LambdaTest Optimizes KAYAK's Release Cycles with Streamlined Testing Efficiency
Industry:
Travel and Hospitality
Location:
Germany
Products Used
Manual Automation on Real Devices, Native App Automation, Smart UI Cloud
LambdaTest has significantly enhanced our efficiency. The support team ensures prompt resolution of issues and timely consideration of feature requests. The exceptional support and diverse options offered by LambdaTest have been a great help.
Richa Bamb
Senior Quality Manager,
KAYAK
Introduction
This case study highlights how KAYAK, the world’s leading travel search engine, transitioned from using a conventional local device lab for their app testing, which presented some challenges such as maintenance and availability issues, to adopting cloud-based testing with LambdaTest, improving efficiency and reliability.
About KAYAK
Since 2004, KAYAK has been revolutionizing the travel industry. Today, the travel search engine operates a portfolio of 7 global travel brands; KAYAK, SWOODOO, checkfelix, momondo, Cheapflights, Mundi, and HotelsCombined.
Every year, KAYAK generates billions of queries across its platforms, helping millions of travelers around the globe make confident travel decisions. With every query, the travel search engine searches hundreds of travel sites to show travelers the information they need to find the right flights, hotels, hire cars, and holiday packages. KAYAK was acquired by Booking Holdings, the world’s leading provider of online travel and related services, in 2013.
Problem Statement
KAYAK’s reliance on multiple device labs in various locations presented some difficulties like connectivity issues, node failures, and unpredictable downtimes, disrupting both mobile and automation testing.
As KAYAK expanded, scalability concerns arose, emphasizing the limitations of the local device lab for maintaining an extensive device pool. This became more apparent with the company's push for frequent releases, prompting the need for a more robust testing solution.
Evaluating Solutions
Given KAYAK's rapid release cycles, the search for a robust testing solution initially led them to explore a cloud-based testing solution. To choose the right solution for their testing needs, they evaluated cloud providers based on billing models, detailed reporting, performance, and support. Despite all providers being willing to meet KAYAK's needs, LambdaTest stood out in terms of performance, pricing, and support.
The key factors driving this transition were Lambdatest's performance, concurrency model offering, exceptional support, and responsiveness through communication channels like Slack. This allows any user to communicate directly with Lambdatest and get almost instant support, without needing to raise tickets or escalating things through managers. Additionally, the solution proved to be a cost-efficient alternative by eliminating the need for extensive device and OS purchases, resulting in significant time savings on maintenance tasks.
What Happened After KAYAK Adopted LambdaTest
LambdaTest emerged as a great solution for KAYAK, resolving their testing challenges and introducing a level of efficiency that significantly impacted their release cycles.
- LambdaTest's broad array of real devices ensures optimal user experience for KAYAK by testing across diverse models and operating systems, effectively identifying and resolving issues. Their app automation capabilities precisely meet KAYAK's testing needs, guaranteeing comprehensive coverage.
- KAYAK seamlessly integrated LambdaTest into its existing tech stack and streamlined its testing processes. Further, KAYAK leveraged the cloud-based testing tool not only for mobile app testing but also for web automation. This flexibility allowed them to cover both web and app releases efficiently.
- The reporting and analytics features provided by LambdaTest became instrumental in analyzing test results, identifying patterns, and making informed decisions to enhance the overall testing strategy. KAYAK specifically uses LambdaTest to track the pass/fail ratio and device coverage regarding app testing.
- Switching to LambdaTest reduced time on user management, device labs management, and user adoption company-wide. This also led to considerable cost savings, positively impacting productivity and enabling the reallocation of resources toward enhancing KAYAK's digital experience for users – a task that aligns with the team's strengths and preferences.
Benefits And Results
LambdaTest's integration brought about transformative benefits for KAYAK, notably streamlining user management processes, and freeing up valuable time and resources. The platform's user-friendly features led to increased adoption across the organization, fostering a more cohesive testing environment. Furthermore, the shift resulted in substantial cost savings, allowing KAYAK to allocate resources strategically, ultimately enhancing the digital experience for its users.