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KACE Systems Management Appliance

KACE Systems Management Appliance

Overview

What is KACE Systems Management Appliance?

Quest now offers the KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) as an IT Asset tracking and management appliance (also available as a virtual deployment if hardware requirements are met). Beyond discovery, inventory tracking and license management, KACE emphasizes automating software upgrade…

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Recent Reviews

TrustRadius Insights

Helpdesk Portal and Automation Features: Several users have found the helpdesk portal and automation features in KACE to be helpful for …
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Popular Features

View all 5 features
  • Software and hardware inventory tracking (12)
    10.0
    100%
  • Asset relationship management (8)
    10.0
    100%
  • License management (11)
    9.0
    90%
  • Asset lifecycle monitoring (10)
    8.0
    80%

Reviewer Pros & Cons

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Pricing

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N/A
Unavailable

What is KACE Systems Management Appliance?

Quest now offers the KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) as an IT Asset tracking and management appliance (also available as a virtual deployment if hardware requirements are met). Beyond discovery, inventory tracking and license management, KACE emphasizes automating software upgrade…

Entry-level set up fee?

  • No setup fee

Offerings

  • Free Trial
  • Free/Freemium Version
  • Premium Consulting/Integration Services

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Features

IT Asset Management

IT Asset Management software is designed to inventory all the hardware and software within an organization to aid decision-making

8.6
Avg 7.6
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Product Details

What is KACE Systems Management Appliance?

According to the vendor, KACE Systems Management Appliance is a robust and scalable IT systems management solution designed to automate and enhance various facets of IT operations. Its array of features includes asset management, server monitoring, software license management, patch administration, endpoint security, Chromebook and mobile device management capabilities, as well as providing a service desk. This product specifically caters to industries or professions that demand efficient system administration and secure network-connected devices.

Software Deployment

The product is designed to optimize the process of software distribution by providing tools for personalized installations and support for a wide variety of packages, including .MSI, .EXE, .ZIP, .pkg, .app, .dmg, .rpm, and more. Additionally, the KACE SMA enables the removal of unauthorized applications in order to establish a secure and compliant environment. The software deployment functionality also includes automated installation capabilities from the User Console, increasing convenience and usability. By leveraging these features, businesses can effectively manage software updates and ensure an updated IT infrastructure.

Remote Replication

The product is designed to address the network impact of large software distributions in organizations with multiple locations. It does so by designating a system at each remote location as a replication share, enabling streamlined application, patch, and script pulling through LAN rather than relying solely on the KACE SMA. This reduces costs and complexity associated with software distribution for such multi-site organizations. The setup and maintenance of the remote replication share are straightforward, offering a simplified solution for effective software distribution across various sites.

Comprehensive Reporting and Alerting Capabilities

The product is designed to enhance IT operational efficiency through various features. Users can schedule alerts and reports at preset frequencies, directing them to specific individuals or distribution lists, including end-users. Notable capabilities include wake-on-LAN functionality, power policy enforcement, and the ability to aggregate reporting across multiple environments for overall analysis. The KACE SMA serves as a centralized repository for device information, allowing organizations to convert data into actionable insights. Integration with Google Workspace Admin console ensures up-to-date data availability and effortless report generation. Additionally, software license management enables custom report creation and built-in compliance reports for effective software asset allocation and licensing proof. In summary, the KACE SMA provides comprehensive reporting and alerting capabilities to streamline processes and enable informed decision-making within businesses.

Server Monitoring

The claimed feature can be easily configured and seamlessly integrated with KACE SMA's service desk and KACE Go Mobile Application. It allows for the expansion of server monitoring to include requested applications. The appliance offers server management functionality, facilitating streamlined troubleshooting for helpdesk administrators and automating processes across various departments like IT, HR, Finance, etc. Additionally, it provides comprehensive hardware and software inventory for different systems while enabling network discovery and asset inventory using SNMP and other protocols. Emphasis is placed on actionable information about connected devices beyond computers such as networking gear, printers, and IP telephony. However, specific implementation details or user experiences are not provided in the available content.

