I am using Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager for patch management and asset inventory.
IT Audit Advisor at a recruiting/HR firm with 10,001+ employees
Seamless deployment, highly scalable, and useful bulk changes
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is it's incredibly simple to configure and execute changes in bulk, allowing for seamless deployment. With this solution, you can easily track the status of all modifications and send them with ease, making it a comprehensive and efficient solution for any necessary adjustments."
- "The assets have reached their end-of-life, and patching them is a complex and laborious task. It would be highly advantageous if there were an integrated solution that provided distinct options for each end-of-life asset, streamlining the process and facilitating comprehension."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is it's incredibly simple to configure and execute changes in bulk, allowing for seamless deployment. With this solution, you can easily track the status of all modifications and send them with ease, making it a comprehensive and efficient solution for any necessary adjustments.
What needs improvement?
The assets have reached their end-of-life, and patching them is a complex and laborious task. It would be highly advantageous if there were an integrated solution that provided distinct options for each end-of-life asset, streamlining the process and facilitating comprehension.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager for approximately one and a half years.
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What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate the stability of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager an eight out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have approximately 10,000 users using the solution.
I rate the scalability of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager a ten out of ten.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I use Tanium in parallel with Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager. Tanium is a similar solution that has features, such as asset patching, and encryption, and can be configured around Microsoft assets.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is simple.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
There is an annual license needed to use the solution.
What other advice do I have?
This tool is helpful for Microsoft assets but it is important to have clear visibility before implementation. It can be a complete solution but a plan.
I rate Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.

IT Enterprise System Administrator at Nafeza
Great at collecting data and can mitigate any potential vulnerabilities or threats
Pros and Cons
- "Provides great insight into the functionalities of the data scope."
- "Management of Linux devices could be improved."
What is our primary use case?
We use this solution to apply new group policies.
How has it helped my organization?
The solution was particularly helpful for patching the OS, and for the VM in our environment. With 10 branches, we have a huge number of VMs. Using ECM, we can download the new patches one by one, apply and then restore them. It saves us a lot of time.
What is most valuable?
The valuable feature is the ability to gain all the data you need. We can collect data and get insight into the functionalities of their scope. As system administrators, we get a summarized report for each site with the installed version of the OS for all PCs in our environment. We know which meet the requirements and which don't. For those that don't, we can mitigate any potential vulnerabilities or threats.
What needs improvement?
I think managing Linux devices could be improved. It would help our colleagues and other departments like the dev opps, who only use Linux machines to quickly patch their VMs.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using this solution for two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support could be improved.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is very straightforward. We have six users.
What other advice do I have?
It's important to keep the database going at all times to avoid any interruption of the service. The implementation must be very well designed because you have to know the scope of your workload and that should be addressed in the action plan before proceeding with the deployment.
I rate this solution eight out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Configuration Manager
August 2025

Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Configuration Manager. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: August 2025.
866,088 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Senior Cloud Solution Architect at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
A very stable and robust solution for ICCM environments
Pros and Cons
- "The solution effectively handles inventory management, deployment, and reporting."
- "The solution does not support remote devices so the CMG is still required."
What is our primary use case?
I use the solution to manage security and policies.
What is most valuable?
The solution effectively handles inventory management, deployment, and reporting.
What needs improvement?
The solution does not support remote devices so CMG is still required.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for six years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is for ICCM so does not scale like a cloud application. It is intended for security, management, or device teams and not end users.
Scaling is always available with a monetary investment.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support is pretty good.
How was the initial setup?
The complexity of setup depends many factors such as the number of sites or distribution points and whether they will be centrally administered. Proper planning and execution are important.
Deployments of an ICCM server can take up to four weeks.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution operates on a licensing model that can be expensive.
Pricing is reasonable for small companies but large companies or enterprise environments require multiple licenses.
What other advice do I have?
The solution is very stable and robust with a longstanding reputation. It works well with Windows devices and offers good management for ICCM.
The cloud-based platform is a good option for managing only Android or iOS devices.
I rate the solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner AND Reseller
President/CEO at a computer software company with 11-50 employees
Very mature with effective patching and very good reporting
Pros and Cons
- "Patching is very effective and reporting is very good."
- "The TSM component could be improved."
