AWS Systems Manager Reviews

Name: AWS Systems Manager
Brand: Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Rating: 4.0 (11 reviews)

4.0 out of 5

11 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. Based on the analysis of the 11 most recent AWS Systems Manager reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.5. 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 69% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a financial services firm, accounting for 14% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Configuration Management

October 2024

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Featured reviews

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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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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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 November 2024, the mindshare of AWS Systems Manager in the Configuration Management category stands at 10.1%, down from 10.8% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Configuration Management

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Nov 21, 2024

Valuable Features

AWS Systems Manager offers performance overview graphs, automation for patching and processes, remote command execution, Fleet Manager, hierarchical parameter management, auto-scaling, centralized change management, infrastructure management integration, and enhanced security with Session Manager. The tool helps patch servers, handle configuration, and streamline actions across multiple instances, reducing manual intervention. It is user-friendly and supports scalability and high availability.

"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."
"It is beginner-friendly with extensive features that can be learned gradually based on the user's needs and tasks."
"The solution's most valuable feature is the change management option. It tracks every action on my AWS accounts in a centralized way, acting like a control tool for me. This is especially useful when working with Kubernetes and AWS ECS services. Additionally, my colleagues and clients often use the application management tools for configuration, parameters, and installations."

Room for Improvement

AWS Systems Manager needs better automation functions, more integration options, and improved usability for its UI. Users desire a consolidated platform for managing multiple accounts and enhanced dynamic configuration management. They also request faster patching processes, agentless operations, cost optimization, and better compliance features. Improved integration with AWS services like Lambda and CloudFormation, broader OS coverage in patch management, and more intuitive handling of multiple support issues under AWS Organizations are important areas for enhancement.

"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."
"I'd like to see more automation for monitoring and managing things like AWS CloudWatch and AWS Config. It would be a significant improvement if it could automatically handle these tasks and address issues as they arise."

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 is a mixed experience among users. Some highlight significant cost increases with demand surges, while others appreciate its value and nominal costs, especially in government projects. Users believe the alerts system for pricing optimization needs improvement. Most find many features free or included with existing AWS EC2 usage. The platform offers excellent value when compared to third-party tools. However, specific Ops Manager services may have associated costs.

"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

Businesses primarily use AWS Systems Manager for automation, resource management, and security. It aids in tasks like patch management, configuration management, and compliance enforcement. It facilitates automation for deployments, infrastructure management, and security parameter handling. Companies utilize it for SAP workload management, smart farming data analysis, cloud activity tracking, and secure instance access. Its features include managing patches, storing sensitive data, and automating DNS configuration.

Service and Support

Customer service and support of AWS Systems Manager exhibit variability. Some find the support very good and responsive, especially with specific support levels. Others experience slow response times or occasional lack of responsiveness. Technical support is often praised, but there's inconsistency; while some benefit from effective debugging guidance, others face frustration with system failures. Most recognize potential for improvement in stability and promptness.

Deployment

Users find AWS Systems Manager's initial setup straightforward and aided by comprehensive documentation. It can be done in-house or with consultants and requires some experience. The setup generally involves reading documents, linking services, and managing policies. Deployment time varies based on factors like connectivity, service complexity, and scale, with larger deployments benefiting from better resources. Users appreciate the ease of setup, finding it intuitive and quick for both simple and complex environments.

Scalability

AWS Systems Manager excels in scalability, effectively handling increasing workloads. Users report seamless scaling with demand. It supports a wide range of users, from dozens to thousands, with strong automation capabilities. The ability to manage numerous workloads efficiently without concern for underlying infrastructure impresses users, rating scalability between seven and nine out of ten.

Stability

AWS Systems Manager is quite reliable, with many noting its stability. Some users rate it between seven to nine out of ten. Issues include occasional problems with clipboard sharing, battery drain, and patching systems. Stability sometimes depends on specific configurations and resource usage. Misconfigurations are cited as a cause for some issues. Approximately eight users in one enterprise encountered no stability problems.

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

14%

Financial Services Firm

14%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

Retailer

Healthcare Company

University

Energy/Utilities Company

Insurance Company

Educational Organization

Comms Service Provider

Legal Firm

Construction Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Non Profit

Media Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Hospitality Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

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.