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Microsoft Configuration Manager vs VMware vCenter comparison

Microsoft and VMware are both solutions in the Server Monitoring category. Microsoft is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.3, while VMware is ranked #5 with an average rating of 8.6. Additionally, 91% of Microsoft users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of VMware users who would recommend it.
Microsoft Configuration Man...
Read 80 Microsoft Configuration Manager reviews
  • 2,915 Views
  • 2,229 Comparison Views
91% willing to recommend
VMware vCenter
Read 33 VMware vCenter reviews
  • 95 Views
  • 46 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 24, 2024

Microsoft Configuration Manager and VMware vCenter are leaders in IT management, each focusing on specific domains. While Configuration Manager excels in deployment and patch management, VMware vCenter dominates in virtualization and resource optimization.

Features: Microsoft Configuration Manager offers robust deployment and configuration management capabilities, ensuring seamless application deployment and standardized operating systems across domain machines. Its centralized console simplifies task automation, software inventory, and remote control. On the other hand, VMware vCenter excels in virtual machine management, providing high availability, efficient resource management, and comprehensive VM monitoring.

Room for Improvement: Microsoft Configuration Manager needs better cloud integration, automation, and compatibility with non-Microsoft systems. Enhancements in PowerShell integration and software inventory would also be beneficial. VMware vCenter, however, grapples with costly architecture and licensing models. Improvements in Fault Tolerance, centralized security, and integration complexity are desired.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Both products function well in on-premises and hybrid setups. Microsoft Configuration Manager is supported by a large community, but reports mixed reviews on technical support. VMware vCenter provides robust virtualization management but struggles with cross-platform integration and password management. Microsoft offers effective premium support, while VMware's price adjustments and support services cause user concerns.

Pricing and ROI: Microsoft Configuration Manager, though initially costly, offers affordable options for SMEs with significant returns through system integrity and automation. VMware vCenter, more expensive post-Broadcom acquisition, justifies costs with advanced features, particularly for large enterprises. The ROI is usage-dependent, with Microsoft offering better negotiation flexibilities and VMware demanding careful cost analysis.

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Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Configuration Manager vs. VMware vCenter
December 2024
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Categories and Ranking

Microsoft Configuration Man...
Ranking in Server Monitoring
3rd
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
80
Ranking in other categories
Configuration Management (3rd), Patch Management (1st)
VMware vCenter
Ranking in Server Monitoring
5th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.3
Number of Reviews
33
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Featured Reviews

Abul Fazal - PeerSpot reviewer
Seamless system updates, useful integration, and reliable
The initial setup for Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is simple. However, the configuration and management are not simple. Most of my clients are using the on-premise configuration. Cloud deployment is cumbersome because It requires lots of system communication to open from the cloud, and every client has to communicate with the cloud. We follow the Microsoft best practices procedure and white papers for implementation. Which includes single and multiple server deployments. The time it takes for deployment depends on the client's environment, such as the configuration and customization needed. However, the process can typically take two to three weeks to complete.
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Carlos Andres Campo - PeerSpot reviewer
Offers highly valuable centralized features and has significantly simplified VM deployment and management processes
vCenter has significantly simplified VM deployment and management processes, making tasks easier and more efficient. Its centralized features are highly valued, especially when compared to other solutions like Microsoft's System Center Virtual Machine Manager, which lacks certain functionalities. The scalability feature of vCenter has supported our growth by providing flexibility and efficiency. As an expert, I have found it invaluable in resolving issues and managing growth, especially during transitions to cloud-based infrastructures like Azure, which have reduced the need for extensive on-premises resources. Our experience with vCenter backup and recovery functionalities involved integration issues with our existing tool. Currently, we use Commvault for backup, which is straightforward to configure but lacks full integration capabilities. I would recommend VMware vCenter to others because it is a stable and reliable product. However, new users should consider the costs associated with the subscription model. Overall, I would rate VMware vCenter as a ten out of ten.
Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Software deployment and WSUS are most valuable."
"The technical support is good."
"It has the ability to perform mass distribution."
"The scalability to deploy the package."
"The most valuable feature is the graphical-based reports of software updates that have been successful, the ones that have failed, and a summary of where the failures are what security breaches may occur."
"Microsoft is being very competitive right now, and they are really investing in a lot of new features to be more competitive in the marketplace."
"The most valuable feature of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is it's incredibly simple to configure and execute changes in bulk, allowing for seamless deployment. With this solution, you can easily track the status of all modifications and send them with ease, making it a comprehensive and efficient solution for any necessary adjustments."
"Technical support was helpful and responsive."
More Microsoft Configuration Manager pros
"It has significantly impacted our organization by facilitating troubleshooting and monitoring processes."
"I can say that the product is stable because we have been using the tool for the last fifteen years in our company, and there has been no issue."
"The most valuable features are DRS, cluster management, vCenter management, and logs management."
"The most valuable features of VMware vCenter for our organization include its centralized management capabilities and the ability to handle virtual machines across multiple ESXi hosts efficiently."
"The product's emphasis on high availability and DRS aligns with our priorities, making vCenter an integral component in our virtualized environment."
"The tool is helpful because it gives us excellent control, maximizing server usage and resources. We can create numerous virtual machines and servers that host many services. Overall, we have had a very good experience. The most valuable feature for us is its elasticity. We can easily ramp up resources and bring in more processes for specific workloads, which was a nightmare earlier. This ability to extend resource availability for virtual users is particularly beneficial."
"VMware vCenter has significantly improved our infrastructure management by enabling virtualization. We can virtualize our infrastructure, eliminating the need to access servers physically. Everything can be managed remotely."
"We typically manage VMs after the OS is installed. vCenter simplifies VM management by allowing for the configuration and operation of VMs once an OS, like Windows, is installed."
More VMware vCenter pros
 

