Microsoft Empower Programme : Testing

How do I get my App tested?

Empower — Fri, 26 Jan 2007 19:00:29 GMT

So, continuing from the last post. It has to be the most frequently asked question. Depending on how you look at it, this could be a good thing because there are lots of Partners wanting to work more closely with us, or a bad thing because we have not...(read more)

Free Vista Testing @ Innovate On!

Empower — Tue, 16 Jan 2007 18:07:00 GMT

Yes you read correctly – Free Vista Testing! Register now @ Innovate On for Windows Vista

The Innovate On Portal is where you can sign up and get free of charge Technical engagement from our Developer Platform Evangelist Department.

The Certified for Windows Vista program will:

· Help you deliver the best Windows Vista experience by building greater quality into your applications.

· Provide an opportunity to differentiate your products in the market segment.

· Support you with resources that reduce the cost of developing high-quality software.

· Help you obtain the ‘Certified for Windows Vista’ Logo

Microsoft is currently offering Free Certification Testing on passing submissions. The best news is that this test is acceptable for entry into the ISV competency!

Posted by: Rob Morley

Software Testing

Empower — Thu, 05 Oct 2006 18:30:00 GMT

Ok, so the first issue I wanted to address in this blog is that of the cost of getting software tested.

There seems to be an ‘urban myth’ floating around that this test costs thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.

If I asked 10 Partners how much they think it would cost to get their software tested I would bet good money that at least 7 Partners would respond with a figure in the thousands of dollars region.

I’m not sure how this came about - one possibility is that when you look at a Veritest price list (shown here) we are naturally drawn to and seem to remember the most expensive test – which is $30,000!

The other possibility is that a cost was mentioned at a seminar and this somehow was propagated around the Partner community. This figure must have been large enough to decide that testing was too expensive and would provide no business benefits.

The Good News however is that the entry level Microsoft Platform Test costs a much more reasonable $800 (actually it needs to pass 2 components each costing $400).

As you do not need to train and pass MCP's to join the ISV competency, this can sometimes be a more cost effective way of achieving Certified status.

More to follow on software testing soon!

Posted by Rob Morley