What is our primary use case?
This is a diverse tool so its use case varies. Most people use it for patch management and software distribution, and operating system deployment. It can also be used for policy management and for maintaining a baseline on the computer, depending on the company and its goals. We are consultants and resellers and deploy this solution on the cloud and on-prem. We use Azure for our cloud deployments. I'm a consultant and president and CEO of our company.
How has it helped my organization?
The solution enables significant streamlining and reduces resources from a personnel perspective.
What is most valuable?
Patching is very effective and reporting is very good. In general, the software distribution and operating system deployment are very good. Most organizations with small support resources leverage it, along with the Azure Autopilot component or the Intune Autopilot component. The customer orders the solution, it's shipped to them, they open it, log on with their Azure credentials and it builds the machine for them as opposed to going to an imaging center, and having a dedicated staff for that particular function.
What needs improvement?
I think the asset management component, the TSM piece, could be improved. That would allow them to compete with other products. It's currently very basic and rudimentary because there are no other connectors such as PeopleSoft that you can get.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using this solution for 24 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This is a very mature product so it's very stable. In the 24 years I've been using it, most of the kinks have been worked out. It's all about having a healthy network and a healthy, active directory structure. If those two things are in place, you'll have a really good experience. If not, it will definitely show its head in the SCCM product.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The scalability is excellent.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support for SCCM is good. You have to get past the tier one person, but once you get to a dedicated MECM engineer, it's good. The support forums are also helpful.
How was the initial setup?
If the solution is being deployed by someone with experience, it can be done in about two hours. They're pretty good with hydration kits where you can configure all the prerequisites and all the components, and you're up and running in about two clicks. It's the customer and budget that dictates how complex or how involved a setup is. If they're only leveraging a couple of the core features of the product, it's pretty straightforward, but if they want to use more advanced functions and distribute that out and do low balancing and that sort of thing, it takes a little more time. Generally, clients allow us to integrate for them, we conduct a turnkey training solution, and then they take it over.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Although the solution is not as expensive as Ivanti, the cost is still quite high. Certain licensing arrangements can get you a better deal, but it's still expensive. It's based on a CAL license, so if you have a client on an endpoint, there's going to be a charge. I think it's around $US35 per license per year. It's not too bad.
What other advice do I have?
If you're new to the solution then it's worthwhile studying the documentation because it's not easy in terms of all the components that make it up such as SQL and so forth.
I rate the solution nine out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Systems Engineer at a healthcare company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Useful for easy patch management and software deployment
Pros and Cons
- "The tool's most valuable features are easy patch management and software deployment."
- "The tool's deployment can be cumbersome."
What is most valuable?
The tool's most valuable features are easy patch management and software deployment. We use it because it is a Microsoft product, which makes it more secure and easier to use.
Microsoft Configuration Manager makes it easier to control remote desktops. It supplements other products.
What needs improvement?
The tool's deployment can be cumbersome.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Microsoft Configuration Manager's stability is very good. I rate it an eight out of ten.
How are customer service and support?
We don't contact Microsoft directly for support. We get support through a third-party vendor.
How was the initial setup?
I rate the product's ease of deployment a four out of ten.
What about the implementation team?
A contractor helped us with the product's deployment.
What other advice do I have?
I rate the overall solution an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
System Specialist at Tata Consultancy
Improves time and security and helps with patch management
Pros and Cons
- "Microsoft Configuration Manager is integrated with other Microsoft products."
- "The product needs to improve scalability."
What is our primary use case?
We use Microsoft Configuration Manager for patch management.
How has it helped my organization?
The product has improved time and security.
What is most valuable?
Microsoft Configuration Manager is integrated with other Microsoft products.
What needs improvement?
The product needs to improve scalability.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with the product for three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate Microsoft Configuration Manager a nine out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I rate the tool's scalability an eight out of ten.
How was the initial setup?
The tool's deployment is easy. It takes between five to 25 minutes to complete.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Microsoft Configuration Manager a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Automatically apply patches, is stable, and scalable
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature of this solution is its ability to deploy patches to nearly all applications."
- "SCCM should strive to enhance the accuracy of its reporting functions in order to avoid any issues with incorrect or inaccurate data."
What is our primary use case?
