IBM Engineering Lifecycle Management vs. Ranorex

The software is robust enough to handle highly complex software development or other product development and can be used well beyond the range to do what a client needs. However, because of the inability to hold its users to proper best practices, things can get wildly out of hand and cascade over the years, creating unnecessary technical debt. The system has a lot of usable features, but they don't funnel users toward the correct processes and practices.

Incentivized

Personally I rate it a 10 from my own experience, but from a company perspective, I would drop that to perhaps an 8. This is because while I have fun while finding it extremely easy to use and comprehensive enough, there have been times that relative to the project currently in works, Ranorex has not performed due to its shortcomings. If asked though I would certainly fully recommend Ranorex to a potential user, especially to someone less skilled in this field.

Incentivized

• Open Services supporting Lifecycle Collaboration (OSLC).
• Required definition management and managed capabilities enabling.
• Rational DOORS Web Access for local on the test field presence.
• On-sites established reporting system.
• Approved linking requirements to test plans
• Engineering Requirements Management DOORS traces requirements thereby eliminates manually processes and spreadsheets, for improved productivity.
• Returns the investment efficiently.

Incentivized

• Initial setup.
• User guide.
• Getting money from customers.

• I feel like it is too heavy sometimes and updating is not very straight forward. For example, if I want to change an incident ticket (IN) to a service request (SR) and add some comment for the change, I have to first change the IN to SR, then click refresh which takes a few seconds, then add a comment. If I forget the refresh step, my comment will be discarded without warning like my ticket is not in the latest status. This also happens when somebody else changes the ticket during my edit as I can not lock the ticket exclusively.

Incentivized

• Language support is limited, c# and Vb.net only if i remember correctly compared to other tools which allow many more. This addition would certainly be appreciated if added on in a company like mine with a variety of differently skilled individuals
• Paid license. This is not always preferred. A free version without a limited trial but maybe limited features would be appreciated.

Incentivized

At the moment we are required by contract to continue to use the IBM DOORS software for our current client. Given that it can be expensive, if we were to use it after our current client's needs were met, we would have to secure other projects in order to justify the continued use of the software.

Incentivized

The UI is terrible and not intuitive. Users need training in order to complete tasks. Much like SAP, it's not the clearest tool. The tracing feature is especially complicated because you must write the scripts yourself. There is a learning curve. Also, even the setup, installation, and logging in each time takes a considerable amount of time.

Incentivized

It does a basic job and has the potential to complete some robust reporting tasks, however, it really is a clunky piece of software with a terrible user interface that makes using it routinely quite unpleasant. Many of our legacy and maintenance projects still use DOORS but our department and company use many alternatives and are looking for better tools.

Incentivized

I suppose my experience is sort of mixed. Help documents are substantially helpful. I personally have not got the quickest responses from Ranorex support but at the same time, they are pretty good with updating their users frequently with info about their product/s and features. The community is really where I find support and I suppose that could look to be an extension of the product itself.

Incentivized

No problems

Incentivized

It was easier to do all the change management-related activities, even configurations were handled very effectively. New process definitions and initiatives made it easier for better project deliverables. Effective resource allocations and better reporting and defect management. The overall cost of the tool is great too and well within budget.

Incentivized

We have used Selenium as well. This has picked up more steam than Ranorex if i have to be honest.

Incentivized

• It's part of CLM suite so it can be used to manage the whole lifecycle with tight integration with development module (Rational Team Concert) and quality module (Rational Quality Manager).
• Comprehensive reports and dashboards provide better visibility.
• License cost is on higher side.

Incentivized

• We were left without a working solution so the whole project had to been stopped.