Presenting at TestExpo: Coverity
September 14th, 2011
We’re one week away from TestExpo, the UK’s premier software testing event. As we get closer to the event, the TestExpo blog is going to be spotlighting the presentations led by our sponsors and exhibitors. There’s an exciting amount of information that will be shared and we couldn’t be happier to welcome those who will participate.
Coverity is a leader in software integrity, trusted by companies around the world to prevent software problems, failures and security breaches. Its software integrity products provide software developers the capability to detect and pinpoint possible defects that could have disastrous effects. Coverity’s award-winning Integrity Control, Static Analysis, Dynamic Analysis, Architecture Analysis and Build Analysis provide companies with reliable, trustworthy software integrity to ensure applications run securely and accurately.
We’re pleased to have Alan Perkins, EMEA Technical Director, Coverity & Lorenzo Moneta, and Senior Physicist at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research), present on how CERN works with Coverity to ensure the integrity of its Hadron Collider Software in their TestExpo presentation “A New Dimension in Software Quality” on 22 September 2011.
More information about presentations will be detailed on our site, along with information on how to attend. We look forward to seeing you on 22 September
Who goes to TestExpo [Hint: more managers than there used to be]
September 12th, 2011
TestExpo is an event for software testers and QA experts to learn, network and share ideas. It’s been running for a long time and it’s well known. But we’ve been analysing attendees in more detail – who attends, from where, and what their job function is, and we’ve found some interesting findings.
First, some great news on overall numbers. TestExpo attendance has seen an average growth of ten percent year on year. More people means more ideas, more participation, and more inspiration. The bulk of attendees are software testers and QA professionals, our target audience, so this is also good news.
But TestExpo is also a progressive event that brings together key members of the QA and testing industry. It’s known – and frequently discussed in TestExpo circles – that there can be a communication gap between business management and testing teams, so we think it’s important that management and executives take interest and ask realistic questions about the role, timing and budgets for software testing and QA processes.
So it’s further good news that we have seen a shift in attendees over the last twelve months with an increase in C-level and QA and software testing managers. We think this demonstrates two things: that the news and information coming out of TestExpo resonates with all levels of the testing community; and that management knows it needs to attend events such as TestExpo to hear about, discuss, and ask business-relevant specifics about software testing.
Organisations that embrace innovative techniques and cutting edge testing processes will quickly find themselves leading the pack in developing and delivering high-quality products. Software testers and quality assurance professionals understand the value and necessity of staying at the front of new trends, and there is no better way to stay at the front of innovation than leveraging the expertise of testers in the marketplace.
This autumn we hope to see even an even better turnout from those across all levels of our industry. With the growing level of executives and managers joining software testing and QA professionals, there’s a world of information to be gathered at TestExpo.
If you haven’t registered, do so now and for free at our website. Be sure to follow us on Twitter (@TestExpoUK or #TestExpo). We look forward to seeing you on 22 September at TestExpo!
The Innovation Panel: Tweet Up!
August 29th, 2011
At our last TestExpo event in March, we launched a new feature, the Innovation Panel. This lively discussion was led by Sogeti’s Richard Terry who was joined by key presenters, keynote speakers and special guests from HP, IBM, Microsoft and Original Software to discuss what defines innovation, whether the QA and software testing market is innovative, questioned whether it should be more innovative – and in which case, then how?
The panel was a real hit – the debates were lively, informative and entertaining . So it’s set to be a fixture, and being held again at our 22 September event.
Last year we collected questions and challenges for the panel not only from the floor of attendees watching the debate but also beforehand. So we’d like to encourage you do to the same this year and to send us your QA, software testing and development thoughts, questions, challenges and conundrums so we can put them to the panel at the event.
You can either send them via Twitter @TestExpoUK or #TestExpo, or follow us on Twitter so we can connect and you can direct message us, or email us at harreet.khara@sogeti.com so we can make this Innovation Panel as engaging and informative as last spring’s.
This is your chance to speak up / tweet up!
TestExpo update: Welcome aboard HP!
August 23rd, 2011
Here at the TestExpo planning team, we’re committed to continual improvement across the board: for the quality of content and ideas at each event, and to increase the number of attendees, as well as their influence on our market. We’re doing really well on both of these targets, and I’ll be sharing more about the latter in my next post.
Yet there’s another factor for a great event: the commitment of rock-solid, superstar sponsors – the market drivers and shapers that want to facilitate, drive and inspire. Such as HP, which I am pleased to announce has just joined us as the premier sponsor for the upcoming TestExpo Autumn event on Thursday September 22 at the QEIICC.