The primary use case of the solution is to deploy patches, and applications, and upgrade our client operating systems.
How has it helped my organization?
Without the solution, we would have to manually install all patches and software and upgrade our operating system with the help of our support team, which would take a long time. With SCCM, this process is automated, making it a highly valuable feature.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of this solution is its ability to deploy patches to nearly all applications.
What needs improvement?
SCCM should strive to enhance the accuracy of its reporting functions in order to avoid any issues with incorrect or inaccurate data.
Microsoft could supply an installation guide to make setup easier.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable and we have not had any issues.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable.
We have 100,000 people using the solution.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support is good. We can call the hotline or use the website to generate the tickets.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward.
What other advice do I have?
I give the solution a nine out of ten.
Maintenance for the solution is easy.
I recommend the solution to others.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Technical Lead at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees
A systems management software product with good support
Pros and Cons
- "I like Mircosoft's technical support. Microsoft has a few updates, like some of the critical KBs. They are published within the interval time, and in case of an escalation on the client missions, we will raise a ticket with the Microsoft team. They will create a hotfix or a critical update. They will chat with us, and that is one thing I like about Microsoft. Whenever any issues occur at my organization, they will help you out soon as possible within the SLA."
- "It would be better if automation options were available. For example, in Nexthink or SysTrack, there is an analytical tool. Creating dashboards would be very easy if you implement the same thing in Microsoft. That report will be a daily cost to the customers and good revenue for our organization. The price also could be better. In the next release, we need to include some features like tables, dashboards, surveys, services, and metrics in the dashboard. Whatever we are implementing will be downloaded by a report. Apart from the report, we will telecast from the dashboard. It's very easy to compare, and it will be easy to telecast to the end-users."
What is our primary use case?
We mostly use Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager for patch management and application deployment. We will check and post a critical or supplement patch if there is a vulnerability.
What is most valuable?
I like Mircosoft's technical support. Microsoft has a few updates, like some of the critical KBs. They are published within the interval time, and in case of an escalation on the client missions, we will raise a ticket with the Microsoft team. They will create a hotfix or a critical update. They will chat with us, and that is one thing I like about Microsoft. Whenever any issues occur at my organization, they will help you out soon as possible within the SLA.
What needs improvement?
It would be better if automation options were available. For example, in Nexthink or SysTrack, there is an analytical tool. Creating dashboards would be very easy if you implement the same thing in Microsoft. That report will be a daily cost to the customers and good revenue for our organization. The price also could be better.
In the next release, we need to include some features like tables, dashboards, surveys, services, and metrics in the dashboard. Whatever we are implementing will be downloaded by a report. Apart from the report, we will telecast from the dashboard. It's very easy to compare, and it will be easy to telecast to the end-users.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager for five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is a stable solution. There is nothing to worry about. When Microsoft pushes updates or patches, they will be in the W-Sync server. We have some people who will concentrate on Sync's parameters. Apart from that, everything is perfect.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is a scalable solution.
How are customer service and support?
From my point of view, I'm just giving 60% to 70% marks to those who support us with these issues. If there are any new issues, they will check in with the corresponding team, which takes some time. If there are issues with a single machine or server, or it affects the whole environment, they will analyze it from their end and provide a hotfix.
On a scale from one to five, I would give Microsoft technical support a four.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I would tell potential users that for 15,000 or 30,000 machines, you must go with Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager as it's the best tool. We can install the clients on all the end-user machines. All the data will be recorded in the Microsoft console itself. There's no need to worry if the patching activities will be hygienic, which will be very useful.
You can go with another third-party software if you're just a small organization with 50-odd machines. The Microsoft license cost is relatively high, but everything will be perfect, stable, and reliable.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward because Microsoft is always user-friendly. They will share the parameters, like troubleshooting steps and the pre-request. They will send the database knowledge-base document to us. It will be a step-by-step procedure. There won't be any worrying or alarming issues with Microsoft. If we have any problems, we will raise a ticket with Microsoft, and the team from Microsoft will help us. We can implement this solution within two or three hours, depending on the bandwidth speed.
On a scale from one to five, I will give the initial setup a four.
What about the implementation team?
We implemented this solution.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price could be better.
What other advice do I have?
On a scale from one to ten, I would give Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager a nine.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.

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