Software quality testing

Today's software controls all critical business processes, from production and logistics to accounting and modern office communication. As such, smooth and seamless processes and their associated quality requirements are becoming increasingly significant. In the era of mobile communication with smartphones and mobile Internet, software is further growing in importance as a consumer product. Its newest form is as mobile applications or “apps”, and around 2,000 new developments are submitted to the iTunes App Store alone everyday. All these software applications are confronted by increasingly high user expectations, from usability to data security and beyond. 

What does software quality testing involve?

With software testing, TÜV SÜD helps software manufacturers and developers to identify vulnerabilities at an early stage and continuously improve and advance their software.

Testing covers the following product categories:

• Software products (desktop, server, SaaS)
• Apps for Android, Apple iOS, BlackBerry OS, Symbian OS, Windows and Bada
• Finance and accounting software in accordance with GoBS

TÜV SÜD offers testing for these products, focusing on the following three categories:

• Functionality testing is particularly based on the ISO IEC 25051 standard, which covers quality characteristics such as correctness of functions, consistency, reliability and robustness as well as process and documentation quality. Specifically targeting the manufacturers of accounting software, we are the first supplier to offer functionality testing, but also testing and certification according to the generally accepted principles of computerised accounting systems (GoBS).
• Testing of usability is based on the EN/ ISO 9241 series of standards ("Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals"), which covers aspects such as controllability, effectiveness, conformity to user expectations and suitability for individualisation.
• Testing of data security is based on the requirements of the German Federal Data Protection Act, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the German Telemedia Act. 

In addition to the above, testing is also based on the documentation of the software design and development process (specification, test, quality assurance), the product specifications and the user documentation.

Why is software quality testing important?

As a software supplier, you consistently improve quality with the help of customised test setups right from the stage of software development and production, while reducing your risks and costs. You detect gaps in your software applications and the design-related processes at an early stage in the design phase and take prompt optimisation measures based on TÜV SÜD's support, including concept development and the implementation of recognised quality requirements.

Later on, you gain confirmation of the added value and high quality offered by your software products, expressed by the certification and quality marks awarded by TÜV SÜD.

Based on this support, you minimise your software-related business risk in the critical go-live test. Improve customer acceptance and satisfaction through high product quality. 

TÜV SÜD’s software quality testing capabilities

TÜV SÜD's software certification mark confirms to your business partners that your software functions are reliable, ergonomic and ensure secure data processing.

Our product tests:

• Testing of software quality and certification of application software (testing, functionality, data protection/security and usability/ergonomics)
• Testing of software quality and certification of apps (testing, functionality, data protection/security and usability/ergonomics)
• Software quality testing and certification within the scope of cloud computing
• Functionality testing for accounting software in accordance with GoB
  

• Preparation of data protection/data security expert reports
• Preparation of usability/ergonomics expert reports
• Performance of software due-diligence assessments