What is Robotic Process Automation?

     One of my friends asked me if Selenium automation training will be beneficial. My response was affirmative with some more additional information on the RPA. He was initially confused but then asked me – “What is Robotic Process Automation?”

I like to talk and write about changing world around me in IT.  One of the changes in recent time is “Robotic Process Automation”.

We have many mundane tasks in Development, IT Support and Business Process. These tasks are repetitive in nature and always follow fixed logic or set of rules. If we decide to automate these tasks using simple automation tools like selenium for web applications or Winium for desktop applications and integrate the automation scripts to appear it as a single process then the outcome is the process flow. In other words, we simply imitate the human steps from start to end in our automation scripts.

So here, we need to create a workflow, UI to show the results and automation scripts to perform tasks on presentation layer of each application in scope.  

This is increasing need of businesses now to reduce the cost of overall processing information through outsource or in house processing desks.

 Why we need “Robotic Process Automation”-

1.       Robotic process automation is preferred to avoid human errors in repetitive tasks

2.       Automated process is always consistent and accurate

3.       Simplify the complex flow and use the expertise in more complex area of work

4.       Utilize the automated process during off working hours when the Systems are more available

5.       No monitoring is required. Audit trail can be used for compliance and audit purpose

6.       Reducing large unmanageable teams to small manageable expert

Opportunities –

1.       Consultant – Helps the organisation to automate the processes by providing process mapping

2.       Robotics Architect – Understand the technology landscape and provide the solution fit for the purpose

3.       Managers- Manage the process and have a bigger picture of the organisation

4.       Maintenance Engineers – Co-ordinates with technical teams to maintain the Robots

Tools –Many RPA tools are available to learn the “Robotic Process Automation”.

Happy Learning – “Robotic Process Automation”

How to test Machine Learning Systems?

I was working on analytical project in Healthcare some time back and heard a term used in development for data analysis – Descriptive analysis and Predictive Analysis. I asked one of my directors and he explained it in simple words which helped me to understand the basics. 

Descriptive analysis is summary of a given data set and Predictive analysis is predicting future events with the help of current data set. I was thrilled and wanted to work on predictive analysis.

Today, we implement predictive analysis using many things like data mining, statistics, machine learning etc. So this post takes us through what Machine Learning is, and more important how to test Machine Learning Systems.

Let’s see, how we do the testing in general. In case of functional testing and black box testing, we first understand the requirements. Then we create test scenarios at high level including positive and negative. We write test scripts with test steps to perform some actions. We create test data to support execution of scripted test steps. Very simple. So here we know what the expected result is? Hence in our test steps we have validation steps to check if the expected result is achieved. Can we test something where we don’t have set of expected results, answer is NO.

Now what changes here, in machine learning systems; is, we provide the lessons to the systems to perform certain actions based on the lessons. So machines will learn the lessons and perform actions based on the learning from previous run. Each time we execute; different results are expected. Now we need to test, is it performing as expected? Is it learning from its previous run?

Here, we need to understand the algorithm and mathematical formula used by the system to generate results. The testing will be based on the algorithm and not on the straight forward expected results. Each time we may get different results or incorrect results.

Following are the few pointers, testers need to remember –

1.       Understand the architecture and algorithm using mathematical coefficient to find out the working of the system, expectation is to provide the inputs after testing to modify the algorithm if required

2.       Align with business on the acceptance criteria. The results will have acceptable number of failures which business should be aligned

3.       Always create new test data and don’t use the same test data. If test data repeated, the execution will not produce the likely results. If possible automate test data generation to keep the good number of test data ready.

4.       Do not use results as it is in any of the communication, provide in depth analysis of the results. No one is expecting all pass results from the communication but more analysis on the behaviour of the system.

In upcoming posts, we will explore more on the machine learning open source tools. Stay tuned. Happy Machine Learning!!

How to test EDI transactions?

One of my friends asked me about the EDI transactions, so I thought of writing on testing EDI transactions-

What is EDI?

Electronic data interchange (EDI) is the computer-to-computer exchange of business documents between business entities. Instead of sending documents by fax or email, EDI is simple and digital way of communication.

EDI documents use specific record formats that are based on widely accepted standards. However, each company will use EDI in different ways to fit the business needs.

EDI is used in many different industries to improve efficiency. Computer based information exchange is less expensive than faxing or mailing paper documents. The processing cost and processing time is less in case of EDI.

Trading partners are the business partners who are involved in the transactions like generating purchase order, sending purchase order etc. In healthcare industry, healthcare providers are trading partners.

For successful implementation of EDI, trading partners should agree to the company about the specific formats under EDI and should implement the same. This is called EDI complaint trading partners.

EDI standards are as follows-

                                   1.    ANSI ASC X12

                                   2.    EANCOM

                                   3.    UN/EDIFACT

                                   4.    HIPAA

                                   5.    ODETTE

                                   6.    RosettaNet

                                   7.    SWIFT

                                   8.    Tradacoms

                                   9.    VDA

                                  10.  VICS



Here, we will go through ANSI ASC X12 EDI Documents-



X12 is a messaging standard developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI).

An X12 EDI document contains the following mandatory segments:

ISA Segment – Starting Segment

GS Segment – Starting Segment

ST Segment – Starting Segment

SE Segment – Corresponding ending segment of ST

GE Segment – Corresponding ending segment of GS

IEA Segment – Corresponding ending segment of ISA



Enveloping structure –



ISA

            GS

                        ST

                        SE

            GE

ISE

Within file any of the loops Starting and Ending segment can be repeated. Within ST-SE the transaction data elements are available. E.g. Invoice number / claim amount etc.

