ISTQB in Practice at Bucher und Suter

Anyone integrating telecommunications solutions between different worlds will not find any ready-made test tools - and will have to build them themselves. The path from exploratory manual testing to memory leak analyses and fully automated load testing infrastructure shows how software testing works in highly specialized environments: with ISTQB certifications as a basis, specially developed test robots and a dedicated infrastructure that can withstand 48-hour load testing. Today, a team of nine orchestrates quality assurance across all products - and is preparing for the next leap into the cloud.

Podcast Episode: ISTQB in Practice at Bucher und Suter

Alex Meister set up and designed the software quality assurance department at his company Bucher & Suter AG. It was an exciting path, as Alex is actually a developer. And so worlds collided: suddenly it no longer mattered how well the software ran and how quickly it was implemented, but much more what didn’t work. Not only was this a challenge, but also the fact that there were no suitable processes and tools for automation. With the ISTQB content and certifications, Alex himself and his team members were able to master these and other challenges.

“99.99 percent correct is not the same as 0.01 percent fail.” - Alexander Meister

Alexander Meister moved to Bern at the age of 26 to work in software development after completing his training and studying business informatics at the University of Applied Sciences. However, he soon specialized in software quality assurance, built up this area and deepened his expertise through further training, including ISTQB certification. Thanks to his commitment, quality assurance became a central component of his employer’s development processes.

Highlights der Episode

• Test automation without in-house tool development is not possible when APIs are proprietary and test infrastructure is complex.
• ISTQB certification creates a common vocabulary within the team - particularly valuable for continuous growth.
• 99.99% success is not the same as 0.01% failure - with millions of calls, the definition makes the difference.
• Exploratory testing is essential when expected results only become visible through system integration.
• Dedicated, isolated test environments are mandatory - otherwise an update will kill your load testing after 46 hours.

From manual testing to ISTQB excellence: The Bucher & Suter success story

Alexander Meister provides insights into the world of quality assurance and test automation at Bucher & Suter. Alex gives exciting insights into the challenges and successes of her team.

The importance of quality assurance

Today I welcome Alexander Meister from Bucher & Suter, a company specializing in telecommunication solutions. Alex, responsible for Test & QA since 2006, shares valuable insights into the challenges and the path to excellence in software quality. From manual testing to test case development to implementing ISTQB standards, Alex and his team have traveled an impressive course to perfect their products. This story is not only an inspiration for quality assurance professionals, but also proof of how structured processes and continuous training lead to measurable success.

Exploration and manual tests

When Alex joined Bucher & Suter in 2006, the world of testing was still uncharted territory. They started with exploratory tests and had to deal with external requirements for the first time. Close cooperation with Cisco brought new challenges, but also opportunities. Manual tests initially dominated everyday life, while the team worked on outlining meaningful test cases and adapting them to unknown platforms. This phase was characterized by a lot of ‘brain power’ and the constant exchange with partners in order to put the software through its paces.

The transition to automation

As the scope of the projects increased, it quickly became clear that manual tests alone were not enough. The introduction of load tests and the start of in-house developments for test automation marked a turning point. However, the requirements were high - the team had to find innovative solutions, particularly in the area of load testing, as standard market tools were inadequate for their specific needs. This required not only a deep technical understanding, but also creativity and a willingness to break new ground.

ISTQB as the basis for quality

In order to meet the growing requirements and establish a common understanding and a uniform language within the team, Bucher & Suter opted for ISTQB certifications at an early stage. From basic to advanced level courses - continuous further training played a decisive role for the team. Regular exchanges within the team and targeted training measures ensured that everyone in the team became an expert in their field and was able to ensure the highest level of software quality.

Current challenges and outlook

Test automation is currently a hot topic at Bucher & Suter, particularly in the context of the move to cloud technology. This new era not only brings opportunities, but also challenges - for example in the areas of IT security and data protection. Nevertheless, the team remains optimistic and sees this step as an opportunity for further improvements to their processes and products.

Quality assurance as a constant companion to success

Bucher & Suter’s journey shows how crucial structured testing procedures and continuous training are for software quality. By using ISTQB standards, the team was able to deepen its expertise while establishing more efficient processes. This success story serves as an inspiration for all companies looking to improve their quality standards.