Top ERP Testing challenges faced by the Enterprises

 

 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) has become the cornerstone of achieving success in the competitive world of business today. An ERP software suite helps an organization to conduct its operations seamlessly by integrating the departments, branches, processes, and activities. The ERP software suite comprises multiple applications with the capability to collect, store, organize, and analyze data emanating from multiple processes and functions. It can be easily deployed on-premises or on-cloud depending on the business objectives. It can help organizations in optimizing costs, enhancing efficiency, better monitoring of resources, quicken decision making, and improving competitiveness.

However, not everything is hunky-dory with implementing an ERP software suite and may involve a few daunting challenges. The challenges can be attributed to poor management of the suite including inadequate training of the people using it. The people should have the expertise in conducting ERP testing to ascertain if the software suite is capable of meeting all business requirements. Further, testing ERP systems can bring out (and fix) the glitches or issues within the systems before they are deployed. Let us understand the main challenges testers face during ERP implementation.

Challenges for ERP application testing services

ERP can transform the manual operations of enterprises into digital and bring about transparency, speed, flexibility, accuracy, and convenience. However, any ERP software testing exercise can face a raft of challenges as:

Choosing the best ERP software suite: The market has many ERP systems with each claiming to be the best. This makes it difficult to choose one that suits your business requirements. So, at the outset of choosing an ERP software suite, find out the business requirements and how the ERP software could help addressing them. Further, the ERP software suite and its various applications should align with your business domain. Analyze the features of the suitable ERP software for your business and choose one with attributes like robustness, customizable, secure, and easy-to-operate.

Technical challenges: For proper ERP implementation, the entire system comprising software applications, databases, hardware, servers, network, and users should collaborate and work seamlessly. However, unless an enterprise is using a cloud-based ERP software suite, the hardware and servers may need to be changed. In addition, the speed and bandwidth of the internal network should be considered along with its interface with mobile devices. If these issues are ignored then there could be issues like latency or even system malfunction. Enterprises can weigh between implementing ‘as a service’ cloud-based or on-premises ERP systems for both can have their pros and cons.

Quality of data: The ERP implementation solutions can have compatibility issues with the data generated through legacy resource planning systems working within organizations. Thus, proper project planning should precede the implementation of any ERP centre of excellence. The planning would highlight the modifications the ERP system would need for its smooth functioning.

Adequate managerial support: An ERP software can trigger comprehensive changes in an enterprise’s traditional business model, practices, and operations. Also, the information keyed-in by one user in a process within the ERP suite may trigger an instant response in other processes in real-time thereby disrupting the entire ecosystem. And unless a change in the working culture of the organization is initiated from the top, the real benefits of implementing an ERP system may remain a distant dream.

Adequate training: The success of an ERP system would depend on the people using it. So, the employees should be adequately trained and motivated in operating the system. The ‘resistance to change’ among employees can be addressed by explaining the benefits of the system clearly. The managers may initiate ‘one-to-one’ communication in explaining how the system will make things easier and convenient for them. This will help employees to accept ERP validation for various operational aspects.

Inventory management: Zeroing on the perfect quantum of inventory can be tricky, for it could either be too less or too much for the organization’s requirements. So, it is important to consider the lead time wherein proper procurement of the inventory can be done in real-time instead of waiting until the inventory is exhausted in the warehouse. The ERP system can monitor the levels of inventory and let the management know once a shortage is noticed. For example, any shortfall in inventory should alter the status of sales by making it unavailable for any new requests.

Conclusion

Pulling off any ERP implementation and addressing the various challenges would entail detailed planning and monitoring. A proven approach to ERP testing including the conduct of due diligence is critical to streamline processes and achieve proper business outcomes. 

Article Original Source:

https://medium.com/@hemanthkumar989/what-are-the-main-challenges-faced-in-erp-testing-72e28ffc947a

How ERP Testing Services can help you get the most out of your ERP Applications

Today, businesses have to compete in an unforgiving environment. They need to execute a host of activities including meeting tight deadlines, responding to client or customer issues in real-time, addressing downtime, and delivering superior customer experiences, among others. This can be a tedious exercise given the multi-dimensional approach businesses take to run their day-to-day activities. To infuse agility and efficiency, businesses use ERP systems. These systems bring multiple departments and processes under an integrated umbrella and help stakeholders to get better insights from the available data.

The data-driven approach of an ERP system helps in better planning and optimization of available resources leading to cost savings. However, notwithstanding the advantages of implementing an ERP system, businesses often face several challenges. These include gathering requirements, removal of redundant data, migration of assets, rationalization of processes, and change management, among others. ERP testing helps in addressing such challenges and allows businesses to preempt any malfunction.

What is an ERP system?

An Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system helps an organization to integrate and control its core processes such as finance, HR, sales and marketing, administration, manufacturing, and so on. It enables the seamless flow of data and information within the system and sub-systems. An ERP system helps organizations in doing way with repetitive manual work and generates relevant data in real-time for the stakeholders to take suitable decisions. It is only through a rigorous ERP software testing exercise that various processes and their deliverables are validated as per the expected parameters.

Various types of ERP testing services

To ensure the ERP system remains stable, functional, secure, and scalable, a crucial role is played by ERP quality assurance and testing. Some of the commonly used ERP testing processes are:

# Performance testing: This type of ERP QA tests whether the performance of the system is as per expected parameters or not. It identifies the threshold up to which the software can perform in a robust manner. For example, during certain days in a year, the load on the ERP system can be immense. These may include processing payslips for all employees, the last date of submission of investment declarations, and the issuance of hike letters, among others. Unless performance testing is carried out, the functioning of the system when subjected to load conditions cannot be ascertained.

