Fortinet FortiManager Reviews

Name: Fortinet FortiManager
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4.0 (64 reviews)

4.0 out of 5

64 reviews
94% willing to recommend

198 followers

What is Fortinet FortiManager?

Fortinet FortiManager is used for centralized management of FortiGate firewalls, utilizing zero-touch deployment techniques to optimize configuration and deployment, reducing installation time and errors while improving network security and efficiency.

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Fortinet FortiManager is the #3 ranked solution in top Network Management Applications. PeerSpot users give Fortinet FortiManager an average rating of 8.0 out of 10. Fortinet FortiManager is most commonly compared to Cisco DNA Center: Fortinet FortiManager vs Cisco DNA Center. Fortinet FortiManager is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 54% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 19% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiManager

January 2025

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Helped 831,020 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

HamedWasel

Senior Network Security Engineer at Orange

We've faced an issue when we need to move devices. Templates need to be recreated instead of having the policies, et cetera, cut and pasted over. Everything should just move over when we need to move devices instead of recreating everything from scratch. For the IPSEC tunnels, Fortimanager doesn't have all of the features that are available on Fortigate.

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Eric Verreault

Network Administrator at Québec Government

The information extraction through command lines was could improve to some extent. Although there were some command lines available, there were not enough options. For instance, I needed to obtain the management IP address of my two Fortigates, but the Fortinet FortiManager did not provide me with the IP address on the LAN interface. I attempted to find this information through the command line but was unsuccessful. I also searched for articles on the internet, but could not find a solution. This is an aspect that could be improved or potentially there is a method to access this information that I have yet to discover.

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Socipart67

IT Manager at TiThink

The price is a bit too high. Aside from the price, I do not have any complaints about the product. It would be ideal if they could bundle the product with others. Right now, you have all of these Forti products and you have to pay for a license for FortiGate and then have other licenses for the Analyzer and Cloud, for example. Instead of paying separately and having all of these licenses, it would be nice to centralize everything and maybe reduce the price for a bundle.

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Fortinet FortiManager mindshare

As of January 2025, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiManager in the Network Management Applications category stands at 5.5%, down from 5.6% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Management Applications

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Network Management Applications	Jan 17, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jan 17, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortinet FortiManager vs Cisco DNA Center	Jan 17, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortinet FortiManager vs Aruba Airwave	Jan 17, 2025	Download
Comparison	Fortinet FortiManager vs NetScaler	Jan 17, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Cisco DNA Center	4.0	29.7%	89%	41 interviews Add to research
DX Spectrum	4.2	2.1%	89%	116 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Fortinet FortiManager offers centralized management, automation, and ease of use. It efficiently handles deployment and maintenance with zero-touch provisioning and integrates well with other Fortinet products. Users appreciate its GUI, scalability, and single-pane view. The ability to automate tasks, manage firewall configurations, and analyze traffic is highlighted. Fortinet FortiManager's features facilitate device synchronization, policy consistency, and enhance security management with SD-WAN capabilities. Its centralized policy management simplifies administrative tasks, provides robust reporting, and supports role-based administration.

"The centralized management of policies and certificates, coupled with the capability to handle multi-site deployments effectively, provides streamlined operations."
"The centralized management of policies and certificates, coupled with the capability to handle multi-site deployments effectively, provides streamlined operations."
"FortiManager helps automate configuration deployment, allowing us to plan and schedule configurations."

Room for Improvement

Fortinet FortiManager needs improvements in documentation clarity and support responsiveness. Users find implementation complex and troubleshooting difficult due to inadequate real-time traffic visibility and examples in the CLI. The GUI is outdated and should be more user-friendly with better integration capabilities. Scalability and stability are also concerns, along with frequent bugs and complicated licensing. Enhancements in automation, third-party integration, and better management of multiple devices are desired, alongside improved performance and pricing structures.

"The graphical user interface could use improvement as it appears complex and not user-friendly."
"The graphical user interface could use improvement as it appears complex and not user-friendly."
"FortiManager needs to handle different firewall versions more efficiently."

ROI

Many organizations see Fortinet FortiManager as a cost-effective option for long-term projects, offering a broad security portfolio. Though some have yet to experience full returns due to deployment stages, they recognize cost savings in administration and time management. A unified management point aids in cutting operational expenses while providing visibility. Users report high returns through saved resources and efficient client service delivery, reflecting positive financial impacts over time.

