Testing software is a vital development process, but it’s only as good as the data that backs it up. If your test data is unorganized—spread out, inconsistent, or full of sensitive information—you’re setting yourself up for disaster. Test data management software has been designed to turn all that on its head, creating, masking, storing, and managing data so that testing is easy and secure. But with all the software out there, which ones actually make the grade? Let’s look at some of the best test data management software available right now.
1. K2view Test Data Management
K2view is one of the most powerful test data management tools that has the capability to handle big, complex data environments efficiently and securely. Its distinguishing factor is its Micro-Database™ technology, which splits the test data into minute, independent databases per business entity (e.g., a customer, account, or product). This means that the testers only get the correct data required, not the entire production database, making the testing much more efficient and faster.
One of the most compelling aspects of K2view is that it supports real-time data masking and synthesis. This allows teams to create compliant test data efficiently and quickly that closely resembles production data without divulging confidential information. It’s especially useful for those that deal with stringent privacy regulations, such as the healthcare, finance, and telecommunications industries.
K2view also supports seamless integration with DevOps and CI/CD pipelines, enabling continuous testing without any bottlenecks. Compatible with on-premises as well as cloud environments, it is a versatile solution for organizations that require a scalable, secure, and high-performance solution for managing their test data.
2. Test Data Management by Informatica
Informatica ranks as another heavy hitter when it comes to the handling of test data. Its TDM solution has a specific emphasis on data masking, subsetting, and the creation of synthetic data—all essential for secure and efficient testing purposes.
Its most significant advantage is that it has an AI-powered data discovery function that automatically discovers the sensitive information for you. This means that you don’t have to go through databases attempting to figure out what must be masked, as it does all that for you. It also supports cloud platforms including AWS and Microsoft Azure, making it the perfect solution for organizations that are moving towards cloud-based testing environments.
3. IBM InfoSphere Optim
IBM’s InfoSphere Optim deals with data throughout its lifecycle, including testing. It’s particularly useful at archiving and subsetting, where you can extract only the data that you need to test with and not be forced to work with massive databases.
A major benefit with this tool is that it maintains data relationships, so when you’re testing an application that has multiple related databases, the relationships are kept intact. While more business-focused, IBM InfoSphere Optim is a good fit for large businesses with complex data environments.
4. Broadcom Test Data Manager
Broadcom Test Data Manager (TDM) is designed to speed up the provisioning of test data without affecting quality and security. It offers robust synthetic data generation, which means you can create test data from scratch that mimics real-world scenarios without using production data.
It also has self-service, enabling testers to easily retrieve the information that they need rather than having to wait on database administrators to create it. This has the potential to dramatically reduce testing bottlenecks and make the process more efficient overall.
If your teams are having a hard time obtaining test data fast, CA Test Data Manager can be a game-changer.
5. GenRocket
GenRocket is an ideal solution when you need on-demand synthetic data creation. GenRocket creates completely new, fully customizable datasets that meet your testing needs, as opposed to those that clone or mask production data.
This becomes especially useful when you’re testing AI models, Internet of Things projects, or anything else that requires a random and unpredictable set of data. It also helps with compliance because there isn’t any actual customer data involved.
Being lightweight and scalable, GenRocket fits perfectly with agile teams that need fast and adaptive test data solutions.
6. Tricentis Test Data Manager
Tricentis has a reputation for automated testing solutions, and their Test Data Manager does not disappoint. This solution focuses on data provisioning, masking, and compliance, which makes it the perfect solution for teams that work with sensitive data.
A significant feature is its data reservation mechanism, which does not allow several testers to overwrite each other’s data. This makes it easier to implement parallel testing without data conflicts.
In the event that your company already has Tricentis Tosca in place for automated testing, this TDM solution integrates seamlessly, enhancing your process even further.
7. Windocks
Windocks differs slightly from the other ones because it’s an open source test data solution with a specific emphasis on database containerization. If you work with SQL Server or PostgreSQL, this software allows you to create database environments for testing that are containerized, making it easy to manage test data across teams. It’s especially useful for DevOps teams because it integrates with CI/CD pipelines and automates database refreshes. And as it’s open source, it’s an affordable option when compared with some of the pricier enterprise software on this list.
Final Thoughts
There isn’t a single solution that fits all when it comes to test data management software. If you’re dealing with massive enterprise databases and need heavy-duty data masking, K2view or Informatica might be the solution for you. If you’re looking for something lightweight that generates synthetic data, GenRocket is the way to go. And for the open source crowd, Windocks has an affordable solution.
The secret to making the right decision is to select a tool that suits your testing needs, security requirements, and budget. Ultimately, the correct test data management tool has the power to accelerate testing, make it more seamless, and much less agonizing.
