Starting on Solution Manager 7.1 SP07, SAP provides a new test automation tool called CBTA. It classified as a “next generation” test automation tool, because it introduces a new concept of handling automated test. CBTA scripts are composed by components which may be shipped by SAP (default components) or automatically created during design-time (screen components). By reusing components, the maintenance of CBTA scripts are quicker and easier compared to traditional test automation tools.

CBTA uses the eCATT framework to create and execute test scripts. Thus, you may see very often terms such as Test Configuration, Test Script, Test Data Container (TDC) and System Data Container (SDC).

Finally, it is worth to mention about unattended tests on SAP Solution Manager. Customers running regression tests periodically can create background jobs to run automated tests in the specified date, time and frequency.

Long Story

As of release 7.1, Test Automation Framework (TAF) is integrated with Solution Manager system landscape. TAF allows SAP customers to integrate Solution Manager with 3rd party Test Automation tools such as HP UFT/QTP and Worksoft Certify.

Starting on Solution Manager 7.1 SP07, SAP provides a new test automation tool called Component-Based Test Automation (aka CBTA) which is very similar to SAP Test Acceleration and Optimization (TAO), but it is offered without additional license costs as part of SAP Support Engagement, and it is fully integrated with SAP Solution Manager. Currently the following UI technologies are supported: SAP GUI, SAP CRM Web Client, ABAP Web Dynpro, Java Web Dynpro, SAP NetWeaver Portal, SAP GUI for HTML, BSP, HTMLB and SAP UI5.

CBTA (and SAP TAO) are classified as “next generation” test automation tools, because they introduce a new concept of handling automated test. CBTA scripts are composed by components which may be shipped by SAP (default components) or automatically created during design-time (screen components). By reusing components, the maintenance of CBTA scripts are quicker and easier compared to traditional test automation tools.

With TAF, SAP customers can optionally use a combination of both CBTA and a certified third-party test automation tool to run end-to-end tests covering SAP and non-SAP business processes quickly, repeatedly and reliably.

Regression Test is an important phase of testing lifecycle because it can identify in advance (before deployment into productive systems) potential impacts of planned changes on your core business processes, thus it can minimize the risks to your businesses.

Test Automation can take your organization into the next maturity level from Test Management perspective, as testing activities can be performed more efficiently and effectively compared to manual tests. However, it does not mean, organizations are supposed to automate all their business processes as manual tests have also their benefits/advantages.

As the focus here is to provide an overview about CBTA only, the integration with third party test automation tools will be described in another blog.

CBTA uses the eCATT framework to create and execute test scripts. Thus, you may see very often terms such as Test Configuration, Test Script, Test Data Container (TDC) and System Data Container (SDC). For simplicity’s sake, below you can find a short description about TDC and SDC.

The TDC provides a central repository to store and maintain test data whereas SDC stores information about Systems Under Test (SUTs). Their purpose is to get more flexibility, i.e. to increase reusability. As there should exist only one Solution on your productive SAP Solution Manager 7.2 system (except in VAR companies), it is enough having a single SDC, thus in the last release (7.2) it is automatically created by Solution Manager.

The figure below is a very simple example of a TDC containing a few variants of test data (V1 and V2).

Below you can see an example of a SDC (automatically created by Solution Manager) comprising two SAP solutions, S/4HANA and Solution Manager.

 Test Composition Environment (TDC) offers an easy way for Test Engineers to maintain CBTA scripts. It provides functions to perform activities such as parameterization, assign TDCs, access to Object Spy, among others.

SAP Test Debugger provides an easy way for Test Engineers to debug a damaged test case, and quickly figure out which component is causing the error. It is possible to add breakpoints and even launch Object Spy which can be used to capture the properties of a specific object in the SUT’s screen (e.g. field). It simplifies the maintenance process when test engineers need to change existing or add new components.

As you may know, Solution Manager 7.2 provides out-of-the-box a Test Management tool called Test Suite. As manual test cases, automated test cases can be included in Test Plans and Test Packages to perform a specific test. However, instead of reading the instructions provided in the test document, testers only need to click on a button to run it, and analyse the tool log/report (usually HTML-based, but .pdf and .doc are also supported) once it is finished, and maybe create a defect message if an error is found.

CBTA report automatically captures relevant screens, but in case additional screenshots are needed a default component exists to perform this task whenever you need it.

The figure below shows a CBTA Test Configuration is assigned to process step “User Maintenance”. Keep in mind Test Suite reuses existing Solution Documentation to define Testing Scope.

Finally, it is worth to mention about unattended tests on SAP Solution Manager 7.2. Customers running regression tests periodically can create background jobs (like SM36) to run automated tests in the specified date, time and frequency according to organizational maintenance window.