A few months back we revealed our Global Real Device Network to the world: the testing solution that enables true remote testing on real devices within our globally distributed crowd of testers. With this blog post, I would like to take you back to the fundamentals of this unique solution, that combines the flexibility and scalability of crowdtesting, with the efficiency and convenience of cloud-based testing.CrowdtestingTo have a clear understanding of how our Global Real Device Network works, let’s look at both crowdtesting and cloud-based testing. First, crowdtesting combines the principle of crowdsourcing with product testing, meaning that a select crowd of testers (consisting of target audience end users) gives feedback about, for example, functionality and usability issues. At Testbirds, over 200,000 testers are available in 193 countries. These testers test in their own environment and on their own devices; from smartphones and laptops to smartwear and Internet of Things. By doing so, objective but realistic feedback is obtained directly from the end user. From usability studies and bug tests to competitor analysis and localisation tests, with crowdtesting it’s possible.Cloud-based testingAdditionally, cloud-based testing allows QA managers and test analysts to test digital products by means of virtualisation and emulation. Through an online platform, testing environments can be created that help companies to test on a multitude of OS and software combinations. The process utilises virtual machines to compose the precise combination you require. After which it is possible to install your own software packages and execute either manual or automated tests. For example, it is possible to perform 100 test cases on 10 different desktop PCs overnight, making such a flexible tool highly scalable.Global Real Device NetworkThe Global Real Device Network (GRDN) combines both crowd and cloud-based testing principles. The solution leverages the smart devices in a crowd of 200,000 testers in 193 countries to create remote testing possibilities. By connecting their Android-smartphones and tablets, crowdtesters grant access to clients looking to test apps, websites and other software on real-world mobile devices. Once connected, the device can be remotely operated for both manual and automated testing purposes. This enables clients to get true insights from the mobile market in the most direct manner possible – without the need to create, own or even access internal or simulated device farms. It offers realistic test results that consider important local factors such as location-based dependency, language barriers, mobile operability and more.With crowdtesting, everyone that owns a smart connected device and has access to the Internet is eligible to become a crowdtester. This results not only in a very diverse pool of testers with different social-demographic backgrounds and skill sets, the crowd also contains all imaginable connected devices and software versions. The Global Real Device Network leverages the capacity of these devices in the crowd to perform remote testing of apps and software. Testers can submit their in-use or old smartphones and tablets to the testing platform, by installing a dedicated device connector app. Through an installer (for Windows, Mac or Linux), the smart device will be set up for the GRDN.Once the initial connection has been established, the tester can grant access to his or her mobile phone or tablet via the newly installed app. Since crowdtesters allow access to their personal devices, data privacy and security are of the utmost importance and are strictly safeguarded. In the app, testers have the option to select which access rights they want to grant. The process is similar to when users install new apps from the Google Play Store and permissions to specific device features need to be granted. When not comfortable with granting certain rights, testers can simply unselect those. If the to be tested app requires access rights that are not selected by the tester, it simply can’t be installed. Once testing access is enabled, the connected device cannot be used for the duration of the access. For providing this valuable testing capacity, crowdtesters receive a financial remuneration each time their connected device is used for testing by a client.True remote testing on real-world devicesThe GRDN forms an exciting approach in software testing, since the method leverages the device capacity of people all around the world. All crowdtesters are eligible to add their Android-smartphones and tablets and other OSs are soon to follow. This results in a globally distributed network of real end-user devices to test on. The solution takes important geo-dependent factors into consideration such as location-based dependency, language barriers, mobile operability and more. Companies and organisations seeking to obtain realistic test results can now make use of one of the largest pools of test devices available.Interested to learn more? On Thursday 23 June, our co-founder and CTO Georg Hansbauer will host a demo session during Test Automation Day in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Or check out our website and get in touch with us via info@testbirds.com.Tag CloudAbout the authorBree loves a good story and often gets inspired by the ways they are told. For Testbirds, he tells the story of crowdtesting in the Benelux region.CategoriesLinksOther content that might be interesting for you:Testbirds specialises in the testing of software such as apps, websites and Internet of Things applications by using innovative technologies and solutions. Under the slogan, “Testing Reality”, the company offers various testing methods to its clients looking to optimise the user-friendliness and functionality of their digital products. With over 250,000 registered testers located in 193 countries, Testbirds is one of the world’s leading crowdtesting providers. In addition, the IT service provider utilises cloud based technologies to support customers in the optimisation of their digital products. The combination of the two testing methods delivers a unique and extensive portfolio that takes the quality of software to the next level. Testbirds was founded in 2011 by Philipp Benkler, Georg Hansbauer and Markus Steinhauser. Today, the company has over 100 employees. Other than its headquarters in Munich, there are now offices in Amsterdam, London and Stockholm, franchises in Hungary and Russia and sales partners in Italy.© Testbirds GmbH. All rights reserved.