GitLab is a DevSecOps platform that automates software delivery and enhances collaboration among engineering teams. Datadog's GitLab integration allows users to monitor their GitLab instances alongside other infrastructure components by collecting metrics, logs, and service checks. This integration provides deep insights into the GitLab environment, enabling quick identification of roadblocks in the delivery cycle and minimizing downtime spent waiting for commits to deploy. The integration also helps visualize the health of the GitLab environment, investigate Gitaly metrics, and identify bottlenecks in the CI workflow. By monitoring these aspects, users can maintain a productive development cycle and ensure smooth pipeline operations.