I hear from many of PLATO’s clients that, in today’s fast-paced, digital world, they are under constant pressure to deliver high-quality software while optimizing costs, improving efficiency, and mitigating risk.
For many of these companies, managing software testing in-house presents significant challenges—from resource constraints and skills gaps to maintaining consistency in testing processes. That’s where a managed services engagement model can provide real, measurable value.
Throughout my career and most recently, with PLATO, I’ve seen first hand how shifting to a managed services model for software testing and other IT services has helped my clients overcome key business challenges while streamlining costs. Before exploring the benefits of a managed services engagement model, let’s review, what is managed services?
A managed services delivery model is an outcomes-based scenario, where a service provider, like PLATO, defines processes which align both the customer objectives with a delivery model to deliver a specific function. In PLATO’s case, we will partner with the client to define the agreed to service model within an agreed to Service Delivery Document where we will define outcomes; outcomes on which we report and which we measure, over the course of the engagement period.
Throughout the partnership, PLATO works with our clients to provide a dedicated team of experts who assist organizations on streamlining their testing operations based on industry best practices, reducing operational overhead, and enhancing software quality, without the burden of managing testing resources internally, allowing our clients to focus on what is important—their business.
I firmly believe that when customers engage PLATO for Managed Testing Services, it can provide them with the following benefits:
- Scalability and Flexibility
- Cost Efficiency and Predictable Budgeting
- Access to Specialized Expertise
- Improved Speed to Market
- Risk Mitigation and Compliance Assurance
Many businesses experience fluctuations in their software development and testing needs. Whether it’s an increased demand for testing during a product launch or the need for specialized testing skills (for example, accessibility or automation testing), a managed testing service offers the flexibility to scale testing efforts up or down as needed. This eliminates the challenge of overstaffing or understaffing an internal testing team, ensuring that organizations always have the right level of support and expertise, with the right experience, at the right time.
COST EFFICIENCY AND PREDICTABLE BUDGETING
Running an in-house testing team requires significant investment—not just in hiring skilled testers, but also in maintaining testing tools, infrastructure, and ongoing training. With a managed services approach, companies can shift from a capital expenditure model to an operational expenditure model, leading to cost savings and predictable budgeting. The managed services model allows businesses to access top-tier testing expertise without the high costs associated with building and maintaining an internal team.
ACCESS TO SPECIALIZED EXPERTISE
Software testing is a specialized field that requires continuous learning to stay ahead of evolving technologies and industry best practices. A managed services provider brings a team of dedicated professionals with expertise in functional testing, automation, performance testing, and accessibility testing, along with project leadership, when it is required by the client. By leveraging this knowledge, organizations benefit from industry-leading practices, consistent standards, and can avoid common testing pitfalls that could impact software quality.
IMPROVED SPEED TO MARKET
Delivering high-quality software quickly is a competitive advantage. With a managed services model, organizations gain access to well-established testing frameworks and methodologies, enabling faster defect detection and resolution. This results in shorter development cycles, fewer production issues, and faster time to market for new features and applications.
RISK MITIGATION AND COMPLIANCE ASSURANCE
For many industries—especially those in regulated sectors such as finance, healthcare, and government—compliance and security are critical concerns. A managed services provider ensures that testing aligns with industry regulations and best practices, helping organizations mitigate risk and maintain compliance.
HOW WE CAN HELP
PLATO’s Managed Testing Services engagement model is designed to help enterprises overcome these challenges while delivering tangible business value. Our team of experienced testers, combined with proven methodologies and leadership, ensures that software quality is not just maintained, but continuously improved. By shifting to a managed services approach, businesses can free up internal resources, reduce costs, and focus on their core competencies—while leaving the complexities of software testing to the trusted experts.
Reach out to PLATO to learn more about how our approach can help drive success in your business.
Jamie Weber is an experienced Sales and Marketing Professional with over 25 years’ experience. She has worked within large international IT in companies such as IBM and is now the National Director Growth, IT and Business Consulting at PLATO. As part of this role, Jamie takes on the challenge of new ideas or suggestions and making them come to life as solutions which can assist in solving business problems for both her company and her clients. She thrives on being able to provide leadership for her peers and for her clients to ensure that everyone is successful.