# Functional testing: This type of ERP software testing validates the functioning of each module within the ERP system as per the expectations.

# Security testing: The ERP system deals with a quantum of sensitive business, customer, and client-related data. If such data fall into the wrong hands, the implications can be dire. Moreover, given the rising menace of cybercrime where hackers use several tricks to steal data, an enterprise resource planning testing activity with respect to security can work wonders. It can identify the inherent vulnerabilities, fix them, and make the software robust, secure, and safe.  

# Integration testing: The flow of data across various modules of the ERP system can only be seamless if proper integration has taken place. This can be validated using integration testing wherein both the accuracy of data and functioning of modules are tested.

# Regression testing: Whenever a new feature or module in the ERP system is launched, the same is validated through regression testing. In this type of automated ERP testing, the entire software is not checked but only the specific function, module, feature, or process that has changed.

Best practices to follow to test ERP implementation solutions

·       Proper test planning to be done by collating relevant information of every touchpoint of the organization. This helps in achieving enhanced test coverage.

·       Goal setting to be done in advance to understand the type of testing needed for each module or function. It will also give insights into the team structure, test plans, and resources needed for the test.

·       The test cases for various tests should be identified beforehand to ensure better test coverage. Further, the entire testing process and its results should be documented for further analysis.

·       A proper test lab configured with necessary specifications will help to address any performance issues during testing.

·       The failure reports should be analyzed to understand the kind of defects the ERP system can face during real-time operations.

Conclusion

ERP systems have become the need of the hour for organizations, be it small, medium, or large, to streamline processes, deliver better output, and achieve ROI. However, without proper ERP testing of various modules, achieving the desired objectives can remain a pipedream.

The right approach for testing the ERP applications

Enterprises are realizing the need to leverage the SMAC (Social, Mobile, Analytics, and Cloud) model to accelerate growth. However, overhauling core processes administered by legacy ERP applications is equally critical. ERP applications help enterprises manage various functions, departments, and processes, including the data generated therein.

These applications help enterprises to run as one single unit and, in the process, generate outcomes such as improved productivity, better efficiency, reduced waste, enhanced customer experience, and increased ROI. In view of the criticality of ERP applications for organizations, they should be tested and validated. Testing ERP applications can ensure the smooth functioning of multiple tasks within organizations. These may include tracking inventory and customer transactions, managing finances and human resources, among many others.

Why is ERP software testing needed?

ERP software is cost-intensive and requires a lot of investment in time and effort. Every ERP software comes with multiple versions and requires customization to suit specific business requisites. Moreover, since every element in the application is connected to some other module, upgrading them can be a challenging task. For example, creating a sales order would need access to the inventory management module. If any of the modules does not function to its optimum, the entire ERP application may be impacted. This can have a cascading effect on the performance of the company as well as create bad customer experiences. Hence, testing ERP applications shall ensure the correct implementation of the software and prevent crashes.

ERP software testing, besides checking the software’s functionalities, should ensure the generation of reports and forms accurately. By identifying and removing bugs during the testing phase, testers can avoid facing post-implementation blues. Moreover, it can lead to an early adoption of software and ensure its smooth running. ERP application testing services validate business processes, functions, and the rules governing them. They help reduce operational risks within the constraints of available resources and time.

Approaching the testing of ERP applications

It is imperative for enterprises to set up a robust testing strategy. The strategy should prioritize the testing of processes depending on the short and long-term goals.

Setting up KPIs: At the outset, testers should setup the KPIs or performance metrics and evaluate how they will impact the overall organizational goal as well as departmental objectives. Thus, establishing the KPIs will help derive the right ROI for the organization.

All-encompassing: ERP implementation for a large organization with many departments and processes can be a complex and challenging job. However, it is important that all stakeholders are taken into confidence and involved in the process. The process also includes making the necessary investment in training. When everyone is involved in ERP implementation, there is more cohesiveness in the administration of the software.

Data migration: An organization can plan its strategic moves if it can make use of its data emanating from various processes over a period of time. To ensure real data is not lost or distorted in any way during ERP validation and testing, its proper migration process should be planned beforehand.

Selecting the right automation tools: As ERP software can have myriad variables interfacing with various processes, they need to be validated. This requires choosing the right test automation tools - open-source or premium ones. Automated ERP testing can validate a large number of variables for various processes against expected outcomes. The right automation tool will help testers to write and execute test cases.

Identifying test cases: Since it is not possible to test every sinew of an ERP application, proper test cases should be written to ensure the maximum test coverage. Thus, testers should identify the test cases for each test and document them as well. Also, since ERP processes are linked to each other, and even to third-party applications or modules, they should undergo automated ERP testing.

Conducting performance, regression, and security tests: As an ERP system helps to run the operations of an enterprise as a single unit, it should run some critical tests. These include regression, performance, integration, security, and usability tests. This way the enterprise can ensure continuous monitoring of the system, save time and cost, and prevent any sudden downtime or latency.

Proper documentation: Post testing of components in the ERP system, the documented glitches ought to be analyzed to preempt any failure in a real environment. Moreover, the reports can be used for future reference.

Conclusion

To sustain in the competitive business environment of today, businesses need to take digital initiatives such as implementing an ERP solution. However, to ensure the successful running of such a solution and derive benefits out of it, enterprises should carry out ERP testing. The approach for such a testing should involve automation and carrying out various types of testing.