Client
The client is a UK-based company specializing in leasing vehicles across the European market.
Challenge
The client wanted to ensure seamless and efficient lease quote management. This required overcoming challenges in testing processes, application quality, and automation:
Issue timely and responsive quotes to leasing vendors: The system generated an average of 20,000 quotes per month. However, these had to be customized and prioritized to ensure that the vendor’s response was timely and effective.
Increase the application quality throughput to reduce associated risks and loss of productivity: Handling the lease quotes played a crucial role in optimizing the business benefits, and it was necessary to identify application failures to eliminate quality risks. In addition, regular enhancements were required to ensure that the AS400 application could withstand business growth.
Reduce test execution cycle time: The application had multiple release cycles with enhancements on every release. The QA team had to ensure that quality was maintained while testing the application in multiple test environments.
Test the AS400 application using an open-source automation tool: The AS400 application was automated to increase test coverage and effectiveness. However, the challenge was to identify an open-source tool for the AS400 application to minimize the tool investments.
Solution
To address the challenge of accessing AS400 applications through the web and identifying an open-source automation tool, Hexaware leveraged iSeries Access for Web. It enabled seamless access to AS400 applications via a standard web browser. This allowed end-users to utilize business information and resources across the enterprise efficiently.
The key implementation steps:
Setting up the web application host server from an iSeries
We configured the web application host server on the iSeries, utilizing IBM WebSphere Host Publisher 4.0 to enable the hosting of applications with a web-based interface, integrating data from multiple sources without altering backend applications.
Accessing the AS400 application through the IBM iSeries web emulator
We deployed the iSeries Access for Web pack on the host server, configuring it within the web application server to facilitate access to AS400 applications through web browsers like Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Chrome.
Validating AS400 functions and identifying automation objects
We also ensured that the AS400 screens functioned seamlessly across various browsers and identified automation objects compatible with tools like Selenium for effective test automation.
Reducing the test execution cycle time through automation
Finally, we identified key test scenarios for automation to maximize test coverage, developing scripts within Hexaware’s framework for cross-browser execution and nightly builds, significantly reducing test execution cycle time.
Benefits
Faster ROI within 3 test cycles: The client’s test maintenance effort was reduced through a Selenium framework, leveraging reusable functions and flows for quicker returns on investment.
25% faster time-to-market with enhanced test coverage: Increased test coverage through automation helped the client make required adjustments and accomplish release goals, with multiple product releases.
More than 80% test effectiveness: Business users could focus on core activities as automation freed up time, ensuring customers received thoroughly tested product versions.
Reduced dependencies on COTS test automation tool: By using Selenium, an open-source tool, the need for commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) test automation tools was eliminated, reducing expenses in automated regression suites and product testing.
Summary
Hexaware leveraged iSeries Access for Web and Selenium to automate testing for an AS400 application. The solution reduced test cycle times, improved test coverage, and accelerated time-to-market by 25%, delivering faster ROI, enhanced test effectiveness, and cost savings through open-source AS400 automation.
Explore Hexaware’s Testing Solutions to discover how AI-driven automation can deliver faster, higher-quality application releases—without the cost and complexity of commercial tools.
