I was very interested to read that HPE sold LoadRunner to a company called Micro Focus. Micro Focus already has a load testing solution called Silk Performer, which we never seem to compete with. My guess is that we don’t compete because of Silk Performer’s outdated functionality. It will be interesting to see which solution (Silk Performer or LoadRunner) Micro Focus keeps and which one it eliminates. I presume Micro Focus will choose Silk Performer, which they acquired when they bought Borland. I have some personal experience with this during my time at Compuware, when Micro Focus bought the division I worked for (Test Partner), and then eliminated the product line in 2009 shortly after the acquisition, simply because they already owned a competing solution.
When I look at Micro Focus’ Modus operandi, I see a clear pattern. But before I go further with that thought, let’s look at the other divisions Micro Focus has acquired: Borland, CA Technology, Compuware, Novel, Attach Mate and now several software divisions from HPE including LoadRunner. HPE has struggled for years to grow LoadRunner market share and presumably profitability as well. My interpretation of Micro Focus’ business model is to find distressed software companies with extensive and expensive renewal business. They then buy these struggling companies and milk the overpriced renewals as long as possible, adding minimal new innovation (which would be costly). The irony is that most of the acquired companies were already suffering from lack of innovation so this would only exacerbate the problem.
In the past 2 years, almost 40% of our new sales business is replacing LoadRunner installations. The 3 main drivers of this are threefold:
Firstly, WebLOAD offers an equivalent or better feature set for a considerably lower cost compared with LoadRunner’s license price. In most cases you can double the amount of virtual users for what you are currently paying now for LoadRunner’s maintenance costs by switching to WebLOAD! WebLOAD’s architecture is similar to LoadRunner’s, so the learning curve is minimal and transition is relatively smooth and intuitive.
The second most popular driver is dissatisfaction with LoadRunner’s technical support. A very complicated process to receive tech support and slow response time are routinely cited by LoadRunner customers.
Lastly, we receive many complaints from current LoadRunner customers that HPE was very slow in embracing new technologies which is unhelpful in today’s competitive environment.
I recommend keeping this in mind as you make your decision about a load testing solution, as it may not be a good time to invest in LoadRunner. If you are currently a LoadRunner customer, find out when your maintenance is due and contact us. We offer specialized LoadRunner-to-WebLOAD training, assistance with script transition, and very generous competitive upgrade discounts to current LoadRunner customers.
I look forward to speaking on the phone with soon-to-be-former LoadRunner customers. Just fill out the free trial form below and experience WebLOAD for yourself. I am sure you will be impressed!
