VisualVest redefines quality excellence

VisualVest simplifying investing

VisualVest GmbH was founded in 2015 as a 100% subsidiary of the Union Investment Group, combining the financial expertise and security of one of Germany’s leading fund companies with the flexibility and speed of a FinTech start-up.

VisualVest’s mission is to simplify investing, making it accessible and secure for individuals seeking various financial goals. To achieve this goal, VisualVest needed to innovate its investment solutions and leverage technology to provide profitable investment opportunities.

One of VisualVest’s main products is the robo-advisory platform. This utilizes robo-advisors which use advanced algorithms and data analysis to assist investors. By doing so, this offers personalized investment portfolios based on a client’s financial goals and risk tolerance.

Finding the right partner

VisualVest needed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of its Quality Engineering and Testing (QE&T) processes. This was to uphold the high standards of the organization’s software which ultimately contributes to its overall success and reputation. They sought to seamlessly integrate their QE&T efforts with the development team, ensuring a more cohesive approach to software development.

One challenge VisualVest faced was the rapid expansion of its project organization, leading to the requirement of additional support and expertise. To match these growing needs, there was a significant shift in the QE&T processes, as they integrated with the development team.

Recognizing the importance of having reliable and capable partners, VisualVest looked to Sogeti to help address these challenges and ensure the continued success of their projects. They had confidence in Sogeti’s Agile and DevOps quality engineering approach which integrated Agile quality engineers within product teams and promoted collaboration across teams, especially in test automation. This approach aligned seamlessly with VisualVest’s vision for an enhanced software development lifecycle.

“Sogeti’s reputation for excellence in software testing and their proven track record in working with organizations in similar situations were deciding factors. Additionally, their ability to adapt and integrate seamlessly with our existing processes was a significant consideration”

Kevin Lyons, Chapter Lead Test, VisualVest

A collaborative effort in Agile Quality Engineering and Testing

Quickly, Sogeti deployed complete QE&T teams across various functional domains at VisualVest. Their work included test management, manual testing, test automation, and functional testing within an Agile setting.

Sogeti provided essential support through a dedicated test manager leading their subdomain and delivered test automation experts who seamlessly integrated into their existing teams. There was a focus on test automation to create and maintain automated test scripts that could be executed continuously. They practiced a ‘shift-left’ QE&T approach allowing them to identify and address issues early in the development process. This helped to quickly detect regressions and ensure that no new defects were introduced when code changes were made.

Quality testing of the robo-advisory platform is challenging as it has complex algorithms that need to work accurately under certain scenarios, including different market conditions, user risk tolerances, and investment goals. The QE&T team established a well-defined process for testing the integration points and data flow between different systems. Simultaneously, the QE&T team ensured the security of user information by testing data encryption and access controls. This ensured that the platform could accurately and securely process user data.

“The efficiency gains in the development and testing processes resulted in shorter project timelines and increased capacity for innovation,”

Kevin Lyons, Chapter Lead Test, VisualVest

Building a strong team

The Sogeti team quickly adapted to VisualVest’s work culture and was a good fit, both in terms of their technical skills and their ability to collaborate and build relationships. The testers worked onsite as a co-located team allowing them to work together as Agile teams and provide the stability essential for the project’s success. VisualVest was happy with the progress and had members from the team responsible for training the wider QE&T team.

Another key aspect of the successful partnership was the Sogeti Bootcamp training program. This four-week program coaches people in Agile, QE&T, and automation tools like Selenium. Participants are certified before joining VisualVest which ensures that they start delivering value to customers from day one. This gave VisualVest the confidence that Sogeti could continue to provide a competent team of consultants in the fast-paced and demanding environment.

”Our experience working with Sogeti was and is extremely positive. Their team demonstrates a high level of expertise and professionalism, seamlessly integrating with our existing team,”

Kevin Lyons, Chapter Lead Test, VisualVest

And the partnership continues…

As VisualVest continues to witness the value of this partnership, it expands into new areas within QE&T, ensuring their commitment to innovation and excellence in the FinTech landscape. This partnership exemplifies their commitment to achieving the highest standards in product quality and customer satisfaction.

“The partnership with Sogeti had a transformative impact on our test business. It contributed to the quality and reliability of our software and also boosted confidence in our development processes”

Kevin Lyons, Chapter Lead Test, VisualVest