KACE Asset Management Appliance vs. OpenLM for Engineering Licensing

The KACE Management Appliance does many different things, but does not do them as well as other products. It is an all-in-one system for Asset tracking, software management, ticketing system, Contact management, and reporting. If you require basic functionality for these, then this product will meet your needs. But when you begin needing advanced/granular functions from the appliance, it will fall short.

Incentivized

OpenLM can simplify the reporting of complex licenses with multiple toolboxes or products on one server. It covers most of our license server types, but not all. The academic version is reasonably priced (e.g. for educational institutions) giving 90% of the features, however setting it up on-premise was more complex than our original pilot would suggest. We couldn't do without it now.

• Gives you real time data to systems on my network.
• I can get information on all applications running on devices on my network.
• I can get information on what systems are not currently patched and up to date with MS and Virus definitions!

Incentivized

• Peak concurrent license use for any period of time, often less than expected, saves unnecessary over purchase.
• Denials of license, can quickly see where a license is not working, say, after an upgrade.
• Comparison of license utilisation (% when near the limit).
• Quick check of expiring licenses.

• The UI is clunky and could use a redesign
• Support is good but sometimes it's hard to get someone right away or a response in a timely manner
• expand some support beyond dell and others to include something like Microsoft Surfaces, etc.
• KB articles need a refresh, there are a lot of older things out there that don't apply anymore.

Incentivized

• You can share a link to a dynamic report (e.g. the last 365 days). The URL is very long but it can be used with a 3rd party short URL utility and shared with users.
• Upgrading to the latest version took a long time to troubleshoot, which left a short gap in the saved data.

The appliance and software does its job, as it's intended to. There aren't many other bells and whistles. integrates well with MFA (okta), integrates well with KACES SDA. The modules it has will suit most needs. If you have the money in the budge, i'd suggest going with professional services to help with the setup/integration. There are some parts that are cumbersome and may require support. Save yourself the headache

Incentivized

We were not able to get SCCM to stabilize and work, it would continually fail to add computers to groups and fail to install programs/updates to computers in a defined group. Continually, user community forums kept recommending to replace it with another solution. JIRA is a much more efficient ticketing system, and we migrated the ticketing system from KACE to JIRA.

Incentivized

X-Formation, OpenIT, JTB, Sassafras either more expensive for the particular task of managing and monitoring concurrent licenses, or they had a different set of features (such as Sassafras K2/Keyserver also for remote access)

• Original investment was very substantial but I believe will be well worth it in the long run!
• DAM gives us a great view of what happening and whats on out network as far as PC, Laptops and Servers.
• The reporting function will help with budget proposals to BOS for County Budgets and giving exact numbers of systems and software and devices on the County Domain

Incentivized

• The academic version has paid for itself handsomely, including our setup costs. The ongoing strategic information saves costs.