How to Automate Salesforce CPQ Testing

For many modern businesses, Salesforce is the beating heart of their infrastructure. Its compatibility with other applications makes it easy to integrate and the freedom to customize enhances system scalability. As they become more central to day-to-day business, testers have begun looking for opportunities to automate Salesforce processes like CPQ testing. The following article will serve as an introductory guide to CPQ automation. 

What is Salesforce CPQ? 

CPQ (Configure, Price, Quote) is a Salesforce software that provides price quotes based on product configuration scenarios. Like most modern applications, Salesforce CPQ lives in the cloud. It can be linked directly to your CRM system, making it a powerful tool for sales teams. One of CPQ’s most significant benefits is its ability to speed up the sales process. 

Why is CPQ testing necessary?

Ask any project manager, and they’ll tell you—speed is a double-edged sword. CPQ ensures that increased speed won’t sacrifice accuracy. For companies that offer combinable or upgradable packages (like service bundles), CPQ testing is especially crucial. Automating price quote calculations for potential customers is only effective if the pricing is accurate. Misrepresented pricing models not only affect your rapport with customers but can make the sales team’s jobs more difficult. 

Where to Focus CPQ Test Automation Efforts

As seen with the trend toward hyper automation in 2021, businesses often lose sight automation’s primary goal: to support manual testers and QA. There is a delicate balance between automation and manual testing. Automating everything all at once isn’t possible, nor is it profitable. Instead, start with a few key pain points (like the ones outlined below) and work your way toward your ideal level of automation. 

Configurations

In addition to the plethora of dynamic elements that Salesforce is known for, CPQ has a wide variety of user-friendly features. Many of these features correspond directly with operational workflow. Accordingly, your testing team will need to shift its focus towards its unique configurations and customizations rather than CPQ’s inherent functionalities.

High-volume Data Testing

CPQ testing can be complex, especially when it comes to bulk data testing. Testers should prioritize the adaptability and accuracy of records to avoid Apex or Governor limit errors. For example, suppose an update is released that will adjust CPQ calculation features. In that case, QA will need to verify that the update will not negatively interfere with the company’s custom calculations. 

Testing Layers

It can be challenging to narrow the scope of your testing efforts. To combat this, make sure you're testing at the right layer. Regarding the example above, someone who only wants to test calculation should write their tests with CPQ’s Calculate Quote API. Conversely, someone looking to test a custom UI component should write component tests. Copado Robotic Testing provides unit testing functionality for Apex and Lightning components, making it easy to execute individual units of code.

A Solution to Automate CPQ Testing

When you’re ready to automate your Salesforce CPQ testing, ensure the right tools and software are there to support your efforts. Copado was initially created for the Salesforce environment and remains the #1 solution for Salesforce today. Its ability to adapt to Salesforce’s dynamic elements helps companies deploy 50% faster.