AWS Systems Manager Reviews

Name: AWS Systems Manager
Brand: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Rating: 4.0 (12 reviews)

4.0 out of 5

12 reviews
100% willing to recommend

What is AWS Systems Manager?

AWS Systems Manager is a management service that helps you automatically collect software inventory, apply OS patches, create system images, and configure Windows and Linux operating systems. These capabilities help you define and track system configurations, prevent drift, and maintain software compliance of your EC2 and on-premises configurations. By providing a management approach that is designed for the scale and agility of the cloud but extends into your on-premises data center, Systems Manager makes it easier for you to seamlessly bridge your existing infrastructure with AWS.

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AWS Systems Manager is the #6 ranked solution in top Configuration Management solutions. PeerSpot users give AWS Systems Manager an average rating of 8.0 out of 10. AWS Systems Manager is most commonly compared to Microsoft Intune: AWS Systems Manager vs Microsoft Intune. AWS Systems Manager is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 68% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 15% of all views.

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Configuration Management

December 2024

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Featured reviews

Ambe Frankline

Cloud/DevOps Engineer at Innovative Technology Systems

Setting up AWS Systems Manager to monitor and control other services is easy. You need to link the services you want to observe and track. The time it takes to deploy depends on factors like connectivity, latency, and the complexity of the services. For example, setting up a simple application is faster than setting up a more complicated three-tier or multi-tier system. Using the solution for batch updates varies depending on the number of servers involved and the commands needed. Personally, when I do small projects at home, deploying a few servers doesn't take long. But at work, where we handle larger deployments with hundreds of servers, it's faster due to better connectivity and resources.

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Betika Brandon

Cloud Engineer at Epsilon

I utilize AWS Systems Manager for managing and handling interviews, resources, security, and configurations like database connections, API keys, and passwords. With AWS, I can execute commands on-premises servers. I also use AWS as a patch manager to automate instance patching for data security and…

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GeraldMusaga

Sr. AWS Cloud DevSecOps Engineer at Manhattan Strategy Group

I advise others to evaluate specific needs and tasks to see if Systems Manager aligns with organizational requirements, particularly in operational and application management. It is beginner-friendly with extensive features that can be learned gradually based on the user's needs and tasks. Integration with other AWS services like Lambda is seamless and enhances its functionality. I would rate it an eight out of ten.

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AWS Systems Manager mindshare

As of January 2025, the mindshare of AWS Systems Manager in the Configuration Management category stands at 10.4%, down from 10.5% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Configuration Management

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Dec 4, 2024

Valuable Features

AWS Systems Manager's most valuable features include automation for tasks like patching and configuration management, seamless integration with AWS services, and change management that centralizes tracking actions. Its user-friendly interface, dynamic parameter management, and remote command execution improve efficiency. Session Manager enhances security, bypassing traditional SSH. Parameter Store ensures scalability and availability for configuration data, and Runbook allows mass automation across multiple systems, streamlining processes for enterprises.

"AWS Systems Manager's most valuable feature is its ability to dynamically export and import values in various AWS accounts."
"AWS Systems Manager's most valuable feature is its ability to dynamically export and import values in various AWS accounts"
"I use AWS Systems Manager primarily for infrastructure management and automation. One of its key benefits is managing patches and updates for our EC2 instances, including both Windows and Linux workloads. It can perform compliance checks on all managed workloads, identifying which systems aren't compliant or haven't been patched."

Room for Improvement

AWS Systems Manager needs enhanced automation capabilities and better integration with other solutions. Users desire a more intuitive interface and improved usability. A centralized view for managing multiple accounts, cost optimization, and compliance features are important. Patching processes, dynamic configuration management, and broader OS coverage could benefit from advancements. The ability to operate without installing agents, similar to Ansible, is sought after. Handling support issues across multiple accounts under AWS Organizations more efficiently is also a concern.

