Here is a free utility from SolarWinds to test the performance of web software such as shopping carts, free download buttons
and similar web-based applications. Let us focus on the word
'transaction', because
with this gismo you can check each step of a process in fine-detail.
I am guessing that the primary use for WTW is for techies to test their own
website's software. However, I cannot see why we shouldn't monitor
the speed of other people's
shopping carts and downloads. Two scenarios spring to mind, you
want to troubleshoot your own cart by comparing it with the performance
of another site where, or you just want to test-drive the
utility, and any site will do until you get your own web application
working.
You can download the Web
Transaction Watcher for free if you just type-in a valid email address
in SolarWinds registration form. Installation was a challenge in that
I had to respond to a question about weakening my browser's security
setting.
Although I chose 'No' (see screenshot) the WTW
still installed without trouble.
To get to the nitty gritty of reviewing Web Transaction Watcher,
you need to execute this utility from the link provided at the end of the
install, or else drill-down through your All Programs folder until you
find: 'SolarWinds Web
Transaction Monitor'.
Producing Your First Transaction Recording
Here are a few more pointers to get up and running with this tool:
Copy and paste the url into the dialog box. (See above)
Click on the red button to start recording.
Once you see the website page; just follow the transaction menus
as you would normally (Key point).
When you have completed all the transaction steps, seek out for
the blue button to stop recording. My only problem was looking
for black button - silly me - it's blue!
Time Line
As you complete the transaction steps observe how items grow in the 'Time Line'
at the right-hand column of the Web Transaction Watcher.
Testing the Tool
My web transactions all completed just as I had hoped and expected.
However, if there are any delays then this tool will help you
identify the root cause. The idea is for you to mimic a customer on your
website, and to spot problems before people start voting
with their feet.
Benefits of Web Transaction Watcher
This free gismo enables you to record the results of a web
transactions. This saves the effort of writing bespoke scripts to check
for problems with shopping carts or download procedures.
The secret of getting the most out of WTM is pretend to be a critical
customer. Web Transaction Watcher will mark in amber where there is a problem or a slow
stage in the process. Incidentally, you can re-test every 30
minutes.
SolarWinds also produce a 'Big Brother' called the Synthetic End User Monitor (SEUM)
this can monitor more frequently than WTM.
Incidentally, this stand-alone Web Transaction Watcher also integrates with their
APM and NPM
utilities. Also see more about
Web Transaction Watcher on the Thwack forum.
SEUM Synthetic End User Monitor (See 'um!)
To complete this review I would like to mention the Web Transaction
Watcher's big brother, SEUM (Synthetic End User Monitor)
SEUM monitors availability and response time from locations around
the globe. Its mission is to discover problems before your users
do!
I often say to companies, get someone with imagination to give your
product an interesting name. I think that SEUM (See 'um!) is both
memorable and amusing.
This free SolarWinds utility allows you to record
the speed of online transactions. Installing the tool is
straightforward and you will soon be testing the speed of those shopping
cart transactions.
Additional Free and Trial SolarWinds Network Software
Here are nifty gadgets which I have enjoyed testing on my network.
Some are completely free, while other downloads are trial versions of the
full product. I think SolarWinds have a great strategy, namely,
supplying a free utility, yet providing a big-brother suite of programs for
larger organizations.
Guy Recommends:
SolarWinds' NPM - Network Performance Monitor
SolarWinds' performance monitor is designed for detecting network outages,
making it easy to see what's working, and what needs your attention.
This utility guides you through creating network maps; it also helps
identifying whether the
root cause is faulty equipment, or resource overload. Give NPM a try.
