Frequently Asked Questions

The decision to outsource quality analysis and software testing requirements for your company can be challenging. But don’t worry, we are here to help you decide. Read our FAQs to understand all about outsourcing software QA, and the services that an experienced vendor should offer before making the decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is QASource a service, or do you sell tools?

We are a service-based company specializing in software testing, backed by a team of highly-trained QA engineers. While we've developed specific tools to amplify our services, they're utilized based on the unique requirements of our clients and aren't currently available for separate licensing.

How much does QASource cost?

Our service cost depends on the unique needs of each client. To provide a ballpark figure: the cost of employing one of our test engineers is typically between half to a third of hiring an equivalent in-house test engineer in North America. For a detailed quote, please share your project specifics with us.

How quickly can you get started?

We hire proactively to ensure a pool of qualified engineers are ready to start projects immediately. Our engineers undergo intensive training and evaluations on real projects to prepare them for any project, and depending on your project's specifics, we can get started in as little as 1-2 days.

How do you ensure smooth collaboration with my team daily?

Effective collaboration and transparent communication. Here's our approach:

  • Distributed Agile Model: Project management consisting of U.S. based customer success management along with offshore/nearshore QA managers, and a dedicated QA team. Learn more here.
  • Initiation and Training: At the onset of our partnership, we delve deep into your tools, methodologies, and product specifics. Training sessions are organized to align our QA specialists with your product nuances.
  • Daily Alignments: We conduct daily meetings with your team to ensure alignment with the day's goals and to stay updated on any modifications.
  • Collaborative Platforms: Our teams are proficient in various collaboration and project management tools like JIRA, Slack, and Microsoft Teams, ensuring transparency in the QA process.
  • Dedicated Point of Contact: We allocate a dedicated QA lead or manager for your project to streamline communication and reduce any back and forth. This person bridges our QA team and your development team, ensuring clear communication and quick decision-making.
  • Feedback Loop: Post each testing cycle, we don't just deliver a report, we engage in constructive feedback sessions. This iterative approach ensures that as your product evolves, our testing strategies adapt accordingly.
  • Continuous Improvement: We continually refine our processes based on the insights from our collaboration, ensuring that we're not just integrating with your team but are evolving with it.
  • Security and Confidentiality: Recognizing the sensitive nature of development, our integration also focuses on stringent data protection protocols. We abide by strict security guidelines, safeguarding your code and intellectual property.

How do you address concerns related to security, privacy, and IP?

Protecting your data, software, and intellectual property is our top priority. Here's our approach:

  • Certification and Adherence: We take pride in maintaining the ISO 9001 certification, a testament to our commitment to quality. Additionally, our SOC 2 Type II compliance showcases our dedication to ensuring security, data integrity, confidentiality, and the overall privacy of customer data.
  • Contractual Commitments: As we kickstart any project, our engineers are bound by Mutual Non-Disclosure Agreements (MNDAs). These contracts ensure the confidentiality of your project details and hold them accountable for any breaches.
  • Protecting Client Identity: We allocate unique codenames to every client project for enhanced privacy measures. This not only safeguards the project's specifics but also the identity of our esteemed clients.
  • Access Limitations: We adopt a segmented approach, ensuring that engineers working on a particular project don't have access to information or data from other projects. This minimizes the risk of unintentional data overlap between projects.
  • Security Protocols: We've taken measures like disabling computer ports in our facilities to prevent unauthorized data transfers. Moreover, mobile phones and recording devices are strictly restricted in our workspace to prevent unintentional data capture.
  • Routine Security Checks: Our commitment to security is unwavering. We regularly review and enhance our security measures, with both internal and third-party audits, to stay ahead of potential risks.
  • Ongoing Skill Enhancement: Our team is regularly updated with the latest in security measures, ethical standards, and industry best practices. This ensures they're not only technically adept but also fully grasp the importance of data protection and intellectual property rights.
  • Data Management Post-Project: Once a project concludes, we ensure that all associated client data is purged from our systems.

Your software, data, and intellectual assets are paramount to us. Our comprehensive security strategy ensures that every aspect of your project remains secure from start to finish.

Why not just employ an in-house QA testing team?

While having an internal QA team can be beneficial for certain scenarios, partnering with us presents many advantages tailored for businesses prioritizing adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and niche expertise. It boils down to what best compliments your organizational objectives, financial plan, and project specifications.

  • Adaptability: Conveniently expand or reduce team size in line with project demands.
  • Diverse Skill Set: Engage with testers who bring varied and industry-wide expertise.
  • Cost-Effective: Utilize our services without the added expenses of in-house hiring, benefits, and training.
  • Focus on Core Tasks: Allow your development team to focus on what they do best.
  • Quicker Go-to-Market: Accelerate your testing phase with our expansive, dedicated teams.
  • Minimize Risks: Sidestep potential setbacks due to changes in in-house staff.
  • Unbiased Feedback: Receive candid assessments from testers outside the development loop.
  • Adherence & Safety: Enjoy the perks of our external accreditations and security standards.
  • Knowledge Sharing: Gain valuable insights and resources that can upskill your internal teams.

Which tools, technologies, and frameworks do you support?

