Microsoft Configuration Manager vs Symantec Client Management Suite comparison

The compared Microsoft and Broadcom solutions aren't in the same category. Microsoft is ranked #2 in SM , with an average rating of 8.3, and holds a 9.5% mindshare in the category. Broadcom is ranked #2 in CDM , with an average rating of 9.0, and holds a 26.4% mindshare. Additionally, 91% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 66% of Broadcom users who would recommend it.

Microsoft Configuration Man...

Read 80 Microsoft Configuration Manager reviews

3,078 Views
2,330 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

Symantec Client Management ...

Read 3 Symantec Client Management Suite reviews

162 Views
145 Comparison Views

66% willing to recommend

Microsoft Configuration Man...

Symantec Client Management ...

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Microsoft Configuration Manager and Symantec Client Management Suite based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Zabbix, Microsoft, ServiceNow and others in Server Monitoring.

To learn more, read our detailed Server Monitoring Report (Updated: October 2024).

Buyer's Guide

Server Monitoring

October 2024

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Helped 814,763 peers since 2012

Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Configuration Man...

Average Rating

8.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Server Monitoring (2nd), Configuration Management (3rd), Patch Management (1st)

Symantec Client Management ...

Average Rating

8.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Client Desktop Management (2nd)

Mindshare comparison

While both are Systems Management solutions, they serve different purposes. Microsoft Configuration Manager is designed for Server Monitoring and holds a mindshare of 9.5%, down 11.4% compared to last year.
Symantec Client Management Suite, on the other hand, focuses on Client Desktop Management, holds 26.4% mindshare, up 23.3% since last year.

Server Monitoring

Client Desktop Management

Featured Reviews

Sachin Vinay

Assistant Manager-Networks at Amrita

Dec 12, 2022

We can specialize the policies related to each device group which ensures that each group has access to the applications they need for their work and non-work hours

I give the solution a nine out of ten. Maintenance is required for some client requests because a few of our cases involve clients reporting issues with their applications. We need to maintain their laptops because they usually run into issues while running other applications. However, in the case of personal computers, there is no problem. We can maintain them with only 20% of the typical maintenance requirements. I would recommend that everyone try out the Endpoint Manager solution from Microsoft. It is a great product because it integrates well with Microsoft products, which most organizations use. This reduces the number of integration and troubleshooting problems. Even if Microsoft products are not used in an organization, I still recommend this product. Other solutions are available but there may be some integration and troubleshooting problems.

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Sathish-Holla

IT Consultant at a real estate/law firm with 51-200 employees

Apr 22, 2024

Knowledgeable support, easy client management, and straightforward agent installation

Symantec Client Management Suite is used for Microsoft Windows patches and inventory management. The solution can be deployed on-premise and on the cloud Yes it helped to update systems remotely The most valuable feature of Symantec Client Management Suite is the ease of client management and…

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The dashboards have information about our assets."

"The major features of this product are the reporting tools. The most valuable features are package deployment and application deployment. Security management is also good because any vulnerability will be identified, and you can fix it. It's the best tool because you never know what kind of client you will have. For example, you may have your offices in low bandwidth remote areas. But it's achievable because it accommodates the bandwidth that you have available. Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is an excellent reporting tool for your environment. If you want to know the details about the hardware configuration, software configuration, what is causing a problem, or when a new feature update comes in for Windows, even that goes on SCCM itself. A lot of deployment stuff."

"The most valuable feature of this solution is its ability to deploy patches to nearly all applications."

"With the right administrator, application deployment can do wonders."

"Microsoft Configuration Manager is integrated with other Microsoft products."

"The tool's most valuable features include security updates and patch management, which are critical functions for maintaining security. The automated software distribution and the ability to manage deployments are also highly useful. Enforcing compliance with set policies on systems is another key functionality we leverage."

"It uses detailed descriptions of the workstations, and that is good for me."

"Valuable features include configurations enforcement, compliance data gathering, and deployment of a standardized OS."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager pros

"We can track the incidents, we can track the changes, we can track the assets from cradle to grave and give some kind of accounting as they get older."

"The most valuable feature of Symantec Client Management Suite is the ease of client management and agent installation."

"The most important thing for us is that it is very easy to use, as well as the availability of it in our support centers."

Cons

"The solution could improve the functionality for automating, license management. Additionally, more and better-looking reports are needed."

"The ability to integrate MDM would be great."

"The main room for improvement is the on-screen display. I think it would be good if some improvements were made."

"The solution should incorporate AI. It should also incorporate real-time capabilities. If we could get real-time information about challenges or issues, it would allow us to take immediate action. For example, with the recent outage caused by the Windows issue, having a real-time warning system could have helped us avoid or reduce the downtime we experienced."

"SCCM should strive to enhance the accuracy of its reporting functions in order to avoid any issues with incorrect or inaccurate data."

"I would like to see an agentless version of the solution."

"The time the solution takes for updating systems could be quicker. For example, the system information status is not updating as it should. Additionally, the database synchronization querying is slow and could be improved."

"There is a reboot issue with the patching. Sometimes, if patching runs into any issue whatsoever, it doesn't reboot but it doesn't tell you it errored out. It just sits there and we don't find out until the next day whether it patched or not. That was a big issue for us. We're working through that. They added some stuff in there now where you can actually tell reboot is pending. But we still need some kind of notification that if something fails or is pending, we know. We shouldn't have to go in and look. They don't have anything for that right now."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager cons

"Some parts are working okay, some of the other components aren't. Workflow isn't working properly. Different people accepting changes and being able to close it has some issues. Putting hot fixes and installing it usually breaks the system."

