KETO SOFTWARE:

Switching partners improved testing results

Keto Software, established in 2003 in Hyvinkää, serves clients, including major Finnish and international companies such as Kone, Osuuspankki, UPM, and Wipak, as well as public sector organizations in Finland and abroad. Keto Software provides portfolio and project management, resource management, and risk management for various industries.

The ISO/IEC 27001 information security certificate requires Keto Software to conduct regular testing of its product. Benjamin Särkkä, CTO at Keto Software, mentions that their customers often request testing reports during sales situations. Annual tests are conducted at the end of the summer.

Benjamin Särkkä, responsible for product development at Keto Software, encountered Prove for the first time through testing lab presentations. Although Keto Software had another testing partner at the time, something about Prove stuck with them.

"Product development is close to my heart, and at Keto Software, we are interested in developing testing activities. Prove left an impression, and they happened to get in touch at the right time," says Särkkä.

Switching partners also improved testing results

For penetration testing, Keto Software switched from a large international company to Prove, and the first testing project was carried out in the summer of 2022, following the annual cycle. Changing the collaboration partner proved to be profitable and a positive experience.

“If we hadn't chosen Prove, we would have paid more for worse results"

 
"To be honest, we felt that Prove did a better job. With less money, we got more resources for the same job. Prove's team found issues that our previous partner should have found but didn't. Additionally, Prove had great people who took their work seriously. The process was solid, with clear communication, and the people were genuinely passionate about their work," sums up Särkkä.

"During the testing, we had a case where Prove's team had to play detective. It was quite amusing when they shared their achievements. It gave us the feeling that they really enjoy their work."

Security testing is part of Keto Software's routine

In addition to regular testing, the ISO/IEC 27001 certification requires using an external testing company. Särkkä mentions that testing is business as usual for Keto Software, but Prove managed to surprise them.

"We couldn't have skipped testing; it's a must. However, with Prove, we got good value for our money. If we hadn't chosen Prove, we would have paid more for worse results," notes Särkkä.

According to Särkkä, all software companies engaged in serious business need a partner like Prove. He suggests that Prove is well-suited for continuous support in development, especially for those who do not want or cannot use internal resources.

"Sometimes it's essential to have an external partner so that there's no self-congratulation. Prove's focus is on testing; that's their core business. Our core is creating software, which naturally includes testing," says Särkkä.

AIDON:

The Leading Nordic Developer of Smart Energy Meters Was Convinced by Prove's Way of Working

Since 2004, Finnish company Aidon has been helping electricity network companies improve the reliability of power distribution in the Nordic countries. Aidon operates at the forefront of developing and implementing smart grid technologies, offering intelligent metering technology and services such as remotely readable electricity meters. Around three million devices have been delivered across Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark.

"Prove’s Concept Fits Us Perfectly"

Aidon needed to test various areas over time, but a shortage of internal testers posed a challenge. Aidon’s Test Manager, Tarmo Hyttinen, says he turned to Proven based on previous positive experiences. He was impressed by Proven’s working model, especially since Aidon could not hire testers on a traditional hourly basis due to the additional workload it would cause.

"Proven’s concept suited us perfectly. In addition to testing, Proven provided us with reminders and deadlines for the work," Hyttinen says.

After the first round of testing last year, the cooperation continues under a framework agreement. According to Hyttinen, the work proceeded better than well. During the testing period, a few areas known to have bugs were tested - bugs Aidon’s own team hadn’t had time to find. Aidon's in-house testers focus on testing new functionalities, while Proven’s solution handles regression testing.

"When we release a new version with new features, we need to ensure the backbone still works. Up until now, I’ve always thought it should be tested, but there was never enough time," Hyttinen notes.

"It’s a Waste to Pay Even a Penny for Thumb-Twiddling"

Outsourced services also create a certain positive pressure for the customer. Hyttinen appreciates that working with Proven makes regression testing regular and ensures deadlines are met.

"I know it’s pointless to pay even a penny for just twiddling thumbs. We have to plan everything well on our end, too. Proven also provided friendly reminders about briefs, which is one of the most important roles for a partner," Hyttinen says. "I had to plan and explain what should be tested, and after that, I didn’t need to worry anymore."

Hyttinen is an experienced testing professional himself and has a background as a tester. He was especially impressed by the motivation and enthusiasm of Proven’s testers.

"It reminded me of my own days as a tester. I even felt a bit envious, watching them test for three days straight. I would love to be a tester at Proven myself!" Hyttinen says with a smile.

LEANWARE:

It was paramount that an external party was responsible for testing

Leanware develops operational systems for the retail and industrial sectors to streamline purchasing, logistics, and production. Pekka Saarelainen, the company's Chief Information Officer, reveals that the collaboration with Prove started from two directions.

"Testing is not our core business; creating customer value is. However, we had already considered the need to advance testing and security matters internally. It was an active topic of discussion, and we had a plan to move forward. At this point, Prove had already come up as a potential partner, and simultaneously, a connection with them opened up. I participated in a couple of discussions with Prove, and I concluded that we definitely want to work with them."

After the initial discussions, a product for piloting was chosen. While other products were available for piloting, Leanware opted for a product that is crucial for Leanware's operations and widely used by many customers for security testing. According to Saarelainen, it was paramount for them that an external party is responsible for testing.

Making the purchase process extremely easy

Leanware places a high value on customer experience, so Saarelainen critically examined Prove's approach to interacting with customers and managing projects.

"For example, the purchasing process was made extremely easy. In our operations, we consider it essential for the customer's experience to be as smooth as possible. In this case, Prove provided us with a benchmark, such as a very clear proposal," says Saarelainen. "It clearly outlined what we would get, and we got exactly that."

“Prove provided us with a benchmark, such as a very clear proposal"

 
Saarelainen mentions receiving feedback from their technical team that they gained new perspectives on their work through the pilot.

"The pilot was very successful. I would have been concerned if we had found anything different," Saarelainen states. "Although no critical issues were found in testing, as a company, we cannot take the smallest risk."

Leanware plans to continue testing, and discussions with Prove are already underway for the next set of activities.