Six ways businesses can use automated testing to drive time and cost efficiencies

Recent research has found that inflation remains a key concern for SMEs in 2024, with 61% saying they feel under threat by that and the cost of living. Just over half (51%) said they feel threatened by the state of the UK economy, while almost a third (31%) said they have concerns around cash flow, almost double what it was in last year’s survey (16%).

The research also highlighted the top business challenges facing SMEs this year, with energy bills topping the list at 37%, followed by competition (36%), late payment/unpaid invoices (28%), supply chain problems (24%) and staffing (24%).

Instability and uncertainty caused by the economic downturn has resulted in numerous challenges for organisations, including budget cuts, reduced resources and project delays. Compounding these issues, declining customer spend is impacting over half of UK mid-sized businesses, who are subsequently turning their attention to payroll costs, and exploring options for reducing them (source: bdo.co.uk).

In a bid to tackle these challenges, many companies are seeking ways to adapt and innovate in order to remain competitive, retain market share and secure long-term customer loyalty. So how do leaders drive much needed efficiencies without compromising on the quality of their product or service?

Automated testing is a powerful tool to address this problem, enabling businesses to identify time and cost savings, whilst preserving product or service quality and improving time-to-market delivery.

Automation can empower leaders to maximise their available resources and drive efficiencies, whilst minimising the risks of projects failing.

Six ways automation can help businesses drive efficiency and cost savings 

1. Maximising existing resources

Automation allows companies to reallocate the team's skills more effectively, carrying out repetitive and time-consuming tasks automatically and accurately, 24/7, without the need for manual intervention. Consequently, teams can concentrate their time and expertise on other tasks that specifically require human judgment and creativity such as exploratory testing.

2. Faster feedback loops

Automation can accurately detect defects in software and provide rapid feedback, allowing teams to identify issues earlier in the development lifecycle. This results in a reduction of late-stage defects that require extensive time, money, and resources to fix. Early defect detection and resolution directly contribute to efficiency and cost savings. 

3. Rapid test execution

Accelerating product releases without compromising quality is a challenge faced by many businesses however, automation offers a viable solution to this problem.
Automation can execute test scripts significantly faster than manual processes, not least due to its round-the-clock execution. This speed means teams can complete testing cycles faster, reducing the time it takes to bring quality products to market. 

4. Continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD)

Automation seamlessly integrates into CI/CD pipelines, ensuring that tests run in line with the build-out of the product. Testing becomes a seamless and integral part of the development process, rather than an afterthought. As a result, time is reduced between test execution and any required code changes, enabling faster and more reliable releases. 

5. Consistency and repeatability

Automated tests execute the same set of test cases consistently, providing reliable and repeatable results, and eliminating the variability associated with manual testing. This ensures that product quality remains high, even as release cycles are accelerated 

6. Test coverage

Automation allows businesses to increase test coverage without a proportional increase in time and resources by enabling the execution of tests on multiple platforms with minimal additional effort. Comprehensive test coverage ensures that all critical functionality on key platforms and devices is thoroughly tested before release, allowing companies to speed up development lifecycles without compromising on quality. 

In the face of today's challenging and uncertain landscape, businesses must adapt and find innovative ways to boost productivity and efficiency to remain competitive. Automation is a robust way of achieving these goals and paving the way towards long-term success. It's a smart investment that will enable firms to do more, with the same amount of resource, and deliver quality products faster than ever before. 

In light of the persistent economic challenges, businesses are increasingly turning to automation as a means to boost productivity, drive efficiency and maintain competitiveness without compromising on quality. As a result, businesses are empowered to deliver products that meet and exceed customer expectations, ensuring they remain at the forefront of their industry.  What’s more, automation enables organisations to streamline their operations and optimise resource allocation and reduce the risk of project delays and budget overruns.

As companies strive to remain competitive in an uncertain market, the integration of automated solutions can provide the necessary agility and resilience. For those interested in exploring the benefits of automation further, Roq offers expert insights and tailored solutions to help businesses navigate these turbulent times and secure long-term success.