QTP is a great all-purpose test automation tool. I do not know much about Siebel Retail 8.1 GUI - is it web-based or thick client? If web-based, there are a ton of alternatives, including open source.
If it's a thick client, you are limited in your choices. Vendor alternatives to QTP are IBM Rational Functional Tester, Compuware TestPartner, Borland SilkTest.
I know it's a late reply - but please don't put too much faith in QTP to test Siebel. Experience of myself and colleagues in the Siebel development community (yes, there is one :) have found considerable problems with the practicalities of using QTP to test Siebel.
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