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FAQ-A Guide to User Acceptance Testing (UAT)

What is UAT?

UAT stands for ‘User Acceptance Testing’. It can also be referred to as beta testing, application testing or end user testing. This is the phase where SnapFulfil is tested by the intended audience to remove any issues before the changes are put into your live operations. 

How do I know what has changed?

If a new version of SnapFulfil is being issued, Synergy will provide you with Release Notes. This is a document containing all the changes that have been made since your last version. This is where you will find the details of bug fixes or new features that you might want to take advantage of.

If configuration changes have been made, depending on the complexity, you will either have a formal detailed specification document or a short description of the change. 

How do I test the changes?

We will provide a useful guide to testing at the beginning of the Release Notes. Essentially, UAT should cover all areas of the system that you use including both the SnapFulfil PC screens and the RF devices. The Service Desk can assist you with re-configuring one or two of your hand held devices to access the ‘test’ system to ensure the most important operations are tested in your real world environment. 

Why am I testing features or processes that I’ve not asked for changes in?

SnapFulfil will scope, develop and test changes to the configuration or code of the application. Our tests are focused on things like behaviors, scripting and database table updates. In a lot of cases, we’re using automated tools to generate many small tests with different scenarios and predictable outcomes to validate the stability of the application.

However, SnapFulfil is so flexible in its use and your processes so specific to your operation, that each and every one of your processes needs a review after release. Just as your implementation originally included testing process flows and features, your new release requires the same –though much more focused and less rigorous –type of activity.

The common analogy to gain perspective on the importance to UAT in software release and acceptance is: We’ve not changed the oil in your car, we’ve rebuilt the engine. That means that many other systems within your car may have been affected:water pump, power steering pump, fuel pump, alternator, electrical systems, transmission/clutch, etc. 

Who does the testing?

You do. While we’ve conducted rigorous testing to ensure the logic and behavior of the application, we haven’t tested your specific process flow and actions within the application. Thorough testing has been described as too much work for busy warehouses, but it can be completed relatively quickly if you involve the people who use the system on a day to day basis, as they will quickly be able to identify changes to their normal operation. 

What are the risks to my business if I don’t perform UAT?

There is a much higher chance of an unforeseen issue causing a problem in the warehouse when the new software is released into ‘Live’. Synergy tests all builds, but we cannot test the many variables that exist within each of our client’s warehouses, making the UAT an essential part of each new release. If a problem arises, it could mean that you can’t receive or ship stock within the necessary time frame. It can also take time to correct any problem within the code, which could further add delays. 

I have to justify this time to my company, what are the benefits of performing UAT?

  • It allows you to minimize the risk linked with changes to a warehouse environment and maximize successful and efficient fulfillment of orders to your customers.
  • It enables you to take advantage of and try out new features in a completely risk free environment. This is also an opportunity to impress the company with potential new ways of improving productivity and ways of working.
  • It gives you confidence in the functionality delivered by the changes. This is particularly important if you have a team of people to manage.
  • It allows time to train employees on the new features before they are put live, enabling a smoother go live.
  • It provides important time to identify anything missed in our testing that didn’t take into account new processes that have been introduced as you have become more experienced using SnapFulfil.
  • This process also provides an excellent opportunity for refresher training of existing and new team members. This is essential when operators are using SnapFulfil for the majority of their working day.