"Symantec Client Management Suite can improve by adding more network devices."

"The technical support is in need of improvement."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"SCCM comes with its own version of SQL Server. If you use that SQL Server with SCCM and don't use it for another applications than you get an SQL Server for free."

"When you compare this solution with other tools in the market you might actually find a lot of variation in the pricing and that's why people opt for the other tools rather than Microsoft tools."

"Pricing and licensing are a downside of SCCM. It's expensive. I'd have to confirm this, but I think they changed the licensing to core-based instead of socket-based. It's not cheap, because you have to buy the software, you have to buy SQL. Another thing we learned from talking to Microsoft is that they provide you a license for SQL if you run it on the same box as the primary server. If you run it outside that box, you have to buy SQL. Microsoft does recommend you running it on the same box because of performance. But then, in order to run SQL, SCCM, and everything on the same box, you better have some resources. It's an expensive solution. There's no doubt about it."

"The price could be better."

"Presently, I am using a free trial version."

"The solution operates on a licensing model that can be expensive."

"The price of SCCM depends on the size of the organization. The price is competitive."

"We use the tool's free license. It is expensive."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager pricing and cost advice

"The price of the solution is competitive."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

12%

Computer Software Company

12%

Government

11%

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

16%

Computer Software Company

13%

Government

10%

Healthcare Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

How does Ansible compare to Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (SCCM)?

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager takes knowledge and research to properly configure. The length of time that the set up will take depends on the kind of technical architecture that your org...

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How to choose between ManageEngine Desktop Central and Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (formerly SCCM)?

ManageEngine Desktop Central is very easy to set up, is scalable, stable, and also has very good patch management. What I like most about ManageEngine is that I can log on to every PC very easily a...

See all answers

What do you like most about SCCM?

One of the standout features of SCCM is its application management capabilities. It allows us to create packages efficiently and deploy them to specific groups within our network. This streamlined ...

See all answers

What do you like most about Symantec Client Management Suite?

The most valuable feature of Symantec Client Management Suite is the ease of client management and agent installation.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Symantec Client Management Suite?

Symantec Client Management Suite can improve by adding more network devices. In a future release, they should add the ability to revert back the patches or updates.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Symantec Client Management Suite?

Symantec Client Management Suite is used for Microsoft Windows patches and inventory management. The solution can be deployed on-premise and on the cloud.

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 13% of the time

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Compared 13% of the time

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Compared 7% of the time

BigFix vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 6% of the time

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 5% of the time

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Compared 46% of the time

ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Symantec Client Management Suite

Compared 30% of the time

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Also Known As

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM )

Symantec Altiris Client Management Suite

Learn More

Microsoft

Broadcom

Overview

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.

Symantec Client Management Suite automates time-consuming and redundant tasks for deploying, managing, patching, and securing desktops and laptops so organizations can reduce the cost and effort of managing Windows, Mac, Linux, and virtual desktop environments. Client Management Suite 8.0 brings significant new functionality and enhancements to this already feature rich solution. Before covering what’s new in version 8.0, here’s a quick overview of some of the key capabilities of Client Management Suite.

Symantec Client Management Suite helps reduce the cost of deploying and managing desktops and laptops from a centralized location in your environment. The solution offers OS deployment, configuration, PC “personality” migration, and software deployment across hardware platforms and OS types to reduce end-user downtime and increase IT efficiency through automated, repeatable deployment processes.

Symantec Client Management Suite centralizes and simplifies patch management. With this solution you can detect and repair security vulnerabilities for Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems as well as Microsoft and over 50 non-Microsoft applications. Patch automation can further streamline the process to ensure patches are applied as quickly as possible. Real- time compliance and detailed reports help ensure smart, fast decisions can be made to keep endpoints protected and maximize productivity.

Sample Customers

Bank Alfalah Ltd., Wªrth Handelsges.m.b.H, Dimension Data, Japan Business Systems, St. Lucie County Public Schools, MISC Berhad

Alghanim Industries, Asia Pacific Telecom Co. Ltd, Barnabas Health, Berry Plastics Corporation, BNY Mellon, Borealis, British American Tobacco Italia S.p.A, Cabela's Inc., Carrington Holding Company, College of Science, Technology, and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT), Comparex, Cybercom Plenware Oy, DHL Hub Leipzig GmbH, Dickinson Dees LLP, Farmington Area Public Schools, Fazer Group, First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, ForceTEC Co. Ltd., Frucor Beverages Ltd, Hadassah University Hospital, Hillsborough County Public Schools, Hutchison Whampoa (China) Commerce Limited, Indian River School District, Johnson County Community College, JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, Kier Group plc, Kwizda Holdings GmbH, Lake Health, Lansky Ganzger & Partner, Mobilezone, Molina Healthcare Inc., Nanyang Technological University, NASDAQ OMX Group Inc., Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology, Pima Community College, Regional council of Franche-Comt_, Shanghai Pudong International Container Terminals Co. Ltd., Siemens Professional Education, Symantec Corporation (Endpoint Security 12.1), TIVIT, Travelport, University of Oxford

Find out what your peers are saying about Zabbix, Microsoft, ServiceNow and others in Server Monitoring. Updated: October 2024.

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