Looking to determine whether your new software application is architected to stand up under peak load demands? The SysTest Labs Performance Test Lab is designed with this goal in mind. Using a state-of-the-art technology infrastructure and highly experienced Test Automation Specialists, our Performance Test Lab offers you a prudent return on investment by mitigating your risk.

SysTest Labs tests customer applications with a state-of-the-art infrastructure that can handle any load scenario. With a Gigabit connection to the Internet, we can load up massive e-commerce sites with holiday-loads to ensure that your infrastructure will be able to withstand demand when it counts most. We can also emulate demand scenarios for enterprise applications such as ERP and CRM, helping CIOs and other managers know that they architected the right solution before they go live.

Is it Right for Me?

• Most test scenarios fall into one of the following categories:
• Internet Access – for applications that will be exposed to the Internet (HTTP/HTTPS), we offer remote load delivered to your hosting environment via the Internet.
• VPN Access – for intranet applications and other applications that will not be exposed to the Internet, we offer VPN or private network load.
• Local Network Load – In this scenario, we run your application in our data center and perform the entire test in a closed network environment.

The Performance Test Lab can be utilized in any of these scenarios.

Features/Benefits

Simple Pricing Model
We have developed a simple online pricing model that quickly produces a ball park price for your test scenario. This is followed by a quick interview that allows us to provide you with a fixed cost proposal for your test.

Knowledgeable Staff Included
Our friendly software test consultants provide all the expertise and assistance that you need to successfully test your application. We work hand-in-hand with your people to make sure you get the test results you need.

Massive Bandwidth for any Scenario
Our test infrastructure is specifically designed to handle extremely high-volume test scenarios. Our Gigabit Internet connection allows us to handle hundreds of thousands of virtual testers in a single test run.

Hardware Included
SysTest provides the load generation hardware and delivery bandwidth. We can also provide the application platform to your specs if necessary. This means that you don’t have to invest in expensive test equipment that may only be used sparingly.

Multiple Test Tools Supported
For over 10 years we have been conducting performance testing on commercial applications. As a result, we have expertise in most major testing tools including Mercury, Rational and Borland/Segue.

Scripts Included
Our pricing model includes the option to have our people develop your test scripts. Customers that have script development expertise in-house can develop their own scripts.

Scheduling Flexibility
Maybe you need testing at night, or on weekends. Whatever the case, we will work with you to develop a test schedule that fits your needs.

How Much Does it Cost?
Performance testing is important, but it can be expensive. We have streamlined the process and shortened the overall time required by establishing a repeatable methodology designed to provide maximum results in a minimal amount of time. All of this leads to reduced costs. You can get a price estimate online as described below.

How Do I get Started?
Go to the price estimate page here and use the simple form to enter your testing requirements. If you are unsure of your requirements at this time, don’t worry; we can modify the requirements later. Once you have entered the required information, hit the "Generate Quote" button to display your price quote. You will have the opportunity on the form to request a call from a Performance Test Lab business consultant that can walk you through the next steps.

Assumptions/Restrictions
Many factors can impact the pricing of a test scenario. The normal inputs are as follows:

• Test Platform and Virtual Tester Licenses – this is the cost of the software tool used to conduct the performance test. By default, we price this based on a 60-day lease for the tool and a 30-day lease for the Virtual Testers. (We use the longer lease on the tool to allow for script set-up, testing and post-test analysis.) The standard scenario for the tool is a one-seat license. The standard range for Virtual Testers is between 50 and 100,000. Numbers greater than this are handled via a customized price quote.
  
• Test Window – this is the number of days during which the lab will have resources assigned to your test effort. The standard range is from 2 days to 30 days. Anything outside of this range will require special pricing.
  
• Test Runs – a test run consists of an 8-hour window during which we will run a performance test on your application. The standard range is between 2 and 30 test runs for an engagement.
  
• Peak Bandwidth – Pricing for bandwidth is based on your peak usage during an engagement (based on a 95th percentile industry standard). The standard range is between 40MBps and 900Mbps. Note that tests that exceed the quoted bandwidth will be charged at the actual bandwidth rate, i.e. not fixed cost.
• Script Authoring – Most test scenarios will require between 4 and 12 scripts. Customer are free to author the their own scripts, or they can elect to have SysTest Labs author the scripts.

Other factors that can impact pricing can only be determined after a client interview or after a proof of concept on the application and infrastructure. These include the following:

• Average script / transaction size (round-trip aka send/receive) approx. 7,500 KB RAM is our baseline assumption. Script transaction sizes larger than this may require additional hardware to support the test.

• Single database scenario – our assumption is that the test scenario will include at most a single database. A multiple database scenario will be handled via custom pricing.

• Application hosting platform – our typical price model assumes that you will provide the hosting platform for your application. We can provide this if necessary under a customized pricing model.

• Load generator hardware – our standard model assumes we can run between 500 and 1000 Virtual Testers per load generator server. Some applications require more memory per Virtual Tester, thus increasing the hardware necessary for a given number of Virtual Testers. Extra hardware will be handled under a customized price offering.

For More Information Please Contact:
Geoffrey Pollich, Director of Automation Services
Mary Ann Henry, Director of Business Development - Commercial Division
Ron Wood, Director of Business Development - Commercial Division
Telephone: (303) 575-6881
Fax: (303) 575-6882

Address:
216 16th Street Suite 700
Denver, CO 80202