July 28, 2008. Max Garkavtsev, Founder of BugHuntress QA Lab,
a leading Ukrainian software testing
company, has arrived in the USA for a two-month business trip with his main goal to present new
testing services for technology and software companies.
The special focus is made on integrated QA/QC services for companies which
outsource software development. "The economic slowdown compels to optimize outlay. Outsourcing
deals aren't an exception: you must be sure that every your outsourced dollar works at 100% and
you get the quality you paid for," says Max Garkavtsev.
The situation becomes more acute due to a global character of economic
uncertainties. Their reflection on the largest outsourcing locations, coupled with rising IT wages
and high staff attrition, hurt the quality of outsourcing delivery in the first place.
Max Garkavtsev: "To minimize these outsourcing risks we propose efficient QA 'tools' for vendors
control and management."
The core of new BugHuntress services is independent software testing and QA
assessment of subcontractors' work. The more mature the outsourcing market is the wider independent
quality services are of increasing importance. For example, Steve Phillips, CIO of Avnet, considers 3rd-party
quality assessments as one of 10 crucial conditions of success in IT outsourcing.
Independent testing is not only a way "not to put all outsourcing eggs in one
basket". The studies show that due to mitigation of outsourced software development and go-to-market
risks the costs of independent software testing can be repaid a hundredfold. In combination with
BugHuntress automated testing on the base of Selenium, TestComplete, Mercury LoadRunner and
other industry standard tools it is ever more profitable and ensures high defect coverage and
testing effectiveness.
To make BugHuntress testing services closer and more convenient for local customers
Max Garkavtsev considers the opportunities to establish a new BugHuntress office in California.
Along with the New York office it will help to represent BugHuntress QA Lab on both US coasts.
Max Garkavtsev is planning to hold a number of meetings with interested companies
and take part in IT conferences in California. He can be reached at +1 (646) 498 6441, or through his
LinkedIn profile.
--- About BugHuntress QA Lab ---
Independent software testing company
BugHuntress QA Lab helps technology and software companies to succeed with their software in the
market. BugHuntress QA Lab offers
software
testing services, dedicated testing teams, as well as IV&V and
independent quality assessment. The core expertise is
automated and manual testing of software for mobile devices, embedded,
security, as well as Web 2.0 and business applications. Founded in 2001, BugHuntress QA Lab is a
time-proved QA/QC partner of a number of the leading companies from the USA and the EU.
May 26, 2008. BugHuntress QA Lab constantly obtains references and favorable
comments from its customers. These appreciations are especially pleasant and inspirational when they
are given by such respected companies as Skype Ltd.
For about two years BugHuntress QA Lab (as a separate testing division of QArea Group)
has been working for Skype Ltd. Lately we have received this testimonial from Peter Kalmström,
Program Manager for Skype Toolbars:
"QArea has been a great asset in helping us securing the quality of our Toolbars.
When we needed quick help they were there for us and gave us access to a full team of testers within
a matter of a few days. Over the course of our two years of partnership I have come to rely on
QArea for providing quality resources both in testing and development at a reasonable rate."
Peter Kalmström
Program Manager for Skype Toolbars
Norrköping, Sweden
May 05, 2008. "Very successful!" this is the opinion of Max Garkavtsev, Founder
of BugHuntress QA Lab, leading Ukrainian software testing company, about his recent visit to Israel.
A large number of negotiations with potential partners and effective presentation of the new
BugHuntress services confirm such an estimate.
The growth of EMEA vector in BugHuntress marketing policy is a reflection of fast
increasing interest to IT outsourcing in the EMEA region. Speaking about Israel, M. Garkavtsev
emphasized: "Israeli ICT companies are world famous for its high technological level and
innovations. Meetings with prospects and potential representatives held in Israel inspire us
that it is a very perspective market."
During these meetings a special emphasis was made on explanation of new BugHuntress
services, in particular, QA/QC support for technology and software companies, which outsource
software development to offshore or nearshore vendors.
It was pointed out that IT outsourcing is related with inherent risks which can
reduce to zero outsourcing benefits, including cost saving. The latest tendencies to
diversify IT vendors and establish partnership-like relations with them can mitigate
some outsourcing risks. But as recent studies show, these actions can cause new problems.
In such a situation a very effective way to obviate outsourcing bottlenecks is to separate
the development of software and its testing and assign them to different providers.
"The experience of many companies proves that independent testing is repaid a
hundredfold," stated Max Garkavtsev. "The point is that independent testing is not
only about software quality. It is very important that independent testing is also about
right managerial decisions and strong mitigation of outsourcing risks."
