Testing Services For New - Generation Cargo Terminal Ground Handling System

CLIENT CHALLENGE
The Client’s ground handling operations system was rich in functionality but lacked a strong technology platform to support its long-term business strategy.

The client wanted a new generation Ground Handling System installed, that enables direct information transfer among carriers, government authorities like customs and municipality, shippers, consignees, cargo agents and freight forwarders all over the world. The new system should also be linked to the call centers that provide online information to all parties involved. The existing legacy system, thus, had to be converted to one built on new-generation technologies that encompasses standardization and integration of all processes.

Testing the new application necessitated setting up all possible combinations of parameters, and running the application through complex data flows. The test data for each business scenario was created by the client’s operations staff and these were in different formats. The application behaviour for each scenario had to be verified for different data conditions, and the system performance had to be assessed at each stage. This process was highly labour-intensive and, demanded a lot of time in simulating the various scenarios.

IBS SOLUTION
IBS’ ‘Independent Verification & Validation Services’ could demonstrate its capability in providing end-to-end functionality testing as well as performance testing, by taking up the client’s challenge for a quick cut-over of a fool-proof application. A team of test engineers were given a walk-through of the application functionality, by the client. The team was also supplied with the test data put together by the client staff.

IBS team prepared a Test Plan based on the client’s requirements on the cut-over timeline. The team employed QA Run for regression testing of the application functionality, to verify the behaviour after every fix. QA Run Test scripts helped easy configuration of the various parameter combinations, which simulated the various business scenarios. The actual output after each tests were compared with the expected output and test statistics generated, which were sent to the client at the end of each test cycle.

An extensive non-functional testing was also performed on the application by the IBS team, against the non-functional requirements provided by the client. A detailed strategy for executing non-functional tests was put in place by the team, following the IBS processes and procedures. A typical transaction mix was identified and simulated for the performance and load tests. Tools such as QA Load, vUserCreator, iLoader, etc. were used by the team to measure the response time and also the capability of the application to scale up to the client’s need, with increase in number of concurrent users and simultaneous transactions.

BUSINESS BENEFITS
IBS Testing Services could test over 2000 test cases in a period of 3 months; this comprehensive test coverage facilitated implementing a near zero error application, which enabled uninterrupted operations using the new system. The client was able to take the right decision at each checkpoint by reviewing the test statistics. This resulted in enormous savings in their staff costs, leaving them with ample time to focus on business operations. IBS Testing Services could reduce the turnaround time for go-live substantially, by efficient verification, fool-proof validation and smart, on-time reporting.

About the client
The client is one of the largest, most innovative, most successful supplier of air travel services in the Middle East. Their emphasis on innovation, quality products and excellence of service is unmatched in their line of service. The client’s operations started about 50 years back to provide ground handling services at a newly-opened international Airport. The client is the sole ground and passenger-handling agent at this airport, and operates the cargo terminal and three satellite terminals. Today, our client is one of the largest travel organizations in the Middle East employing over 5,000 staff.