What is Synthetic Performance Monitoring used for?

Synthetic Performance Monitoring is a technique primarily used to assess and measure the performance of applications and services by simulating user interactions. This method involves running scripted transactions or workflows against web applications, and this is typically achieved using external agents that mimic real user behavior.

When using Synthetic Performance Monitoring, organizations can create scripts that represent standard user paths through an application. These scripts can be executed at set intervals, allowing for the measurement of load times, availability, and responsiveness of the application from various locations around the globe. This approach provides valuable insights into how the application performs under different conditions, helping teams identify potential issues before they impact actual users.

This method is particularly effective because it allows for consistent, repeatable testing and monitoring, providing a clear understanding of application performance over time and across different user experiences. Furthermore, this proactive approach can help in identifying performance bottlenecks earlier in the development or operational lifecycle.