Load Impact today introduced the first cloud-based load testing Software as a Service for mobile apps, APIs and websites that can simulate traffic generated from a variety of mobile operating systems, popular browsers, and mobile networks – including 3G, GSM and LTE.

“Only about half of companies with mobile sites or apps today test their mobile code – which in my book is nuts,” said Ragnar Lönn, Load Impact founder and CEO. “Mobile Internet use will surpass desktop usage this year, and anyone not simulating mobile usage while testing is basically risking their company’s livelihood”.

Studies have shown that when a mobile app fails, 48 percent of users are less likely to use the app again, 34 percent will switch to a competitor, and 31 percent will tell others about their poor experience.

Load testing, also known as stress testing, is how developers ensure software performs well under normal or heavy use. It lets them detect slow, non-scalable code early in the development process and avoid wasting time on non-performing code tracks or architectures.

Load Impact’s new testing service for mobile apps, APIs and websites allows developers to emulate client behavior when downloading content to a phone, specify the number of concurrent downloads in total and per host, as well as the mix of different client applications or browsers, including Safari, Chrome, Firefox and Opera.  

Developers can also use Load Impact’s services to emulate mobile network characteristics including available bandwidth, network delay, packet loss, jitter and packet reordering.

All of the features may be accessed individually in Load Impact’s advanced configuration interface, or set automatically based on the mobile operating systems, browsers, and type of networks – GSM or CDMA 3G, 4G and LTE – being emulated.

“Compared to the old broadband world, the global mobile world we live in and do business in today presents so many more variables and combinations of critical factors that impact performance,” said Lönn.  “Simulating reality as accurately as possible when testing is more essential than ever to sustainable growth, as it’s the only reliable way to understand what’s happening inside your application. Only when you understand your application can you optimize it. As opposed to the old days when upgrading your internet bandwidth or server hardware was enough to stay competitive, nowadays you need know how to optimize your code.”