Tricentis Tosca: Model-Based Test Automation Platform

Introduction to Tricentis Tosca

Tricentis Tosca is an enterprise test automation platform pioneering model-based test automation—a paradigm shift from traditional record-playback or script-based testing. Instead of writing test cases directly, testers model application behavior once, then Tosca auto-generates hundreds of test cases covering all possible workflows, dramatically accelerating test creation while improving coverage.

Tosca targets large enterprises with complex application landscapes, particularly SAP implementations, packaged enterprise software, and regulatory-driven industries (finance, pharma, insurance) where comprehensive test coverage and audit trails are mandatory. The platform’s premium pricing ($10,000-15,000/user/year) positions it above TestComplete and Ranorex, justified by model-based efficiency gains and risk-based test optimization.

This guide explores Tosca’s model-based architecture, how it differs from script-based tools, SAP specialization, Vision AI capabilities, pricing structure, and when its premium cost delivers ROI.

Core Architecture

Model-Based Test Automation (MBTA)

Tosca’s defining feature is MBTA: rather than scripting individual test cases, testers create reusable application models representing UI structure and business logic.

Traditional Approach (Script-Based):

Test 1: Login → Navigate Settings → Change Password
Test 2: Login → Navigate Settings → Update Profile
Test 3: Login → Navigate Settings → Change Email
...
Write 50 test scripts, each with login + navigation duplication

Tosca Model-Based Approach:

Model:
- LoginModule (username, password)
- SettingsModule (action: changePassword | updateProfile | changeEmail)

TestCases (auto-generated):
- TC1: Login("admin", "pass") → Settings("changePassword")
- TC2: Login("user", "pass") → Settings("updateProfile")
- TC3: Login("guest", "pass") → Settings("changeEmail")
...
Generate 50 test variations from 2 modules

Changes to login workflow require updating one module, not 50 scripts.

Modules and Test Case Design (TCD)

Modules: Reusable representations of application functionality

Test Case Design (TCD): Spreadsheet-like interface for combining modules into test scenarios

Example TCD:

Test Case: E2E Order Processing
├─ Module: Login
│   └─ Parameters: username={data.user}, password={data.pass}
├─ Module: SearchProduct
│   └─ Parameters: productID={data.productID}
├─ Module: AddToCart
│   └─ Parameters: quantity={data.quantity}
├─ Module: Checkout
│   └─ Parameters: paymentMethod={data.paymentMethod}
└─ Module: VerifyOrder
    └─ Expected: orderConfirmation exists

TCD enables business analysts to assemble tests without programming.

Scan & Steer

Tosca’s Scan captures application UI objects and automatically generates modules:

1. Scan Application: Tosca Spider crawls application, identifying all UI elements
2. Generate Modules: Creates reusable modules for each screen/workflow
3. Steer (Execute): Run tests against application

Scan technology supports Windows desktop, web, SAP, mainframe, mobile, and API applications—generating modules across all platforms simultaneously.

Risk-Based Testing

Tosca assigns risk scores to application areas based on:

• Business criticality
• Change frequency
• Historical defect density
• Regulatory requirements

Test Optimization: Tosca prioritizes high-risk areas, auto-generates more test combinations for critical workflows, and minimizes testing of low-risk areas.

Example:

Feature: Payment Processing (Risk: CRITICAL - 9/10)
  → Generate 50 test variations
  → Execute on every build

Feature: Help Documentation (Risk: LOW - 2/10)
  → Generate 5 test variations
  → Execute weekly only

This risk-based approach reduces total test execution time while improving defect detection in critical areas.

Key Features

SAP Testing Excellence

Tosca is the market leader for SAP application testing:

Native SAP Support: Direct integration with SAP GUI, Fiori, S/4HANA without intermediary tools

Business Process Testing: Model SAP transactions (MM, SD, FI, CO) as reusable modules

SAP Accelerators: Pre-built modules for common SAP processes (Purchase Order, Sales Order, Material Master)

Example SAP test:

Module: SAP_CreatePurchaseOrder
  1. Login to SAP (T-Code: ME21N)
  2. Enter Vendor: {vendor_id}
  3. Add Material: {material_id}, Quantity: {qty}
  4. Save Purchase Order
  5. Verify: PO number generated

Test Data: 100 vendor/material combinations
Result: 100 test cases auto-generated, executed in 45 minutes

Tosca’s SAP expertise makes it the default choice for large SAP implementations (70%+ market share in SAP testing tools).

Vision AI

Tosca Vision AI uses computer vision to interact with applications without traditional object recognition:

Use Cases:

• Legacy applications without accessibility support
• Citrix/RDP remote applications
• Image-based UIs (games, graphics software)
• PDF validation

Example Vision AI test:

Step 1: Find image "login_button.png" on screen
Step 2: Click at found coordinates
Step 3: Find image "password_field.png"
Step 4: Type password at found coordinates
Step 5: Validate image "welcome_message.png" appears

Vision AI enables testing of previously “untestable” applications, though it’s slower and more fragile than traditional object-based automation.

API Testing

Tosca API Scan creates API test modules without code:

Supported Protocols: REST, SOAP, GraphQL, gRPC

Auto-Generation: Import OpenAPI/Swagger spec → Tosca generates request/response modules

End-to-End: Combine API and UI tests in single test case

Example:

Test Case: Order Via API, Verify in UI
├─ Module: API_CreateOrder (POST /orders)
│   └─ Payload: {product: "ABC", quantity: 5}
│   └─ Verify: Response 201, orderID captured
├─ Module: UI_Login
│   └─ username="admin", password="pass"
└─ Module: UI_VerifyOrder
    └─ orderID={API_CreateOrder.orderID}
    └─ Verify: Order status "Confirmed"

This hybrid testing catches integration issues between backend and frontend.

