EDS Launches Global Testing Services

The new service gives EDS the ability to test and validate critical business applications and software products that help enterprises reduce the risk to their business from system outages caused by application failures.

The acquisition and integration of RelQ, a leading software testing company based in Bangalore, has enhanced EDS’ global testing capabilities and strengthened EDS’ Global Testing Practice. With 3,000 skilled testing professionals at 14 Global Testing Centers around the world, EDS Global Testing Services combines the methods, resources and intellectual capital of EDS, RelQ and MphasiS to create a world-class testing practice.

“Through our world-class testing practice, EDS offers cost-effective, high-quality applications testing, validation and verification, and quality assurance services in the areas of strategic test consulting, testing management, functional testing, near-release testing, test automation, post-release testing, specialized testing and extreme testing,” said Dr. Prakash Mutalik, EDS global business leader for the Global Testing practice. Before the acquisition, he was the president and chief executive officer of RelQ.

The new organization was welcomed by several important customers.

“As a company that heavily invests in testing frameworks, processes and technologies, we are excited to see a company like EDS incorporate the leadership and talent of RelQ Software into their delivery of testing solutions,” said Lela Smith, managing director of FedEx Services Information Technology.

EDS Global Testing Services Enhance Reliability
Services provided by the new Global Testing practice will help current clients and potential customers remain competitive in the global economy.

“End-to-end system reliability is a critical success factor in today's self-services and IT everywhere economy and in this era of integration and orchestration the 20th Century unit system integration methods of testing are not robust enough,” said Charlie Feld, senior executive vice president, Applications Services, EDS. “We are integrating 40-year-old mainframe systems with modern portals, security, master data management (MDM) and other technologies across a high-speed messaging infrastructure to get an instantaneous, always-on result that is critical to business economics and customer service. Businesses require modern applications, which require modern infrastructure and they all require a modern testing environment.”

With RelQ's experience, EDS can aggressively pursue new business in the market. RelQ provides a full range of validation and verification service offerings including strategic test consulting, functional and performance testing, near-release testing, test automation, post-release testing and extreme testing.

“EDS Global Testing Services improves the speed to market and quality of new software products and services,” Mutalik said. “Our service reduces the risk of critical application failures with cost-effective, high-quality solutions. It identifies and eliminates ambiguity and defects early in the software development life cycle while improving the effectiveness of information technology (IT) services. And, it reduces the cost of applications development, testing and maintenance.”

Customers Have Confidence In EDS/RelQ Global Testing Experience
The experience and domain expertise that RelQ adds to the EDS Global Testing practice also is important to existing customers who are familiar with the company's expertise.

“RelQ provided 200 high quality test resources to deliver all aspects of technical testing across Vodafone's IS organization in the United Kingdom,” said Wendy McBride, Vodafone UK, IS test manager. “They provided a first-class service and were professional, competent, pragmatic and helpful. The merger with EDS can only enhance their capability, and I look forward to engaging with the new global test organization.”

Mutalik agreed that the organization's services can be critical to customers.

“Software testing can play a significant role in identifying and preventing software failures, which could jeopardize the goals of a specific IT project,” Mutalik said. “We are pleased that EDS and the expertise of RelQ and its employees will better serve the needs of our combined client base.”

Jorge Rojas, EDS Global Delivery Leader for the Global Testing practice, said that creating a global testing service offers many strategic advantages.

“By offering the ability to test and validate critical applications using the right onshore and offshore mix, we are helping our clients remain competitive while creating new growth opportunities for EDS,” he said. “Until now, we have bundled applications testing services in our deals. Now we will be able to offer these services as stand-alone products in a growing market.”-EDS