How is AppDynamics application analytics different from Google Analytics?

[CommunityUser]

Hi All,

We are in the exploration phase of understanding newly launched Appdynamics application analytics. Presently we use Google analytics for the WEB analytics piece.  

Our aim is to understand the customer behaviour, track all activities that happen on customer facing website and and make informed decisions accordingly.   

Can someone please explain what is the difference between these two tools and which is better one from web/site analytics point of view?

Thanks,

Gyan

[Arun_Dasetty]

Hi Gyan,

We understood that you are referring the feature referred in below screenshots and docs:

We request you to go through the following docs and see if that provides insights and difference in the scope of features both the tools provide and see if that information helps.

https://docs.appdynamics.com/display/PRO40/Application+Analytics

https://docs.appdynamics.com/display/PRO40/Configure+Application+Analytics

http://www.google.com/analytics/features/

Regards,

Arun

[CommunityUser]

Thanks for prompt reply. I did go through the links that you provided but somehow I am not able to compare the exact distinction of Appdynamics application analytics with Google analytics.

We need this information to make an informed decision on App dynamics application analytics

Let me elaborate the problem statement:

Google Analytics is basically meant to understand and track following activities on any Web site:

• Audience :- Who all are the users using the website, their location, browser, os details, device types, traffic sources etc.
• Behaviour : - Which are the features that are used frequently, what is the flow pattern, event tracking etc.
• Funnel Conversion :- It takes of measuring the goals and objectives.

All we want to understand is:

1. Are all the above features supported by Appdynamics application analytics ?
2. Is appdynamics application analytics as a standalone entity recommended for web analytics or is it impactful only when used with APM?
3. If the objective is to understand the customer behaviour on the site, is Appdynamics analytics application recommended?  

Sorry for long post but need answers to these questions!

Thanks,

Gyan

[Mike_McFarland]

Thanks for the long post!  It makes it easier to understand what you are looking for.

The 'Analytics' feature is not standalone, but a part of the AppDynamics APM.  It is combining of the two that makes it so powerful.

For 'Audience', please take a look at the Web EUEM feature of AppDynamics:

https://docs.appdynamics.com/display/PRO39/Monitor+Your+Applications+with+Web+EUEM

For 'Behaviour', this is something that the AppDynamics APM is particularly strong on.  Features are broken down in what are called 'Business Transactions'.  AppDymnamics does a great job of instantly showing you how many of each type is occurring by the minute (or hour or day).

As for 'Funnel Conversion', I am not quite clear on what that is.  Perhaps someone else can come along and comment on this?

[CommunityUser]

Thanks a lot ! Awesome reply. Cleared most of the doubts!

Just one final query :

• Can you tell me important criterias which will clearly define when to go for Appdynamics Analytics application and when to go for Google Analytics? Also if you can provide your reasoning for it, that will be awesome!

1.  For example : Performance can be of the criterias. If one is looking for improving the performance of the application, then Appdynamics is the better solution of 2.

Please assist by mentioning important criterias to differentiate bewteen the two tools. I think this will put us in formiddable position to plan for next steps!

Thanks,

Gyan

[Mike_McFarland]

APM focuses on how your data center is behaving, both from a hardware and software point of view.  Google Analytics focuses on what your customers are doing.  So, the question is, are you interested in knowing how well your data center is working?  If so, then APM is what you are looking for.  If you are not interested in monitoring your data center, then something simpler like Google Analytics may do.

[CommunityUser]

Thanks a lot Mike! Your information really helped us. 

I am sorry for asking loads of questions but we want to ensure that we are heading in right direction

In the below mentioned link, I found out Customer analytics being one of the features being provided by APP Analytics. 

Can you tell me how is this different from Google Analytics? 

URL:

http://www.appdynamics.com/media/uploaded-files/1421644092/datasheet-analytics.pdf 

Thanks,

Gyan

[Mike_McFarland]

I do not know of a compare/contrast list showing the similarities or differences between AppDynamics and Google Analytics.  Do note that AppDynamics Analytics is not a separate standalone package, but a part of the overall AppDynamics APM offering.

I do know that AppDynamics and Google do not usually compete with each other.  AppDynamics APM focuses on how a data center's hardware and software is performing.  By adding things like the Web EUEM and Analytics, it makes the APM all the more powerful!  If you are not interested in your Data Center's performance, then APM may be a more complex solution than needed.