BugHuntress QA Lab has been operating as an independent software testing provider
for 7 years. The company has helped the customers to avoid lots of troubles, e.g., to
refund essential sum of money spent on failed outsourcing projects.
"Independent software testing, as same as insurance, doesn't mean that you don't trust
your service provider. It just reflects the reality of life with lots of people involved in the
process. But in fact, independent software testing gives you much more than insurance because
QC not only can help to mitigate problem consequences but also timely alert you to forthcoming
dangers and assist to prevent them," says Max Garkavtsev.
Israeli partners expressed a keen interest in BugHuntress QA Lab services. BugHuntress
QA Lab is intending to expand these contacts. At the moment several BugHuntress specialists are
in Israel with this mission.
April 17, 2008. BugHuntress QA Lab has established a software tester school
in Kharkiv, Ukraine. This school is to train about 450 persons a year.
BugHuntress QA Lab, a leading Ukrainian software testing company, consists of proficient
specialists who successfully accomplished lots of sophisticated testing projects. And
BugHuntress professionals have been always ready to share their abundant experience and
deep knowledge in testing with young testers and students.
Four months ago BugHuntress QA Lab opened its doors to the intelligent and
industrious youth from the leading Kharkiv universities KhIRE, KhAI, KhPI. All selected
candidates usually had a strong technical background and passed special tests which check
the ability to be a tester.
In fact, there are no universities in Ukraine that educate QA engineers with all
the special skills and knowledge required for this profession. BugHuntress QA Lab
understands that the best specialists are those whom you raise yourself. Basing on our
7+ years experience and deep understanding of the QA/QC processes we have developed our
training program to sharpen minds of students for software testing.
Now this school is operating on the regular basis. The process of education is
based on the "20:80" rule: 20% of time is a theory and 80% of time is practice. The
practical part includes not only execution of training tests but also participation in
real projects for BugHuntress customers.
The participation of students in a project is specially negotiated with customers.
Due to management and support of seasoned team-leads and managers, the
quality of work of such a team is reasonable. Of course, they do not take part in
critical-mission applications testing. However for many testing tasks such a combination
of an experienced team-lead and a team of young testers gives excellent results especially
from the point of view of the quality-to-price ratio.
The first four months of the school work evidently showed great achievements.
First groups of young testers did lots of practical work and successfully accomplished
a number of complicated tasks. The best of them will continue working in BugHuntress
QA Lab as junior testers.
"We have tried out this idea for 4 months and now see that it is worth to expand,"
comments Max Garkavtsev, Founder of BugHuntress QA Lab. "Our customers and partners
encourage and evaluate it very high as it is convenient and profitable for them."
More information about the software tester school and cooperation with BugHuntress QA Lab.
April 10, 2008. BugHuntress QA Lab actively develops cooperation with professional
organizations and international communities in the field of Quality Assurance and modern ICT
technologies.
1. BugHuntress QA Lab has joined Southern California Quality Assurance Association
Orange County (as a division of QArea Group).
SCQAA-OC is a volunteer organization which mission is to develop and maintain a
community consisting of software quality professionals dedicated to strengthening members'
skills, promoting knowledge about quality assurance and quality control, and increasing
their role in the today's IT industry.
Membership in SCQAA-OC opens a new opportunity to be in touch with the U.S. and
world quality professionals. It is particularly important for BugHuntress QA Lab because
it considers software testing not only as a routine part of software development life cycle.
BugHuntress QA Lab provides a set of QA/QC services which help technology and software
companies to make software development outsourcing more transparent, predictable, assured,
and, as a result, more cost-effective and reliable. In other words, software testing is
not only about software quality but also about right managerial decisions and outsourcing risks mitigation.
Maintaining contacts with QA and IT professional associations in California is very
significant as they are located in the heart of modern IT industry - the Silicon Valley.
It allows BugHuntress specialists to be timely informed about the latest IT trends, best
IT and QA practice, and take part in discussions with the industry thought leaders.
About SCQAA-OC
Southern California Quality Assurance Association Orange County (www.scqaa.com) is a
community of software quality professionals. SCQAA-OC sponsors eleven programs a year,
allowing members meet almost monthly. In addition to regular program meetings, members
have a possibility to attend special events, seminars and work-shops to exchange the
ideas among quality, project management and information technology professionals.
Examinations and professional certification is another step towards expertise in the
field of quality assurance and software testing.
