Test Automation from Unit to HIL Testing:
Faster Releases, Higher Software Quality

Test automation is a critical success factor in modern software development. Whether you develop embedded software, web and mobile applications, or desktop solutions, automated tests enable shorter release cycles, reproducible test results, and maximum product quality. With well-aligned automation strategies, powerful frameworks, and seamless CI/CD integration, you increase efficiency, test coverage, and development velocity.

Challenges in Test Automation for Software-Intensive Systems

Today’s software development projects must validate complex functions reliably, quickly, and under realistic conditions. Test automation provides major advantages, but it also brings specific challenges that must be addressed to ensure successful implementation. These challenges form the basis of our service portfolio, which is designed to integrate automated testing into your development ecosystem efficiently, cost-effectively, and with technical precision.

Environment Simulation

Many systems—whether embedded solutions, distributed web services, or mobile applications—interact with complex environments. When real components, sensors, services, or hardware are unavailable or can only be tested to a limited extent, these elements must be simulated.

The challenge: Models and test environments must accurately reflect real behavior to produce meaningful and reproducible test results.
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Automation Across All Test Levels

Regardless of the development model, tests must be automated across multiple levels: unit tests, integration tests, system tests, end-to-end tests, and regression tests. This approach ensures consistent quality, faster feedback cycles, and reliable validation throughout the entire software lifecycle.

The challenge: A consistent automation strategy that integrates different technologies, interfaces, test objectives, and development processes—while remaining maintainable and scalable over time.

Flexibility

Interfaces, protocols, and system components evolve throughout development. This applies not only to embedded systems but also to desktop, web, and mobile applications, which often receive new features, hardware requirements, or UI updates.

The challenge: Test environments and automation frameworks must be flexible enough to adapt to architecture changes, new software versions, or modified hardware—yet still be tailored enough to test the target system effectively.

xiL Methods as a Holistic Approach (MiL, SiL, PiL, HiL)

Model-based development and continuous test automation require the use of different test methods across the various stages of the development cycle.

The challenge: A fully integrated test concept that incorporates Model-in-the-Loop (MiL), Software-in-the-Loop (SiL), Processor-in-the-Loop (PiL), and Hardware-in-the-Loop (HiL) based on development status, system criticality, and test objectives.

Our Service Portfolio for Test Automation in Software Development

Automation Concept: The Foundation of Successful Test Automation

Following a detailed requirements analysis, we develop a comprehensive test automation concept tailored to your test object, development process, risk assessments, and regulatory requirements. The result is a scalable, sustainable, and cost-efficient solution that optimizes your testing process. This includes:

Definition of objectives
Solution development
Definition of test levels (unit, integration, system, end-to-end, and regression tests)

Vendor-neutral consulting and tool evaluation
Integration of xiL test methods (MiL, SiL, PiL, HiL)
Setup, commissioning, and configuration of automation solutions and test systems

Software Test Automation: From Unit to System, End-to-End, and Acceptance Testing

We develop test automation solutions for all stages of software development, implemented cross-platform and optimized for maintainability. Our services include:

Test specification and execution
Automated unit and integration tests for rapid feedback
System tests to verify interactions across the complete system

End-to-end tests for realistic user workflows
Automated regression testing to safeguard code changes
Test evaluation, reporting, and issue analysis

Test Environments & xiL Test Systems: Realistic Conditions for Advanced Automated Software Testing

For sophisticated and hardware-related software systems, we develop automation-ready test environments, including environment simulation and test stubs. This enables reproducible tests in every phase of development. Our expertise includes:

Modeling and simulation for MiL and SiL testing
Processor-level execution in PiL tests
Setup, configuration, and integration of HiL test systems

Simulation of environments, bus systems, sensors, services, and communication protocols
Integration of test automation into your existing development environment

CI/CD Integration & Operational Support for Test Automation

We integrate automated test solutions into your Continuous Integration and Continuous Delivery pipelines, enabling fully automated build, test, and deployment workflows. We provide:

Analysis, extension, maintenance, and administration of CI/CD and test automation environments
Monitoring & reporting for the build infrastructure

Adaptations for new releases, interfaces, or hardware changes
Training and workshops to upskill your team

Start your automation project today!

Benefits of Test Automation by ITPower Solutions

Comprehensive test automation from MiL to acceptance testing: From the first simulation model to hardware-near HiL testing, from unit to system level—we cover all environments and all test stages.
Shorter release cycles & higher quality: Automated tests provide faster feedback, reduce manual regression effort, and shorten time-to-release.
Vendor-independent expertise: We offer technology-agnostic, vendor-neutral, and needs-based consulting built on many years of project experience. No need to reinvent the wheel.
Cost-efficient, effective, and targeted: We avoid oversized test environments. Leverage existing tools and protect your budget.
Cross-platform readiness: For embedded, web, mobile, and desktop applications—we deliver tailored automation environments.
Efficiency gains through team relief: Repetitive testing tasks are automated, freeing your team for development, architecture, and innovation.

Test Automation Projects

Test Automation – Automotive

Concept, setup, and commissioning of a HiL test system for electric vehicle charging management based on CANoe, including integration of external hardware components
Implementation and execution of HiL tests using the Test Feature Set integrated in CANoe

Test Automation – Medical Technology

Concept, setup, commissioning, and maintenance of a HiL test bench for a ventricular assist device based on a dSPACE® HiL system
Development and maintenance of the environment model
Qualification of the HiL test bench
Integration of the ContinoProva test framework into the HiL environment and implementation of automated tests

Test Automation from Unit to HIL Testing: Faster Releases, Higher Software Quality