In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, speed and efficiency are not the only metrics that matter — cost is an equally critical factor. While companies are keen on adopting automation for its obvious time-saving benefits, the cost-saving potential of test automation is often understated.
In this blog post, we leverage a case study featuring Gannett, a media holding company that dramatically reduced its testing costs following the adoption of Sauce Labs, to demonstrate that automated testing is a wise choice for companies striving to optimize their costs.
The Dilemma of Manual Testing
Despite being in the era of digital transformation, many organizations still cling to outdated manual testing practices. These practices are not only time-consuming but also incredibly expensive.
Gannett found itself in a similar situation. With 124 million unique users and 1.1 billion total page views hitting USA Today’s media network every month, their manual testing practices were undermining their efforts to deliver quality user experiences.
The High Costs of Inefficiency
Time isn't just a measure of speed; it's also a reflection of cost. Inefficient manual testing translates into slower releases, which translate into missed opportunities – and, ultimately, financial losses.
Companies need to recognize that "time is money" is more than a cliché; it’s a reality of doing business today. Delayed releases mean missed chances for innovation, decreased user satisfaction, and the erosion of a competitive edge. Recognizing that every moment counts helps you stay ahead, foster innovation, and ensure financial success in the fast-paced tech landscape.
Why Sauce Labs?
The search for a dependable testing automation partner brought Gannett to our doorstep. Sauce Labs offered not only speed of test execution but also incredible cost savings. Extended Debugging and Sauce Insights rapidly validated data for accuracy and provided actionable insights for business decision-making. As a result, Gannett has saved an estimated $4,760 per market in addition to saving developer hours. Considering Gannett serves multiple markets, this amounts to almost $20,000 — a figure that is set to grow as they expand their operations. Gannett plans to iterate on their success with Sauce Labs, meaning these cost savings are just the tip of the iceberg. The same could be true for any organization willing to make the shift to automated testing.
Real-World Impact: The Numbers Speak
Since implementing Sauce Labs, Gannett has run over 40,000 test cases concurrently, reducing test execution time by a staggering 92%.
“Kicking off a build for one of Gannett’s market segments takes about 15 minutes, which previously took over three hours with manual testing”
Aaron Wolford
But what really catches the eye is the $4,760 saved per market segment.
From Cost Savings to Strategic Investments
By substantially reducing testing costs, organizations like Gannett can free up resources for strategic investments in other critical areas, such as R&D, marketing, and customer experience initiatives. With the time and money saved, Gannett can also redirect development efforts to things like building new features and enhancing the overall product experience.
Sauce Labs isn't merely an automated testing tool; it's a strategic partner in resource optimization. It aids organizations in better allocating resources, thus empowering them to optimize investments and drive continuous improvement. The ROI from deploying automated testing is substantial, with a reported 217% return.
Cost-Efficiency is the New Normal
Automated testing is not just a pathway to speed and efficiency; it’s a proven strategy for reducing costs. Gannett’s case study serves as a compelling example, clearly showing how investing in Sauce Labs is not a cost center but an investment with immediate returns.
Ready to optimize your costs by investing in testing efficiency? Sign up for a free trial of Sauce Labs or request a demo with one of our experts.
