FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENT RULES, 2003
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See Section 10 and Rule 13)
Title of invention:
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TESTING OF ENTERPRISE RESOURCE PLANNING (ERP) APPLICATIONS
Applicant
TATA Consultancy Services Limited
A company Incorporated in India under The Companies Act, 1956
Having address:
Nirmal Building, 9th Floor,
Nariman Point, Mumbai 400021,
Maharashtra, India
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates generally to testing of ERP applications, and more particularly to method for an accelerated functional testing of business processes across enterprise resource planning (ERP packages) applications using private cloud services with enhanced security provisions to allow access, download and deployment of reusable test cases in a test management tool.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
An Enterprise Resource Planning system is an integrated computer based application used to manage internal and external resources, including tangible assets, financial resources, material and human resources in an organization. Some of the known Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions available in market are: SAP, Oracle EBS, PeopleSoft, Sales force and Siebel etc. ERP applications ease the flow of information between all business functions inside the boundaries of the organization
ERP functional testing is a procedure that occurs before an organization fully implements an ERP software package and the ERP goes live or when there are changes or upgradation of an ERP application. Conventionally, the normal ways of ERP functional testing would involve understanding the requirements followed by creation of test scenarios and creation of manual test cases from initial across ERP applications. Since ERP implementation, releases and upgrades are always tightly scheduled, limitations of this process would involve high test design effort thus leaving a reduced test execution time which sometimes results in compromising quality of deliverables. This also involves an increased number of ERP functional consultants in the test design phase. On an average about 40% of the total application lifecycle is devoted to testing, 15-20% of it in test design, a statistics which IT Managers always strive to streamline and meet schedules and deadlines without compromising on quality. Thus effective Test design is a single biggest contributor in ERP testing and a major contributor to efficiency of the entire process.
IT Managers always attempt to make the test design "lean and mean" to ensure aggressive and complete coverage in the ERP applications. However due to the high effort involved in test design, the coverage is sometimes compromised. The common limitations and challenges in the test design process for ERP testing include:

In ERP implementation/major releases, considerable effort required to analyze and create manual test cases from scratch covering all the required transactional codes and mapping them to scenarios. This results in high test creation effort. Test cases are kind of a reinventing wheel for every test project.
Attempts have been made to create reusable manual test packs for ERP applications; however these have their limitations and do not provide easy access and download. Hence result in a tedious exercise of manual transfer and analysis of the test packs and further upload to the test management tool.
Therefore, in light of the above-mentioned problems, it would be desirable to have:
a) High level of re-usability of functional test cases & test scenarios for enterprise solutions.
b) Easy access to an available repository of reusable test scenarios across ERP applications from customer site
c) Test cases can be directly deployed into any Test Management tool.
d) Reduce effort for test case preparation by at least 20-25%
e) Improve Test Coverage.
f) Enhanced security provisions in the functional test phase.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
The primary object of the invention is to provide a system and a method for accelerated testing of software, using a collection of reusable standard test scenarios and test cases in standard business processes across enterprise solutions.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a system and a method for reducing effort in creating test cases across enterprise resource planning (ERP) applications.

Further object of the invention is to provide a system and a method for providing the test cases in compatible format for uploading directly into leading test management tools.
Still further object of the invention make available the repository of all standard test scenarios and test cases in a secure format so that the user can select and choose the required test scenarios / test cases using GUI.
Still further object of the invention is relevant information that will be stored in a database and the focus will be to host it on a private cloud environment with security provisions to allow users to access and download the data as per their requirement.
Still further object of the invention is to have standard or vanilla reusable test cases (i.e. Out of the box ERP systems which are not customized) across ERP modules, thereby ensuring more test coverage and easy execution by testers.
Another object of the invention is to provide a system and a method for functional testing to ensure that all business features are tested in cases of ERP implementation, upgrade, rollout and maintenance, wherein the functional testing includes system and integration testing, regression testing and user acceptance testing and there is no customization to the ERP. Functional testing would be done by directly deploying the test cases.
Another object of the invention is to provide a method for functional testing to ensure that all business features are tested in cases of ERP implementation, upgrade, rollout and maintenance, wherein the functional testing includes system and integration testing, regression testing and user acceptance testing with customization to the ERPs. The reusable test cases would be customized after deployment.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method for accelerating test cases that can be directly deployed into test management tool.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a method comprising a repository with reusable test case for enterprise solutions (SAP, Oracle EBS, Peoplesoft, Salesforce, and Siebel).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The invention, disclosed herein is a system and a method for accelerated functional testing using private cloud services across a plurality of enterprise resource planning (ERP) modules, a plurality of sub modules and a plurality of business processes. Firstly a subset of the plurality of reusable test cases is mapped to form a subset of plurality of reusable test scenarios. The subset of the plurality of reusable test cases and the subset of the plurality of test scenarios is then maintained in a cloud based database for all ERP modules. Access to the database is provided by way of a graphical user interface for analysis and selection of the reusable test cases. The selected test cases can be downloaded in a particular format followed by deployment in any test management tool, wherein mapping, maintaining, providing, downloading, and deploying are implemented on a machine and performed by a processor.
In another aspect of the invention, the database will be hosted on a private cloud environment with security provisions to allow users to access and download the data as per their requirement.
In another aspect of the invention, the test scenarios are formed by aggregating a plurality of test cases that map to a business requirement.
In yet another aspect of the invention, the test cases are reusable for an ERP system that they are designed for.
In a further aspect of the invention, the cloud based database is located remotely thereby reducing infrastructure cost of local maintenance.
In another aspect of the invention, a method for accelerated functional testing using private cloud services of plurality of business test processes across enterprise solutions is disclosed. A plurality of test cases and a plurality of test scenarios are mapped to the

