Overall Satisfaction with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager
My former company used System Center Configuration Manager for software deployment, Imaging, and Microsoft updates. It was used across the entire enterprise, but my department only used it for imaging and application deployment. Before SCCM we were using Landesk, which I preferred greatly. That being said, SCCM does work well, as long as it is configured correctly. I would recommend it, but it would not be my first choice for deployment or imaging software.
- Imaging from PXE boot, and it can be configured for remote imaging. Any IT department that has ever imaged 100 or more workstations with a CD and external drive knows that this is a strength.
- Application deployment. Sccm can be configured with a software store where end users can install the software they need.
- Update deployment, updates can be deployed on a set schedule with SCCM.
- Imaging. I know that I gave this as a plus, but this is also a drawback too. Images take much longer to deploy via SCCM than they do with FOG or Landesk.
- The system itself is a huge learning curve and takes a great deal of configuration to make it work correctly.
- Remote Desktop Tool -- Microsoft already has a remote desktop tool, so why include almost the exact same one in your VERY expensive management suite?
- Imaging: the time saved in having to boot to a CD and then image off of an external drive is priceless.
- Application deployment: time saved is almost uncountable.
- Windows Updates: unnecessary updates can be avoided, saving time and bandwidth.
I am going to speak strictly on imaging here as this is what I have used System Center Configuration Manager for more than anything. I used SCCM at two companies that I worked for before my current company, and compared to the other software imaging suites that I have used, which were Landesk and Ghost, SCCM took much longer to deploy the same sized image. SCCM does work, and if you happen to work at a company that is willing to spend that much to purchase it, then take the time to learn all of the features, and configure it as you need it, but for me, SCCM is not my first choice and I am a lifelong Microsoft fan.