Evolving Regression Testing in Dynamics 365: From RSAT to Next-Gen Automation — And Why Resourcing Matters

Why Modern Regression Testing Is Becoming a Board-Level Conversation

As Microsoft continues to accelerate release cycles across Dynamics 365, Azure and the Power Platform, regression testing is no longer a “nice to have” — it’s mission-critical.

In industries like manufacturing, where ERP platforms underpin supply chain, production planning, procurement and finance, every update carries operational risk.

Historically, organisations have relied on RSAT (Regression Suite Automation Tool) for validating Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations changes.

But the landscape is shifting.

Modern enterprises are moving beyond traditional RSAT-only approaches and toward next-generation automation platforms like Leapwork to deliver:

• Faster release validation

• Reduced manual effort

• Resilient, low-maintenance test suites

• End-to-end business process testing

And this shift isn’t just about tools.

It’s about people.

The Limits of RSAT in a Modern Microsoft Ecosystem

RSAT remains a valuable Microsoft-supported tool. But it was designed primarily to validate business process recordings in Dynamics 365 Finance & Operations.

Where organisations begin to feel friction:

• Limited cross-application testing (ERP + CRM + integrations)

• Heavy maintenance as UI elements change

• Lack of true end-to-end integration testing

• Inability to scale across complex environments

• Growing demand to validate AI-driven workflows

In manufacturing environments, where ERP connects to MES, WMS, procurement systems, EDI integrations and BI platforms, regression testing must extend far beyond a single application layer.

This is where next-gen automation platforms come in.

What Is Leapwork — And Why Are Enterprises Moving Toward It?

Leapwork is a visual, no-code test automation platform used by Microsoft enterprise customers to modernise regression testing.

Unlike script-heavy frameworks, Leapwork allows teams to:

• Build automation visually (reducing developer dependency)

• Test across multiple systems (ERP, CRM, web apps, desktop apps)

• Reduce flaky tests through resilient object recognition

• Automate business processes end-to-end

This is particularly powerful in:

• Microsoft Dynamics 365 transformations

• Manufacturing ERP modernisation

• Post go-live support environments

• Continuous update of cloud ecosystems

The real shift is not that RSAT disappears — it becomes part of a broader automation strategy.

The Real Challenge Isn’t the Tool. It’s the Capability.

Here’s what we’re increasingly seeing across ANZ:

Companies invest in automation tooling but underestimate the resourcing model required for success.

Modern regression automation requires:

1. Automation Test Leads

Senior professionals who:

• Define automation strategy

• Decide when to use RSAT vs Leapwork

• Design scalable test frameworks

• Align automation with release governance

2. Functional Automation Engineers

• Deep Dynamics 365 functional knowledge

• Understanding of business processes

• Ability to convert manual test cases into automated flows

3. DevOps & Release Managers

• CI/CD integration

• Environment management

• Update validation cycles

4. ERP Test Managers (Manufacturing Experience)

• Production planning validation

• Inventory and procurement test scenarios

• Supply chain risk mitigation

Without the right people, automation becomes shelfware.

Why Manufacturing Organisations Need to Rethink Testing Now

In manufacturing environments:

• A failed regression test can impact production schedules

• Incorrect pricing logic can affect supplier contracts

• Integration failure can halt distribution

Testing must now cover:

• ERP core finance & operations

• Shop floor integrations

• Third-party logistics platforms

• Power BI & Fabric reporting layers

• AI-assisted workflows

The complexity of these ecosystems means regression testing must evolve from task-based validation to business continuity protection.

How saas nine Supports Modern Test Automation Transformation

At saas nine, we sit at the intersection of Microsoft transformation and talent strategy.

We support organisations by providing:

✔ Automation Test Leads (Dynamics 365 & Leapwork experience)

✔ ERP Test Managers (Manufacturing focus)

✔ Functional Automation Specialists

✔ DevOps & Release Capability

✔ Transformation Workforce Planning

Because tools don’t deliver transformation.

People do.

We’ve recently supported clients in the manufacturing sector, navigating this exact shift — from traditional RSAT-based validation to broader automation frameworks aligned to Microsoft’s cloud-first release cadence.