plurality of business requirements are identified. A repository having plurality of test cases and plurality of test scenarios is verified to identify common test cases and common test scenarios using private cloud services. Identified common test cases are downloaded using Graphical User Interface (GUI) followed by deployment in a test management tool.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a system for accelerated functional testing using private cloud services across a plurality of enterprise resource planning (ERP) modules, a plurality of sub modules and a plurality of business processes is disclosed. The system comprises a memory storing instructions and a processor coupled to the memory, executing the instructions to perform a plurality of functions. A subset of the plurality of reusable test cases is mapped to form a subset of plurality of reusable test scenarios. The subset of the plurality of reusable test cases and the subset of the plurality of test scenarios is stored in a cloud based database for all ERP modules. Access to the database by a graphical user interface for analysis and selection of the reusable test cases is provided followed that enables downloading of the selected test cases in a particular format wherein the selected test cases can be automatically deployed in any test management tool.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description of the present embodiments of the invention and are intended to provide an overview or framework for understanding the nature and character of the invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles and operation of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS:
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of the various embodiments of the invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 discloses an operational environment in which invention is performed. It illustrates a methodology employed in creation of an ERP module, a sub modules, a business process area wise test scenarios and test cases stored in a database and the focus will be to host it on a private cloud environment and access using GUI according to an embodiment in accordance with the principles of present invention.
Figs 2A-2C illustrate a GUI interface on a private cloud for selection of required test cases and test scenarios mapped to a business requirement and downloading/deployment to test management too! according to another embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION:
Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiment(s) of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
The words "comprising", "having", "containing", and "including", and other forms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be open ended in that an item or items following any one of these words is not meant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to be limited to only the listed item or items.
It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Although any systems, methods, apparatuses, and devices similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of embodiments of the present invention, the preferred, systems and parts are now described. In the following description for the purpose of explanation and understanding reference has been made to numerous embodiments for which the intent is not to limit the scope of the invention.
FIG. 1 discloses an operational environment in which present invention is performed according to an embodiment of the invention. It discloses creation of test cases, test scenarios across a plurality of ERP modules, a plurality of sub modules and a plurality of business processes for functional testing of ERP applications. The method discloses the ERP module, the sub module and the standard business processes are analyzed and

subsequently standard ERP test cases at a granular level are prepared that are mapped to form standard test scenarios. "Standard" here indicates test cases that can be executed in standard or vanilla ERP (i.e. Out of the box ERP systems which are not customized). A normal test case can be a standard test case to be executed on standard ERP or any test case to be executed on customized ERP.
In another embodiment, the package of reusable granular level test cases is predefined in a spreadsheet format. The spreadsheet format is such that it is mapped to any available external test management tool and can be uploaded directly into it. Each test case forms a single sheet in the spreadsheet. Multiple such test cases form a business scenario. One such spreadsheet generated by the system automatically forms one single business scenario. Each ERP systems has test scenarios. The test scenarios map to a business requirement. Within a scenario there are multiple test cases that are grouped automatically using underlying logic. Such test cases and test scenarios are reusable for the ERP system for which they are designed (for e.g. Test scenarios designed for SAP can be reused in SAP, they cannot be used for Oracle, Siebel, Peoplesoft, Salesforce: The same applies to all.)
In another embodiment of the invention, the spreadsheet so created is stored in a cloud based database and hosted it on a private cloud database with security provisions enabling users to securely access and download the data as per the requirement
In an exemplary embodiment, the repository storing standard test cases and standard test scenarios is maintained in private cloud database with GUIaccess provided to user for any ERP module including SAP, Oracle, Peoplesoft, Salesforce, Siebel etc. User access would be provided to the repository for complete view of the test cases for analysis and selection.
In another embodiment, the selected list can be downloaded in spreadsheet format and subsequently deployed to any test management tool. The present invention reduces the infrastructure cost of maintaining the repository locally and. versioning, easy monitoring to identify reusability as an ongoing process for releases and easy access to the repository from anywhere across the globe. Large number of test Scenarios and test cases across

