Perforce Integration For Better Software Quality

By Author: Martin Lobo
Total Articles: 355
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In today’s software development environment, the involvement of many tools from different vendors in operations and services is a common scenario. And consequently, the demand for an integrated framework is largely increasing. Known for its performance and Flexibility, Perforce is one of the leading SCM tools that is the most widely used tools in a software development organization of any size. It is just one of many such tools critical for success for a complete Application Lifecycle Management(ALM). Integration of a SCM tool therefore provides an unprecedented ecosystem for a development organization.

Perforce Integrations increase value additions to business processes

The major benefits of perforce integrations include customizable service flow, real-time communication, total visibility of Perforce items like Jobs, Change Lists, Files, Versions, and Changes done in codes. It also ensures a forward and backward traceability of ALM ...
... items and also results in synchronization of ALM processes with Perforce events/activities. Most importantly it ensures improved software quality. Some of the other value additions include

• Stringent Process Implementation
In a multi-tool development environment, manual enforcement of a process and disrupted workflow across the tools present considerable challenges. Perforce integration enables strict process in application development and ensures Perforce items like Job, Change list, and File to get replicated. In addition, cross-tool synchronization of events can be also be implemented.

• Quality Improvement
The quality of development process gets affected due to several factors including inefficient Issue or Defect Resolution approach, or inappropriate source code in Release Package. Selection of ‘correct’ source codes for the selected Requirements and Issues is quite significant in this regard. Unless there are automated ways for source code to trace back to an Issue or a Requirement, it is hard to trace appropriate source code for an Issue or Requirement in Perforce SCM. With an inbuilt traceability it is possible to identify the ‘right’ source code for an Issue or Requirement, thereby ensuring accuracy in source code selection. This also reduces time and human effort of implementation and release processes.

• Total Visibility
Perforce integration ensures cross-tool replication of data in real-time. The replicated data get visible through a common interface from different geographical locations. The replicated items of Perforce can be used to generate graphical and tabular reports.

With perforce integration there is automated data replication across integrated tools, thus getting rid of expensive manual processes and human errors. The users can continue to work in their familiar environment without having to learn using new tools.

Learn more with : quality center integration & tfs integration