Microsoft Configuration Manager and Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance compete in the realm of comprehensive IT management solutions. Microsoft Configuration Manager has an upper hand with its robust integration and extensive feature set, making it highly suitable for large enterprises.
Features: Microsoft Configuration Manager offers robust application deployment and compliance reporting alongside Intune integration for enhanced mobile management. It also excels in software patching and provides a centralized management console. Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance provides a valuable asset management feature for efficient inventory control. Its ease in automation and handling of endpoint management tasks allows for effective software deployment.
Room for Improvement: Microsoft Configuration Manager can improve its PowerShell integration and streamline patch management for non-Microsoft products. Users also mention its complexity and high resource requirements. Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance needs better software deployment processes and a more intuitive user interface. Issues with scalability, particularly in large environments, have been reported by users.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft Configuration Manager suits complex on-premises environments well, offering considerable documentation and community support. However, users report mixed technical support experiences. Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance is known for straightforward deployment in both on-premises and cloud environments, providing accessible customer service and support resources, although smaller businesses may find its broad functionality challenging.
Pricing and ROI: Microsoft Configuration Manager is priced high but offers substantial features that lead to operational efficiency and ROI in large enterprises; however, its licensing can be costly for smaller businesses. Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance offers competitive pricing and is particularly effective in midsize environments where centralized management is essential. The investment in both systems brings notable time and cost savings, with Quest KACE marked for its cost-effectiveness in relation to its feature set.
The return on investment is seen in the quick access to information, good inventory management, and efficient systems management.
I would rate the customer support for Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) as a 10.
The customer service is very good, providing quick customer support in Spanish.
The product is suitable for our size, handling 800 devices.
The product is very scalable as it supports 10,000 thousand endpoints with just one appliance.
We have outgrown the size of one KACE appliance and are now running two.
There were misconfigurations by our team rather than issues with the product itself.
Currently, we have to go into each org to deploy applications when we need them all across the university.
The user interface needs improvement as customers have mentioned they do not like the interface since it is not an SMA-based interface.
The setup cost is considered sufficient.
My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing for Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is that, hands down, it beat all of the others in simplicity and pricing.
The pricing is in the middle range of the market, not too expensive but not the cheapest either.
The product valuable for deployment recovery.
Scripting has saved us hundreds of hours over the years when patching these vulnerabilities compared to how we did it before.
The most valuable features include simplicity, which makes systems management easier and faster, especially for device management.
Microsoft Configuration Manager helps IT manage PCs and servers, keeping software up-to-date, setting configuration and security policies, and monitoring system status while giving employees access to corporate applications on the devices that they choose. When Configuration Manager is integrated with Microsoft Intune, you can manage corporate-connected PCs and Macs along with cloud-based mobile devices running Windows, iOS, and Android, all from a single management console.
New features of Configuration Manager, such as the support of Windows 10 in-place upgrade, co-management with Microsoft Intune, Windows 10 and Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise Servicing Dashboard, integration with Windows Update for Business, and more make deploying and managing Windows easier than ever before.
Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance is a comprehensive tool for managing IT endpoints. It facilitates asset management, software distribution, and endpoint tracking while offering remote access capabilities and a centralized help desk.
Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance is designed for organizations that need efficient endpoint management. It offers a range of features like inventory tracking, automated patch management, and ticketing. By integrating with remote access tools such as Bomgar, Quest KACE helps reduce manual tasks involved in managing software updates and system deployments. Although it faces challenges in scalability and requires improvements in integration and reporting, it remains a versatile choice for asset tracking and endpoint administration.
What are Quest KACE SMA's key features?
What benefits should users consider?
Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance is implemented across industries for managing IT assets and endpoints, particularly where remote management and compliance are critical. It's employed in healthcare, education, and government sectors for efficient patch management, inventory control, and software deployment, aiding organizations in managing security accreditations and centralizing help desk operations.
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