Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) and Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) both operate in the endpoint management category. Quest KACE SMA appears to have the upper hand due to its extensive features and comprehensive endpoint management solutions, though it comes at a higher cost.
Features: Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) offers comprehensive endpoint management, centralized software deployment, and efficient remote device management. Users note its ease of software distribution and extensive asset management features. Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) focuses on automating Windows updates and is valued for its integration into Windows environments, supporting updates via server roles and avoiding extra licensing fees.
Room for Improvement: Quest KACE SMA users point to scalability concerns, complex software deployment processes, and a need for advanced automation in updates. WSUS users highlight the lack of flexibility in its console interface, limited non-Microsoft updates management, and occasional patch inaccuracy.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Quest KACE SMA is available both on-premises and in the cloud, with customer service known for effectively handling complex issues. WSUS is primarily deployed on-premises, integrated with Windows Server, eliminating the need for additional support but offering restricted customization and functionalities.
Pricing and ROI: Quest KACE SMA's pricing is per endpoint, offering a significant ROI through productivity and time savings but is costlier than WSUS, which is included with Windows Server. WSUS users benefit from free integration despite limited management capabilities beyond the Microsoft ecosystem.
The return on investment is seen in the quick access to information, good inventory management, and efficient systems management.
Premium support does not have any benefits.
There was a time when contacting the support agency was more straightforward.
The customer service is very good, providing quick customer support in Spanish.
To go beyond this, shifting to SCCM is advisable.
The product is very scalable as it supports 10,000 thousand endpoints with just one appliance.
The user interface needs improvement as customers have mentioned they do not like the interface since it is not an SMA-based interface.
It's a free service.
It's free.
The pricing is in the middle range of the market, not too expensive but not the cheapest either.
The ease of use and efficient reporting contribute significantly to my overall productivity.
Patch management is indeed valuable, however, the process to achieve it could be improved.
The most valuable features include simplicity, which makes systems management easier and faster, especially for device management.
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) is a patch management tool that simplifies the administrator’s task of deploying the latest Microsoft updates. Administrators use WSUS to manage the distribution of updates released through Microsoft Update to computers in their network.
WSUS has features you can use to manage and distribute updates from a management console. The WSUS server can also be a source of updates to other servers within the organization, acting as an upstream server.
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services Use Cases
The four main use cases that WSUS adds value to businesses are:
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services Features
This built-in server includes the following features:
Requirements
In order to be able to use WSUS to manage and deploy updates, it is important to use a supported WSUS version, such as:
Microsoft Windows Server Update Services Benefits
Different Types of WSUS Deployments
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?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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