The company itself needs little introduction as a household name with 30 years’ inspiration. At TestExpo, HP will be showcasing its Application Lifecycle Management solutions – these help organisations ensure that application modernisation initiatives yield the expected business outcomes by providing unified management and automation solutions across the lifecycle.
As well as HP’s presence at TestExpo, HP’s Gary Voller, Strategy and Technology for Apps, and Rob Stock, a consultant in HP’s Application Quality Management team, will also join our speakers. They will discuss the drive for predictability, repeatability, quality, and change-readiness across the lifecycle in the ecosystem of modern applications - and review how distributed global teams, iterative methodologies, composite applications, Web 2.0 technologies all create new challenges for the quality and predictability of application delivery.
All perfectly in line with the overarching theme for our upcoming event: ‘A world of difference: Testing tomorrow’s applications today.’ Like I said, rock-solid superstars.
If you still haven’t signed up, there’s still time. Head to our website to register, it’s free!
TestExpo Autumn announces initial sponsors and exhibitors
August 5th, 2011
Every TestExpo event has a different theme. During our spring event, we looked at what innovation is and where to look for it in the testing industry. The autumn event: ‘A world of difference: testing tomorrow’s applications’, will focus on the testing tools and applications of tomorrow. We’re looking forward to getting a glimpse of applications and methods our industry will use in the future, and reflecting on geographical differences in approaches.
While our themes may change, there’s always one constant of the TestExpo event: we work with the best and most respected companies in the testing industry. These companies join us and contribute as sponsors and exhibitors, and it’s these organisations that are the driving force behind each event. This year’s TestExpo, which will be held on 22 September 2011 at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London, will be no different. Once again, the show has the support of a impressive group of sponsors and exhibitors.
As we announce our initial contributors we already have Green Hat and Original Software, two of the world’s leading automated software testing firms, participating once again as sponsors. Joining them is first time sponsor iTrinegy, an expert in networked application performance. Microsoft, the worldwide leader software, services and solutions (you might have heard of them) will also be a key sponsor.
Other companies sponsoring and exhibiting at the event include; Epicentre, an expert in software testing and consultancy; and Seapine Software, a global application lifecycle management (ALM) solutions provider. The British Computing Society, the Chartered Institute for IT, is also returning as an exhibitor.
We’re pleased to have so many knowledgeable sponsors supporting TestExpo and look forward to welcoming other sponsors and exhibitors as we ramp up to this autumn’s event We hope to see you there! Registration is free and you can sign up at our website, www.testexpo.co.uk. For all other inquiries – including details on exhibitor and sponsorship packages, please email Harreet Khara at harreet.khara@sogeti.com.
Announcing TestExpo Autumn 2011
May 23rd, 2011
We’re excited to announce that TestExpo 2011: A world of difference: testing tomorrow’s applications will be on 22 September, and once again will take place at the beautiful Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre.
As software development becomes more complex, distributed and present in everyday lives, there are going to be increasing challenges. How the software testing community handles these challenges will determine the growth and continuing importance software plays in our lives. Twice a year, hundreds of Europe’s leading and most prominent software industry professionals gather to discuss the changing software landscape, view demonstrations on the latest QA methods and get analysis of the industry from they help drive.
By aiding the community with TestExpo, we’re aiming to spread the methods and tools that will drive the industry forward. This past March, TestExpo held its first Innovation Panel, and had an unprecedented amount of user engagement through a live Tweetcast of the keynote panel, survey and fielding questions and comments from attendees before, during and after the event.
Be sure to watch this space for announcements about sponsors, exhibitors and events that will take place at the next TestExpo. As always registration is free, and you can sign up here. If you have any questions, contact our event organizers here.
We look forward to seeing you in London on 22 September!
TestExpo Spring 2011: Automate, innovate – and participate!
April 11th, 2011
TestExpo Spring 2011: ‘Automate and innovate – the road to cost-cutting’ which took place in London was a tremendous success. More than 220 software testers and QA professionals attended, participated – and gave some great feedback.
The feedback is important to us – here at the TestExpo organisating committee we’re dedicated to ensuring that each event is the very best we can deliver. This year in our feedback questionnaires we scored high marks with glowing feedback on the relevance of topics presented, the quality and content of the presentations delivered, the engagement and level of discussion and the information shared by exhibitors, on-site demonstrations and attending experts. It’s important to us that we get each event just right – we understand that software testers, development team managers and QA professionals are incredibly busy people so we must deliver high-content and high-value in return for their time and attendance.
