

KACE Systems Management Appliance and ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus compete in IT management software. KACE holds the upper hand with its strength in operational efficiency for distributed environments, while ManageEngine excels with strong automation for patch management.
Features: KACE Systems Management Appliance is known for its efficient integration with Bomgar and remote deployment capabilities across diverse locations. Users value its post-install task execution for tailored installations and automated patch scheduling. ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus is noted for its automatic vulnerability scanning and deployment of patches for Microsoft and third-party products. Its robust inventory visibility enhances asset tracking and management efficiency.
Room for Improvement: KACE users highlight scalability challenges with large device fleets, suggesting improvements in user interfaces and software update processes, along with simplifying patch management setups. ManageEngine users call for enhancements in network security management, easier initial setups, and better reporting features, as well as more intuitive interfaces and finer-tuned automation.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: KACE Systems Management Appliance provides flexible deployment options, supporting on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments, with generally well-received tech support, though some users find support navigation challenging. ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus favors on-premises and hybrid deployments and is praised for its helpful and timely support. KACE's broader deployment flexibility is notable, with both solutions recognized for effective customer service.
Pricing and ROI: KACE Systems Management Appliance offers competitive pricing, with a clear pricing model per endpoint, leading to significant ROI through extensive features. ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus provides a more economical upfront option with practical licensing, suiting budget-conscious small organizations. KACE justifies its pricing through broader organizational benefits, while ManageEngine emphasizes affordability and efficiency.
The return on investment is seen in the quick access to information, good inventory management, and efficient systems management.
Compared to other products, ManageEngine provides good return on investment within five years.
I would rate the customer support for Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) as a 10.
The customer service is very good, providing quick customer support in Spanish.
From the browser window itself, you can contact tech support, and this capability has been there from day one.
Customer service and support are excellent, with a perfect score of ten out of ten.
The technical support from ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus is helpful.
We have outgrown the size of one KACE appliance and are now running two.
The product is very scalable as it supports 10,000 thousand endpoints with just one appliance.
Scalability requires downtime for performance adjustments.
The default instance, which most customers run, can take up to 5,000 endpoints.
I have not had any downtime in six years.
The solution is very stable.
Currently, we have to go into each org to deploy applications when we need them all across the university.
The user interface needs improvement as customers have mentioned they do not like the interface since it is not an SMA-based interface.
When the patch testing works well, there is no need for patch management rollbacks.
You cannot create multiple tasks, which is another significant issue.
Instead of separate technician licenses for each product, there should be a single bundled license to simplify licensing requirements.
The pricing is in the middle range of the market, not too expensive but not the cheapest either.
My experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing for Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is that, hands down, it beat all of the others in simplicity and pricing.
Currently, I am paying around three dollars per agent per month.
There is a concern regarding the exchange rate as one dollar equals six reais today, making everything expensive in dollars for us.
ManageEngine's licensing model recently changed from being endpoint-based to server-based, which might affect costs during the next renewal.
Scripting has saved us hundreds of hours over the years when patching these vulnerabilities compared to how we did it before.
The most valuable features include simplicity, which makes systems management easier and faster, especially for device management.
The software covers platform security and application security, ensuring everything is updated at the endpoint level.
Second, you get remote access capabilities, meaning you can take the device remotely and provide support, with the session recorded for playback if needed.
It is valued for its role in addressing the vulnerabilities discovered by Insight VM.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| ManageEngine Patch Manager Plus | 4.6% |
| KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) | 3.6% |
| Other | 91.8% |

| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 8 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 20 |
| Large Enterprise | 15 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 11 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 4 |
| Large Enterprise | 3 |
KACE Systems Management Appliance offers integration capabilities, efficient image deployment, and comprehensive asset management. It supports centralized management across diverse devices and locations, simplifying IT processes and enhancing security.
KACE Systems Management Appliance provides single-pane visibility for endpoint management, mass software deployment, automated patch management, robust scripting, and detailed inventory tracking. It streamlines IT management and improves cyber-security compliance through remote software updates and centralized IT request handling. Despite struggles with scalability and the need for interface improvements, it enables efficient device imaging, script automation, and network management through detailed reporting. Organizations find it effective for software deployment, asset management, and endpoint monitoring, serving thousands of IoT devices and desktops.
What are the key features of KACE Systems Management Appliance?In healthcare, KACE Systems Management Appliance is used for maintaining device compliance and security standards. Educational institutions benefit from its capabilities to manage large numbers of endpoints across campuses. In finance, it aids in strict compliance requirements through automated patch management and detailed reporting. Retail sectors leverage its asset management features to streamline operations across numerous locations.
Patch Manager Plus is a simple patch management tool that makes it easy to keep your network patched and secure. It is an endpoint patch management software that provides enterprises a single interface for automating all patch management tasks - from detecting missing patches to deploying patches - for Windows, Mac, Linux and 250+ third-party applications. Whether you have one computer or hundred, they can all be patched at the same time from a single point of console.
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