Test Data Management
Test data management tools automate the process of deploying “gold” test data to databases. The introduction of open source databases first shook up the market, and it is facing change again due to the rise of NoSQL/Big Data stores. Let’s look at the top Test data management tools to consider.
1. Informatica Test Data Management (TDM)
Summary: Offers sensitive data discovery and classification, data masking, test data generation, data subsetting, data connectivity, pre-built application accelerators and monitoring and compliance reporting. Informatica TDM can be deployed on premise, in the cloud or using a hybrid cloud model.
Features:
- Offers the strongest standalone toolset
- Provides a diverse set of other data tools
- Includes a rich partner network of integrations
What you really need to know: Informatica offers a best of breed solution around data security and data management. Its test data management solution offers persistent data masking, test data generation, data subsetting and cloud and warehouse capabilities.For more information: Visit the Informatica TDM product page.
2. CA Technologies Test Data Manager
Summary: A test-oriented and fully automated solution that is built for reusability. CA Technologies Test Data Manager provides synthetic data generation, data masking, data subsetting, coverage analysis, test data allocation, test data warehouse and virtualization. It is also geared toward the Agile model of continuous delivery.
Features:
- Offers the strongest integrated toolset
- Provides a diverse set of virtualization and application development tools
What you really need to know: CA Technologies is highly focused on test data management as it relates to DevOps and automation. Its Test Data Manager solution, which came from a 2015 acquisition of GridTools, provides data masking, data provisioning and test data generation.For more information: Learn more over at CA Technologies website.
3. HP Test Data Management
Summary: Extracts relevant data to create a production-like test environment by building a data model and subset rules with a graphical user interface. HP Test Data Management also masks sensitive data and offers the ability to extract data on demand.
Features:
- Offers a strong complementary toolset with HP QC and UFT
What you really need to know: HP has not made any recent progress with its test data management solution, making it appear as an afterthought. The solution supports data masking, data subsetting and data generation, but it does not have any cloud capabilities and it doesn’t support any of the newer database technologies.For more information: Learn more at the HP website.
4. IBM InfoSphere Optim
Summary: Uses pre-built workflows and services on demand for continuous testing and Agile development. IBM InfoSphere Optim makes it easy to create production-like environments, allows for functional, regression integration and load testing via integrations with the Rational Test Workbench and allows for data masking and enterprise test data management policy development and enforcement.
Features:
- Offers a strong integration with IBM testing tools
- Works across pre-production and production environments
- Integrates with IBM hosting
What you really need to know: IBM gained test data management capabilities in 2005 through its acquisition of Ascential Software. Its InfoSphere Optim test data management solution supports data masking, data subsetting and data generation and integrates with the Rational Test Workbench.For more information: Visit the IBM InfoSphere page for more information.
5. Delphix Engine and Data Masking
Summary: Delphix Engine is a virtualization engine that streamlines data delivery, compresses and creates virtual copies of production data and captures changes at the transaction level. It offers self-service data management and can be used on premise or in the cloud. Delphix Data Masking works alongside the Delphix Engine to securely mask data by replacing sensitive data with fictitious data to better protect data in downstream, non-production environments.
![delphix-engine-and-data-masking]()
Features:
- More agile solution with support for newer technologies and focus on the high tech space
What you really need to know: Delphix is the newest established test data management player, though it has made great strides since its 2008 founding. The Delphix Engine and Data Masking tools support data masking, data subsetting and data generation and are compatible with AWS.For more information: Head over to Delphix.com to learn more.
Environment Management Software Testing Tools
Environment management tools automate the process of deploying software into a test or staging environment. These tools are increasing in importance alongside the rise of DevOps due to quicker builds and the need for automation. Docker, Puppet and Chef have paved the way for newer, cheaper and better environment management solutions.
Here’s a list of top Environment Management tools to consider:
1. Plutora Test Environment Manager (TEMS)
Summary: A SaaS-based tool that allows for management of both standalone and integrated environments throughout pre-production. Plutora TEMS includes an environment availability and allocation engine, a unified dashboard for environment-related information, governance processes to identify and fix changes in test environments and integrations with several leading tools. In addition to environment scheduling and configuration, it also provides cost forecasting.
Features:
- Offers capabilities across the entire testing lifecycle
- Tracks configuration versions and environment changes
- Enterprise-ready
What you really need to know: Plutora TEMS is a comprehensive, enterprise-ready testing tool that offers a variety of capabilities along the entire testing lifecycle, including auditing and governance as well as customizable management processes.For more information: Visit the TEMS website for more information.
2. TestPlant eggPlant Manager
Summary: A web-based tool that supports continuous integration and regular testing. TestPlant eggPlant Manager works with eggPlant Functional and eggCloud to enable automated testing. It allows for defining of test runs, scheduling test executions, managing systems and devices and analyzing results.
