Software Quality Assurance, a lucrative industry
Software Quality Assurance (SQA), had always been a lucrative
industry that had been gaining momentum over the past few years and is
becoming a strong contender in the IT/ITES sector. As projected by
Gartner, independent application testing as a separate business segment
was said to see a growth of 30-45% since 2009, while the Compound Annual
Growth Rate (CAGR) is predicted to increase by 17% beyond 2012.
Waruna de Silva |
SQA is the umbrella of risk identification and mitigation strategy
for assuring the quality of a product. Cost of errors in software, could
vary from nothing at all to a large amount of money. Software errors or
bugs have caused huge financial losses, which could have been avoided
through effective SQA.
Virtusa Corporation (NASDAQ: VRTU), a Sri Lankan turned global IT
services company that offers a broad spectrum of business consulting and
outsourcing services, competes with some of the largest IT services and
consulting companies in the world and frequently comes out triumphant.
They also work with dozens of Fortune 500 companies. In conversation
with Waruna de Silva, Head of Independent Software Quality Practice of
Virtusa Sri Lanka, he mentions, "Quality Assurance or testing is
essentially becoming an independent segment of the IT/ITES industry.
What was once considered an emerging trend, has been converted into a
norm that makes third party software testing a criterion in unbiased
assessment of the software developed."
What sets Virtusa apart from other IT firms, is that they provide
their clients with complete integrated Independent Software Quality (ISQ)
solutions. While not only ensuring customized comprehensive solutions,
Virtusa is also equipped with a highly competent work force and
systematic process analysis and superior infrastructure that allows the
exact simulation of the original situation that the software is utilized
in.
"We have what it takes to enhance ISQ to the next level. At Virtusa,
our superior infrastructure and multi-faceted, qualified and competent
work force, ensures the highest possible quality assurance certification
for our clientele," commented Waruna.
He further stressed that there was a vast influx of new opportunities
in the SQA market, due to evolution of the "Millennial Enterprise" and
the role of technological innovation, which was mainly driven by the
advent of services, such as mobility, social networking, big data and
cloud computing. Most importantly, this enforces a paradigm shift in the
software quality industry, where many new dynamics and challenges need
to be addressed by developing and adopting diverse solutions and
approaches.
While the SQA segment is still relatively untapped, Virtusa Sri
Lanka, single-handedly spearheads the market. In fact, Virtusa acts as a
third party Software Quality Assurer for multiple global clients, while
doing the same for multinationals, such as MIT within Sri Lanka.
Virtusa currently provides ISQ services to healthcare, banking and
finance, aerospace and insurance industries around the world. "It is
important to note that there are so many career opportunities in the
field of Independent Quality Assurance, especially when the talent is
well versed in subjects over and above software engineering.
The potential is limitless and at Virtusa, we have every intention of
pushing the envelope and be recognized as leaders in this space,''
Waruna concluded. |