Introduction

Data virtualization in ERP testing allows a virtual layer to be applied over decentralized data sources. This is how you create access to data without actually moving or copying it. Leading to cost savings because data does not need to be duplicated for testing purposes and no extensive storage for test data is required.

In addition, data virtualization enables faster and more flexible test execution because data can be easily manipulated and accessed in real time. It leads to a more efficient testing process and faster time-to-market for new features and updates. Overall, data virtualization helps organizations minimize costs, reduce testing time and increase their ability to respond to changing business needs in their ERP environment.

4 methods to benefit financially from test data virtualization

Method #1: Enhancing test efficiency

Virtualized test data enables organizations to create, modify and delete ERP test data as needed. It improves the speed and efficiency of testing quickly and easily. Test data virtualization accelerates ERP projects by delivering compliant, data-ready in minutes instead of weeks or months. This reduces testing times and frees up operational resources to work on other projects.

Method #2: Improving test accuracy based on real-world scenarios

By automatically detecting sensitive information with profile templates developed specifically for ERP data models, masking algorithms can replace sensitive data with fictitious but realistic values while maintaining referential integrity. This means that virtualized ERP test data enables organizations to more accurately simulate realistic scenarios (based on intelligently masked production data). This will lead to more accurate test results. It can help identify or even prevent defects early in the testing process, dramatically reducing the cost and impact of fixing those problems later.

Method #3: Proactive collaboration and data sharing across platforms

Synchronize data between ERP and non-ERP sources within integrated testing environments. Virtualized test data can be shared and reused across teams and projects, improving collaboration and overall quality of testing. This leads to more consistent and accurate results, ultimately improving the overall success of the ERP implementation. As the “first time right” ratio of your ERP project increases, so will operational costs.

Method #4: Avoiding physical test data

Programmable data infrastructure synchronizes with the databases underlying your ERP solution to deliver virtual copies to ERP test environments 100 times faster. And at the same time consuming 10 times less storage space. In this way, organizations can reduce the cost of acquiring and maintaining physical test datasets by leveraging the power of virtualization. This results in cost savings for (cloud) infrastructure, storage and data management.

Conclusion

Data virtualization in ERP testing offers numerous financial benefits to organizations. It reduces costs and it increases test efficiency and accuracy. But also promotes collaboration and data sharing, and finally eliminates the need for physical test data.

By creating a virtual layer over decentralized data sources, organizations can access data in real-time. And manipulate it as needed and reduce testing time. All while maintaining referential integrity and minimizing costs. These four methods to financially benefit from data virtualization in ERP testing provide organizations with the tools they need to streamline their testing processes and achieve success in their ERP implementation projects.

Written by Dean Bodart