Features:
- Aligns with the larger TestPlant eggPlant environment for expanded testing
What you really need to know: TestPlant eggPlant Manager works well for environment management for businesses already using other TestPlant solutions. It can be limiting otherwise.For more information: Head over to TestPlant.com for more information.
Pricing: No prices listed, but view licensing and pricing information here.
3. TEMS Omnium
Summary: A SaaS tool that provides a single source of truth for build versions on all environments. Omnium allows for capturing, organizing and identifying usage and scheduling patterns for applications and IT environments. It can be deployed locally or via the cloud and is available in two versions: Omnium Light and Omnium Enterprise.
Features:
- Supports several integrations, including open source
What you really need to know: TEMS Omnium is available in two versions that each meet different levels of needs. Its most unique feature is the wide variety of integrations with DevOps and TestOps tools.For more information: Learn more about Omnium here.Pricing: Plans start at $55 per mo with 2 pricing tiers. View pricing here.
Mobile Testing Tools
Mobile testing has become increasingly critical as mobile device usage grows ubiquitous. Given the variety of application types (native, hybrid, mobile web) and operating systems, testing mobile applications can prove difficult. Mobile testing tools use automated testing frameworks to help simplify this process and we’ve outlined the op mobile software testing tools for you below.
1. Keynote DeviceAnywhere
Summary: Offers real devices, including phones and tablets, for mobile testing. DeviceAnywhere is part of Keynote’s larger Mobile Testing tool, which provides test automation and supports unit, build acceptance, regression and explorative and negative testing.
Features:
- Uses real mobile devices and provides support for new devices immediately after their release
- Integrates with leading CI applications, including Appium and Selenium
- Offers various pricing plans
What you really need to know: Keynote DeviceAnywhere allows for automated testing across a wide variety of devices and supports a multitude of integrations that allow the tool to work seamlessly with an Agile development process.For more information: Learn more on the DeviceAnywhere product page.Pricing: Plans start at $200 per project with 5 pricing tiers. View pricing here.
2. TestPlant eggPlant Mobile
Summary: Allows for mobile testing using both real devices and emulators. As part of TestPlant’s larger eggPlant testing range, eggPlant Mobile uses eggPlant Functional’s image-based UI approach to simplify cross-device and cross-platform mobile testing.
Features:
- Aligns with the larger TestPlant eggPlant environment, including TestPlant’s mobile device farm, for expanded testing
- Offers access to both real devices and emulators
- Supports multiple devices (including iOS, Android, Windows and BlackBerry) and platforms
What you really need to know: TestPlant eggPlant Mobile supports test automation for mobile testing across various devices and platforms, with the option to use real devices or emulators.For more information: Checkout the eggPlant Mobile software testing tool here.
Pricing: No prices listed, but view licensing and pricing information here.
3. Appium
Summary: An open source test automation framework for mobile testing. Appium uses the WebDriver protocol to support testing for iOS and Android apps and works with native, hybrid and mobile web apps. It also offers full access to back-end APIs and supports a variety of programming languages.
Features:
- Uses both real devices and emulators
- Supports any testing framework, tool and language
- Offers cross-platform support
What you really need to know: Appium is an open source framework that allows for automated testing for native, hybrid or mobile web apps for iOS and Android. It does not require code modifications and supports testing in any language.For more information: Head over to Appium.io to learn more.
Reviews: Checkout Appium reviews on ITCentralStation.com
4. Selendroid
Summary: Provides test automation for native, hybrid and mobile web apps for Android devices only. Selendroid is built on Selenium and the WebDriver API. It does not require any code modifications to test apps and offers a built-in inspector to simplify test case development.
Features:
- Uses both real devices and emulators
- Compatible with JSON Wire Protocol and Selenium 3 Ready
- Integrates with Selenium Grid for scaling and parallel testing
What you really need to know: Selendroid offers automated testing for native, hybrid or mobile web apps for Android only. It supports multiple Android target APIs and can be extended at runtime via extensions.For more information: Checkout Selendriod.io to learn more.Reviews: Head over to
G2Crowd.com to read reviews.
5. ios-driver
Summary: Provides test automation for native, hybrid and mobile web apps for iOS devices only. ios-driver uses Selenium and the WebDriver API. It does not require any code modifications to test apps.
Features:
- Uses emulators, with support for real devices launching in the next release
- Compatible with JSON Wire Protocol
- Integrates with Selenium Grid for scaling and parallel testing
What you really need to know: ios-driver offers automated testing for native, hybrid or mobile web apps for iOS only. It does not require jailbreaking of devices and can be used as part of a Selenium Grid to manage a device or simulator farm.For more information: Learn more about ios-driver here.
Pricing: ios-driver is a free download.
