly based on component based architecture. These components are the building blocks of the application and can be turned on and off on a need basis. Applications supporting Internet of Things are built on three basic layers –

• Presentation, Control and Configuration layer
• Integration and Interface layer
• Storage or database layer

Why Automation Is at the Heart of IoT?

By 2019, two-thirds of consumers plan to buy connected technology for their homes. As the demand for connected devices and applications surges in leaps and bounds, the need of the hour is to churn out efficient, robust apps quickly.

Automation testing comes handy in this scenario. Automation testing is considered as one of the most lightweight, flexible approaches to IoT application development. Automation testing actually consists of a family of agile methodologies like crystal yellow, crystal orange, crystal clear and others. After delivering a Sprint, the product backlog is examined and reprioritized, if required, and the next set of functionality is chosen for the next Sprint.

The methodologies key tenets are communication, simplicity, teamwork as well as reflection to frequently alter and enhance the process. Like other agile software development methods, crystal promotes early delivery of working software, user involvement and elimination of distractions using different processes of automation testing environment.

In case the developers have to make changes on the existing application or interface the new application to an existing application, automation testing proves to be very helpful. It ensures that:

• The ready application has good response time
• The IoT application is multi-user and can be deployed in distributed environment
• The application can be deployed through internet or locally
• There is proper data validation throughout the application
• Real time data accuracy
• Access control through encryption decryption.

Automation Testing – A Natural Fit for IoT Applications

Unlike other testing methodologies, automation testing defines specific and very small phases of work which are to be consummated separately per feature. It comprises of domain walkthrough, design, design analysis, code, and code analysis and enhances to build. There are several reasons which make testing automation an integral part of IoT development:

• IoT applications are a complex mix of character traits of modern-day IT and Web services and traditional embedded systems. So there’s a need of a diverse set of testing regimes.
• There’s a need to test anything and everything. The immense scale of IoT makes automation an obvious choice for running tests on everything including sensors and thermostats.
• In IoT the key focus is on connectivity and security. As billions of devices come online, there will be a wide range of protocols coming into play such as Bluetooth, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi etc. Testers will need a testing methodology which can bring into consideration various connectivity scenarios while focusing on ways to deal with cybercrime threats.

Basically, it makes sense to automate testing in IoT, where not only the varied devices and services, but also the many components of different IoT layers need testing.

The primary objective of automation testing in IoT applications is to devise and promote a common industry framework for fast software delivery. Dynamic system development method alongside automation testing offers a comprehensive foundation for managing, planning, executing and scaling agile method and insistent software development projects. The methodology and testing method is based on few key principles that involve business value, empowered teams, rapid delivery, active user involvement, and integrated testing and stakeholder collaboration.  In this agile development methodology, requirements are determined initially in the project and rework is built into the process.

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As the trend of IoT is growing rapidly and varied machines are connected in it, automated testing emerges as more of a necessity than an option. QA teams will need time and experience to deal with the behavior of moving parts in the volatile IoT environment. Rather than just focusing on whether a system is functional or not, testers will need to check if a device is reliable and scalable in usual or unusual circumstances.

Get in touch with TechArcis’s automation Test Specialists today.

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