FTP Online
Search:
Locator+ Code:
FTPOnline Channels Conferences Resources Hot Topics Partner Sites Magazines About FTP RSS 2.0 Feed

email article
printer friendly
more resources

Simplify Enterprise Testing With the Right Tools: Two Case Studies
The right tools—and the right strategies for using them—enable successful testing of enterprise applications at H&R Block and Burlington Coat Factory.
by Edmund X. DeJesus

Posted September 29, 2003

Enterprise architects face a perplexing dilemma about testing. On the one hand, enterprise applications are so valuable and important that they must be tested thoroughly. On the other hand, enterprise applications are so valuable and important that they can't be interrupted or disturbed for testing at all. Luckily, there are strategies and tools for dealing with this dilemma. You can perform the testing that is so essential, while ensuring the continuity of business operations.

How H&R Block Makes Testing Less Taxing
Keeping track of your customers' money—and their taxes—are probably two of the most serious responsibilities that an enterprise can take on. H&R Block does both with Web-based systems. The company's applications must be accurate and available for any of its thousands of users anytime, year-round.

In addition, it faces inescapable external deadlines: tax laws change annually. Some changes are major, some minor, but all must be assimilated into the H&R Block systems—and into its test strategies. Increasing the difficulty of testing, the Block systems employ various architectures, including Web-based, Windows XP and 2000, UNIX, and some legacy systems.

Block uses a range of tools to test both system performance and load balancing, as well as to acquire statistics and perform monitoring. "We use mostly Empirix test tools," reports Mike Deloney, director of quality assurance at the Kansas City headquarters.




Back to top


Sponsored Links
Click Here: FREE downloads and MORE
for VS.NET 2003 Pros!

Visual Studio .NET
New version 2003

Microsoft Windows Server 2003.
Try the new platform.

Sonic Stylus Studio
Click for FREE trial

Native .NET Code, Fast. Easy to Modify. Code Generation White Papers.

ADVERTISEMENT

Java Pro | Visual Studio Magazine | Windows Server System Magazine
.NET Magazine | Enterprise Architect | XML & Web Services Magazine
VSLive! | Thunder Lizard Events | Discussions | Newsletters | FTP Home