[crdoconnor]

For something like what you do I find that there's often a cost/benefit trade off to be made:

#1 Create a mock system that you can run automated tests against.

#2 Only do the manual tests.

Which one is the 'right' decision depends largely on the expense of creating that mock system, the complexity of the system under test, the nature of the bugs you're getting from customers and the frequency with which your software changes.

Simple, infrequently changing system? Expensive to set up a mock system? #2.

Complex, frequently changing system? #1 will help more than you realize.

>Even exploratory has written tests that basically say "explore," and they are often assigned with a particular focus.

Of course. However, exploratory shouldn't mean following a script and it shouldn't mean doing repetitive work.