ERP testing is important to ensure an application meets client requirements. Depending on the kind of development methodology we are implementing, ERP testing can be done throughout the development process, or it can be done before the system release.

Either way, testing an ERP application before it goes live is crucial and, in this blog, we will explore more about ERP testing, its types, see how we can implement testing strategies, and see challenges in testing an ERP system.

What is ERP Testing?

ERP stands for Enterprise Resource Planning — it is a system that helps businesses manage their resources and handle operations.

Naturally, implementing an ERP system for any business is a huge task, which requires tons of time and effort. So, testing an ERP system becomes crucial as there are multiple ways that the system can fail.

Since ERP systems are complex and integrate various business functions and processes, testing is an important step in the implementation, migration, or upgradation of an ERP system.

Normally, testing an ERP system can include functional testing, performance testing, security testing, and integration testing, among others.

The goal of testing an ERP system is to identify and fix any issues or bugs before the system is rolled out to users. In addition to this,  testing an ERP system also proactively helps decrease the budget and mitigates other problems from cropping up.

Types of ERP Testing

ERP systems are tailor made for specific business needs. Therefore, a QA needs to perform various types of testing to judge different aspects of the system.

Functional Tests

Functional Tests cover the basic requirements of an ERP system i.e., it verifies whether the feature, module, or component of an ERP system functions as expected or not.

Since all aspects of an ERP system need to meet business requirements, it is important for a QA engineer to cover all the functional test scenarios to ensure that a software’s core functionality is good.

Non-Functional Tests

Often, certain aspects of software do not fall under the purview of being functional, but they are important. Things like user experience, loading times, and user interface need to be tested before shipping a system.

Integration Tests

An ERP system has multiple modules. Each module needs to be tested separately before combining them into one module and doing an integration test.

An integration test checks whether the ERP system seamlessly integrates with other necessary business software and systems or not. It also ensures that individual modules within the ERP communicate with one another.

Integration testing includes data flow verification and confirming all the underlying ERP system flow works.

Regression Tests

In regression testing, we test an ERP system in full after each new feature is added to the system build.

So, Regression Tests are performed to see whether the updates or changes have caused new defects in the existing functions or not.

Miscellaneous Tests

There are plenty of other tests that QA engineers perform when testing an ERP system. While a lot of them may not always be necessary, they are definitely good to have.

Some of these tests include Smoke test, data handling tests, migration tests, etc.

ERP Testing Strategies

While there isn’t one master strategy to test an ERP system, you can follow a rough roadmap. Here’s the rundown:

Test Planning

Before you start testing an ERP system, plan your tests in advance and define objectives, scope, and resource requirement. This is the stage where you should look for people in your team who specialize in ERPs, so the testing process is smooth.

Tools and Resources

To test an ERP system, you might use different types of tools. So, depending on your criteria, budget, and requirements, get the appropriate tools for your QA resource. You may also need to work with external consultants to determine the right tool fit and then implement it.

Environment Setup

After you have gathered your resources, you now need to setup a separate testing environment to ensure that testing the ERP system doesn’t impact its development (which is done in the production environment).

In this phase, you may also need to create test data that reflects the kind of data that will be present in the final version of the system.

Test Automation

A lot of QA engineers are now opting to automate test cases that turn tasks that seem like chores into fun. So, building a robust test automation strategy is vital for your ERP systems.

Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

Testing an ERP system needs continuous improvement as you progress further through the testing process. Finally, you need to decide on metrics that you want to improve and communicate ideas with your teams.

Challenges in ERP Testing

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems are comprehensive because they present unique testing challenges.

Here are some key obstacles encountered while testing an ERP system:

Defining the Scope

ERP systems consist of a wide range of functionalities across business departments. So, defining a clear testing scope that covers every possible scenario while remaining efficient at the same time is crucial.

Managing Test Data

Testing an ERP system necessitates high-quality, realistic test data that reflects actual business scenarios. Generating and managing this volume of data across numerous modules can be a complex task.

Integration Testing

ERP systems integrate seamlessly with existing applications. But testing these integrations to ensure smooth data flow and functionality across disparate systems requires meticulous planning and execution.

Constraints of Resource

Testing an ERP system often demands specialized skills and domain expertise across multiple business processes. Assembling a qualified testing team with the necessary breadth of knowledge can be challenging.

Defect Tracking and Reporting

Effectively tracking and reporting defects identified during testing is crucial. ERP systems, with their intricate functionalities, need a robust system for managing and prioritizing these issues for efficient resolution.

Learn how you can partner with Qniverse to solve your ERP challenges.

Final Words

In simpler terms, testing an ERP system is like giving it a thorough check-up before it goes live so problems can be avoided preemptively.

There are different ways to test these ERP systems, like checking if features work right and if everything runs smoothly together.

And while there’s no magic recipe to create the perfect ERP system, planning, using the right tools, and automating tests can make things easier.

Just like with any checkup, there can be a few bumps along the road, like figuring out what exactly to test or making sure you have the right data to test a feature.

But when you tackle these challenges, your ERP system will run like a well-oiled machine.