Visual Test Automation for ePOS Systems: Lessons from a Real Proof of Concept

Electronic Point of Sale (ePOS) systems sit at the centre of modern retail operations. However, testing these systems is rarely straightforward. With tightly integrated hardware, legacy technology and customer-facing interfaces, retail QA teams often struggle to manage rapid change while maintaining quality.

At T-Plan, we delivered a successful proof of concept (PoC) for a major high-street retailer. This project demonstrated exactly why a visual test automation approach is the right fit for ePOS environments.

Here are the key lessons and why they matter to retailers under pressure to modernise.

Visual Test Automation Is Designed for the POS Interface

ePOS applications rely on visual workflows. Scanning products, processing payments, handling errors and managing loyalty schemes all depend on what appears on screen. Traditional test automation tools can struggle, as object-level recognition requires internal system access. Many ePOS interfaces run on older operating systems, use bespoke controls, or are locked down by external vendors.

Visual test automation, such as T-Plan’s image-based platform, works directly with the user interface, validating exactly what’s on display, no internal access required.

Key takeaway: If testers cannot reliably recognise what is displayed, neither can automated tools. Visual testing resolves this.

Legacy Technology Is No Longer a Barrier

Retailers often depend on systems that have remained unchanged for years. Replacing them outright is rarely practical. Our recent proof of concept showed how T-Plan can automate ePOS systems running on older operating systems and proprietary software. By avoiding reliance on modern frameworks or object-level access, our platform adapts to the infrastructure most retailers already have.

Key takeaway: Visual automation bridges the gap between modern testing needs and legacy infrastructure.

Speed to First Automated Test Drives Value

The retail environment moves at pace. Promotions change weekly, updates arrive unexpectedly, and downtime is expensive. Rapid automation deployment is crucial.

During the H&M project, we installed and configured T-Plan Robot, produced a working ePOS automation script in under an hour, and delivered a complete end-to-end transaction scenario within two days, all while integrating with real ePOS hardware and adhering to strict security controls.

Key takeaway: Fast test deployment delivers quick wins, proving value and building stakeholder confidence in automation.

Repeatability and Resilience Are Essential in Retail QA

Retail test cycles must be conducted across multiple stores, devices and geographies.

H&M’s rollout covered 16 countries and around 250 test cases per country, with approximately 75% identified as automatable. Automated visual tests can be repeated reliably, providing consistent user experiences no matter where or when testing occurs.

Key takeaway: Fast test deployment delivers quick wins and builds stakeholder confidence in automation.

Proof of Concept Means Proof That It Works

Automation is frequently held back by concerns over complexity or return on investment. A solid proof of concept is a powerful way to overcome these barriers. The H&M case study illustrates how a focused two-day engagement can demonstrate ROI, validate automation over secure IP KVM, and facilitate team training and rapid scaling.

Key takeaway: A focused proof of concept breaks down barriers and accelerates adoption for visual test automation in retail.

Case Study Highlight: H&M ePOS Automation Using KVM over IP

H&M, a global fashion retailer with over 4,200 stores, faced the challenge of rapidly validating new ePOS deployments across 16 countries, each with its own requirements for payments, tax, and language.

Working alongside their technology partners, we proved that T-Plan could deliver secure, native UI test automation within locked-down environments, achieving the first live automation script in under an hour and mapping out a wider roll-out for peak trading periods. The use of flexible concurrent licensing and reduced manual regression effort directly supported H&M’s operational efficiency while maintaining PCI compliance and local regulatory standards.