Likelihood to Recommend 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.
Read full review I can't think of any place where WatchGuard isn't well suited, unless the customer is cheap. I have used WatchGuard devices in a two person office up to enterprise environments. Because they are not overly complicated to use, I prefer them to a name brand I'm not willing to mention, but most will know.
Read full review Pros 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. Read full review Incoming Torrent attempts were blocked, but outgoing (by a user) were permitted. Similarly, other direct attempts were summarily blocked. provides full administrative support for analysis of usage and scope. strong Wi-Fi support and security - area wi-fi maps They think of all the things secure and I don't have to worry about it. I have not identified anything else that needs improvement - I am well satisfied. Read full review Cons 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. Read full review Help with a better solution for working with MS Exchange on-prem so that we can secure the ECP and OWA from the outside without losing functionality for active sync for cell phones and such. Even more affordable smaller boxes for home use. Built-in ways to handle the newer network protocols/features such as QUIC protocols that services like google are using so that we don't have to block all of that type of traffic just to be able to block youtube from loading for users that we don't want using it. Read full review Likelihood to Renew We use it on a daily basis and works well in our environment and could see how other Apple owned organizations would benefit.
Read full review I'm giving this note to WatchGuard Network Security due to its ease of daily support (after acquiring necessary knowledge in the solution), which allows agility in configuration changes, its integration of several reliable security features (such as SSL VPN, VPN Virtual Interfaces between companies, and others) and functional and stability in operation, with no downtime in the equipment due to problems or malfunctions
Read full review Usability 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.
Read full review Although it might take some time to figure out, we have been able to use WatchGuard's online reference library and tech support to create/implement/modify all of our filtering rules and exceptions needed. There really has not been a shortcoming other than perhaps a learning curve.
Read full review Reliability and Availability Applications errors should always be expected in any kind of technology. What matters most is the way you find to resolve it.
Read full review Performance WatchGuard works seemlessly and so in the background you don't realize it's there until you need it!
Read full review Support Rating Apple support is great.
Read full review We have only had to contact them once during the initial set up to help bring the internet back on line. After that for the most part our systems have been automated, and could easily be checked form their online FAQ and Knowledge base that they provide. Everything else is easily handled from their browser based interface
Read full review In-Person Training We participate to a in person training and the three days of learning was really useful and complete to gain skill to solve the major part of the problem we encounter during our life. And more the in person training give us the opportunity to create a network with other WatchGuard partner.
Read full review Online Training Online training is good for learning how to use the product. It does not teach security strategy because that is not its intent.
Read full review Implementation Rating Very quick and easy install with no real issues
Read full review I had my key information for setting up the firewall, and they assisted me in finding the settings and appropriate places to enter data. They also helped troubleshoot when I didn't understand some of their feature concepts, and we got it running.
Read full review Alternatives Considered 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.
Read full review At 3 of my locations I use both a Sonic Wall and a watch guard. In my experience, the sonic wall has a much better interface. I feel it was much easier for someone that has never accessed a fire wall to be able to make changes and learn very quickly. I feel the Watchguard has better built in applications and the VPN was easier to use and access.
Read full review Scalability We scaled it exactly as we needed it to be! Easy, money-saving, and we didn't end up with features or options that we'd never use or worry about.
Read full review Return on Investment 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. Read full review The VPNs are very easy to configure, less time to loose at new implementation. The traffic monitor can be improved, I can't see the ISO layers to do a faster diagnosis. Having an ADDS authentication is a plus, can use it with rules and vpn for remote access. Very useful. The dimension feature can be developed as a website + database for NGINX, Apache2, IIS, etc., I feel traped on that linux vm only. Most of the customers doesn't like to pay for a solution like this. They will accept only after beign attacked. WatchGuard can improve the sales with a demo (hacking, active security, etc.). Read full review ScreenShots WatchGuard Network Security Screenshots