Many SPs and NEMs rely on quality workflows that utilize outdated, obsolete technology cobbled together over time. As a result, they lack an effective and consistent way to report problems and describe the testing process by which a device under test and/or system under test complies with requirements.

By adopting modern testing tools, SPs and NEMs can take the first step toward achieving a more efficient quality workflow. SPs and NEMs can create standardized test assets such as test cases and reports and share them with developers, feature testers, and automation specialists down the line. This simplifies communication and saves time by allowing testers to reuse test assets built by others in the quality process.

SPs and NEMs can further reduce their time to market by leveraging new virtualization[] technology. Using this approach, they can emulate device responses and start testing months before a product becomes available.

Think outside the box

The value chain for SPs and NEMs links suppliers, manufacturers, and customers in a constant back-and-forth exchange of information. SPs and NEMs that extend test asset sharing beyond their four walls to include partners and customers can adopt an assembly-line approach to testing. This helps maximize the efficiency of their existing testing processes while boosting productivity on both sides of the value chain. For example, when SPs and enterprise customers receive a new device, rather than creating their own device tests, they can leverage nearly identical tests used by NEMs in their own quality processes.

By exchanging test assets, these parties can avoid duplicated effort, reduce errors, and eliminate miscommunication, which helps cut down on wasted cycles and delays. In addition, they can work to ensure that any released products and services are high quality, reducing defect-related support costs later on.

Standardize on a common testing platform

To fully optimize the quality workflow, companies should encourage their internal groups as well as customers and partners to use the same testing and reporting technology. Having a common platform such as iTest (Figure 1) enables a bidirectional flow of test assets, increasing efficiency and communication along the value chain. For example, by leveraging test assets from their NEM customer advocacy groups, SPs can avoid having to recreate every device and system test, saving them months of effort. If the SP finds a defect during testing, the NEM can leverage the SP’s test cases and reports and run the tests in its lab. If the tests pass, the NEM will know right away that setup issues are to blame.