Are you frustrated with testing delays and skyrocketing infrastructure costs? Imagine losing precious time and revenue due to outdated testing processes, while competitors surge ahead with innovative solutions. A leading telecom operator faced these exact challenges—until they revolutionized their operations with SIFT (Simulated Intelligence for Fast Testing).

Most industry professionals are caught in a cycle of juggling inefficient systems, manual configurations, and unpredictable downtimes that choke progress. In today’s competitive landscape, every minute counts, and traditional testing methods can be a critical liability.

Think of the pressure when launching a new product: each testing delay not only jeopardizes timelines but also impacts market credibility and revenue streams. This operator’s journey is a clarion call for anyone battling similar obstacles.

What if you could eliminate tedious manual tasks and significantly reduce operational costs—while boosting system stability and reliability? SIFT did exactly that. It’s more than just another tool; it’s a paradigm shift that challenges the status quo.

This solution was a Finalist at the prestigious DevOps Industry Awards 2024 in the category of “Most Innovative Project.” Recognized for its groundbreaking impact, it showcases the future of intelligent automation in testing and infrastructure management.

By harnessing innovative automation, SIFT minimizes human error and transforms testing environments into agile, scalable powerhouses. Get ready to explore a deep dive into how this breakthrough solution turned persistent pain points into powerful opportunities for operational excellence.

The Core Challenge: Testing at a Breaking Point

Testing operations for this prominent telecom operator were on the brink. Their broadband provisioning once relied on BT Openreach’s CVF—a third-party platform shared across the UK telecom market. In a scenario where resources were stretched thin, the operator’s testing demands surged, overwhelming a system that simply couldn’t keep up.

Imagine a bustling highway originally designed for a small town suddenly forced to handle metropolitan traffic—the result is chronic congestion and frequent breakdowns.

The repercussions were severe. Testing teams were stuck in a grueling cycle of manually toggling between live systems and service virtualization stubs. This labor-intensive process was not only prone to errors but also drained valuable resources. Picture a skilled professional forced to reconfigure complex systems on the fly, constantly firefighting instead of innovating.

The manual setup and reconfiguration processes led to missed deadlines and unpredictable downtimes, undermining project momentum and stifling innovation. This was not merely an operational hiccup; it was a systemic issue threatening the operator’s competitive edge. The challenge was unmistakable: modernize the cumbersome, resource-draining testing process to create a streamlined, automated, and scalable environment capable of supporting rapid innovation and growth.

The SIFT Solution: Fast, Smart, and Scalable

In response to these mounting challenges, Sandhata and a leading telecom operator embarked on an ambitious mission to reinvent the testing process—without inflating infrastructure costs. The answer emerged in the form of SIFT, a sophisticated system built upon an existing IBM RIT tool, reimagining testing from the ground up. SIFT’s architecture is rooted in intelligent automation, seamlessly integrating with existing workflows while dramatically reducing the need for manual intervention.

Traffic Management & Environment Stability:
SIFT introduces an advanced caching mechanism for critical APIs—integral to functions like appointment scheduling and broadband provisioning. By caching live responses and processing duplicate transactions internally, SIFT slashed live traffic by an impressive 64%. This is akin to a busy restaurant pre-preparing popular dishes to avoid service delays, ensuring smoother operations and a significant reduction in downtimes.

Expanded Test Coverage & Parallel Testing:
Dynamic routing is another cornerstone of SIFT. By intelligently directing API requests to either service virtualization stubs or the live system, it accommodates the varied needs of different testing teams simultaneously. Coupled with the launch of a Self-Service Test Data Portal, configurations that once required painstaking manual setup are now executed with a few clicks. This automation supports parallel testing, reducing setup time and boosting overall efficiency.

A Culture of Innovation & Collaboration:
SIFT’s development was driven by a culture of collaboration. Sandhata fostered an environment where engineers and testers converged in real-time, leveraging tools such as Microsoft Teams and integrated project management boards. A lean, dedicated team—comprising one lead and two developers—was empowered to iterate rapidly, troubleshoot collaboratively, and drive innovation forward. This approach not only accelerated the development cycle but also paved the way for a shift-left testing strategy, enabling developers to engage in early testing stages through the Self-Service portal. Ultimately, SIFT redefined what’s possible in telecom testing, blending automation and collaboration into a solution that is as practical as it is groundbreaking.

Key Insights & The Road Ahead

The deployment of SIFT marked nothing short of a revolutionary overhaul—one that delivered measurable, impactful results for a major telecom operator.

At its core, SIFT’s intelligent automation enabled a dramatic 64% reduction in live traffic on the legacy platform, resulting in an extraordinary leap in system stability. Imagine upgrading a crumbling, unreliable bridge into a fortified highway that guarantees smooth, uninterrupted passage for critical data.

That’s the transformation SIFT brought to the table.

This level of performance enhancement doesn’t occur in isolation.

