This IDC study forecasts solid growth in the discrete global testing services market, as companies turn to project-based or fully outsourced testing services to support application testing or product engineering testing requirements. While independent testing teams have emerged as the more neutral preferred approach to validation services, their focus on discrete versus embedded testing contracts varies across global outsourcers and pure-play testing providers. IDC forecasts a five-year CAGR of 19% for discrete global testing services, reaching an estimated $17.7 billion by 2013.

"As we move through this recessionary period, the value proposition tied to independent testing services will continue to resonate well with enterprise, ISV, technology product organizations, or OEM-type customers" says Rona Shuchat, director of Application Outsourcing Services. "It will remain critical for vendors to help customers increase QA process efficiencies with supportive risk mitigation strategies. The ability to drive validation into the front end of the software development life cycle (SDLC) will become essential in lowering QA and maintenance costs while enabling tighter alignment of IT with business objectives during the forecast period."