ConnectWise RMM vs. Symantec Server Management Suite

ConnectWise RMM is well suited for my small IT business to keep track of my many clients that a company like mine with less than 5 employees to monitor in one interface. It is very easy to implement, monitor and setup alerts. The monitor of patching is one of the main reasons we went with ConnectWise RMM. We use their ScreenConnect software as wells.

Incentivized

The SMP suite is great at what it does, but it can be very complicated to learn how to get it to do what you want. It's a beast! However, when you learn how to the things you want to do, it comes as second nature and you complete them like they're supposed to be done that way. A lot of these things are done to be able to be completed a number of different ways. Take Patch Management, you can deploy patches automatically, via Jobs, or via the "Start Software Update Cycle Now" link in the SMP Agent!

Incentivized

• Provides lightweight, easy to install software agent to deploy to client devices
• Robust reporting, including hardware & installed software reports
• Provides generally stable service for remote access to client devices

Incentivized

• Software deployment through policy
• Engage with customers for feedback
• Understands the future needs of customers

• We lost some functionality with LogMeIn after moving to Command - starting services, adding users in the background on PCs
• Setting up MAC users is not easy
• resolving existing tickets in the portal - understanding the ConnectWise notes
• Account Management - Since ConnectWise took over, we have no idea who our account management team is.
• Patch Management needs more improvement

Incentivized

• The SMP solution is a beast. Each piece is complicated in itself let alone how everything ties together!
• There is plenty of documentation online on how to perform a specific task, but you need to pay attention to what VERSION the article is written for. I've been halfway through implementing something only to hit a roadblock since I'm running a newer version and the option the article says to click on doesn't exist anymore...

Incentivized

Automate (LabTech) would be the aforementioned "heavy-duty" kind of RMM tool. It's big, it's complex, and very capable compared to Continuum Command. That said, the impetus is very much on the service provider to configure and maintain nearly 100% of the product, whereas in Continuum Command there is a lot that is maintained by their team for you. Even without paying for the premium NOC services, the cloud-first construction and other specific features (like the Windows patch testing and delaying, etc.) are clear wins over the more traditional RMMs like Automate. Automate certainly wins in the technical prowess department. Its scripting engine and level of customization are unrivaled across basically all of the rest of the tools out there. As such, it will be very interesting to see what happens now that these two products live under the same roof. Hopefully, someday, a powerful hybrid of the tool that ConnectWise can focus all development on that harness the positives of each. Keep your eyes peeled...

Incentivized

The decision to use Symantec was not my own but I believe it competes well against other products such as SCCM offering more features.

• The product upgrades stay up to date with our business needs.
• The product is an important part of our overall budget.
• The product helps with the planning and success of our Department.

Incentivized

• Being able to report on the majority of things you want all from one interface, makes it really easy to get the results you want.
• Because my employer didn't provide training, it took working with support, reading technical documentation, and just playing around on my own to learn how to do certain things.
• I've had a lot of help from the SMP Support staff and they're great people and very helpful!

Incentivized