Hi Archana
2. How easy/ hard is it to integrate an eCATT script with external tools for automation extending beyond SAP? I know TAO would utilize QTP automation to extend beyond SAP - does eCATT also use QTP and does it support other tools as well?
3. With appropriate training, is eCATT an effective and intuitive tool for automating within SAP?
It is very easy to integrate eCATT with QTP without Test automation framework also
means you can do that in older release of solman 7.0 as well....I did in 2007 check my blog series
http://scn.sap.com/people/community.user/blog/2007/01/02/integrating-ecatt-mercury-qtp-part-1
http://scn.sap.com/people/community.user/blog/2007/01/15/integrating-ecatt-mercury-qtp-part-2
so don't get confused that this is only possible in newer version of solman only
Yes eCATT is effective and good tool based upon Web application server. Earlier it was only used for SAP GUI but later we have started for SAP Web based transaction as well
In my opinion based upon 20+ projects solman implemenations
if you have lot of non SAP application go for QTP integration with Solman
if you are looking for only sap transaction simply choose solman (ECATT+manual) is sufficient
let me know if this helps and clarifies
Regards
Prakhar