Service Desk Integration

The product is designed to enhance efficiency in managing systems administration responsibilities through a user-friendly web interface that can be accessed from any internet-connected device. The interface incorporates intuitive tab- and menu-based navigation, complemented by various administrative functions such as LDAP and AD integration, role-based permissions, and detailed reporting. Moreover, the inclusion of an integrated user portal facilitates service ticket submission, status checking, access to a repository of common issues, and notifications regarding outages or other incidents. Additionally, seamless integration with Google APIs and Google Workspace Admin tools enables extraction of Chromebook data for management purposes within the KACE SMA platform. This consolidated view minimizes the need for multiple consoles or solutions during routine tasks.

KACE Systems Management Appliance Technical Details

Operating SystemsUnspecified
Mobile ApplicationNo

Frequently Asked Questions

Quest now offers the KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) as an IT Asset tracking and management appliance (also available as a virtual deployment if hardware requirements are met). Beyond discovery, inventory tracking and license management, KACE emphasizes automating software upgrade distribution with minimal end-user disruption, featuring remote replication for multi-site upgrades and rollouts. KACE SMA may be bundled with KACE Cloud Mobile Device Management (MDM) to form a complete UEM solution.

Reviewers rate Software and hardware inventory tracking and Asset relationship management highest, with a score of 10.

The most common users of KACE Systems Management Appliance are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
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Comparisons

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Reviews and Ratings

(24)

Community Insights

TrustRadius Insights are summaries of user sentiment data from TrustRadius reviews and, when necessary, 3rd-party data sources. Have feedback on this content? Let us know!

Helpdesk Portal and Automation Features: Several users have found the helpdesk portal and automation features in KACE to be helpful for creating helpdesk tickets from emails and streamlining their support processes.

Scripting Capabilities: Many reviewers have praised the scripting capabilities of KACE, stating that it makes it easy to patch, update, and deploy software to all their users. This functionality has saved them time and effort in managing their systems.

Inventory Control Feature: The inventory control feature in KACE has been highly appreciated by users for helping them identify systems with hardware or software issues. It provides detailed information about assets/devices, including software, programs, and processes, allowing for easy troubleshooting and maintenance.

Slow and Difficult to Customize Reports: Some users have found the software slow to respond and challenging to customize reports, which can hinder their productivity. They have also mentioned that seeking help from the Quest help desk may incur additional charges.

Limited Flexibility in Recurring Scheduling Options: Several reviewers have expressed dissatisfaction with the inflexibility of recurring scheduling options for certain types of jobs. This limitation can make it difficult for users to efficiently manage their tasks and schedule.

Lack of Intuitive User Interface: Users have reported that the software's interface is clunky and problematic to work with. They find the refresh rate slow and sluggish, which impacts their overall experience. Additionally, some users feel that the UI could be improved with modern design elements and different CSS color schemes to load quicker.

