Case Study · Healthcare / SAP · Oct 2006 – Jan 2011

Respironics (now Philips Healthcare)

Built a dedicated SAP testing capability that recovered a three-to-four release backlog, enabled monthly automated runs and more frequent regression testing, and removed the dependency on supply-chain personnel doing manual testing.

1,000+automated processes built & maintained

Executive summary

Respironics needed a more disciplined and scalable approach to testing within its SAP environment. Before Checkpoint Technologies expanded the effort, testing was handled manually by supply-chain personnel who had to step away from their primary responsibilities whenever validation was required. The organization had no dedicated SAP test team, had fallen approximately three to four releases behind, and could not keep up with routine SAP updates and patches.

Checkpoint Technologies provided a dedicated four-person team (eventually expanding to five) to design, develop, document, execute, analyze, implement, and maintain an automation framework for both functional and performance testing. Working in a hybrid model with Respironics personnel, the team built and supported more than 1,000 automated processes and reusable components.

Objectives

Reduce dependency on ad hoc manual testing by non-testing personnel.
Recover the release backlog and improve the client's ability to stay current with changes, maintenance, and patches.
Create a repeatable approach that improved testing efficiency, consistency, and long-term maintainability.

Services provided

Test Strategy & Planning — designed the testing approach for ongoing SAP development, maintenance, and enhancements.
Framework Design & Automation — built and maintained a modular framework supporting well over 1,000 automated processes and components, with performance testing in scope.
Execution & Analysis — executed automated testing, analyzed results, and supported repeatable regression cycles.
Tool Enablement — utilized HP Quality Center, Business Process Testing, QuickTest Professional, and LoadRunner within the client environment.
Knowledge Transfer — mentored and educated client users on testing best practices and effective use of the HP testing toolset.

Why this matters

This engagement shows how a dedicated QA team and a well-designed automation framework can help an enterprise SAP environment regain schedule control, improve regression coverage, and support ongoing change without relying on business users to carry the testing burden. The result was a sustainable QA capability that removed the release backlog and created lasting value beyond a one-time testing effort.

Solutions used

HP Quality Center
HP Business Process Testing
HP QuickTest Professional
HP LoadRunner