Service Virtualization (SV) remains one of the most criminally underused tools in software testing. It’s astonishing to me just how many organisations still ignore its benefits – test earlier and save money. If you’re not using SV, you are missing out—plain and simple.
If you are unsure what Service Virtualization is, it mimics the behaviour of system components or services. Previously, stubs were used to skip unavailable components, but Service Virtualization provides an easier, quicker, more flexible, and more robust alternative.
SV allows you to easily and quickly simulate the following:
- Interactions with external systems, for instance, credit payment systems, credit checks, postcode search, etc
- Upstream or downstream systems that are expensive to provision for testing, including SAP
- Systems that are not yet built
I’ve discussed SV before. If you haven’t already and would like a deeper dive, check out the article. It’s worth reading.
Save Time and Money With Service Virtualization
I’m baffled by the reluctance to invest in this incredibly powerful solution; SV may be the best tool you are not using, and it pays for itself quickly.
I guess many people don’t know what SV is and how powerful it can be, or maybe they think it’s too complex and prefer to stick to what they know.
Whatever the reason, failure to adopt SV is costing organisations time, money, and quality.
Service Virtualization v Mock Services
The terms Service Virtualization and ‘mock services’ are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. More on this later!
Mock services are simple, developer-built tools that allow basic unit testing and simulate a specific behaviour or response for a particular test case.
Service virtualization simulates an API or service’s complete behaviour and functionality and can be used for system, integration, and performance testing.
Overcoming the Initial Hurdle
Yes, there’s a slight learning curve with SV, but it’s nothing you can’t handle.
I’ve seen this first-hand many times. Once installed, people realise how easy SV is to use, and it quickly becomes an invaluable asset they cannot live without, saving time and money year after year.
Teams quickly appreciate how it streamlines processes, eliminates bottlenecks, and supports continuous integration and delivery. The payoff is enormous.
3 Costly Problems Solved by Service Virtualization
Every software project encounters its share of challenges, from dependency issues to integration complexities. While daunting, these problems are entirely solvable with the right tools.
Service Virtualization is a powerful solution to myriad problems plaguing traditional testing environments, ensuring these challenges don’t hold your project back.
- Dependency Issues: Waiting for all your interconnected modules to be developed and available for testing can cause significant delays. SV allows you to simulate these components, ensuring integration testing can proceed without waiting for dependencies.
- Costly Test Environments: Setting up and maintaining interfaces to or feeds from third-party systems can be expensive, especially if you have multiple test environments. SV enables the virtualization of these environments, drastically reducing setup and maintenance costs.
- Limited Access to Critical Systems: Due to various constraints, critical systems are not always available for testing. SV provides a way to simulate these systems, allowing uninterrupted testing.
Service Virtualization for SAP: A Game Changer
If you work with SAP, SV is particularly beneficial. SAP environments are notoriously complex, with intricate integrations and dependencies that can bog down testing. Service Virtualization can transform your SAP testing strategy, making it more efficient and less disruptive.
SAP ERP landscapes are composed of numerous modules and systems, each serving distinct functions such as finance (FI), controlling (CO), sales and distribution (SD), materials management (MM), and human resources (HR). Testing these modules can be challenging due to their interdependencies and the need for comprehensive data integration.
- Finance (FI) and Controlling (CO): Financial data is highly sensitive and often unavailable for testing. SV can simulate these systems, allowing testers to work with realistic data without risking security breaches.
- Sales and Distribution (SD): This module involves various external systems, such as third-party logistics providers. SV enables the simulation of these interactions, ensuring thorough testing of order processing and delivery workflows.
- Materials Management (MM): SV allows the simulation of supplier interactions and inventory systems, which are critical for testing procurement and supply chain processes.
- Human Resources (HR): Testing HR systems requires accurate and private data. SV can create realistic virtual environments that mimic HR functionalities without exposing sensitive employee information.
Getting Ahead in Testing with Service Virtualization
SV allows you to start testing early. Simulating system components and their interactions allows you to test complex integrations earlier in the development cycle.
This proactive approach ensures smoother deployments and reduces the risk of costly last-minute fixes.
Service Virtualization isn’t just another tool; it’s a powerful solution for modern, efficient, and effective testing.
Choose OpenText Service Virtualization
Other SV tools exist, but OpenText Service Virtualization offers a comprehensive solution that integrates seamlessly with your other test tools, including functional automation and performance tools like UFT One and LoadRunner. It is available on-premises and SaaS.
So, why aren’t you using it?
It’s time to get on board with Service Virtualization and reap the benefits—before you get left behind.
