Software Beta Tests

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Introduction to Software Beta Tests

Software beta tests generally include a large number of individuals due to the ease of duplication and distribution of the product. Software betas do not generally deal with product shipping or collection, but are often plagued with participation and piracy issues. Examples of software betas are personal finance tools and video games.

Unique Software Beta Test Attributes

  • Large Participant Pool - Software beta tests don't face the same limitations in product availability and distribution as hardware, thus software betas often have many more testers.
  • Early Beta Phases - Due to the simplistic distribution of builds, software beta tests often begin their beta testing phases earlier than their hardware counterparts.
  • Multiple Phases - Software betas often include a number of phases based on various builds of the product. Depending on the period this can often be anywhere from 3 to 10 phases.
  • International - While hardware isn't easy to distribute internationally, software generally is. This encourages more international testing of software based products.

Software Beta Challenges

  • Feedback Management - Due to the large pool of candidates combined with the fact that users are generally already at a computer, a great deal of feedback is often generated from software beta tests. This amount of feedback can be difficult to manage.
  • Build Management - Managing software betas becomes increasingly difficult as additional builds are released. Ensuring participants are using the latest build and reporting accordingly is a very daunting task.
  • Piracy - Unlike hardware based beta tests, software tests are susceptible to piracy from participants. This can be challenging to combat without the proper experience and tools.
  • Environment - Beta software generally relies on a computer or other complex device. These outside devices can often cause many of the problems identified during the beta. Understanding the testing environments of individual users is difficult but essential to successfully managing feedback.

Centercode Has The Perfect Solutions for Software Beta Testing

How Centercode Connect™ Software Can Help

  • Secure Software Distribution - Connect offers the ability to securely deliver builds to end-users. Users may be required to download new builds prior to entering the feedback portal.
  • Custom Test Platforms - Connect allows you to collect the exact information about your users environment that will offer value during your beta. Users may even attach these profiles directly to their feedback.
  • Digital Agreements - Connect allows you to easily execute digital non-disclosure agreements with participants. These agreements offer testers a clear understanding of all legal obligations.
  • Feedback Management - Connect's Feedback Management system eases the process of managing large amounts of beta feedback. Feedback may also be automatically transferred to existing defect tracking systems.

How Centercode Managed Beta Tests and Services Can Help

  • Feedback Filtering - Our Managed Services team can act as a filter to ensure that feedback is well written and duplicate feedback is appropriately marked.
  • Bug Reproduction - In addition to filtering issues, our beta team can act as a Tier 1 support mechanism by reproducing incoming bug reports, adding additional information as needed.
  • Legal Agreements - All of our beta projects include an NDA process which educates users regarding their legal obligations related to the test. This process greatly reduces piracy.
  • Test Platform Database - Our community of users have been profiled for highly detailed information regarding their testing environment. They will use these profiles when reporting feedback such as bug reports.
  • Build Distribution - Our beta team can ensure that builds have been effectively distributed to participants. Once distributed, builds may be tracked directly with feedback.

Centercode Software Beta Test Customers (More Clients »)

  • AdobeCreative Software
  • AppleConsumer Hardware & Software
  • Autodesk2D & 3D Design and Engineering Software
  • HPConsumer & Business Products
  • MicrosoftConsumer & Business Products
  • NETGEARConsumer & Business Networking Solutions
  • PalmMobile Smartphones & Software
  • RibbitVoice & Communication Platform
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