Introduction: Navigating the Competitive Landscape of Synthetic Monitoring
Synthetic intelligence is a market experiencing an unprecedented degree of competition, as a result of the rapid diffusion of technology, the evolution of regulatory frameworks and the heightened expectations of consumers for a more seamless digital experience. Leading players, including equipment manufacturers, IT service and system integrators, and some of the most promising AI start-ups, are vying for leadership by deploying advanced capabilities such as machine learning, automation and IoT. These technology-driven differentiators are not only enhancing operational efficiencies, but also reshaping customer engagement strategies, which in turn influence market positioning. And as the emphasis on green and privacy issues intensifies, the competition intensifies. The most promising opportunities are in North America and Asia-Pacific, where strategic deployments are in step with digital transformation strategies. As we look forward to 2024–2025, understanding these changing dynamics will be essential for C-level leaders and strategic planners looking to capitalise on the synthetic intelligence landscape.
Competitive Positioning
Full-Suite Integrators
These companies offer comprehensive solutions that combine synthetic monitoring with other IT management functions.
| Vendor | Competitive Edge | Solution Focus | Regional Focus |
|---|
| Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company |
Robust IT management integration |
Synthetic monitoring and IT operations |
Global |
| IBM Corporation |
AI-driven insights and analytics |
Synthetic monitoring and performance management |
Global |
| BMC Software |
Comprehensive IT service management |
Synthetic monitoring and IT operations |
Global |
| Microsoft Corporation |
Seamless Azure integration |
Cloud-based synthetic monitoring |
Global |
Specialized Technology Vendors
These suppliers focus on the development of advanced synthetic monitoring and provide specialized solutions for performance and user experience.
| Vendor | Competitive Edge | Solution Focus | Regional Focus |
|---|
| New Relic Inc. |
Real-time performance monitoring |
Application performance monitoring |
Global |
| AppDynamics |
Business-centric performance insights |
Application performance management |
Global |
| Splunk Inc |
Data-driven operational intelligence |
Monitoring and analytics |
Global |
Infrastructure & Equipment Providers
These suppliers provide the underlying network and the necessary hardware and software for effective synthetic monitoring.
| Vendor | Competitive Edge | Solution Focus | Regional Focus |
|---|
| Broadcom Inc. |
Strong network performance solutions |
Network monitoring and management |
Global |
| Riverbed Technology |
Optimized application performance over networks |
Network performance monitoring |
Global |
| Dell Technologies Inc |
Comprehensive hardware and software solutions |
Infrastructure for monitoring solutions |
Global |
| Intel Corporation |
High-performance computing capabilities |
Infrastructure for synthetic monitoring |
Global |
Emerging Players & Regional Champions
- Dynatrace (USA): Provides synthetic monitoring solutions with machine learning that provide real-time insights into the performance of applications. Challenges the established New Relic by focusing on automation and artificial intelligence.
- — Catchpoint (U.S.): Specializes in digital experience monitoring, specializing in synthetic testing across multiple locations. Recently implemented a solution for a global financial services company, challenging the established players with more granular performance metrics.
- Uptrends (Netherlands): Provides a cloud-based, synthetic monitoring platform with a focus on monitoring the user experience and uptime. Recently teamed up with a European telecommunications company to improve the delivery of its services, thereby complementing the offerings of established vendors by focusing on the end-user experience.
- The synthetic monitoring solution from India, from Site24x7, offers a complete set of tools and is integrated into its IT management suite. The company has recently stepped up its presence in the Asia-Pacific region, challenging the market leaders with its cost-effective solutions tailored to SMEs.
- Pingdom (Sweden): specializes in monitoring the performance of web sites with a strong emphasis on the user experience. Recently launched a new feature set for e-commerce sites, complementing the offerings of established vendors by offering simpler, more accessible tools for smaller businesses.
Regional Trends: In 2023, there is a significant increase in the use of synthetic monitoring solutions in North America and Europe, prompted by the increasing need for better digital experiences and application performance. The Asia-Pacific region sees a growing demand for these solutions, especially from SMEs. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are increasingly integrated into synthetic monitoring tools to make them more pro-active and to allow for more detailed, more precise and more accurate performance management and reporting.
Collaborations & M&A Movements
- A partnership has been established between Dynatrace and Amazon Web Services to combine Dynatrace’s synthetic monitoring capabilities with AWS services. This is intended to improve cloud performance monitoring and customer experience.
- New Relic has acquired synthetic monitoring company SpeedCurve to strengthen its performance monitoring suite and gain a competitive advantage in the rapidly growing observability market.
- Datadog and Microsoft have formed an agreement to provide enhanced synthetic monitoring for Azure customers, with the aim of improving application performance and reliability in the cloud.
Competitive Summary Table
| Capability | Leading Players | Remarks |
|---|
| Biometric Self-Boarding |
Clear, IDEMIA |
The Clear system of self-boarding has been successfully implemented in major airports, improving passenger flow and reducing waiting times. Its identity verification solutions are widely used at international airports. |
| AI-Powered Ops Mgmt |
IBM, Dynatrace |
The IBM Watson AIOps is a tool for improving the efficiency of IT operations. Case studies have demonstrated that it can reduce the time it takes to respond to incidents. Dynatrace uses AI to monitor in real time and enables a pro-active approach to problem resolution, which has proven to be critical for large companies. |
| Border Control |
Thales, Gemalto |
Thales provides advanced border control solutions, including biometrics, which have been successfully used in many countries to speed up the clearance of foreigners. Gemalto is a leading supplier of digital identity solutions which are recognised as increasing security and efficiency at border crossings. |
| Sustainability |
Microsoft, SAP |
For example, Microsoft’s cloud solutions help companies to measure and reduce their carbon footprint. In addition, the SAP solutions for the management of sustainable development are in wide use, enabling companies to integrate their sustainable development goals into their daily business. |
| Passenger Experience |
Amadeus, SITA |
Amadeus aims to improve the experience of travellers with its personalised travel solutions, which it has already successfully implemented in major airlines. SITA’s passenger flow management systems have improved the overall experience of travellers by optimising airport operations. |
Conclusion: Navigating the Synthetic Monitoring Landscape
The Synthetic Monitoring Market in 2023 is characterized by a high degree of competition and fragmentation. The market is being pursued by both established and new players. Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a priority for vendors looking to expand their service offerings and operational efficiencies. The big players are focusing on re-establishing their reputation and market share, while the new players are concentrating on innovation and flexibility in order to meet the constantly changing customer needs. Strategic implications for vendors include the need to invest in sustainable practices and advanced analytics in order to differentiate themselves in a crowded market. In the end, the ability to integrate AI, automation, and flexibility into their offerings will be critical for vendors looking to establish a leadership position in this rapidly evolving market.
