Helix ALM

Helix ALM's precursor, TestTrack Pro, was developed by Seapine Software, and first shipped in 1996.{{Cite news |last=Bells|first=Karen|url=http://cincinnati.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/stories/2007/04/02/smallb1.html|date=March 30, 2007|newspaper=Business Courier of Cincinnati|title=Software firm takes hard look}} In November 2016, Perforce acquired Seapine,{{cite web|url=http://sdtimes.com/perforce-acquires-alm-provider-seapine-software|title=Perforce acquires ALM provider Seapine Software|website=sdtimes.com|date=2016-11-17 |accessdate=2017-11-21}} and rebranded the software as Helix ALM.{{cite web|url=http://www.pocketgamer.biz/news/65850/perforce-helix-alm/ |title=Perforce puts Seapine Software acquisition to use with rebranded TestTrack ALM|website=pocketgamer.biz |date=2017-05-30 |accessdate=2017-11-21}}

The software tracks software development processes including feature requests and requirements to design revisions and actual changes in the code.{{cite news|url=http://www.sdtimes.com/content/article.aspx?ArticleID=32779&page=1|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131030095727/http://www.sdtimes.com/content/article.aspx?ArticleID=32779&page=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-10-30|title=Seapine Puts the Pro in Productivity|newspaper=SD Times|date=2008-09-01 }} It keeps track of what tests were done, what was tested, who performed the test and when, on what platform, under which configuration and in what language.{{cite news|url=http://www.sdtimes.com/content/article.aspx?ArticleID=29644|archive-url=https://archive.today/20131030095708/http://www.sdtimes.com/content/article.aspx?ArticleID=29644|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-10-30|last=Rubinstein |first=David |title=Seapine Tackles Test Case Management|newspaper=SD Times|date=2006-10-01 }} It offers the ability to create, manage, and link artifacts from the beginning through the end of a design and development project{{cite news|url=http://embedded-computing.com/articles/application-testing-traceability-embedded-product-development|last=Varhol |first=Peter |title=Application Life-cycle Management (ALM) software boosts testing and traceability for embedded product development|newspaper=Embedded Computing Design|date=2013-05-02 }} providing end-to-end traceability of all development artifacts{{cite news|url=http://www.drdobbs.com/tools/seapine-releases-requirement-management/219100416 |title=Seapine Releases Requirement Management Tool|newspaper=Dr. Dobbs|date=2009-08-07 }} and giving managers a better handle on the shifting requirements that define their projects. It enforces regulatory compliance to meet regulatory compliance requirements, including 21 CFR Part 11 and Sarbanes-Oxley.

Helix ALM has a client–server architecture. The server manages a central database of requirements, test cases, testing evidence, defects, feature requests, work items, test configurations, users, and security group. The client and server communicate via a TCP/IP connection using 512-bit encryption.{{cite web|url=http://www.seapine.com/ttcommon.html|title=TestTrack A Development Collaboration Platform |publisher=Seapine Software}}

Helix ALM stores data in a variety of relational database management systems including SQL Server, Oracle, and Postgres.{{cn|date=January 2018}}

There are several different categories of Helix ALM clients: GUI, Web UI, SOAP, REST API, and plugin.

The cross-platform GUI client is developed with Qt and available on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.{{cite news|url=http://www.macworld.com/article/1026341/seapine.html|title=Seapine updates Helix ALM Pro, Surround SCM|newspaper=Macworld|last=Sellers |first=Dennis|date=2003-08-28}} It fully supports all end-user operations and administration operations.

The unified web application allows software developers and testers to create and review requirements, work with issues, and execute and track tests from their web browser.{{cite news|url=http://www.requirementsmanagement.net/news/seapine-testtrack-2013-1-allows-to-create-requirements-in-the-browser|title=Seapine TestTrack 2013.1 Allows to Create Requirements in the Browser|newspaper=Requirements Management|date=2013-08-27|access-date=2013-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923012132/http://www.requirementsmanagement.net/news/seapine-testtrack-2013-1-allows-to-create-requirements-in-the-browser/|archive-date=2015-09-23|url-status=dead}}

Helix ALM's SOAP SDK allows language and platform independent way to extend built-in functionality by writing applications that access and manipulate its data.{{cite web|url=http://www.seapine.com/ttsdk.html|title=TestTrack SDK |publisher=Seapine Software}}

The plugin interfaces integrate with popular IDEs to perform functionality, such as closing a defect or manually assign a work item to another team member, from the third-party applications.{{cn|date=January 2018}} Helix ALM plugins are available for Eclipse, Visual Studio, Outlook, Excel, and QA Wizard. Helix ALM also integrates with various SCM tools including Git, CVS, Perforce, Subversion, Surround SCM, and SourceSafe.{{cite web|url=http://www.seapine.com/kb/questions/1451|title=TestTrack Integrations |publisher=Seapine Software}}

• Comparison of issue tracking systems

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• [https://www.perforce.com/products/helix-alm Helix ALM page on Perforce website]

{{Bug tracking systems}}

Category:Proprietary version control systems

Category:Project management software