***
2. Max Garkavtsev, Founder of BugHuntress QA Lab, has become a member of the powerful
and elite group of wireless professionals - online invitation-only forum INmobile.org.
M. Garkavtsev represented BugHuntress QA Lab to the community of significant individuals
who are playing a visible and influential role in the today's mobile industry and have
been instrumental in taking the industry to the next level.
INmobile.org. is a learning, sharing and networking center for wireless industry
and related fields leaders. It is an online forum where executives can securely meet and
discuss important trends. INmobile.org was conceived in early 2005, launched in 2006 and now,
always growing and developing itself, the number of its members exceeds 900.
"Today online business communities are becoming increasingly popular in
the business environment. We have a large experience in development and testing of
wireless applications, and we are ready to share our knowledge and ideas with colleagues,
and to assist their business development," noted Max Garkavtsev. "On the other hand,
for us participation in this community is a way to learn about most important topics in the
industry and to establish perspective contacts with potential partners."
About INmobile.org
Launched in April, 2006, INmobile.org (www.inmobile.org) is a network of more than 900
executives who work in or close to the wireless industry. To become a member you have to be
at least a director at a large company, a vice-president at a midsize company, or in the
C-suite of a startup. Among its members are executives from carriers such as Verizon Wireless,
content providers such as Walt Disney, and handset makers such as Nokia and many others.
March 20, 2008. Sales volume increase by about 85%, dozens of successfully completed
projects and new long-term partner relations established are the key activity points of Ukrainian
software testing company BugHuntress QA Lab in the past 2007.
"On the whole we yielded even more than expected. We adopted the right business strategy
and ran it at the right time and with the right people," comments Max Garkavtsev, Founder of
BugHuntress QA Lab. BugHuntress customers agree with this opinion. "BugHuntress has done a great
job in helping us make Minggl a very solid product. I would recommend them readily to anyone who needs
help with a solid testing process," says Dewey Gaedcke, CEO of Minggl.com (USA).
What is the secret of BugHuntress business strategy?
BugHuntress strategy is based on three corner-stones:
- Flexible partnership-based business and service models, not only a
software testing service provider but also a quality consultant / assessor in IT outsourcing deals;
- Testing specialization; and
- Creative approach and innovations.
1. Partner relationship with customers is one of the most important principles. "This approach makes
the customer's business more adjustable to today's economic situation and increases its revenue
potential," stated Max Garkavtsev. "It is achieved not only due to cost-effective software
testing services offered by BugHuntress but also to QA/QC support which allows the customers to be
assured in the relations with their software development vendors and take from IT outsourcing its
real benefits rather than risks."
IT outsourcing is associated with such inherent risks as difficulties with management,
lack of vendor's commitment, unrealized costs and quality expectations. BugHuntress QA Lab
provides quality assessment of vendor's work, independent verification and validation of the developed software,
QA/QC consulting. In that way BugHuntress QA Lab helps the customers to get impartial data on the
real project progress, stimulate outsourcing vendors to act right (it is especially important
at the first stage of cooperation) and, as a result, to avoid lots of bad expenses.
2. BugHuntress QA Lab focuses on testing of web-enabled business, Web 2.0, embedded,
wireless, as well as cross-technology and cross-platform applications such as mobile internet
systems. "Offering specialized software testing services, the company perfectly fits today's
market needs in best-of-breed vendors," says Oleg Kamyshanov, Director of BugHuntress QA Lab.
3. Creative solutions and innovations are particularly important when, e.g., wireless or
complex Web applications are tested.
BugHuntress is situated in Ukraine, a country famous for talents with deep mathematical background,
problem-solving thinking, and commitment to R&D and innovations. BugHuntress QA Lab employs
specialists who can propose effective solutions that reduce costs and enhance the quality of
technically complex types of testing.
The essential business growth has caused expansion of BugHuntress working space. At the end
of 2007 BugHuntress QA Lab moved into a new office. It is situated in the greenest part of Kharkiv,
close to the Botanical Garden, the oldest in Ukraine. The office is equipped with all facilities
for comfortable work; greenery and placid internal space create a favorable atmosphere for productive
activities. Moreover, the new office provides better technical basis for implementation of the
company's informational security policy.
BugHuntress QA Lab goals for 2008 are ambitious as well. "We are ready for further
achievements to come in the year 2008," says Max Garkavtsev. "At the end of 2007 we
successfully completed a number of pilot testing projects for several blue-chip companies.
