Apple Remote Desktop vs. RemotePC

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

RemotePC is very well suited for remote administration and remote access to own PC's. Larger scale implementations might require integration and gateway server. Mobile access best requires a tablet however without a mouse navigation can be cumbersome. Multiple connections on one PC seems currently not supported so a one on one link for the time being

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

• It installs well using common sense (which is not common)
• It is easy to use
• It is easy to setup unique encryption keys for maximum security for each system in your dashboard

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

• Streaming quality of remote desktop
• More options for unattended access
• Client should be set up to access Windows login screen by default

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

I still find value in this tool. If I needed to increase computers supported, I would need to revaluate pricing concerns.

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

Pretty easy to setup and use. Get up and running and support users.

Incentivized

Apple support is great.

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

Although TeamViewer stands as the top product for remote support, the same goes for its pricing. A small business like ours wouldn't be able to afford software like TeamViewer and we would never be using most of its features. On the other end, Splashtop is an affordable option, but its deployment is a little too complicated. RemotePC was our choice, with an easy deployment process and a pricing program that's easy to understand and within our budget.

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

• reduced downtime with quick integration
• ability to quickly access a remote computer, even when you don't have ready access to your own system. Any computer will work in a pinch :)
• multi platform support simplifies interaction between various operating systems.