Apple Remote Desktop vs. ISL Light

For a small deployment of macOS, I can see where Apple Remote Desktop could suffice. I can see where a company that is strapped for cash could benefit from a knowledgeable employee using it to automate some tasks. I am not comfortable giving an estimate number-wise. For a large deployment of macOS or iOS, this would be a very inappropriate tool. There are far too many obstacles for an app like Apple Remote Desktop to successfully manage a large fleet of macOS computers or really any number of iOS devices. You simply need an MDM solution in this day and age. This will become increasingly necessary, even in small numbers, but MDM providers have started to provide solutions for customers in these situations.

Incentivized

I really can't give another score than 10. Normally in this case I would select 9 because there is always room for improvement, also for ISL [Light]. But the availability, the service and the very useful options and possibilities you can choose are a blast to work with! Until today I have never ever been once disappointed or let down and was always there when I needed it the most.

Incentivized

• Automator Actions: This is a very cool feature and cost saving as it reduces human effort by automating the workflow of tasks.
• Curtain Mode: This lets you block your local user's view of the desktop while performing administrative tasks.
• Spotlight Search: It can perform lightning fast searches on machines using the spotlight search feature of OS X and thus saves a lot of time.

Incentivized

• Allow remote control of Windows, Mac, Android and iOS
• Automatically record support / remote sessions
• Allow UAC easy control remotely
• Auto-recognize the OS of the client, to download the correct remote file for them to execute
• Very fast connection speed (initial connect, and on-going session speed)
• Allowing us to use our own website AND the islonline.net in case there are issues

• I would like to see more included Unix scrips that can be pushed to clients.
• Inclusion of a way to remote control or screen share with Windows machines would be useful, as I manage a handful of Windows machines. While this would be possible using VNC on the Windows machines, including the ability to connect using Windows terminal connections would be awesome, for me.

Incentivized

• I would like the chat not to get in the way during the sessions, although it is something not so important if it could be seen better.
• Something in the design does not look so modern, I would like its interface to look more attractive.

We use it on a daily basis and works well in our environment and could see how other Apple owned organizations would benefit.

Incentivized

This will be the 3rd year of renewal.

The user interface is amazing. You don't have to dig in to look for options. It's not overwhelming and yet a powerful utility.

Incentivized

Web portal as well as the mobile apps are simple to use interfaces. Nothing daunting about them at all.

Apple support is great.

Incentivized

Only ever needed them when renewing the licence.

Very quick and easy install with no real issues

Incentivized

I use TeamViewer with users who are having trouble connecting to the VPN. I think TeamViewer is a good alternative when ARD isn't working. However supporting the number of users we support, TeamViewer can come with a pretty hefty price tag.

Incentivized

When I performed a little market research I found out that ISL Light has great competitive pricing. Especially a major benefit for me personally, is that there is the possibility to purchase the license on per-credit use (besides per subscription). Also, on the technical side, the software is quite 'lightweight' compared to other offerings.

• Apple Remote Desktop has a positive return on investment because for the expense to the school, the value it brings to teachers is important. The return on improved student performance is very difficult to measure financially, but there is a definite return.
• The overall objective of education is to increase student learning, ARD does that phenomenally. Parents see the tool used and are impressed at what the capabilities of the tool can do and how it impacts how active their students are as well as how well they can learn.
• One negative impact is that teachers rely too much on this tool rather than on actually teaching sometimes.

Incentivized

• It has saved us in-person trips to handle situations where seeing the user's screen can get the job done
• It has allowed management of remote Windows systems that would normally require an on-site user
• Paying once for the local installation saved licensing fees to competing products.

Incentivized