Attribute Ratings

Reviews

(1-3 of 3)
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Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
KACE is used to manage our systems in the environment. We are able to make sure that all of the systems that we own are kept up to date with Software updates, as well as Windows updates. KACE allows us to make sure that we can keep all of our system's applications on the same version. There is also a helpdesk feature that we use with much success in the organization.
  • Systems management
  • Helpdesk ticket system
  • Patching with Window's updates
  • Window's updates could be a little bit clearer.
  • Great for installing new official software but needs improvement for homegrown apps.
  • Patching for some software such as Java.
Kace is very easy to use. It helps keep the systems in the environment easily maintained. The interface is pretty intuitive and it takes very little to learn. The product has a lot of features. The helpdesk ticketing system is a great add on as it connects with the user accounts on the PCs to help know who has what PC.
IT Asset Management (5)
100%
10.0
Software and hardware inventory tracking
100%
10.0
License management
100%
10.0
Asset lifecycle monitoring
100%
10.0
Contract management
100%
10.0
Asset relationship management
100%
10.0
  • Ease of management has been a time saver.
  • The ticketing system has helped keep the machine and user together for our helpdesk staff.
  • Better reporting on when we need to refresh the PCs.
KACE has been a little bit easier to use and cheaper than when we were looking at Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM). We have had much success with KACE as it has extra services such as the license manager and helpdesk ticketing system. Great value for the money. Also, it integrates with the vendors to know what the warranty status is on the client PCs.
Support usually gets back to us within 2 hours no matter what the issue has been. Very great service.
Very intuitive to use. Easy to train staff to use. Easy Helpdesk system for users as well.
VMware Horizon (formerly VMware View), KACE Systems Deployment Appliance (SDA), Workspace ONE Powered by AirWatch
Score 8 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
My organization has leveraged KACE K1000 and K2000 units for several years now. Although KACE isn't as robust as Service Now, Microsoft SCCM, or other tools it has everything we need. The great thing about KACE is that it's simple to use and simple to train on. This provides an excellent tool to manage software configurations, push/maintain software and ensure all computers are patched/compliant.
  • Patch management.
  • Inventory management.
  • Software pushes.
  • Interface is not HTML5.
  • Documentation isn't as clear and robust as many of the newer SaaS companies.
  • Limitations on some hardware reporting.
KACE is a straightforward solution to manage all of your endpoints for a small to medium-sized organization. You can easily maintain compliance with all your endpoints, keeping software up to date and patched. The units and software are well tested and an extremely good value for the upfront cost to purchase.
IT Asset Management (5)
80%
8.0
Software and hardware inventory tracking
100%
10.0
License management
100%
10.0
Asset lifecycle monitoring
100%
10.0
Contract management
N/A
N/A
Asset relationship management
100%
10.0
  • Lower upfront costs.
  • Higher ROI because the software/hardware lasts.
  • Lower total cost of ownership as there isn't much care and feeding.
Compared to more robust tools like SCCM, KACE delivers 90% of the value for a fraction of the cost. Not only is the initial upfront investment less it requires significantly less care and feeding to ensure you get what you need.
KACE does exactly what you need it to do, it maintains your computer environment. You can set patch schedules, inventory computers, setup software catalogs; basically everything you need to ensure the computers on your network are being actively managed. This is all with little need for constant configuration or updating the setup.
Overall, the software is simple to understand and use. That said, most vendors have been slowly updating their user interfaces to HTML5 so that they have a clean updated look and feel. This is where KACE falls short in that the UI is great for a packaged software 10 years ago. This isn't a major limitation as the software is really meant primarily for technology users.
Gus Awad | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Incentivized
KACE is being used for systems deployment, patching, service desk, inventory control, and software deployment. Our IT dept is using KACE for all IT related tasks. It addresses the main issue of administrating the systems in terms of patching1200 windows machine, imaging, handling tickets, and software push to all PCs, which has made our lives much easier.
  • The Agent push makes it quite effective in managing all assets on the network.
  • Patching is less cumbersome than Wsus and SCCM.
  • Ease of administering all PC assets.
  • The ticketing system keeps tracks of all tickets and communication between users and engineers.
  • The interface could use an update to look more modern and make sure it loads quicker.
  • There's email flooding with creating and updating tickets, which is not necessary.
  • More documentation would help with training.
KACE is well suited for all companies that require ease of use management of network assets, and it will standardize the process of imaging, deployment, patching, and ticketing. It's not suitable for a small environment, given the expense of the software and the modules.
IT Asset Management (5)
92%
9.2
Software and hardware inventory tracking
100%
10.0
License management
90%
9.0
Asset lifecycle monitoring
80%
8.0
Contract management
90%
9.0
Asset relationship management
100%
10.0
  • It has improved productivity in terms of ticketing tracking, and has cut down on repetitive tasks.
  • It has great reporting features that help us modify our processes to make us more efficient.
  • A cost is associated with each module, which drives up cost.
The usability factor is quite important and significant for us, as we heavily rely on KACE to manage and administer our environment.
Support has been great in helping us with troubleshooting issue as well, as setting up scripts and automation.
By far it easier to deploy and manage. It makes the process of deployment, software, and patching much easier, and it's an all-in-one solution that is easy to manage and train helpdesk on.
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