Performance, Benchmarking & Load/Stress

NTS can also perform testing to evaluate the performance of your product. Benchmarking, load/stress testing and scalability all fall under the umbrella of performance testing.

Performance and benchmark testing typically includes evaluating a hardware or software product to determine how effective it is at performing is functionality. For example, a graphics adapter can be measure in frames per second in a popular game, number of smooth shaded triangles per second or similar measures. Compare the performance of multiple products against each other typically falls under the heading of "competitive analysis testing" (see Competitive Analysis page for more information).

Load and/or stress testing typically deals with testing a product to verify that it functions correctly when many users (virtual and/or real users) are using your product simultaneously. Load and stress testing allows you to discover the maximum performance for your product or to uncover anomalies or instabilities that may only become apparent over an extended period of time or under high usage. Testing can be performed on software products like database software, web server software, etc. Even applications like word processors and spreadsheets can be load/stress tested to uncover memory leaks, etc. that may only appear over time.

Scalability testing is an off-shoot of load/stress testing and typically deals with how many theoretical users a product can support. For example, how many users a particular server configuration with a specific operating system, database, and website can support.

As an independent testing lab, NTS is tool-agnostic, allowing us to use the tool most appropriate for the particular test needs (i.e. functionally, financially, etc.). NTS maintains key relationships with various test tool vendors, allowing NTS to exercise the industries leading high-end software stress and load testing tools on a term licensing basis (i.e. the products are licensed for use on each project based upon the duration of the project and the number of virtual users emulated). Term licensing allows smaller companies the opportunity to test on a one-time basis using highly respected (and very expensive) test tools and affords larger companies an opportunity to evaluate whether or not the tool meets their needs before purchase. There is also, in some cases, a discount afforded to NTS clients who later purchase software licenses. Of course, all test scripts developed by NTS for the project become the property of the client following completion of testing.

Testing can be performed with test tools including: IBM Rational Visual Test, Rational Robot, Mercury WinRunner, Mercury LoadRunner, RadView WebLoad, Borland SilkTest, and other tools.

Contact NTS today to find out how to get your product tested today!

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