Robotic process automation – the real thing

Everyone is going crazy about RPA. But what is RPA?

Robotic process automation

So, what do people expect of RPA? A robot? In the true sense of the word?

Yes, of course, most people would expect a real robot, but, that is not what is being offered. Rather, what is delivered is another program layer with a little of ‘seemingly AI capability’ referred to as a robot, or bot.

Why would you want to do something through introduction of an additional front-end layer, if the true and more effective solution lies with the back-end being programmed to automatically complete the process without human intervention?

We have had this capability for many years, most systems being designed to require human intervention only from time to time for exception handling.

This new wave of RPA aims to take processes designed for human intervention and write another piece of software on top of this, driving hard towards what may become a cumbersome and risk fraught additional layer responding to the UI.

So where is the real place for RPA? It should not be deployed as a general rule, but rather focused on applications where the original design of a legacy system, for example, is not broken or flawed, but requires extreme intervention as systems around it upgrade beyond its capabilities.

RPA should be viewed not as a general tonic and cure-all, but as a sticking plaster to be considered conservatively for use only when truly appropriate.

We would like to introduce, then, a real robot, in the electro-mechanical definition, to perform tasks in the physical world of manual testing, which until now have required continuous human intervention.

In this sphere of testing, RPA can make a big difference, testing not only the application layer, which has traditionally been achieved through scripting, but now combining with the physical elements of the tests.

We can perform an endless repetitive sequence, reliably and without pause, swipe a credit card, loyalty card, punch in a pin number, tap and go, insert a credit card into a point of sale device, operate a smartphone, an iPad and any combination of these, and more, to fully simulate any human interaction.

This, then, is true RPA.

With all the hype around RPA then, we’d like to share our solution for robotic process automation – the real thing.

This solution enables a complete, robust end-to-end automated test process, integrating the hardware with existing software automation for testing:

• POS devices
• ATMs
• Smartphones and other devices

A large retail organisation had been encountering delays on its release schedule as manual testing simply could not maintain the pace or deliver the breadth of coverage to meet deadlines.

In an ideal world:

The ideal solution would seek to improve on current standards, aiding the implementation of multifunctional, highly adaptable, reliable, repeatable and true end-to-end testing.

Such a solution would enable increased test coverage, improved reliability, faster turnaround, as well as liberation of analysts for higher value tasks, eg, manual testers could be upskilled to add much more value in a much more satisfying role as a test automation scripter, test manager, business analyst, etc.

Until now:

Manual testing processes have either delayed the application release schedule, or compromised on coverage, while end-to-end testing has been forced to include manual card/device testing or synthetic emulations, which often need further complication of workarounds to cater for multi-factor authentication.

Studies have shown that typically much less than 20% of endpoints, devices and transactions are regularly, actively tested, and while testing for success is one side of the coin, it is also valuable to test for failures, so increased test performance further improves coverage.

Innovative solution:

Our solutions and services provide the technology and processes to automate your testing, shorten test cycles, reduce time-to-market, improve staff efficiency, confirm your quality, run tests 24/7 – enabling the introduction of new features and devices easily and at pace.

Solution description:

An industrial grade robot provides accuracy, longevity, reliability and adaptability. Enclosed in a safe work zone for user protection, with UPS protected control electronics, it has been designed for flexible functionality as well as maintenance accessibility.

We have created a simple-to-use command protocol enabling rapid integration to test platform software such as Micro Focus UFT, Selenium framework, and others, to enable true ‘real world’ end-to-end testing.

This solution currently handles (but is not limited to) cards, smartphones and point of sale devices, and includes actions such as insert, swipe, tap-and-go, QR codes, press button pin-entry and touch screen entry.

This solution introduces a flexible design ‘chassis’ and effectively future-proofs the investment, as all parts and processes can be upgraded/adapted/replaced as necessary to maintain relevance and service capability.

The design process and capabilities result in the ability to apply this technology equally well in anything from card transaction testing to the testing of ATMs and other largely manual tasks.

A detailed breakdown is available on request, please e-mail or call.

Call-out ‘side’ boxes (if option exists)

Robotic precision

• Accurate
• Reliable
• Repeatable

Reduce risk

• Increased test coverage
• Improved reliability
• Faster turnaround