Test Data Management

Tosca TDM (Test Data Management) integrates with databases to provide realistic test data:

Data Provisioning: Query databases, generate synthetic data, mask sensitive data

Data Virtualization: Simulate unavailable systems (mainframe, ERP) with test data

Compliance: GDPR-compliant data masking for production-like test environments

CI/CD Integration

Tosca Commander: Command-line interface for CI/CD execution

Integrations: Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitLab CI, Bamboo

DEX (Distributed Execution): Distribute tests across multiple machines in parallel

Example Jenkins integration:

stage('Tosca Tests') {
  steps {
    bat '"C:\\Tosca\\ToscaCommander.exe" ^
      -workspace "C:\\Tests\\Project.tws" ^
      -testsuite "RegressionSuite" ^
      -results "results.xml"'
    junit 'results.xml'
  }
}

Comparison with Alternatives

Tosca vs. TestComplete/Ranorex: Tosca 2-3x more expensive but model-based approach delivers 40-60% test maintenance reduction for complex applications

Tosca vs. Open Source: Tosca 100x cost difference vs. Selenium, justified only for SAP testing or enterprises with massive test portfolios (10,000+ tests)

Pricing and Licensing

Tricentis Tosca Licensing

Concurrent License (Floating): $10,000-15,000/user/year

• Model-based test automation
• Scan for all platforms
• Vision AI
• API testing
• Risk-based testing
• Standard support

Named License: ~20% less than concurrent (typical $8,000-12,000/year)

• Tied to specific user

Execution-Only Licenses: $3,000-5,000/agent/year

• For CI/CD servers (no test authoring)
• DEX distributed execution

Professional Services

Tosca typically requires professional services for implementation:

Standard Implementation: $50,000-150,000

• 3-6 months
• Model creation, training, best practices

SAP Accelerator Package: $75,000-200,000

• Pre-built SAP modules
• Custom SAP transaction modeling
• Integration with SAP transport system

Enterprise Implementation: $200,000-500,000+

• 6-12 months
• Multiple application portfolios
• Custom framework development
• Center of Excellence (CoE) setup

Total Cost Examples

Small Team (5 users):

• 3 concurrent licenses: $10,000 × 3 = $30,000/year
• 5 execution agents: $3,000 × 5 = $15,000/year
• Implementation services: $75,000 (one-time)
• Year 1 Total: $120,000
• Subsequent Years: $45,000/year

Enterprise (50 users):

• 25 concurrent licenses: Negotiated ~$200,000/year
• Execution infrastructure: ~$50,000/year
• Professional services: $250,000 (Year 1)
• Year 1 Total: $500,000
• Subsequent Years: $250,000/year

Tosca’s TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) is highest in the test automation market but justified for large SAP implementations or enterprises with 10,000+ tests needing model-based efficiency.

Best Practices

Model Design

Keep modules atomic: One module = one application function Parameterize aggressively: Use {parameters} for all variable data Version control modules: Store .tce files in Git/SVN Naming conventions: Use descriptive module names (Mod_Login_SAP vs. Module1)

Risk-Based Strategy

1. Risk Assessment Workshop: Business + QA identify critical paths
2. Risk Scoring: Assign 1-10 scores to application areas
3. Test Generation: Tosca auto-generates tests proportional to risk
4. Re-assessment: Update risk scores after production incidents

SAP Testing

Leverage Accelerators: Don’t rebuild standard SAP modules from scratch

Use SAP Connect: Direct integration with SAP GUI for faster execution

Transaction Modeling: Model complete business processes (Procure-to-Pay, Order-to-Cash)

Vision AI Usage

Use as last resort: Vision AI 10x slower than object-based testing

Anchor elements: Use stable UI landmarks for image search

Resolution independence: Test on target resolution to avoid scaling issues

Limitations

Cost: Prohibitive for SMBs ($10-15K/user/year + services)

Complexity: Steep learning curve, 3-6 months for team proficiency

Vendor Lock-In: Tosca models non-portable to other tools

Performance: Model-based tests run slower than coded Selenium tests

Scripting Limitations: Limited coding capabilities vs. TestComplete/Selenium

Community: Smaller community than open-source tools, fewer online resources

Conclusion

Tricentis Tosca occupies the premium tier of test automation tools, justified only for specific scenarios:

Choose Tosca if:

• Implementing/maintaining large SAP systems (S/4HANA, SAP ECC)
• Managing 5,000+ test cases needing model-based maintainability
• Regulated industry requiring risk-based testing audit trails
• Enterprise budget allowing $10-15K/user/year + $50-500K services

Choose alternatives if:

• Primarily web testing (Selenium, Playwright, Cypress cheaper/better)
• Budget-constrained (TestComplete $3K cheaper, Ranorex $6K cheaper, Selenium free)
• Need flexible scripting (TestComplete, coded Selenium)
• Small-to-medium test portfolio (<1,000 tests—model-based overhead not justified)

Tosca delivers ROI through test maintenance reduction (40-60% savings reported) and risk-based optimization, but only at enterprise scale. For SAP testing specifically, Tosca’s 70% market share reflects its specialized capabilities. Outside SAP, teams should carefully evaluate whether model-based benefits justify 2-3x cost premium over TestComplete/Ranorex or 100x premium over open-source alternatives.