Automation is fast ushering changes within the workplace and the economy. Recent reports state that automation as a service is set to grow from $4bn to $14bn over the next five years with a CAGR of 28.5%. Traditional automation is typically associated with the robotics used in manufacturing factories, not service-oriented skills such as data entry. However, with intelligent process automation incorporating artificial intelligence, companies can enjoy increased productivity by eliminating repetitive tasks, upskilled employees, simplifying decision-making processes, etc. Read our report on how businesses transform and reinvent themselves with increased digital business automation.

Robotic process automation and test automation are the two primary forms of automation that help enhance the workplace today. Given that these two are forms of automation that help ease specific tasks, they are often confused as being the same thing or having significant overlap. However, conceptually these two technologies are different.

RPA, or robotic process automation, is traditionally defined as an emerging technology that, with the help of intelligent software bots, can carry out manual tasks that are seen as repetitive. This software can be plugged into the company’s IT infrastructure, after which bots can be assigned to carry out specific tasks. With the increased use of artificial intelligence and machine learning, RPA bots are capable of automating business processes within departments. With RPA software, companies can enjoy several benefits, including faster time to market, reduced human error, increased cost savings and ROI, and an enhanced workforce. There are several use cases across various industries where robotic process automation comes in very handy such as:

Test Automation, in contrast, deals with QA and ensuring that the software or hardware created works as expected. This technology is a boon for companies developing online platforms, products, and apps. Rather than focusing on workplace processes, this is solely used for checking processes. By removing manual testing, Test automation tools are essential for the modern CI/CD process that DevOps teams practice today. With automated test cases and predefined parameters to detect bugs, test automation can execute test scripts which helps improve test coverage. This ability helps developers create better products at a reduced cost, accelerate other business processes, and drive growth for the organization.

Test automation has fewer testing tools available compared to RPA. The scope for advanced AI/ML is also limited. Prominent test automation tools include Selenium, JIRA, and Appium. Selenium is often considered the leader in the field of automation testing. However, our new in-house test automation tool GoTestPro far outstrips it with features like:

• Codeless Test Automation
• Zero Resource Dependency
• Live Preview of Local and Server Test Executions
• Autohealing

Thus, while RPA is the automation often used to ease carrying out several business-related tasks, test automation is a narrower, more precise form of automation. It focuses on automating the overall testing/QA process for developers of online products, services, and applications.

Robotic process automation software has come a long way. However, platforms such as UiPath and Automation Anywhere have realized that there need checks and balances for RPA software to ensure robotic process automation workflows function smoothly. RPA testing is the software used to assess whether the bots function correctly before being deployed into production. For instance, with RPA tools like UiPath Test Suite, companies have access to multiple test automation tools allowing testers to handle tasks across RPA bots, QA, and overall IT.

• UiPath Test Manager allows for testing across multiple environments within a company, including RPA testing, application, and web testing.
• UiPath Studio enables the creation of stronger bots with RPA testing with the help of pre-built activities for test generation.
• UiPath Orchestrator is the control center for getting an overview of automation activity, scheduling, and storing test data.

With RPA platforms providing RPA tools for testing across multiple environments, including RPA bots, apps, and browser environments, the line between robotic process automation and Test Automation has become increasingly blurred. Companies can now deploy bots, like UiPath test robots, to execute tests and report results whenever needed.

It is important to note that enabling an entire test suite is expensive and is not easily accessible across robotic process automation platforms. Therefore, it isn’t easy to find the right test automation tools that can be easily plugged into the company’s IT infrastructure and carry out tests across apps, on-prem environments, and even APIs without code expertise and high costs.

Successful implementation is vital for automation to enhance data entry and other business processes. It requires expertise with the various tools the market has to offer. At Royal Cyber, we have an expert team to help companies successfully implement robotic process automation tools, whether for automating processes or running tests. Partnerships with RPA leaders such as UiPath and Automation Anywhere ensure that our team is up to date on the RPA’s latest offerings, including test automation. Furthermore, if RPA is not the automation you seek, enterprises can also avail of our in-house test automation tool GoTestPro.

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