Item: Microsoft Intune
Rating: 8
Author: Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager is used by our IT Operations department to create, deploy software packages for homegrown applications, commonly used software and windows update on desktop, laptops, and servers. It provides IT Asset Management capabilities as well as software inventory and auditing. The remote control feature is used by PC support for remote access and support solution.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Managing Windows Environments for patching, software deployment, and Inventory.
Automation of software deployment.
Imaging of devices.
Asset reporting.

Cons

The SCCM console is a bit outdated. Needs an improvement.
Better reporting, we have to rely on other monitoring tools for software and hardware inventory.
Configuration and setup of SCCM can be quite challenging if you have never performed this.

Return on Investment

Accurate information of all assets (Computers/Desktops/Servers) in our environment.
Security compliance and ensuring systems have all critical updates.
License management.
Needs to be implemented using best practices to get the full potential of the product.

Alternatives Considered

CA IT Asset Manager

The price is cheap compared to other vendors. The application is managed by our server team, hence no need to hire individuals with specific product skills. It works well with Windows and is easy to administer. Can be a challenge when working in Unix environments. Easy to create packages using scripting languages.

Other Software Used

ServiceNow IT Service Management

Performance

The application has limited features and is not a complete IT Asset Management tool. Needs to rely on other tools for hardware and software inventory. I have worked with other tools (CA ITCM) and found those better than SCCM.

Ease of Integration

Integration ServiceNow is good. Scheduled imports bring relevant SCCM data into the ServiceNow instance from the SQL Server and map it to tables in the CMDB. The Microsoft SCCM integration is
a one direction import of SCCM data into the ServiceNow's Configuration Management Database
(CMDB).

Likelihood to Recommend

Well Suited:

System Center Endpoint Protection (SCEP) product enables you to manage and take advantage of Microsoft's built-in security products.
For our Desktop Support team, using the remote client to log in to PCs to troubleshoot Issue.
Easy for patch management and package deployment. Easy to create packages/collections and create dynamic groups for software deployment.

Less Appropriate:

Reporting.
Documentation and Training. Software and Licensing of the product are cheap, professional services are not.

Using Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager

Users and Roles

10 - IT Operations Management , Server Team.

Support Headcount Required

5 - Scripting, Asset Management, Server Administration

Business Processes Supported

Patch management.
License management.
Software deployment.

Innovative Uses

Imaging and automating server/desktop builds.
Managing Unix environments.
Vulnerability Management scanning for outdated/vulnerable versions of software installed and deploying the latest version of the software.

Future Planned Uses

Integrate with a ticketing system.
More options for license management.

Likelihood to Renew

Will renew as it is part of our core set up for patch management and software deployment.

Evaluating Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager and Competitors

Products Replaced

Key Differentiators

Price
Product Usability
Analyst Reports
Third-party Reviews

Easy to administer and maintain. Price is cheap compared to other products.

Evaluation Lessons Learned

Options for package deployment and software scanning. Will run this on a few test systems and see what data is being collected.

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager Implementation

Implementation Rating

Need documentation, prior experience, and training for successful implementation.

Implementation Details / Implementation Partner

Implemented in-house

Change Management Lessons

Change management was a big part of the implementation and was well-handled - Followed the Agile approach for Project Management. Changes were controlled.

Implementation Issues

Asset Inventory for homegrown applications.
ServiceNow Integration.

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager Support

Support Rating

Support is good and gets the work done.

Microsoft Intune Customer Support Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Quick Resolution Knowledgeable team Kept well informed Immediate help available Support cares about my success	Poor followup Escalation required Slow Initial Response