The majority of organizations believe that choosing a tool is one of the biggest challenges in the test automation process. Test automation software largely determines the effectiveness of testing and has serious implications for ROI. Among the many products that companies can use for Microsoft Dynamics 365 test automation, there is one tool that was developed by the Microsoft team specifically for testing its ERP system. If you do not want your company to be one of the organizations suffering from failed test automation, you should understand the opportunities and challenges of using RSAT and evaluate its effectiveness for your particular business scenario.

What is an RSAT testing tool?

RSAT stands for Regression Suite Automation Tool, and, as the name suggests, this software is primarily focused on regression testing. It is also designed specifically for the modules dedicated to finance and supply chain management which comprise the enterprise resource planning (ERP) component of the suite.

How much does it cost to use RSAT?

RSAT is provided free of charge to companies that use Microsoft Dynamics 365. In fact, anyone can download and use this tool without paying any fees. However, it is necessary to know the two modes available for RSAT at press time.

RSAT Trial Mode

The first version is known as Trial Mode and comes without integration with Azure DevOps, a set of development services offered by Microsoft. Due to the lack of such integration, this tool has simplified functionality and usability. One of the Trial Mode’s significant downsides is the lack of file and working directory sharing.

Yet, RSAT in a trial mode can still be used as a standalone test automation product, as its core functionality may be sufficient for many organizations. Furthermore, even though it is called “trial,” there are no time limitations for using the tool in this mode.

RSAT Normal Mode

To extend the functionality of RSAT, you can use it with Azure DevOps. In such a configuration, RSAT is still available for free, but you need to subscribe to the Azure DevOps services, which come at an additional cost.

Note that there is no way to swap test cases and suites between the two modes yet.

Advantages of RSAT

RSAT testing software can bring a number of benefits to an organization. As mentioned earlier, the lack of a license fee is one of the strengths of this tool. Below are other advantages of this product:

• Automation of various aspects of the ERP system, including user interface interactions, data validation, and business processes;
• Support for cross-browser testing, data-driven testing, and parameterization for dynamic data values during test execution;
• Recording and playback features;
• Creation of custom test cases with a scripting language;
• Execution of single tests and entire test suites;
• Integration with Azure DevOps and Microsoft Lifecycle Services (LCS).

Challenges of using RSAT for test automation

Despite its advantages, RSAT, like any other software product, has its downsides. Learn more about them below:

• Full functionality is unlocked through paid integration with Azure DevOps;
• Focus on the finance and supply chain management modules;
• Insufficient performance testing capabilities;
• Writing and customizing test cases requires knowledge of a scripting language;
• Cannot be used without programming knowledge.

Best practices for using the RSAT testing tool

Recommendations for test automation using RSAT are similar to those for using other tools. Many of them are associated with the quality of test scripts.

Test scripts are the foundation of the test automation process, which makes their quality critical. It is strongly recommended to pay special attention to the modularity and parameterization of test scripts in order to promote their reusability. In other words, the simpler the test scripts are and the less hard coding they involve, the easier it is to use them in different test scenarios.

In addition, such test scripts are also easier to maintain. This means that it takes less effort for testers to keep modular, reusable test scripts up-to-date as the tested software evolves.

Naming and categorizing test cases is also important for script maintenance.

Additionally, remember to secure all sensitive data that goes into the testing process and ensure that it is not inadvertently exposed in reports and documentation.

Moreover, organizations should regularly evaluate the effectiveness of automated testing by tracking statistics on errors, accuracy, and execution time.

RSAT alternatives

As mentioned earlier, RSAT requires scripting skills and advanced technical knowledge, so organizations working with this tool are more likely to rely on professional developers.

If you want a tool that is more accessible to employees with different skill levels, you can invest in a no-code solution, such as Executive Automats. In addition to its easy implementation and user-friendly interface, Executive Automats is also compatible with other modules in the Microsoft Dynamics 365 suite. It is also an efficient solution for performance testing.

On the other hand, you can invest in building your own testing infrastructure with another popular tool, Selenium, which extends the limited functionality of RSAT. However, in this case, the effort for developers might be even greater than in the case of RSAT.

Conclusion

RSAT offers a number of benefits that can be used by companies that rely on Microsoft Dynamics 365. However, this tool is not completely free if you want to use its full potential, as it requires a paid integration with Azure DevOps.

If you are interested in evaluating the capabilities of this tool, it is recommended to start with the trial mode, which does not rely on Azure DevOps paid services. There is no time limit, so you can keep the tool in the trial mode as your final choice of a test automation product. At the same time, you can also try alternative tools such as Selenium, Executive Automats, and others.