Cons

"Not everything is readily available, and there are a lot of commands that are only executable via PowerShell."
"The tool's deployment is difficult. Microsoft needs to improve documentation with videos."
"It needs to be able to load faster during deployment."
"A lot of experience is needed in terms of troubleshooting, as this is one of the most difficult tasks in MECM. We were seven people in a group and I was the only one that had the patience to do the troubleshooting at times."
"The availability of technical support could improve."
"The setup was complex and I faced a lot of problems initially because I was new to the solution."
"One area of improvement is regarding the patching of Office 365 products. We have some difficulties on this side, and it can be improved."
"I'm looking for a single solution for all discovery needs. It fulfills about 40% of the requirements, and I'd like to see the other 60% so that I don't have to keep doing this."
More Microsoft Configuration Manager cons
"One area where VMware vCenter has room for improvement is its transition to Broadcom. The change in licensing structure and pricing, particularly the shift from perpetual licenses to subscription-only models, is a significant drawback."
"The scalability could be enhanced."
"If VMware integrates some features of their other solution into VMware vCenter, operational managers might find it beneficial. Many organizations prefer to maintain separate solution sets based on specific needs and data requirements."
"VMware vCenter does not have a centralized security dashboard, and it is pretty tedious to configure."
"It is not easy to upgrade VMware vCenter from an old version to a new version."
"We face some upgrade patch management issues."
"Areas for improvement with vCenter include changes in licensing models."
"Sometimes, vCenter management can be difficult if you forget the password. You can't change or recover the password easily. We then have to reinstall vCenter, which means reconfiguring everything. That's a challenge we've encountered."
More VMware vCenter cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We use the tool's free license. It is expensive."
"The price of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is expensive."
"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."
"The solution is expensive. Microsoft Configuration Manager would likely be considered high-priced for small businesses because they may not fully utilize all of its features and capabilities."
"Pricing and licensing are horrible. You have to not look at dollar value to use SCCM. It's super-duper expensive but it works. The acquisition cost is expensive, it's labor-intensive. But it works."
"As far as I know, it is an annual operating expense license."
"Presently, I am using a free trial version."
"The price could be better."
More Microsoft Configuration Manager pricing and cost advice
"The platform is expensive."
"On a scale from one to ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive, I rate the solution's pricing a seven out of ten."
"The tool used to be worth the money, but after Broadcom acquired it and changed the pricing structure to subscription-only, it became too expensive for us to continue using. Unfortunately, we haven't found any alternative solutions that meet our needs, so this is a significant drawback for us as we explore other options."
"For the healthcare industry, the price is considerably higher than the education industry."
"We utilize the basic licenses of the product."
"The product's three-year license package is inexpensive."
"The solution is pretty expensive for small businesses because there are few lower-scale VMware vCenter solutions."
"The platform has reasonable pricing."
More VMware vCenter pricing and cost advice
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Financial Services Firm
12%
Computer Software Company
12%
Government
11%
Manufacturing Company
8%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

