Testing complex controls in Oracle E-Business Suite (EBS) is a critical task to ensure the reliability and performance of enterprise applications. EBS includes a range of sophisticated user interface elements and workflows that require meticulous testing. In this blog, we will explore strategies, scenarios, and tools for effectively testing these complex controls, with a special focus on utilising Tricentis Tosca, a robust test automation tool.
Understanding Complex Controls in E-Business Suite
Complex controls in EBS encompass advanced UI elements and workflows such as:
- Multi-tab forms
- Dynamic grids and tables
- Interactive dashboards
- Custom reports and analytics
- Integration points with other systems (e.g., ERP, CRM)
These components necessitate thorough testing to verify their functionality under various conditions and data handling scenarios.
Scenarios for Testing Complex Controls
Scenario 1: Multi-Tab Forms
Description: Multi-tab forms in EBS are used to collect comprehensive information across different sections, each containing various fields, dropdowns, and buttons.
Testing Approach:
- Navigation Testing: Ensure users can navigate between tabs without data loss.
- Field Validation: Verify that all fields accept valid data and provide appropriate error messages for invalid inputs.
- Data Persistence: Confirm that data entered in one tab is saved and retrievable when navigating back to the tab.
Example: In an employee management module, test adding a new employee with details across multiple tabs (e.g., Personal Info, Job Details, Salary Information).
Scenario 2: Dynamic Grids and Tables
Description: Dynamic grids and tables display datasets that change based on user actions or data updates.
Testing Approach:
- Data Loading: Verify correct data loading when the grid/table initialises.
- Sorting and Filtering: Ensure sorting and filtering options work correctly and update displayed data appropriately.
- Pagination: Check that pagination controls function as expected and display the correct data set.
Example: In an inventory management module, test the product list grid to ensure products display, can be sorted by name or price, and pagination works for large datasets.
Scenario 3: Interactive Dashboards
Description: Dashboards in E-Business Suite provide visual summaries of key metrics and data points using charts, graphs, and interactive elements.
Testing Approach:
- Data Accuracy: Verify that the data displayed on the dashboard is accurate and current.
- Interactivity: Ensure interactive elements (e.g., dropdown filters, drill-downs) function correctly and update the dashboard accordingly.
- Performance: Confirm that the dashboard loads quickly and handles user interactions smoothly.
Example: In a sales analytics module, test the dashboard to ensure sales figures, regional performance, and top products display accurately and interactive filters function correctly.
Scenario 4: Custom Reports and Analytics
Description: Custom reports and analytics provide detailed insights and can be tailored based on user requirements.
Testing Approach:
- Report Generation: Verify reports generate correctly with the selected criteria and display accurate data.
- Export Functionality: Ensure reports can be exported in various formats (PDF, Excel) without data loss or formatting issues.
- Data Integrity: Confirm that the report data matches the underlying database data.
Example: In a financial module, test the generation of monthly expense reports to ensure data accuracy and correct export functionality.
Using Tosca for Testing Complex Controls
Tricentis Tosca is a powerful test automation tool that can efficiently handle the testing of complex controls in E-Business Suite. Here’s how Tosca can be utilized:
1. Model-Based Test Automation
Tosca’s model-based approach allows testers to create reusable models of UI components, simplifying test maintenance and enhancing reusability.
Example: Create a model for a multi-tab form, capturing all fields and actions, and reuse this model across different test cases.
Screenshot 1: Tosca model capturing fields and actions for a multi-tab form.
2. Scriptless Test Automation
Tosca’s scriptless automation enables testers to create tests without writing code, making it accessible for non-programmers.
Example: Using Tosca’s drag-and-drop interface, create a test case for an interactive dashboard, validating data accuracy and interactivity without writing scripts.
Screenshot 2: Tosca scriptless test case for an interactive dashboard.
3. Data-Driven Testing
Tosca supports data-driven testing, allowing the same test cases to run with different datasets.
Example: For a dynamic grid, create a data-driven test case that validates sorting and filtering with multiple datasets to ensure consistent behavior.
Screenshot 3: Tosca data-driven test case setup for a dynamic grid.
4. Integration with CI/CD
Tosca integrates seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines, enabling continuous testing and faster feedback loops.
Example: Integrate Tosca with a CI/CD tool to run automated tests on custom reports whenever there’s a code change, ensuring that new updates don’t break existing functionality.
Screenshot 4: Tosca integrated with a CI/CD pipeline for automated testing.
5. Robust Reporting
Tosca provides detailed test execution reports, helping testers quickly identify and address issues.
Example: After running tests on complex controls, use Tosca’s reporting features to generate comprehensive reports highlighting failed test cases and areas needing attention.
Screenshot 5: Tosca detailed test execution report.
Conclusion
Testing complex controls in Oracle E-Business Suite is essential to ensure the reliability and performance of enterprise applications. By employing tailored strategies for multi-tab forms, dynamic grids, interactive dashboards, and custom reports, testers can effectively validate these components. Tools like Tosca provide robust support for automating these tests, making the process more efficient and reducing the risk of errors. With the right approach and tools, you can ensure your EBS implementation meets the highest standards of quality and performance.
By implementing these detailed scenarios and leveraging the capabilities of Tosca, you can streamline the testing efforts and ensure comprehensive coverage of complex controls in Oracle E-Business Suite.