Apple Remote Desktop vs. NoMachine Enterprise Desktop

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

If you just want to connect to the server and do work (like Linux server-workstation type), NoMachine Enterprise Desktop is great, except for the keyboard mapping issue, which you have to correct in a setup of the remote server (almost) every time you log on. The graphics are smooth and fast. Overall response speed is very good, too. I like it.

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

• Secure connection
• Fast response over internet
• Really look like you are sitting in front of the machine you are connecting.

Incentivized

• 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

• Keyboard mapping between client and host is often screwed up.
• Cut and paste between client and host is not convenient
• Would be nice if there was a function of simple file transfer between client and host

Incentivized

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

Incentivized

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

Apple support is great.

Incentivized

I haven't consulted with customer support, so I don't have an opinion. However, from the usefulness of the product, I think the support is also good

Incentivized

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

Again, the NoMachine is a real virtual terminal, and you don't need to install another Linux on your machine to fully exploit the X-terminal function. This makes the disk and memory usage of the client minimum. No issue on the screen. It is really good.

Incentivized

• 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 makes the access to server much easier and convenient
• Connection is very stable, which makes works very efficient
• I don't need to reboot my Windows PC to switch to Linux in order to fully exploit the working environment of the server.
• No negative impact

Incentivized