Open Source Software Test Automation Tools: A Competitive Necessity

Software Testing is one of the critical activities in developing quality software. To enhance test efficiency and to improve repeatability of tests , several testing tools were developed and rolled out by proprietary commercial vendors like HP, IBM, etc., In the past decade, Proprietary software test automation tools dominated the automation market and were extensively adopted. But in recent past, Open Source test automation tools are acknowledged as reliable and are being adopted rapidly by IT companies. When companies started adopting Open source test automation tools, these tools were perceived as Competitive advantage to keep them abreast of technology developments, reduce cost, train testers, test in-house developed applications and so on. But today, we are witnessing Open Source test automation tools evolving as industry standard and have become a competitive necessity in IT Industry. This paper explores on how Open Source Test Automation tools have become a Competitive Necessity.