SolarWinds Dameware Remote Support (DRS) vs. Remote Desktop Manager vs. mRemoteNG

I feel like this is a very robust solution that I would recommend to anyone who relies heavily on remote support. Most of the colleagues I work with already use SolarWinds products to one extent or the other. I feel the price for the solution is very fair and a good value for the product.

Incentivized

If you have lots of servers to manage, lots of credentials, different protocols, documents, other files, and need a single tool to manage it, this is the tool. Active Directory integrated, user and groups permissions, audit everything, keep data in encrypted files or in a database, customize everything, even the installer,

Well suited to environments where IT staff need to access multiple servers/systems at the same time, cutting down on time wasted opening multiple windows. Not so useful for users that only need to access one system remotely, as most of its functions are largely unused in that case.

Incentivized

• Troubleshooting computers remotely without the need for the user to even be around.
• Install software that needs to be installed manually without having to travel.
• Viewing what the user is doing specifically that triggers the issue, making replicating issues way simpler.

• Customer service delivery, whereby you can connect to clients to assist and resolve an incident.
• Working from home logging onto office based machine.
• It helps to attend to a problem more quickly, thereby saving the cost of relocation and commuting to distant places.
• Speed and cost elements are critical here.

Incentivized

• Easy to organize and group servers.
• Many different protocols for remote access.
• The ability to make use of external applications for non-directly supported protocols.
• Servers can inherit settings from nodes above so you can set up properties once making adding new servers/devices very quick.
• Easy to export and share config with new team members (be mindful of what you do with passwords though).

Incentivized

• It would be nice if the installed agent would be able to check in with the server so that I can connect to laptops, etc that have the agent pre-installed for when they are off network.
• DameWare could do better with the mobile app. I cannot connect in from the outside with the mobile app to provide quick support if needed. This kind of defeats the purpose of a mobile app. If I am on the network, I probably have access to my workstation.

Incentivized

• Occasionally there is a UI bug where the sidebar goes missing and you have to delete some files in %localappdata% to bring it back
• Would be great if it could also connect to serverless SQL instances like Azure SQL
• If computer sleeps and wakes with Remote Desktop Manager open it will comtimes ask you to re-login for no reason - as when you close and reopen Remote Desktop Manager it works

Incentivized

• The user interface for configuration is a little basic, and not obvious for a new user to set up connections. It could be a bit clearer how to do that.
• It does not seem to automatically update itself to new versions - though older ones work fine, you can miss out on some new functions if you don't check for updates manually.

Incentivized

This application is one of my most used tools when it comes to supporting end users and the network as well. I don't have to run all over the place to get things done when I can access multiple computers on the network at the same time to accomplish multiple tasks in a minimal amount of time.

Incentivized

I've been using RDM for about 10 years now. I started with the free version, which I used for a few years, and eventually switched to the Enterprise version. I can never go back now! I use this tool for everything and cannot see doing my job without it! Whenever we have someone new come in or bring in a vendor/contractor, they always ask me what RDP tool I'm using. Once I explain about it's features and all, they're usually instantly sold on it. :)

Because it has enhanced my ability to trouble shoot more issues during the day. Instead of having to go to each machine and spend time at the machine, I can remote in from my desktop and assist the person 90 per cent of the time. I also use it from home to remote in which saves me the time from having to return back to the workplace.

Incentivized

Due to the way our business works, the use of Remote Desktop Manager is limited to the IT staff. For that reason have given it a rating of 8, but only a limited number of employees benefit from this solution as the bulk of our consultants that support customers can not benefit from this solution due to security mandated separation between internal and external systems

Incentivized

Because it is easy to use once installing. The interface is very intuitive and there are help files available for anyone needing further set up assistance. For someone who is currently overwhelmed with managing too many things in too many places, mRemote simplifies this and puts the power back in the administrators hands with their intuitive interface.

Incentivized

Yes, always available.

Incentivized

The application always seems responsive to me

Incentivized

I use a Samsung mobile device; DameWare Mobile was working and then after an Android update it started crashing. I reported the issue to DameWare and worked with the technicians and developers to gather data for them to correct the issue. They quickly published a beta release for me to test (which corrected the crashes) and then published an update to the Google Play Store.

Incentivized

I've never had to use support as I've never had an issue. That said, you can open a support ticket right from the UI. The user forums are active, and there are thousands of threads covering many topics. Very easy to get support if needed. This is an easy ten.

Incentivized

Never actually needed to use support so have no idea - honestly it's simple enough to use I'd be surprised if anyone really needs support with it.

Incentivized

It was excellent

Incentivized

The videos were more than sufficient to learn the product

Incentivized

It helps greatly if you know someone already using DameWare Remote Support. I was fortunate as my tech support guys were using it at their hospital and assisted me through the purchase, download and implementation of remote support. As well as, knowing how many licenses to purchase at the time. You have to make sure that anyone assisting in IT can have access to the program with their own license.

Incentivized

The implementation was completely successful. We had no issues!

We previously utilized LogMeIn. They increased the pricing of their solution which made us reconsider it. I inherited LogMeIn. I am not a big fan of hosted solutions for some vital IT processes. There was convenience in LogMeIn, but there were also risks about the solution that I was never completely comfortable with. I had utilized DameWare at a previous company, so I knew what I was getting with it. It was an easy decision for me to make. DameWare is an exceptional product.

Incentivized

VisionApp is not in the list. This is the application we used before we got introduced to RDM. VisionApp was great but it did not have the same features as RDM did. Perhaps VisionApp has had some updates but we haven't found any reason to switch applications again

Incentivized

Every now and then I do look to see if there is any other software that can bring together multiple remote access protocols in a single interface that can contain multiple connections to remote devices with image scaling to mage use of a windowed interface and have yet to find an alternative that does all that but doesn't cost a huge amount. Don't get me wrong I would happily pay for an alternative that could provide an overall better, more convenient experience, but I have yet to find one that has made me think it's worth jumping ship from mRemoteNG.

Incentivized

You get an 8 because of the constant initial freeze on most connections. Takes a reconnect to have it work.

Incentivized

• DameWare has allowed us to maintain our non-traditional approach to IT support. It allows our administrators to work from anywhere and has extended their reach to clients domestic and abroad.
• Return on investment was realized as soon as we purchased the licenses. We don't have to maintain a large office space or overhead costs due to the flexibility it allows our administrators.
• First call resolution has increased drastically since implementing DameWare company-wide. The user no longer has to wait to reproduce an error. We can screen share and view it as it happens and mitigate the issues.

Incentivized

• A common place for storage for all users. Instead of employees using multiple different password management systems, they all use Remote Desktop Manager to store them now.
• We don't have to buy licenses from multiple vendors when everyone uses Remote Desktop Manager.

• Very easy to hand over connections to new starters.
• Having multiple remote protocols in one place is a massive time saver.

Incentivized