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.
The customer service is very good, providing quick customer support in Spanish.
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.
The pricing is in the middle range of the market, not too expensive but not the cheapest either.
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 endpoint and service desk management platform. It supports IT operations with functionalities such as ticketing, patch management, software deployment, and asset management.
KACE provides robust automation for managing software distribution and patch tasks. Organizations depend on it for security updates, system compliance, and centralized control over diverse devices. Integration with tools like Bomgar and ServiceNow enhances its remote support capabilities, while its intuitive interface streamlines IT processes, increasing productivity. Managing thousands of endpoints, it supports accreditation compliance and reports on system status and security.
What are the key features of Quest KACE SMA?Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance is implemented across industries needing robust IT management solutions such as healthcare for compliance and security, education for asset tracking, and corporate enterprises for efficient IT operations. Its multifunctional nature caters to diverse industry requirements, enhancing communication and data management.
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