Robotic Process Automation Vs Traditional Test Automation

We must all heard a lot regarding both Robotic Process Automation and Test Automation. But they are often misunderstood for several cases by many of us. So, it is like they quite distinct, or are they related? Let us learn in this article.

In my opinion, both can correlate with its service offerings around automation. Both of those can support to overcome manual interference and enhance the quality of the result. However, the scope of use and method for both the processes differ hugely.

What is Robotic Process Automation?

Wikipedia defines Rpa as a form of business process automation technology based on metaphorical software robots.

So, RPA communicates with existing IT infrastructure with the guidance of AI and ML capabilities to automate high volume, data-intensive, and repetitive work. RPA's chief value proposition is to ease the employees from doing traditional, highly repetitive, data-intensive tasks, thereby liberating them to achieve more performances. It can be programmed to simulate user actions like communicating emails, scanning email attachments, accessing legacy applications, copying and pasting data among applications, performing data validation, and processing manageable rules. These features provide advantages to the business process by overcoming human error and producing more competences.

RPA needs less coding, which results in an accelerated time-to-market. The automation of business processes can provide consistent results, reduction in human error, and a decrease in cost. RPA extends the total quantity of workload it can process. Overall, teams can be unlocked to work on value-added tasks.

Comparison Between Robotic Process Automation and Traditional Test Automation

• RPA tools are assumed to achieve automation of traditional business chores. Traditional test automation tools are committed to validating whether an application is functioning as per the proffered specs.
• RPA solutions do achieve quickly in the production environment. Traditional automation solutions have to be encouraged across various environments like QA, UAT, Production.
• RPA is a form of automation that adheres to the front-end of your system and communicates tasks without ought to move to the back-end. On the other hand, with traditional automation, you can build a machine to do any task, any step of the operational process.
• RPA can automate a product as well as a service. Traditional automation can automate a product only.
• RPA can perform quickly. Traditional automation takes several months.
• RPA doesn't require application integration. Instead, RPA uses the graphical user interface to perform its tasks across multiple systems. Traditional test automation requires application integration to perform its tasks.
• RPA supports a wide array of software environments. Traditional test automation supports a limited software environment.
• RPA acts as a virtual workforce. Traditional test automation acts as a virtual assistant.

Now the question that arises is, how RPA can help to build businesses? The companies must evaluate the chances for business growth and strategically expand their workforce to achieve business goals.

New functions, New actions, and New prospects are the advantages of RPA.

Conclusion

RPA and traditional test automation can be competent in encouraging each other's tasks. They can operate in relevant situations, but the approaches are different.

There are many test automation tools but, RPA especially has chosen for its smooth life cycle and convenient versatility. The foremost shortage of test automation tools, all have developed for a particular product or application model. But, RPA can be executed to processes and can be customized based on the need, so they are not confined. The User Acceptance Test can be more authentic and productive with the engagement of RPA. So, RPA can recognize as an innovative, compelling tool for software testing.

The differences are essential, but, both methods if implemented together, will perform spectacle business modules and reliability. RPA and test automation both will exist as a powerful technology to improve the QA of software.

Hey, I am Roberto Romello, Senior Test Manager working with Testree, an independent testing division of Nous Infosystems. I have a blended experience in manual and automation in the software testing industry.