In many industries, product lifecycle management (PLM) has not yet reached its full potential. PLM systems can help with achieving shorter, better-informed product life cycles, but they can only do this when they are well integrated and working efficiently. Of course, this requires rigorous testing.
Manual testing is time consuming and inefficient, so transitioning to automated testing is a sensible way forward, although not without its own challenges.
Test Automation in Mission-critical Industries
When automating PLM testing in mission-critical industries like aerospace, defense, energy and automotive, one of the biggest challenges is ensuring a complete, end-to-end test case. This is especially true when part of each system is based on the client and another part is based on the web.
On top of this, test automation must be efficient, improve ROI, and provide a good user experience. It is essential automation tools can also integrate with DevOps and CI/CD tools.
So there is a lot to consider in the transition from manual testing to automated testing, but front and centre is the ability to test every application integrated with the PLM – computer-aided design (CAD), manufacturing execution systems (MES), and enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications – so there is a fully automated and efficient end-to-end test, whether that is from one interface to another, or from front end to back end.
Automate Testing from a User’s Point of View
One of the ways Keysight Eggplant ensures this full end-to-end test automation is by using computer vision technology. Optical character and image recognition allow you to fully automate testing from a user’s point of view.
This testing can be automated without any reference to the code of the application under test. Eggplant is able to recognise text and images in any location on the screen, just as a user would.
Rapid set-up with low code, natural language
It is relatively quick to set up a test, as low code, natural language is used. Keywords include terms like click, double click, scroll up, scroll down, type text, drag and drop. This ease of use makes the tool quick to learn, with language that is easy to understand and master. Maintenance time is reduced as a result.
As well as being able to read in much the same way as a human tester, Eggplant can compare documents and identify missing elements or errors, and also compare information between one environment and another, for example comparing a PDF file with the same information on a web application.
Using computer vision for UI testing
With Eggplant, image recognition and text recognition can be used to test UI elements and visual outcomes at higher abstraction levels than with other tools. The test can specify that a certain UI element must be present at a specified location for the test to be successful. This makes the automated tests less brittle against UI changes and makes maintenance easier.
When testing identifies issues, a dashboard shows test cases marked ‘passed’ or ‘failed’, and selecting failures will allow access to relevant screenshots Eggplant has taken.
In summary: driving efficiency and excellence
Shifting from manual to automated testing provides measurable ROI, and efficiencies are seen in these areas:
- Quick and easy scripting with low-code natural language,
- Low maintenance time,
- Test assets factorization and mutualization.
Digital Transformation in Aerospace, Defense, Energy and Automotive Industries
Since 2015, Keysight has partnered with Capgemini to promote digital transformation, with a focus on PLM and seamless digital workflows.
To learn more about how you can move from manual to automated PLM testing, watch our latest webinar, Harnessing Computer Vision to Automate PLM and CAD Testing.
Presented by Keysight Eggplant’s Thierry Zuzel and Technical PLM Architect from Keysight partner Capgemini Engineering, Vincent Henneuse, the webinar includes plenty of examples and screenshots for clarity on exactly how Keysight Eggplant can help increase efficiency and improve the end-user experience.