The NEXTLab Evo is an AI based video service QA test assistant. It was designed to align with the industry’s demand to reduce the considerable time spent on issue identification and reproduction in video service quality verification procedures. So what exactly is it and what can it do? Well, let’s find out.
With the advancement of platform technology, various video service providers now perform firmware updates more frequently. Each update requires rigorous testing to ensure that all functions operate smoothly. This involves using thousands of test scenarios, as every test must pass to guarantee the quality of the media viewing experience for end-users.
While verification automation systems still exist in the market, they often fall short in practicality. With every software update, settings must be reconfigured, and transforming the script to code so that it can be recognized by the software requires manual input. This means that achieving results without experienced testers is challenging. The process consumes significant human resources and time, ultimately leading to substantial expenses for businesses. Also, the vast amount of collected data needs to be analyzed to identify and resolve issues.
NEXTLab set out to address these challenges by coming up with an AI-based QA Test Assistant.
So what can the NEXTLab Evo do?
The NEXTLab Evo can provide time and resource efficiency by utilizing AI and big data visualization. While most verification solutions already incorporate automated verification procedures, the effectiveness of these procedures often diminishes when new software is released. NEXTLab Evo utilizes AI-based Intelligent Monkey Test technology to establish verification plans. It also visualizes big data related to analysis procedures and results, enabling testers to intuitively understand the outcomes. This leads to a substantial reduction in the time previously required for the verification process.
The NEXTLab Evo doesn’t only focus on user interface functionality verification but also evaluates the perceived service quality (QoE). It offers precise measurements such as Macroblock detection, UI response times, and channel switch times. There is also no need to make additional investments by having to purchase necessary devices such as network emulators and I/O controls. NEXTLab Evo was made to serve as a convenient and powerful assistant for testers.
As NEXTLab Evo is AI-based, it provides test automation algorithms via OTA updates. This allows testers to continuously utilize the latest updates and expect ongoing efficiency improvements in testing. As testers engage more with the solution, the accumulated data informs automated algorithm updates, creating a self-improving cycle.
The newly introduced NEXTLab Evo empowers both novice and experienced testers, enabling newcomers to perform tasks like senior-level testers, enhancing overall verification standards and reducing costs through 24/7 automated verification. It also facilitates effortless issue reproduction and root cause analysis using the collected data, significantly cutting down on associated expenses.
Who is NEXTLab?
NEXTLab is a leader in video service verification automation solutions, and has been a partner for major South Korean service providers such as KT, SK Broadband, and LGU+ since its establishment in 2012.
Sungmin Kim, the CEO of NEXTLab expressed his enthusiasm for IBC 2023, saying, “We are delighted to showcase our solution at IBC 2023. We developed NEXTLab Evo by considering the testing environments and feedback from telecom operators in the Korean and EU markets. Even novice testers can perform tasks at the intermediate tester level with minimal training.” He added, “We are actively incorporating emerging AI technology to bring about significant changes in the testing automation paradigm and plan to include generative AI technology by the end of this year. Through these efforts, we aim to help testers focus on more valuable and creative work with technological assistance in an industry that heavily relies on human resources.”
