In its State of Test Automation Report, Perfecto, a test solution provider, revealed that in 2022, over 50% of organizations saw a return on investment in test automation tools within the first year after implementation. As a leading software development company, Microsoft offers a diverse range of tools for test automation.
This article will explore how optimizing your team’s and company’s efficiency can be achieved with a Microsoft automation testing tool.
Test Automation Tools from Microsoft
To understand the benefits of Microsoft’s test automation tools for operational efficiency, it is important to first review some of the solutions Microsoft offers. Note that Microsoft’s developers are continually enhancing their test automation products, upgrading their functionality, and phasing out outdated tools.
App Center Test
App Center Test, formerly known as Xamarin Test Cloud, focuses on assessing the quality of hybrid and native mobile applications. This tool is notable for its robust automation of UI testing.
Azure Test Plans
Azure Test Plans is an exploratory testing toolkit available to users of Microsoft’s Azure service suite. It allows teams to leverage automated testing through integration with Azure Pipelines, enabling the incorporation of testing into continuous integration/continuous deployment (CI/CD) workflows. This means test execution can be automated within build and release pipelines, with automated progress reports available. Azure Test Plans can also be used for manual testing, including user acceptance testing.
Visual Studio Test Professional
Visual Studio Test Professional supports test automation among its various functionalities. Teams can use it for:
- Developing test plans and suites;
- Organizing and managing test cases;
- Executing manual tests.
This tool can be integrated with Azure DevOps to ensure continuous feedback.
RSAT
The tools discussed earlier are versatile and applicable to various types of applications. However, App Center is specific to mobile applications. In contrast, Microsoft also provides tools tailored to automate the testing of a single product.
Regression Suite Automated Testing (RSAT) is a prime example, specifically designed for the automated testing of financial and supply chain management applications within Microsoft Dynamics 365. RSAT focuses on regression testing, facilitating automation by converting Microsoft Dynamics 365 task recordings into automated tests. With support for batch test execution and integration with Azure DevOps, RSAT helps teams significantly increase test coverage.
Boosting efficiency with a Microsoft automation testing tool
Maximizing the efficiency of testing procedures is a major advantage of Microsoft’s test automation tools. They help development teams achieve higher-quality software more efficiently, ultimately leading to faster delivery and reduced costs.
Reduced Manual Work
Automating testing tasks with dedicated Microsoft solutions can significantly reduce the amount of manual work required. Depending on the specific test automation tool, it may handle not only test execution but also other aspects of testing, such as report generation, notifications, or test script maintenance. A reduction in manual labor also enhances the consistency of testing processes, ensuring repeatability and minimizing the likelihood of human error.
Faster Test Execution
Less manual work translates to faster testing, which is crucial for providing development teams with rapid feedback on software quality. Shorter feedback loops boost developers’ efficiency by providing critical information sooner. This enables them to address issues early, enhancing software quality before problems escalate and become costly.
At the same time, an accelerated testing process also translates into faster software delivery. Whether it is a software house offering its own products or an enterprise leveraging automation for testing internal systems like enterprise resource planning (ERP) suites, the result is a faster rollout. This increased speed translates into the ability to respond to market demands and user feedback more effectively.
Increased Test Coverage
The increased speed of test execution not only shortens feedback loops but also allows teams to perform more tests within the same timeframe. Automated test execution can be scheduled during periods when human supervisors are unavailable, further improving test coverage.
Tools for automating testing of Microsoft’s software
Microsoft offers a variety of tools for automating the testing of its own products as well as software developed by third parties. While Microsoft’s tools are known for their robustness and rich functionality, third-party solutions can also provide enhanced capabilities.
For example, Executive Automats is a comprehensive test automation solution dedicated to Microsoft Dynamics 365. Unlike RSAT, Executive Automats supports various types of testing, including regression and performance testing, and is compatible with virtually all modules within the ERP and CRM suite. Additionally, Executive Automats features a user-friendly, no-code interface, making it accessible to both professional testers and individuals without a technical background.
Conclusions
Microsoft provides a range of test automation tools tailored to specific testing needs and software applications. Examples include Azure Test Plans, App Center Test, RSAT, and Visual Studio Test Professional. Some of these tools can be used for testing a variety of applications, while others are specifically designed for testing Microsoft software.
Additionally, many other software development companies offer solutions specifically aimed at automated testing of Microsoft products. Some of these, such as Executive Automats, are recognized for their effectiveness and ease of use. Although these tools require a fee, they can sometimes outperform Microsoft’s own testing solutions and lead to greater savings in the long run.