Think of how Amazon revolutionized its operations with automated testing and continuous deployment pipelines. Much like Amazon’s sophisticated infrastructure that manages millions of transactions per minute, SIFT’s automation minimized manual intervention, enabling teams to focus on innovation rather than repetitive troubleshooting.

For the operator in question, automating tedious manual configurations saved an estimated £500K in potential infrastructure investments. This isn’t just about cost-cutting—it’s about reallocating resources towards value-adding initiatives.

Moreover, the system delivered a staggering 252 man-day savings by reducing manual interventions.

Consider how Google leverages automation to streamline its testing environments: freeing up engineering hours to drive creative solutions and innovative product development. This reallocation of time and resources meant that critical projects were advanced without delay.

Instead of being bogged down by routine tasks, teams could channel their energy into solving bigger, strategic challenges—mirroring the agile, forward-thinking approaches seen at companies like Netflix and Microsoft.

SIFT’s capabilities shone even brighter during high-stakes product launches. When the pressure is at its peak, and every minute counts—as evidenced during major launches at Apple or Samsung—having a robust testing environment can make all the difference.

SIFT ensured that even under the most demanding conditions, testing environments remained stable, and deadlines were consistently met. This reliability not only fast-tracked time-to-market but also boosted confidence among stakeholders and customers alike.

For organizations wrestling with similar challenges, these results are far more than just impressive statistics. They serve as a compelling proof-of-concept: when automation and strategic innovation come together, even legacy systems can be transformed into agile, efficient engines of progress.

Take, for example, the journey of companies like Facebook, which continuously integrates cutting-edge testing automation to keep up with their massive, dynamic platforms. SIFT embodies this same philosophy—leveraging intelligent automation to drive both reliability and accelerated growth.

The evidence is clear: innovative automation pays off in spades. It enhances reliability, generates substantial cost savings, and accelerates product development cycles.

For any company looking to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the lessons from SIFT’s deployment are invaluable. Whether you’re in telecom, finance, retail, or any industry where technology underpins your operations, embracing intelligent automation can unlock efficiency gains that translate directly into market leadership.

Imagine your organization achieving similar breakthroughs—reducing downtime, slashing costs, and redirecting precious manpower towards innovation.

The road ahead is paved with opportunities for those willing to invest in smarter, faster, and more efficient systems. SIFT isn’t just a tool; it’s a blueprint for the future of operational excellence. Embrace this transformation, and prepare to propel your business into a new era of sustained, competitive growth.

Final Thoughts & Your Next Move

SIFT’s success is more than a technical achievement—it’s a glimpse into the future of operational efficiency. The lesson is simple but powerful: automation isn’t just about doing things faster; it’s about doing them better, smarter, and at scale. The telecom industry, like every other, is evolving at a breakneck pace, and those clinging to outdated manual processes will get left behind.

Take a moment to think about how companies like Tesla operate. While traditional car manufacturers still rely on rigid production cycles, Tesla continuously improves its vehicles through over-the-air software updates. This agility isn’t magic—it’s automation in action. Similarly, SIFT transformed a cumbersome, time-consuming testing process into a lean, high-performance machine, cutting manual interventions by hundreds of workdays and slashing infrastructure costs. That’s not just an operational win—it’s a strategic advantage.

The Future Belongs to the Automated
Look at any industry leader today—Amazon, Google, Netflix. They don’t just use automation; they depend on it to outpace the competition. Automation isn’t just about efficiency anymore—it’s about survival and dominance. In software development, shift-left testing is becoming the norm, empowering developers to test early, iterate faster, and ship products with confidence. Imagine rolling out new features without the constant fear of breaking things—this is what modern, automated environments enable.

And it’s not just about machines. Cross-functional collaboration is the backbone of successful automation. When engineers, testers, and operations teams work together seamlessly—powered by smart digital workspaces and automation tools—companies unlock a culture of relentless innovation. Think of Pixar: their secret sauce isn’t just great storytelling; it’s their collaborative workflow, where constant iteration and feedback loops create masterpieces. SIFT fosters the same kind of environment—turning fragmented, manual testing into a streamlined, automated powerhouse.

Your Next Move: Don’t Just Watch—Lead the Change
The companies thriving in this new era aren’t waiting for change—they’re driving it. The real question isn’t if you should automate, but how fast you can make it happen before your competitors do. If you want to:

  • Reduce inefficiencies and free your teams from endless manual work
  • Improve system stability and prevent costly outages
  • Accelerate product launches without compromising quality
  • Save time, money, and resources while scaling effortlessly

Then it’s time to act. The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone. Let’s talk about how your business can implement automation strategies that deliver real, measurable impact.

Contact Us Today—let’s build the future, together.

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balakarthiga muruganantham

Balakarthiga is a seasoned Product Marketer with six years of experience. With a passion for crafting compelling narratives, she navigates the intricate world of SaaS & DevOps marketing with creativity and precision.