We also had great feedback from attendees on the location, London’s Queen Elizabeth II Convention Centre – which not only has a great location but has world-class facilities.
Finally, at the this spring event we tried a new formula with the launch of the ‘Innovation Panel’. This was the closing keynote in the form of a panel discussion led by Sogeti’s Richard Terry. Richard was joined by key TestExpo contributors including Neil Williams from IBM, Richard Irwin from Microsoft, HP’s Ed Hill, Colin Armitage from Original Software and Sogeti’s own Barry Weston. The panel was lively, informative, engaging and I think it fostered the sense of collective discussion that represents TestExpo. You can listen to the panel here, though shortly we’ll also be publishing a report based on the panel and some of its discussion points – watch this space.
Finally we want to thank everyone who made the show successful – all of our sponsors, exhibitors, presenters, and the attendees. This collection of knowledgeable, inspired and professional individuals is the backbone to our show and our industry, and neither would be what it is without them.
Soon we’ll be announcing the location and date for the next TestExpo – so be sure to be on the lookout and ready to add that date to your diary.
Innovation panel discussion recording
March 28th, 2011
If you missed the panel discussion about innovation in software testing, you can listen to the recording using the player below or download the podcast version for offline listening (15MB, 35 mins playing time).
Did you know? Facts about London and TestExpo
March 16th, 2011
TestExpo is just one week away! The UK’s premier software testing event is shaping up to be an excellent event once again with our programme of speakers and exhibitors which now includes Reflective Solutions. Our theme for the spring is ‘Automate & Innovate – the Road to Cost-Cutting’ and together with other companies such as Shunra, IBM and SQS, Reflective Solutions is joining an already impressive line-up of exhibitors.
Along with many excellent networking opportunities and product demonstrations, TestExpo will be strengthened by presentations from those deeply involved in QA testing as well. Among others, Quotium’s UK manager Adam Brown will be discussing security for testers, while Microsoft’s ALM specialist Richard Elwin will share ways to improve the relationship between testers and developers.
The location for TestExpo on Wednesday 23 March is almost as engaging and exciting as the event programme itself. London is no stranger to innovations during its distinct rich history:
- Back in 1926 Parliament Square became Britain’s first roundabout
- The iconic Hackney Carriage (black cabs), which used to be drawn by horses, are still *technically* required to carry fuel for horses. Specifically, a bunch of hay
- Corante, the world’s fist English-language newspaper, was first published in London in 1621
- London is home to the first shopping mall, the arcade in Piccadilly Sq. built in 1819
- Edward the Confessor built Westminster Abbey in the 11th century. He was the first monarch to be buried there in 1066. Later that year William the Conqueror was the first monarch to be crowned in Westminster Abbey. Since then every British king and reigning queen – a total of 38 – has been crowned there. And of course, on 29 April it will host the wedding celebrations for Prince William and Kate Middleton.
History such as this that has shaped the London makes the city a great backdrop for TestExpo as it continues to innovate and inspire the testing community.
See you in London.
‘Automate & Innovate’ to get the best results from your stressed QA professionals
March 10th, 2011
One of the joys of having so many of the UK’s most prominent testing minds in one place during TestExpo, is being able to rapidly share ideas that move our industry forwards. Another benefit is that we get to hear exactly how everyone across the testing landscape feels about the shared issues that we have our own experiences with. At the recent TestExpo Winter we conducted a survey asking attendees what the biggest stress points were in their jobs. Not surprisingly the stress of deadlines, budgets and testing requirements were at the forefront.
Nearly three-quarters (73%) of respondents said that deadlines were their biggest concern – not surprising when you consider that events delegates are working on, such as the Olympics, require both a great deal of focus and a very hard deadline. We also learnt that the same proportion of people believed that budget pressures and a lack of standardised processes caused stress in their workplace.
The reason we are bringing up these concerns is that the theme of the TestExpo Spring event ‘Automate & Innovate – the Road to Cost-Cutting’ has been chosen to highlight and alleviate any risks of mistakes being made by overworked, tired testing professionals. It’s clear that to get the best results possible, companies need to put further methods in place to relieve stress on their employees, with almost all (96%) of respondents revealing that their organisations continue to use manual testing processes.
There’s already an exciting schedule of educational speeches and interactive discussions planned for TestExpo Spring, and with two weeks to go before the big event, there’s still time to sign up. Click here to attend the UK’s premier software testing event for free!