Microsoft System Center

Score8.3 out of 10

76 Reviews and Ratings

What is Microsoft System Center?

Microsoft System Center Suite is a family of IT management software for network monitoring, updating and patching, endpoint protection with anti-malware, data protection and backup, ITIL- structured IT service management, remote administration and more. It is available in two editions: standard and datacenter. Datacenter provides unlimited virtualization for high density private clouds, while standard is for lightly or non-virtualized private cloud workloads.

Categories & Use Cases

Verified User

Employee (1001-5000 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

In the past, we did update our servers and clients manually (by WSUS). We had different tools for different workloads. With SCCM, we now have a single tool for managing and maintaining all our servers and clients without issues.

Pros

Operating system deployment.
Application/software deployment.
Software updates.

Cons

I think there will be no further big improvements, since Microsoft's focus is on Intune only.

Return on Investment

It’s hard to set up.
You need servers.

Usability

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft Intune

Other Software Used

Liquit, Ivanti Environment Manager, Qualys VMDR, Netskope Borderless SD-WAN, Netskope Private Access, ControlUp, TOPdesk, IGEL OS, Microsoft Windows, macOS

Verified User

Manager in Information Technology (201-500 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Microsoft System Center to streamline our endpoint deployments and configuration. We utilize software deployment capabilities to manage upgrades and patching to 500 endpoints. Microsoft System center also helps us to deliver consistent device naming conventions/schemas and tie these in to our asset register. We also take advantage of device imaging and building automations.

Pros

Imaging/deployment
Automation of administrative tasks
Software delivery and version tracking

Cons

installation of SCCM - could be simpler
Endpoint protection setup - complex
Licensing costs

Return on Investment

Significant Technician time claw back (less time required for deployments)
tighter company compliance (asset register accuracy)
increased security compliance (upgrades & patching)
Greater added value to Microsoft volume licensing options - central store of software in system center and can be deployed with ease.

Usability

Alternatives Considered

SmartDeploy

Other Software Used

Microsoft Teams, SysAid, EntrySign, FortiClient

Verified User

Administrator in Information Technology (201-500 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use System Center to manage patching all desktops, packaging software and deploying to all systems, centralized antivirus management and policy control, and remote system administration. We also use it for image building and deployment across our enterprise network with local endpoints for build and patch management speed.

Pros

Patch Management.
Image creation and deployment.
Software packaging and deployment.
Antivirus dat file management and deployment.

Cons

Modernize the interface.
Simplify everything it does and cross-connect all bits of the software so you can do tasks linearly.
Make the UI web based and get away from a client gui.

Return on Investment

It has saved us hundreds of hours of patching, imaging, and remote support issues.
It has allowed us to keep current on MS products easily and scale our network quickly.
The aging ui interface does cause us to drag on being able to work faster to resolve issues and be flexible in helping users.

Usability

Other Software Used

Microsoft Intune, PRTG Network Monitor, Lansweeper

Andry Campos

Soporte Técnico in Information Technology at Asociación La Nacional de A y P (501-1000 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Microsoft System Center for remote support to users in the company and for the assets management. This software has been help us to be more productive and to have access the endpoint very easy. With System Center we too deploy software and can get information about the computers.

Pros

The remote access is very useful
The software deployment is very useful
The dashboard is very friendly

Cons

The patches software need to be improved
The reports need to be improved
This need a mobile device management

Most Important Features

The software deployment
The data about when the computer was online
The options for remote control

Return on Investment

The remote assistance is very useful, and we don`t need move for assist an user in another city
There aren`t offline optios for we schedule a windows reinstall
Sometimes the agent loses connection with the server

Alternatives Considered

SysAid, Acronis Advanced Backup (formerly Cyber Backup Cloud) and SmartDeploy

Other Software Used

Device42, Webex Contact Center, Able2Extract Professional

Amy Howard

Computer and Network Spec in Information Technology at BND (51-200 employees employees)

Pros

Remote PC connection
Software installation
Imaging PCs

Cons

Reporting could be improved (offering more canned reports)
Easier patching/patching automation (ability to connect to the vendor's site to create the patching in an automated fashion)

Most Important Features

PC imaging
Remotely connecting to PCs
Software installation

Return on Investment

Software installation is efficient and uses less of IT staff's time
Remotely connecting to PCs is very efficient to provide IT support
Imaging PCs provides a fast turnaround so little downtime for setting up new PCs

Alternatives Considered

Symantec Ghost Solution Suite

Other Software Used

Microsoft System Center Endpoint Protection, Logi Report (formerly JReport), Microsoft Power BI