Simplify and scale test automation in the cloud with Tosca cloud deployment

As Tricentis continues to lead the world of test automation, our latest release of Tosca’s cloud deployment option, available now, brings a wave of new capabilities designed to support the ever-evolving needs of modern enterprises. With a commitment to delivering on our cloud strategies, this release represents a pivotal moment in Tosca’s evolution as we enter its cloud era, extending the power of Tosca’s end-to-end automation features to an easy-to-use, highly scalable, low-footprint cloud deployment model.

Existing customers received early access to Tosca’s cloud deployment option earlier this year. Since that time, we have been dedicated to building additional capabilities based on user feedback and our expertise in the test automation market, and we are pleased to present this offering and the next evolution of Tosca to the broader market. To see Tosca cloud in action, register for our Dec. 3 release webinar.

With Tosca cloud deployment, users can expect: 

• Faster time to value with the ability to rapidly author and edit tests while creating reusable assets that can be leveraged across your organization
• Reduced costs with no/low footprint test automation, which reduces or eliminates the need to manage on-premises infrastructure, as well as access to powerful simulation and virtualization capabilities
• Streamlined collaboration with a codeless, easy-to-use solution that can be accessed anywhere, from any device, with the ability to easily share results for real-time test visibility
• Enhanced scalability and efficiency through cloud-based execution, which removes the need to maintain VMs by dynamically running tests in the cloud to scale capacity and seamlessly connect with CI/CD tools
• Simplified and frequent feature advancement with immediate access to new, innovative capabilities without the need to manage upgrades internally
• Ease of use through a powerful, easy-to-use interface for building, maintaining, and executing test automation across business-critical applications and end-to-end processes

At the core of what makes this possible are the capabilities we have developed to ensure that Tosca’s cloud deployment delivers a complete and robust test automation that lives up to Tosca’s reputation for innovation.

What’s new in the Tosca cloud fall 2024 release

Simplified test authoring

While releases earlier this year helped build the foundation of Tosca’s cloud features (learn more here), our current release introduces several major and highly valuable capabilities for bringing no/low footprint test automation to Tosca. This includes enhanced authoring/editing capabilities through our redesigned Cloud Commander interface, the availability of advanced simulation and virtualization technology, and some additional capabilities coming very soon. Some key highlights include:

Enhanced editing capabilities

A new, enhanced authoring and editing experience is now available through Tosca’s Cloud Commander. This new authoring experience brings a robust and easy-to-use interface designed based on the capabilities and intuitive structure that has made Tosca a leader in test automation over the last two decades, all while providing a modern, low-footprint solution for test creation in the cloud.

Using the Tosca Cloud Launcher, users can leverage the powerful XScan engine to scan applications and create new modules directly within Cloud Commander, starting with Desktop Engine support. In addition, users can also now leverage the full scope of standard modules available in Tosca for immediate use in test case generation. This capability opens the door to more advanced test case creation directly in the cloud and minimizes the need for locally installed components to support end-to-end testing.

Moving beyond authoring, the new editing capabilities in Cloud Commander make it easier than ever to manage and update test cases directly within the cloud environment. This release introduces in-cloud editing functionality, enabling users to modify test cases without leaving Cloud Commander. Users will have the ability to perform editing actions such as adjusting test step values, updating parameters, and more — keeping workflows smooth and efficient without needing a local setup.

Additionally, these editing features are available for test cases transitioned from on-prem libraries, meaning that users can now bring their existing test assets into Cloud Commander and make updates as needed in a unified interface. This enhancement delivers a seamless, all-in-one cloud-based workflow that allows users to leverage both newly authored and previously developed test assets, maximizing productivity across both legacy and new test cases.

With Tosca Cloud Commander, you’ll experience: 

• The power of Tosca Commander that has made Tosca a leader in test automation now available in the cloud.
• Seamless test authoring and editing within Cloud Commander.
• Simplified, low-footprint test creation with the ability to leverage standard modules and newly scanned modules.
• Easy and intuitive editing and updating of both newly authored and transitioned cases
• A fast learning curve for accelerated time to value when authoring tests.

API Simulation: Next-gen virtualization and simulation

Available as part of the Tricentis Simulation package for Tosca, we have combined the power of Orchestrated Service Virtualization (OSV) with our advanced and modern API Simulation solution. This arms teams with the ability to simulate microservices and dependent components that may be unavailable, incomplete, or evolving, allowing for testing to begin at the earliest stages of development.

Key benefits: 

• Eliminate testing delays by simulating unavailable components to ensure uninterrupted development.
• Reduce costs: Virtualize API services to lower infrastructure and testing costs.
• Continuous testing: Conduct ongoing tests with stable virtual environments, no system wait times.
• Early issue detection: Detect API issues early with contract testing, reducing risks.
• Cross-team collaboration: Developers create mock services for QA testing, enhancing team collaboration.

Around the corner: Cloud Agents and the arrival of zero-footprint test execution

In addition to the already available Personal Agents and Team Agents, Tosca Cloud will soon introduce Cloud Agents. These agents enable zero-footprint test execution via the Elastic Execution Grid (E2G), meaning tests are run entirely in the Tricentis cloud environment. This eliminates the need for customer-owned infrastructure, further reducing cost and management overhead while allowing users to take advantage of highly scalable and dynamic test execution capabilities.

Cloud Agents offer teams a number of benefits, including:

• Zero-footprint execution with no infrastructure required.
• Reduced costs by eliminating infrastructure ownership, management, and maintenance expenses.
• Next-level scalability and efficient parallel execution via Elastic Execution Grid.
• Easy configuration as tests are structured and orchestrated in Playlists.
• Reduced testing overhead with fully hosted agents and infrastructure for execution.
• Simplified sharing of test execution results with stakeholders directly from the cloud environment.

Looking ahead: A continued commitment

The fall 2024 release of Tosca cloud serves as the actualization of our team’s commitment to delivering a solution that provides cloud-first test automation while still offering the flexibility to deploy in on-prem or in hybrid models. Future releases will continue to build on these new capabilities and further bolster Tosca’s longstanding reputation in the world of test automation as a leader in innovation and cutting-edge capabilities.

One such upcoming feature will be the launch of our cloud native Test Data Management (TDM) solution to automate the process of creating, managing, and provisioning test data to help testers get accurate and consistent data quickly without manual intervention, bringing even further robust and enterprise ready capabilities into Tosca’s cloud deployment repertoire. In advance of this, we are offering an open beta of TDM, available for you to try in early 2025! This will be your chance to explore its capabilities, provide feedback, and be a part of shaping the future of TDM in Tosca cloud. If you are interested in participating in the beta program and are willing to collaborate with our product team, please submit your request here.

Additionally, with the soon to arrive Tosca 2024.2 release package in early December, we are delivering the ability to allow the bulk transition of test cases and entire execution lists, allowing our existing Tosca users to rapidly build a library of test cases in Tosca cloud.

Elevating test automation in the cloud

The Tosca cloud fall 2024 release is more than just an update — it’s a transformative step to arrive at a cloud-first future, providing a streamlined, cost-effective, and highly scalable solution for modern test automation. By eliminating infrastructure challenges, reducing overall costs, and providing continuous access to cutting-edge features, Tosca cloud enables teams to achieve faster time-to-value and improved ROI from their testing efforts.

Register for the release webinar to see the latest features in action, or sign up for a trial to try it today.