NEXTLab Unveils NextGen Test Automation for Video Service UX & Middleware

SEOUL, South Korea - April 27, 2023 - PRLog -- NEXTLab, a Korean test and measurement solution provider in the broadcasting and telecommunication industry, presented the "Intelligent Monkey Test," a new technology in test automation of video services such as IPTV and OTT at the NAB Show 2023. The NAB Show is the largest event in the broadcasting industry, and this year, it was held from April 15^th~19^th at Las Vegas, USA.

CEO of NEXTLab, Mr. Sung-min Kim, stated, "Media service providers spend a considerable cost in service quality assurance, but issues are still found during live service. Our newest solution utilizes new technology, harnessing the strengths of previous test automation methods and it will surely solve the service providers' cost and defect detection problems."

Media service is delivered to subscribers as a complex platform, integrating various systems such as set-top box, middleware, head end, etc. As the technology develops, software update lifecycle becomes shorter. Platform complexity has increased as viewers' options have expanded to various devices, such as smart TVs and smart phones.

Generally, media service providers test their service software at every update, checking if all functionality is normal before delivering it. During this process, hundreds of test scenarios are used for testing. However, whenever the software is changed, the test scenarios must be reevaluated whether they are valid. Also, scenario-based testing that relies on pre-determined test cases may not be sufficient to find new, potential defects as the service platform grows and becomes more complex.

On the other hand, random-based tests which randomly control the UI are also used as a testing method in the test automation field. However, since they are uncontrollable, it is difficult to test the functionalities of specific functions. Plus, there is a high chance to recreate situations that would not appear in the real environment, so these tests are only used under limited circumstances.

NEXTLab's Intelligent Monkey Test is a test method combining the strengths of both test automation methods, enabling random tests on designated menus with AI Vision technology. Also, it is possible to run pre-set Test Case scenarios while running random tests, and users can configure the target percentage to test each menu. Another advantage of this test method is that it is based on black box-based testing method, meaning users can apply it to all sorts of set-top boxes and smart TVs.

A representative from NEXTLab commented, "Our featured solution will be optimized by running beta tests with Korean and global media service providers starting from May, and our goal is to reduce service providers' test expenses by 20% when it is officially released in September."

For more details, please visit http://www.nextlab.ai/en/.