Introduction
Software technology has become a driving force across industries that were once far removed from the tech world. From manufacturing and healthcare to finance and engineering, software is no longer just an add-on; it’s a core component that powers operations. With this shift, the demand for robust software testing and quality assurance (QA) has skyrocketed. Whether the software is the primary product or simply a tool that enhances efficiency, ensuring it works flawlessly is critical. In this post, we’ll explore a case study that highlights the automation of a plugin for an engineering tool and how it’s benefiting non-IT industries.
Benefits of Automation in Non-IT Industries
Automation is revolutionizing non-IT sectors by delivering a range of powerful benefits. Here are just a few:
Efficiency and Productivity: Automation in software testing handles repetitive tasks with speed and accuracy, freeing up human resources for more complex, strategic work and significantly boosting overall productivity.
Cost Savings: By minimizing manual labor and optimizing resource usage, test automation drives down operational costs, making it a smart investment for any business.
Consistency and Accuracy: In industries like engineering, where precision is key, automated testing ensures that tasks are performed consistently and without error, leading to higher-quality outputs.
Safety: Automation steps in where risks are high, particularly in sectors like manufacturing or construction, reducing the risk of human injury by taking over dangerous tasks.
Scalability: As demand increases, automation in testing scales effortlessly without needing a proportional increase in human resources, allowing businesses to grow while keeping costs in check.
Data Management: Automated testing tools can process vast amounts of data quickly, empowering businesses with real-time insights that drive smarter decisions.
Improved Customer Service: Faster response times and more accurate order fulfillment, thanks to automation, lead to better customer service and increased loyalty.
Competitive Advantage: Automation in non-IT industries enables businesses to respond faster to market changes, innovate more rapidly, and stay ahead of the competition.
Integration and Connectivity: Automated systems connect various systems and processes, making it easier for teams to collaborate and improving overall operational communication.
Focus on Value-Added Tasks: By handling the repetitive work, automation frees employees to focus on high-value activities like innovation, strategy, and creative problem-solving.
Case Study: Automating a Plugin for an Engineering Application
One of the more exciting projects BetterQA worked on recently involved automating a plugin for an engineering application focused on metallic structures. The application, which deals with complex components like beams, columns, bolt connections, and forces, works by applying the correct connections based on predefined settings. If the components don’t align, the tool returns an error.
Each time a design changes, the application needs to evaluate whether the modifications interfere with other aspects of the system, which could be a time-consuming process. Since the client was dealing with thousands of components that required constant testing and revalidation with every update, they needed a solution that would automate the testing process to save time and ensure consistency.
The challenge? Automating the testing of Tekla plugins. The solution? Clicknium. a user-friendly automation tool that mimics user clicks and interactions within an application. This tool allowed our QA team to automate the entire testing process, using Python as the programming language for further flexibility and control.
This automation not only sped up the testing process but also ensured that the plugin would perform reliably with every update, maintaining high levels of quality and consistency.
Conclusion
The role of automation in non-IT industries is expanding rapidly, offering clear advantages like improved efficiency, reduced costs, enhanced accuracy, and increased safety. As more industries embrace automation, the potential for operational growth and business success becomes limitless. This case study is just one example of how automation is transforming engineering applications, helping businesses streamline operations and gain a competitive advantage. The future of automation in industries outside of tech looks incredibly promising, and those who adopt it now will have a distinct advantage in the marketplace.
By embracing automation tools like Clicknium and ensuring strong software testing and quality assurance, organizations can deliver high-quality, reliable products, maintain a competitive advantage, and thrive in an increasingly digital world.
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