Transaction types like claim, remittance, Enquiry etc are denoted by transaction numbers and available in the implementation guide.

How to test –

The key of testing EDI transaction is to prepare test data. As shown above, we need to create test files with correct structure. These are nothing but a text files and easy to handle. Once the required files are created then process them through the system build by developers and validate the results. In general, request is sent as a file the response is created as a file. In testing, we check the response file structure if it is correct, if any data is missing etc.

Usually this testing is test data intensive and hence creating test files for all different scenarios is critical.

For more information on latest news on X12 visit the following link-

http://www.x12.org/examples/

Next Generation Automation - Bots

I was sitting in my room and watching TV, I saw advertisement where the actor said "Alexa, reorder flour". I jumped out of chair and just said - "New Generation Automation has arrived, and this time in our day to day lives".

This not only changed my mind but changed my search and blog for this month. I checked Amazon- Alexa, Apple- Siri ,Windows- Cortana and Google - ; these all are personal assistants to provide the requested information.

Aha.... I have decided to write something on "ChatBots with IBM Watson"

Lets create simple ChatBot with Watson. We need to create IBM - Bluemix account. This is free 30 days trial. The account creation is very simple.
Enter your email, Name, password and location and submit. From email box activate the account and login.

Once logged in, it will ask to create an organisation and space. Click on "I am Ready"

1. Click on "Services"
2. Click on  "Watson"
3. Click on "Conversation"
4. Click on "Create"
5. Click on "Launch Tool"
6. Here we can create our own work space - click on Create button
7. Create Intents now - Click on "Create" (Intent is nothing but the #<<servicename>> e.g. #sales)
8. Add Intent name and examples
9. Create Dialog and we are ready

Now click on "Ask Watson". That's it we are ready with our first ChatBot, its very simple, isn't it?

You can visit for more details-

https://www.ibm.com/blogs/watson/2016/12/build-chat-bot/

Let start new journey of Bots!!

Open Source Automation tool - SAHI

Hi Friends,
Thank you for visiting my blog. Today, lets see another open source tool -SAHI.

 SAHI is a web automation tool which is easy to use and helpful for cross browser as well as multi browser testing. SAHI works with any installed browser which supports JAVA scripts. It helps automating web applications which have AJAX and Dynamic web elements.

SAHI has a dashboard i.e. friendly user interface to Select available browsers and links to various operations. SAHI controller is useful for record and play back. It uses SAHI, JAVA or Ruby for the same.

The idea of SAHI is to inject JAVA script into webpages and create event handlers. SAHI uses own wrappers to identify elements in DOM.

SAHI helps creating functions from the recorded script with just a click on the button. Creating library files for our automating test becomes easier.SAHI scripts can be executed on one browser, multiple browser or even on distributed machines. The most interesting part of execution is parallel run of the automated scripts. This feature makes it far more advance to test multiple scripts at the same time.

This tool automatically adds wait for AJAX and dynamic controls so that the script will work smoothly. SAHI Pro also works with FLEX controls on the web pages. Screenshot capture is an inbuilt feature of tool hence no need to write a single line of code.  Also, it provides all types of reports in form of Excel and HTML. Email feature can be used to send out reports after each execution.

SAHI provides ANT script which we can add to deploy and can integrate with JENKINS like CI tools. This integration is simple.

SAHI OS is free for lifetime, however SAHI Pro is free for one month only. SAHI Pro costs $695.

The installation and setup is simple. Please find a free demo and check the tool on the following links -

https://sahipro.com/docs/using-sahi/quick-tutorial.html
http://sahipro.com/request-a-demo/ 

Selenium for Desktop Application - Winium

Wish you all Happy New Year 2017. This year, I am planning to bring more tools, techniques and frameworks for all my readers.

I have few requests around the Windows based application automation which will be as simple as Web based automation using Selenium. Hence I thought of writing this post on "Winium" which is  "Selenium for Desktop Application - Winium"

Winium is simply Selenium Remote WebDriver  implementation for testing Windows based application. Winium can be useful for Windows based application based on WinForms and WPF platforms. We need other drivers as well if the Application under test is Silverlight application. However the control positions can be the best option for some of the tricky applications.

So when we are working on the complex applications pool under test and do not want license tools to complete the test automation requirement for Windows, Web and Mobile then we can consider Selenium for all in different forms. Hence for Windows - Winium, Web - Selenium WebDriver and for Mobile Appium.

As Selenium supports Java, C#, PHP, Ruby, Python like languages, Winium also supports. As we have seen that Winium desktop driver implements Selenium Remote WebDriver and listens for JsonWireProtocol and use Winium Cruciatus, Winium Cruciatus is a C# framework for WinForms and WPF Platforms.

Now, we have option to use core C# framework using Winium.Cruciatus or Selenium WebDriver remote using Winium.Desktop. Here the difference is the prior helps to write a code in C# using System.Windows.Automation namespace and the later helps to write the automation script in Selenium supported languages.

As WebDriver implementation is simple, lets talk about core C# implementation using Winium. Cruciatus wrapper on the System.Windows.Automation namespace.  First we need to add the reference to the project and then we need to create the mapping. Once the mapping  is created use the mapping in tests. Its simple.

Please refer example here -
https://github.com/2gis/Winium.Cruciatus/tree/master/src/TestApplications.Tests

Happy Automating Desktop Applications!