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 VMware vCenter?
The filtering capabilities also enhance scalability by optimizing resource allocation.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for VMware vCenter?
The pricing and setup cost are rated seven out of ten. It is mentioned that the price might be a little lower to increase customer adoption. The specific details of the financial cost were not prov...
See all answers
What needs improvement with VMware vCenter?
The licensing model needs improvement, especially with the transition to Broadcom. The change from core-based to appliance-based licensing is causing confusion for partners and users. There should ...
See all answers
 

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Tanium vs Microsoft Configuration Manager
Compared 8% of the time
BigFix vs Microsoft Configuration Manager Logo
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Compared 6% of the time
AWS Systems Manager vs Microsoft Configuration Manager Logo
AWS Systems Manager vs Microsoft Configuration Manager
Compared 5% of the time
More Microsoft Configuration Manager Competitors
No data available
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Configuration Manager
December 2024
Microsoft Configuration Manager reportDownload Microsoft Configuration Manager product report
Buyer's Guide
VMware vCenter
November 2024
VMware vCenter reportDownload VMware vCenter product report
 

Also Known As

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM )
No data available
 

Learn More

Microsoft
Video not available
VMware
 

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.

VMware vCenter is essential for managing virtual machines, deploying systems for customers, and centralizing ESXi servers' management. It aids in monitoring hosts, handling backups, recovering data, and virtualizing compute resources.

Organizations leverage VMware vCenter to oversee virtual infrastructure, automate administrative tasks, and provide self-service portals. It simplifies the management of IT environments by offering features like host profiles, high availability, and cluster configuration. Other notable features include scalability, resource management, performance monitoring, cloning, snapshots, DRS, LACP, and lifecycle management. VMware vCenter ensures continuous system availability, benefiting sectors like healthcare through efficient server management and process automation. The platform's alerting mechanisms, backup and restore functionalities, and elastic resource allocation enhance operational efficiency.

What are the key features of VMware vCenter?
  • Host Profiles: Simplifies and standardizes host configurations.
  • High Availability: Ensures system uptime and reliability.
  • Centralized Management: Allows comprehensive control over multiple ESXi servers.
  • Scalability: Adapts to growing infrastructure needs.
  • Performance Monitoring: Assesses and optimizes virtual machine performance.
  • Cloning & Snapshots: Facilitates quick deployment and recovery.
  • DRS: Distributes resources efficiently across the cluster.
  • LACP: Enhances network performance and reliability.
  • Lifecycle Management: Manages software updates and hardware lifecycles effectively.
What benefits and ROI can users expect?
  • Operational Efficiency: Automates routine tasks and improves resource management.
  • System Availability: Minimizes downtime and ensures continuous operations.
  • Cost Management: Optimizes resource usage and reduces operational costs.
  • Scalability: Grows with the company's infrastructure needs.
  • Enhanced Performance: Monitors and optimizes virtual machine performance.

Healthcare organizations use VMware vCenter to ensure uninterrupted access to critical applications and patient data. It helps manage large volumes of virtual servers, providing necessary performance and reliability. This platform's automation and monitoring capabilities are crucial for maintaining efficient IT operations and supporting healthcare needs.

 

Sample Customers

Bank Alfalah Ltd., Wªrth Handelsges.m.b.H, Dimension Data, Japan Business Systems, St. Lucie County Public Schools, MISC Berhad
1. Amazon 2. Apple 3. ATT 4. Bank of America 5. Cisco Systems 6. CocaCola 7. Dell 8. ebay 9. Facebook 10. Google 11. HP 12. IBM 13. Intel 14. JPMorgan Chase 15. LinkedIn 16. Microsoft 17. Netflix 18. Oracle 19. PayPal 20. SAP 21. Siemens 22. Tesla 23. Toyota 24. Twitter 25. Visa 26. Walmart 27. WeWork 28. World Bank
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Configuration Manager vs. VMware vCenter
December 2024
Free Report: Microsoft Configuration Manager vs. VMware vCenter
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