different industries and modules of enterprise solutions can be made available in XLS version which can be ported into any existing test management tool.
In one embodiment of the invention, the functional testing is implemented during ERP implementation wherein the functional testing includes system and integration testing, regression testing and user acceptance testing and there is no customization to the ERP. Functional testing would be done by directly deploying the test cases.
BEST MODE/EXAMPLE FOR WORKING OF INVENTION
A method is illustrated by way of an example to disclose complete life cycle of creation of test cases. The method is not restricted to the said example only.
FIG. 2A-2C illustrate the complete cycle of creation of user access for selection of reusable test scenarios based on applicability from the remote database to deployment of the same to customer test management tool based on applicability for functional testing covering system testing and regression testing. The cycle starts with creation of user account. SAP platform is shown and access to database is restricted to administrator. In FIG. 2B, access levels are managed wherein user, module and sub module are chosen from a drop down list as Sample Admin, HCM, and a Sub-module, respectively. This is followed by a plurality of test scenarios based on a search query like SAP, HCM and Payroll. Such mode of working of an invention results in accelerated functional testing by reducing test design effort by 15-20% for customized ERPs and more than 50% for standard ERP deployment thus reducing the overall test deign effort and dependency on functional consultants. It also ensures more test coverage and easy execution by a tester. This also highlights easy access to available repository of reusable test scenarios across ERP applications using private cloud services through a GUI, thus reducing the effort of manual transfer and maintaining a repository at the customer site.
While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the particular features of this invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications can be made, and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. These and other modifications in the nature of the invention or the

preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

WE CLAIM:
1 .A computer implemented method for accelerated functional testing using private cloud environment across a plurality of enterprise resource planning (ERP) modules, a plurality of sub modules and a plurality of business processes, comprising:
Mapping a subset of the plurality of reusable test cases to form a subset of plurality of reusable test scenarios automatically;
Maintaining the subset of the plurality of reusable test cases and the subset of the plurality of test scenarios in cloud based database for an ERP module;
Providing access to the database by a graphical user interface for analysis and selection of the reusable test cases;
Enabling the download of the selected test cases in a particular format; and subsequent deployment of selected test cases in a test management tool for functional testing.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the database is hosted on a private cloud environment with security provisions to allow users to access and download of the data as per requirement.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the subset of the plurality of reusable test cases and the subset of the plurality of test scenarios refers to standard test cases and standard test scenarios, respectively.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, further test cases and test scenarios are
customizable.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1. wherein the test scenario formed by a plurality of test cases, maps to a business requirement.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the test case is reusable for ERP system they are designed for.

7. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cloud based database is located remotely.
8. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein aJ] ERP module is selected from a group comprising of SAP, Oracle EBS. Salesforce Peoplesoft, Siebel.
9. The method as claimed in claim ], wherein the selected test cases are defined in a spreadsheet format.
10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein each test case of the selected test cases forms a single sheet in the spreadsheet.
11. The method as claimed in claim 1. wherein the test cases are standardized in vanilla enterprise solutions reusable across different client environments.
12. A computer implemented method for accelerated functional testing using private cloud environment of plurality of business test processes across enterprise solutions, comprising:
Identifying a plurality of test cases and a plurality of test scenarios mapped to a plurality of business requirements;
Verifying a repository having plurality of test cases and plurality of test scenarios to identify common test cases and common test scenarios using cloud services;
Downloading identified common test cases using Graphical User Interface (GUI); and
Deploying the downloaded common test cases to a test management tool. wherein at least one of said identifying, verifying, downloading, and deploying is performed by a processor.

13. A system for accelerated functional testing using private cloud environment across a plurality of enterprise resource planning (ERP) modules, a plurality of sub modules and a plurality of business processes, the system comprising: A memory storing instructions;
A processor coupled to the memory, which executes programmed instructions for: Mapping a subset of the plurality of reusable test cases to form a subset of plurality of reusable test scenarios automatically;
Maintaining the subset of the plurality of reusable test cases and the subset of the plurality of test scenarios in a cloud based database for all ERP modules;
Providing access to the database by a graphical user interface for analysis and selection of the reusable test cases;
Downloading the selected test cases in a particular format; and Subsequently deploying selected test cases in a test management tool.