"Every AWS service comes with some associated costs."
"It could be agentless if there's room for improvement in the AWS Systems Manager. Currently, you have to install agents, although, for most of the latest EC2 images, the agents come preinstalled. If it could be at the level of Ansible, which is agentless, that would be fantastic. When you compare the solution to Ansible, one of the most widely accepted tools, the agentless feature stands out. So, if the AWS Systems Manager could become agentless, that would be a significant improvement."
"Ensuring broader OS coverage in patch management could be beneficial for the product."

ROI

Users reported significant improvements in efficiency and cost savings with AWS Systems Manager. Automation of routine tasks reduced manual effort. Centralized management enhanced visibility and control over resources. Integration with existing AWS services streamlined operations. Enhanced security features led to better compliance. Simplified patch management and configuration updates saved time and reduced operational downtime. Improved resource optimization led to better budget allocation and forecasting, contributing positively to return on investment.

Pricing

AWS Systems Manager pricing can vary, often being a concern for users as costs may rise with increased demand. While many features are free for those using AWS EC2 Instances, enterprise users find value in AWS Systems Manager compared to third-party tools. AWS account holders can access it without additional charges, although monitoring and optimization are essential. Government and enterprise projects may experience nominal costs, with AWS engineers able to reduce expenses.

"Most of the features are free. I'm not entirely certain, but I believe the pricing is generally very low. Some services that are part of Ops Manager might have associated costs."
"The platform provides excellent value for the capabilities it offers when compared to third-party tools for similar tasks."
"An AWS cloud engineer can bring down the costs."

Popular Use Cases

AWS Systems Manager is utilized for log analysis, automation of SAP workloads, running production workloads, managing resources, inventory, and security configuration. It supports Smart Farming applications, tracking cloud activities, infrastructure management, patch management, and compliance enforcement. Users leverage Parameter Store for storing sensitive data, enabling secure instance access, and exporting values across AWS accounts. It aids in deploying resources, controlling access, and integrating automation with AWS Lambda and CloudFormation.

Service and Support

Users express mixed experiences with AWS Systems Manager's customer support. Some find it generally effective and praise its usefulness, particularly business support, rating it highly. Others note occasional responsiveness issues, with developer support being slower. The technical team is often appreciated, though there’s inconsistency; while some users experience prompt assistance, others find it frustratingly variable. Improvements are needed, particularly in addressing system failures quickly. The quality of support can vary based on the level selected by the company.

Deployment

AWS Systems Manager's initial setup is relatively straightforward, requiring users to follow documentation closely. Organizations find it easy, deploying it either in-house or on the cloud. Familiarity with AWS helps streamline the process, though a moderate level of experience is beneficial. Setup time varies according to project complexity, resources, and connectivity. Deployment is intuitive with minimal setup needed, while documentation supports easy navigation through the process, making it manageable for both simple and complex configurations.

Scalability

AWS Systems Manager has strong scalability features. Users commend its ability to grow with demand, accommodating hundreds to thousands of users comfortably. Organizations benefit from its capacity to expand automation and manage numerous resources seamlessly. Although the patching process might take time, it effectively handles configurations across large fleets. Many rate its scalability highly, emphasizing its SaaS-like capabilities where node management concerns are minimal, making it well-suited for varying workload sizes.

Stability

AWS Systems Manager is quite reliable and stable, rated mostly between seven to nine out of ten by users. Some issues with clipboard sharing, battery drain, and system patching arise, but these are often linked to misconfigurations or resource consumption. Most users including those in enterprises report no significant stability problems. Occasional instances of system choking occur, dependent on application configuration and resource usage, yet no significant bugs have been observed. Users appreciate its general stability.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

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Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

13%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Retailer

Healthcare Company

Energy/Utilities Company

University

Non Profit

Insurance Company

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

Pharma/Biotech Company

Media Company

Legal Firm

Construction Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Hospitality Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Outsourcing Company

Transportation Company

Logistics Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Performing Arts

Consumer Goods Company

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Learn more about AWS Systems Manager

Systems Manager is easy to use. Simply access Systems Manager from the EC2 Management Console, select the instances you want to manage, and define the management tasks you want to perform. Systems Manager is available now at no cost to manage both your EC2 and on-premises resources.

AWS Systems Manager was previously known as Amazon Elastic Container Registry.