Pricing

Fortinet FortiManager is viewed as reasonably priced, especially when compared to high-end competitors like Cisco and Palo Alto. Users find the licensing model, based on the number of devices, straightforward but note potential additional costs for advanced features. The cost can range significantly, with some citing it as expensive for high-volume usage. Discounts and deals affect perceptions of affordability, but overall, it is often considered a worthwhile investment for large-scale deployments.

"On a scale from one to ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive, I rate the solution's pricing a six out of ten."
"Compared to Check Point or Cisco, Fortinet FortiManager is more affordable but it is still on the higher end."
"Fortinet FortiManager can be expensive."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Fortinet FortiManager for centralized management of FortiGate firewalls, optimizing deployments and configurations through zero-touch deployment. It efficiently streamlines policy management and error minimization across various sites. Fortinet FortiManager also supports SD-WAN provisioning, internal traffic analysis, and ensures consistent firewall configurations from a single console. Its flexibility allows deployment in virtual environments, cloud services, and hybrid settings, enhancing management efficiency across extensive Fortinet equipment portfolios.

Service and Support

Fortinet FortiManager's customer support is generally positive, with users appreciating responsiveness and helpfulness. However, they have experienced delays and inconsistency with engineers' expertise. While some found support in their region effective, others noted language barriers or slow response times. Users ranked the service variably, mentioning occasional needs for escalations and extended resolution times. Some reported challenges accessing experienced support staff, suggesting the need for improvement in resources and technical knowledge.

Deployment

Fortinet FortiManager's initial setup is generally simple and straightforward. Some find it quick to deploy, taking only a few hours or days, while others face complexity depending on specific environments or requirements. Experienced users often report ease, while newcomers might encounter challenges such as configuration, compatibility, and user synchronization. The setup process varies with network size and design needs, but most agree that it doesn't require extensive expertise.

Scalability

Fortinet FortiManager is highly scalable, suitable for large enterprises and medium-sized businesses. Users find it easy to add instances and upgrade as needed. Though hardware configurations may have limitations, virtual versions offer flexibility. Licensing is straightforward, aiding scalability, though potential costs could arise. Users generally rate scalability highly, between seven and nine out of ten. With capacity for thousands of devices, FortiManager supports centralized management, crucial for multi-location environments.

Stability

Fortinet FortiManager exhibits high stability with minimal issues, though occasional bugs or the need for reboots have been noted. Users frequently report it as reliable, with many rating its stability between eight to ten out of ten. Some older versions had instability, but recent experiences highlight significant improvements. It's stable under various network conditions, although occasional bugs, particularly with device management, are mentioned. Regular updates enhance stability and performance.

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

Download our Fortinet FortiManager Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

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Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

19%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Government

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

Healthcare Company

Retailer

Construction Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Insurance Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Non Profit

University

Wholesaler/Distributor

Outsourcing Company

Hospitality Company

Media Company

Performing Arts

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Engineering Company

Legal Firm

Pharma/Biotech Company

Transportation Company

Consumer Goods Company

Logistics Company

Compare Fortinet FortiManager with alternative products

Learn more about Fortinet FortiManager

By centralizing policy management and monitoring across devices and locations, Fortinet FortiManager enhances security and operational efficiency. Automation tools simplify management, control, and consistent configuration across environments. It offers scalability for managing large numbers of devices, beneficial for organizations seeking unified threat protection and streamlined administration from one console. The platform integrates effortlessly with Fortinet products, supporting zero-touch provisioning, SD-WAN, and traffic analysis. Although intuitive, the graphical interface and overall performance require refinement, alongside enhanced support and documentation for troubleshooting and configuration.

What are the key features of Fortinet FortiManager?

Centralized Management: Streamlines device configuration across multiple systems.
Automation Tools: Simplifies implementation and maintenance of configurations.
Zero-Touch Provisioning: Reduces setup time and minimizes errors.
SD-WAN Support: Enhances wide-area network efficiency and effectiveness.
Traffic Analysis: Monitors network traffic for improved security insights.
Policy Pushing: Facilitates efficient deployment of security rules.

What benefits and ROI should users look for in reviews?

Operational Efficiency: Reduces installation time and configuration errors.
Scalability: Supports management of numerous devices.
Improved Security: Centralized management enhances threat protection.
Time Savings: Automation reduces manual intervention needs.
Cost-Effectiveness: Simplified administration can lower management costs.

Fortinet FortiManager is implemented across diverse industries like telecommunications, finance, and healthcare, where centralized management and enhanced security are crucial. Its ability to streamline processes and integrate with existing Fortinet products makes it ideal for organizations looking to maintain robust network security standards.