For organizations leveraging SAP software, efficient test automation is crucial to ensuring smooth system updates, integrations, and performance. SAP offers multiple test automation solutions, and selecting the right one depends on your system landscape, testing requirements, and future roadmap.

Many SAP customers are already familiar with SAP Enterprise Continuous Testing (ECT), also known as Tricentis Tosca. This powerful test automation tool has been a leading solution in the market for years and is widely recognized within the test automation community. It integrates seamlessly with SAP Solution Manager, and there is also a lite version available—Tricentis Test Automation (TTA) integrated with SAP Solution Manager—which is free for customers with Enterprise Support agreements.

The below picture nicely depicts different product options and some high-level limitations.

Introduction to SAP’s Cloud-Based Test Automation Tools

More recently, SAP, in partnership with Tricentis, introduced a cloud-based test automation offering: Tricentis Test Automation (TTA) integrated with SAP Cloud ALM. Often informally referred to as Tosca Cloud, this solution provides robust test automation capabilities at no cost for customers with Enterprise Support agreements. Additionally, it appears to be available for customers with Preferred Success and potentially all users of SAP Cloud ALM, though confirmation from SAP is recommended.

SAP Cloud ALM itself is a powerful tool that many customers are unaware they can access for free if they have any SAP Cloud product. We strongly recommend checking with your SAP Account Executive regarding your eligibility.

In 2024, SAP introduced a paid cloud test automation solution, SAP Test Automation by Tricentis (STA).

Comparing SAP’s Test Automation Options

Customers frequently ask us which tool we recommend—should they choose SAP ECT (Tosca) for on-premise environments or opt for SAP STA (Cloud Tosca) integrated with SAP Cloud ALM? Or should they consider the free alternatives like TTA?

The answer depends on several factors:

• System Landscape: If your environment is predominantly cloud-based with web UIs, and you plan to leverage SAP Cloud ALM, then SAP STA or TTA with Cloud ALM is a logical choice.
  
• SAP GUI vs. Web-Based Automation: Previously, SAP’s cloud automation tools could only support SAP Fiori. However, recent updates have introduced native SAP GUI automation, significantly expanding their capabilities.
• Non-SAP & Non-Web-Based Testing: If your testing needs extend beyond SAP applications and web-based interfaces, then SAP ECT (Tricentis Tosca) is the more suitable option.
• S/4HANA Public Cloud Customers: If you are running SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud, another alternative is the S/4HANA Cloud Test Automation Tool. While currently limited in functionality, it integrates well with Post-Upgrade Tests, making it useful for core process validation. However, its inability to test Side-by-Side extensions restricts its overall flexibility.

Making the Right Choice

To decide on the best automation tool, it is crucial to evaluate your testing scope and application landscape. If you are heavily invested in SAP Cloud solutions, STA or TTA with SAP Cloud ALM is the optimal solution. If your organization requires a more extensive test coverage across SAP and non-SAP applications, then SAP ECT (Tricentis Tosca) is the better investment.

As SAP and Tricentis continue enhancing their solutions, cloud-based test automation tools are rapidly evolving. If you are considering your test automation strategy, reach out to our team for expert guidance tailored to your business needs.