Beta Testing

One of the most important process in developing a software product is beta testing.  During this process, the product is released to a few customer for use in the real world.  This evaluation gives developer information on whether or not the software is ready for production release.  It also allows a company to effectively “listen” to the customer.  No other process in development can effectively gauge what the customer is thinking [0].      

Beta testing also helps to find out what the customer want and need and also helps determine or confirm the target market.  By providing these customer needs, it shows that you care and value the customers opinion.  By building this relationship with the customer also builds a good reputation in the product and the company.

In order to build a good reputation, the customer must have a positive perception of the product.  Perception is important because whether the problem is true or false the perception makes it true.  For example, During the 1990's, cheetah modem cooperation was releasing their fastest modem yet which was 20% faster than the competitors.  However during beta testing process, the customer felt that the modem was slower than the competitors because it took longer for it to connect.  Although the modem was faster once it connected the customer perception was negative because the slow connection.  They perceived it to be slower because it started off slow.  The company fixed the problem by improving the connection speed.

Figure 1 an old pci cheetah modem. [1]

Beta testing is an important step in the software development model.  It helps the company find out what the customer actually thinks of the product before it is released for sale.

[0]Beta Testing for Better Software by Michael R. Fine
[1]http://www.epartsandmore.com/images_products/hp-56k-cheetah-internal-pci-92463lar.jpg