With almost two thousand new mobile applications released every day, making sure that your application is in the best possible condition when released is more important than ever. First impressions count and smartphone users are a fickle bunch. Apple might get a pass on their new Maps app, but the average application is going to be deleted if it throws up errors or has any issue.
Which is where Proper QA come in. Founded in 2011 by industry veteran Nick Barrett, the Edinburgh based company offers a number of services to the industry, but the one that drew my eye was QA Testing. For the smaller developer, testing might be seen as something that is tacked on to the end of the development process, but it’s a vital part of the process.
Proper QA has seen a shift towards mobile during 2012 and it now accounts for a quarter of their business. “The way we operate and the tools we use really lend themselves well to this kind of work,” Barrett told me. “It’s a really positive shift and we’re looking forward to expanding further with mobile. “
Speed is of the essence, as cycles between versions on mobile application can sometimes be measured in days. Can Proper QA fit into that routine? “Typically, each test cycle is completed with a 24 hour turnaround,” explains Barrett. “Overall project length is subjective as it’s so reliant on the app and the development cycle, but one of our jobs [at Proper QA], perhaps contrary to stereotype, is actually to shave time off a dev-cycle by providing accurate test data on a really fast turnaround.”
Like any service the cost is going to be dependant on the level of testing required and the nature of the application to provide something that fits the needs of the individual developer, but Proper QA typically charge £140 per day for testing (per tester).