Our team is proficient across a wide spectrum of tools, technologies, and frameworks, enabling us to tailor our solutions precisely to the unique requirements of each project and client. Here is a comprehensive overview:

  • Test Automation:
    • Frameworks: Selenium, Appium, TestNG, JUnit, Cucumber, Robot Framework.
    • Tools: QTP/UFT, Ranorex, Katalon Studio, TestComplete, Playwright, Cypress
  • Performance Testing: JMeter, LoadRunner, NeoLoad, WebLoad, BlazeMeter
  • Test Management: JIRA (with Zephyr or Xray), TestRail, QTest, Quality Center/ALM, QAJarvis
  • Continuous Integration & Continuous Deployment (CI/CD): Jenkins, Bamboo, Travis CI, CircleCI, GitLab CI
  • Mobile Testing: Espresso, XCTest, Detox, BrowserStack, Sauce Labs
  • API Testing: Postman, SoapUI, Rest-Assured, Insomnia
  • BDD (Behavior Driven Development) Tools: Cucumber, SpecFlow, Behave
  • Cross-Browser Testing Platforms: Selenium Grid, Sauce Labs, BrowserStack, CrossBrowserTesting
  • Version Control Systems: Git, SVN, Mercurial
  • Cloud Testing Platforms: AWS Device Farm, Firebase Test Lab, Sauce Labs
  • Defect Tracking: JIRA, Bugzilla, Mantis, Redmine
  • Collaboration & Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Trello
  • Security Testing Tools: OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, Nessus
  • Accessibility Testing: AXE, WAVE, VoiceOver, JAWS

This is not an exhaustive list, given the expansive and ever-evolving nature of the software testing field. We consistently invest in our team's training and update our toolkit to incorporate the most current and productive technologies. If you have a particular tool, technology, or framework in mind or require information on items not featured here, please don't hesitate to inform us. Our ability to offer customized testing solutions that meet your needs is strengthened by our commitment to adaptability and staying up-to-date with technology.

Which industries does QASource serve?

  • Software/SaaS
  • Digital Collaboration/Media Streaming
  • Cybersecurity
  • Legal Tech
  • Healthcare
  • Financial Services
  • Retail/E-commerce
  • Startup
  • HR Tech
  • eLearning

You can see a full list of the services that QASource serves here: https://www.qasource.com/industries-and-qa-services

What training and certifications do your engineering staff have?

Our engineering staff are highly trained and have college degrees, specialized degrees or certificates. Many new hires come from the top 5% of graduates our company’s post-college training institute. Our engineers collectively hold numerous certifications, including different languages, sprint planning, Agile and Scrum master. QASource’s engineers undergo rigorous ongoing trainings to enhance their skills.

What is QASource’s employee retention rate?

We are extremely proud to share that our 91% employee retention rates are the highest in the industry. What’s our secret? We foster an exceptional culture focused on inclusion and diversity which has fueled sustainable growth over the past 17 years. We’ve developed a unique Training Institute which identifies and develops first-rate engineering talent and also continuously “give back” through educational development and social impact programs worldwide.

Do you have any client feedback or detailed case studies?

Who is QASource?

We offer dedicated offshore quality engineers and expertise to clients requiring rigorously tested code for internal and commercial applications. Using a proven methodology that incorporates comprehensive training, dedicated teams, and streamlined communication protocols, we can swiftly onboard new clients, integrate with their development engineering teams, and enhance their productivity, quality, and efficiency.

We emphasize our staff, integrating comprehensive onboarding procedures, continuous educational programs, balanced work-life initiatives, and allocating specialized engineers for every client. Consequently, QASource boasts top-tier staff retention figures, minimizing team disturbances and optimizing performance.

Our exceptional customer satisfaction scores and long-term client retention rates prove that for over 24 years, we have led the industry in offshore quality engineering.

Why should I select QASource over other testing providers?

Choosing QASource over other testing providers is a decision rooted in our unique value proposition:

  • Deep Expertise: With over two decades in the industry, we've honed our skills across diverse sectors, ensuring we bring breadth and depth to every project.
  • Customized Solutions: We don't believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Our solutions are tailored to fit the specific needs and nuances of each client, ensuring optimal results.
  • Cost-Effectiveness: Our pricing model offers the expertise of top-tier testers at a fraction of the cost of hiring similar talent in-house, especially in regions like North America.
  • Rapid Onboarding: Our proactive hiring strategy ensures we have a pool of trained engineers ready to dive into your project immediately, minimizing lead times.
  • Seamless Integration: We prioritize clear communication and collaboration, ensuring our team integrates smoothly with yours. Our processes are designed to feel like an extension of your in-house team rather than an external entity.
  • Distributed Agile Model: Project management that consists of U.S. based customer success management along with offshore/nearshore QA managers and a dedicated QA team. Learn more here.
  • Cutting-Edge Tools & Technologies: We're always at the forefront of the latest testing tools and methodologies, ensuring your software is tested using the best in the business.
  • Unwavering Commitment to Security: From stringent data protection protocols to regular audits, we ensure your intellectual property and data are safeguarded at all times.
  • High Client Retention & Satisfaction: Our industry-leading Net Promoter Score (NPS) and long-term client relationships stand as a testament to our consistent delivery of quality and value.
  • Continuous Improvement: We're committed to evolving and refining our processes based on feedback and the changing landscape of software development, ensuring you always get the best of what the industry has to offer.

In essence, selecting QASource means choosing a partner dedicated to excellence, adaptability, and your success.

How does QASource measure success?

We continuously monitor our client programs and provide transparent reporting to measure and drive success. Our success is based on our clients' success with each engagement.

Where is your team based?

Our engineering teams operate from India, Mexico, and the US, while our customer success teams are based in the United States. Our main office is situated in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Can I just drop you an email for my queries?

Absolutely! Feel free to shoot your questions to info@qasource.com, and we'll promptly respond.

Still Have Questions?

Contact Us Here or Call: 925-271-5555