Scriptless automation

Worksoft Certify

Worksoft Certify from Worksoft is an automated functional testing platform for SA

P . What is unique about Worksoft Certify is that users can create automation wit
hout any script or code. Worksoft Certify is very tightly integrated with SAP. T
he alternative to using Worksoft is using tools like HP s QTP or IBM s Rational Func
tional Tester.
The only action that users take when creating automation in Worksoft is to ident
ify the fields used to enter data or user actions, e.g., a checkbox. Note that t
his is not like the mainstream record and playback technology. The result of suc
h recording is a set of steps. Each step has a narrative . For example, Input the valu
e OR into the order type CtextField . Note that this is presented in language which
can be understood by a non-technical business user.
Worksoft also provides some related products which are interesting.
?Worksoft Data allows users to use data which is very close to actual data. It a
llows you to copy data from one SAP system to another. They key here is the tigh
t integration with SAP and shielding users from technical details.
? Worksoft Impact is another key software. One of the challenges in automation i
s to make sure that the changes in the software don t break the scripts. Worksoft co
mpletely avoids this problem. It helps analyze the changes in the implementation
and highlights which tests are impacted. It presents the changes in language wh
ich can be understood by the end user.
Here is some of the motivation for Worksoft s approach:
? You don t write code to test code
?Allows business analysts and users to test the software
?Avoids the tedium of manual testing
Worksoft claims that users can easily automate 80-85% of their manual tests. Sof
tware upgrades are completed rapidly, 1-2 days, compared to weeks.
Here are a few more features worth highlighting:
?Worksoft works with SAP on multiple platforms.
?Worksoft Certify can be used from SAP s Solution manager
?Worksoft Certify can be used along with SAP s Business Process Change analyzer
?Compared to BPCA Worksoft provides guidance on changes at a higher level.
In the last few years there has been a huge focus on agile development and a foc
us on automation. In software testing communities testers seem resigned to the f
act that automation is an essential skill for testers. The automation I am refer
ring to is using scripting languages like Ruby, Python and tools like Watir, Sel
enium. Note also that this is probably more prevalent in software product compan
ies, rather than enterprise IT departments. Given this environment, Worksoft has
created a unique product which is focused on solving an important business prob
lem. I don t think this will or can change any of the development and testing prac
tices in other industries. However, testers should be aware of this unique solut
ion.
What is ERP
ERP systems automate most business functions in organizations. They use a common
database and provide an integrated view of the data. The access to the data is
in real time. The advantage of such a system is that Decisions can be made more q
uickly and with fewer errors. Data becomes visible across the organization. (from
wikipedia)

These are some of the modules in SAP:

?ERP operations
to manage manufacturing operations
?ERP Financials
?ERP Human Capital Management
?Enterprise Asset Management
?Procurement
SAP is a market leader in the ERP market. SAP is headquartered in Germany and wa
s founded in 1972. It has more than 55,000 employees. SAP s 2011 revenues were $13
.6 billion compared to Microsoft $69 billion and Oracle $36 billion.
Information on Worksoft
Worksoft products
Worksoft has a great set of resources on their website. This includes a set of w
ebinars. A simple registration gives you immedicate access to all the resources.
In 2011 IBM entered into a re-marketing agreement with Worksoft. Worksoft Certif
y, Certify Impact and Certify Data are available for licensing through IBM s passp
ort advantage. Worksoft Certify is integrated with IBM s Rational Quality Manager.