We believe these projects to grow into mutually beneficial partnerships. This is the kind of
relationship we always try to build with our customers."
November 15, 2007. "Usability is a winning competitive advantage of software products but
it is still underestimated by vendors," noted the report "Mobile usability testing: Problems and solutions"
which was presented by the Ukrainian software testing company BugHuntress QA Lab at the international
conference "Quality Assurance: Management & Technologies" (QAMT 2007) held in Kiev, Ukraine.
Ivan Lysenko, a project manager at BugHuntress QA Lab, stated in the report that 6-year
BugHuntress experience in independent software testing showed that high-quality user interfaces
occurred in about 70% of desktop applications. At the same time a similar figure for mobile
applications is merely about 40%.
Meanwhile, the software market is quite saturated. Competing programs often provide
almost identical functionality. That is why top notch usability can be a decisive argument
for buying an application and for its success in the highly demanding and competitive market.
Why usability is still unappreciated by software developers especially in the mobile
industry? Speaking about the reasons, the reporter emphasized the following:
- No established mobile usability culture;
- Lack of trained specialists;
- Direct usage of PC-approaches;
- Direct porting between different mobile and embedded platforms;
- Fast-paced software market environment.
Most of these obstacles cannot be overcome immediately. As a result, a reasonable solution for
software vendors can be cooperation with specialized testing companies. At their disposal such
companies have scarce specialists in the field of software usability. These specialists can provide
expert recommendations on how to improve user interface. Moreover, a fresh, comprehensive and
unbiased view on the software is a proven way to mitigate go-to-market risks.
The report "Mobile usability testing: Problems and solutions" attracted a lot of attention
of the QAMT 2007 conference attendees and stimulated a lively discussion.
Mobile Usability Testing Report (pdf version).
The complementary presentation for this report -
Mobile Usability Testing.
See also OpenPR.com.
August 29, 2007. This month BugHuntress QA Lab has celebrated its 6-th anniversary.
Since 2001 over 50 software testing projects for mobile, wireless, embedded, and WAP / Web 2.0
applications have been successfully accomplished for customers all over the world.
But the main tests BugHuntress QA Lab has passed itself.
The first test was customer's confidence. The quality of testing services can be
crucial for the future of tested software. Therefore the fair reputation and customers'
trust are extremely important for a testing company.
Nowadays BugHuntress boasts of long-term cooperation with a number of the clients from
the USA and the UK. The partnership with some of them has been continuing for about three years
now. "We really appreciated the efforts that you put into the many test projects that you
completed for us," says Stephen Ives, CEO of British company Tuptu Ltd. It goes without
saying that such appreciations inspire a lot.
The second test was proper personnel. Some people consider testing to be a
secondary activity. As a result, junior programmers are rather often assigned as testers.
Of course, they consider testing only as the first step to programming. Such 'testers'
don't have a stimulus to be properly trained in testing or improve their testing view
and proficiency level.
However, testing is an important particular engineering discipline. It requires
special methodologies, tools, knowledge, skills, experience, peculiar talent and inspiration.
BugHuntress is proud of its team of professionals. "As for me, testing implies a deeper
understanding of the software and its development lifecycle and at the same time a view on
software from the user's standpoint, not with programmer's eyes," points out Lena Lakoshko,
QA Team Lead at BugHuntress. "Testing is thoroughness and orderliness, but simultaneously
it means specific flair and great responsibility."
The third main test passed by BugHuntress was temptation to be "all-in-one". Some
service providers offer all types of testing for all industries. Nevertheless it is impossible
to be an expert in all fields. BugHuntress QA Lab adheres to
Testing 2.0
approach with its deep specialization and expert-level services.
BugHuntress is situated in Ukraine, in a country with a strong commitment to R&D and
high educational and engineering level. Using this background, BugHuntress puts the focus on
technically complex types of testing and such domains as embedded systems, security,
wireless, mobile, WAP, e-Business software. "Our core distinction is a creative and
innovative approach," says Oleg Kamyshanov, Director of BugHuntress QA Lab.
"It is our 'secret tool' to save testing time, reduce its costs and enhance the quality."
Celebrating this anniversary, BugHuntress team makes plans for the future.
To some extent, it is not too difficult for them. Indeed, BugHuntress specialists know
about the future a little more than other people: they already test the software and
embedded systems which will be the IT mainstream in the future.
June 18, 2007. The representatives of Universal Electronics, Inc. are the recent guests
who visited BugHuntress QA Lab and met with the experts working in their project.
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