The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the move to remote work, meaning internal IT professionals and MSPs needed the ability to access employee devices no matter where they were. Remote monitoring and management (RMM) software enabled this access and made it easier for employees to get help with IT problems from home. By the end of 2022, experts expect 25 percent of all professional jobs to be remote, with even more remote opportunities coming in 2023. As this trend continues, so will the need for RMM software.
What is Remote Monitoring and Management Software?
Remote monitoring and management (RMM) software is a technology platform that gives IT professionals the ability to access and control endpoints even when they aren’t in the same geographic location. Managed services providers (MSPs) used to be the main users of this type of software, but the explosion of remote work in the wake of COVID-19 increased the usage by in-house IT teams as well.
Organizations can install RMM software onto the devices they want the IT professionals to be able to access remotely, including laptops, desktop computers, smartphones, and even servers. RMM software can also automatically discover devices that are connected to the company’s network, making it easier to identify and remediate any threats.
What Does RMM Software Do?
RMM software gives IT professionals a gateway into remote devices in order to solve IT issues and remediate threats for employees working from home. Additionally, it allows IT to automatically install necessary updates and patches to keep the devices running smoothly and securely. IT professionals can also use RMM software to generate reports about device health and maintenance needs.
Some key features include:
- Patch management
- Remote access and control
- Automated discovery tools
- Customizable reports
- IT automation
Benefits of Remote Monitoring and Management Tools
Remote monitoring and management tools make businesses more efficient, accelerate threat remediation, and improve device performance. Many of these are marketed towards MSPs, but they will also work for in-house IT teams.
Improved operational efficiency
RMM software improves the operational efficiency of businesses that offer remote work. It makes it easier for their IT teams or MSPs to roll out changes en masse, instead of handling each device individually. Additionally, they don’t have to wait for an employee to call about issues with their device because they can see any problems from their dashboard and fix them potentially even before the employee realizes there’s a problem.
Also read: Top 6 Trends Shaping Digital Transformation in 2022
Faster threat remediation
The RMM dashboard shows IT teams when there’s a problem with a device, which in the case of a threat, tells them exactly where the threat is on the network. This removes part of the threat hunting process, meaning they can begin remediation much faster. Additionally, businesses can detect and contain threats before they cause critical issues for the network.
Improved device health
Without RMM software, companies have to rely on their employees to install patches and updates, which may not happen as regularly as it should. This can cause devices to run slowly or open them up to threats. RMM software allows IT to automate the patching process and gives them regular reports on device health, so they can handle maintenance as needed.
Best RMM Software & Tools
The best RMM software should include a centralized management console and IT automation, and it should make it easy to add new devices as your business grows.
NinjaOne
NinjaOne RMM automates IT operation and requires low management overhead, improving efficiency. It offers free training and onboarding services as well as good support documentation. Users get a single management console for Windows, Mac, Linux, SNMP, and VMware devices. However, the patch management features can only be automated for Windows, Mac, and Linux devices. IT can create custom alerts to limit false positives and get real-time device health analysis. Pricing requires a custom quote from sales.
Key Features
- Automated patch management
- Centralized management console
- Customizable reports and notifications
- Managed antivirus software
- Integrated cloud backup solution
- IT automation
Pros
- Fast deployment and implementation
- Helpful and responsive customer support
- High degree of success with automation
Cons
- May provide unnecessary alerts
- Somes users want permissions to be more granular
N-Able RMM
N-Able RMM (previously SolarWinds RMM) provides script-free automation, making it easier to deploy the platform and begin managing devices. Its layered security solutions block evolving threats, while rollback features help protect against ransomware and device crashes. Users get automated remediation out of the box, or they can customize automation policies with pre-built PowerShell scripts. The platform supports Windows, Mac, Linux, and Raspberry Pi devices and offers automated patching support for common application types, including Apple, Google, Java, and Adobe. Pricing information is not available on the website.
Key Features
- Automated discovery tools
- Customizable automation scripts
- Scheduled and on-demand patch scans
- Non-disruptive background maintenance
- Automated ticketing
- Customizable reports
Pros
- Easy to use and deploy
- Helpful and responsive customer support
- Doesn’t slow down end user devices
Cons
- The system may lag
- Some users have issues with patch management
Atera
Atera RMM includes remote access, professional services automation, billing, and reporting, making it a great option for both in-house teams and MSPs. Root cause analysis helps IT determine where breaches are coming from before beginning remediation, making it easier to take the right course of action from the beginning. The integrated help desk provides added visibility into the network as well as ticketing processes, so IT can be more efficient. There are three monthly pricing tiers businesses can choose from, priced per technician. Businesses that want a live chat option will need to upgrade past the basic plan.
Key Features
- IT automation and scripting
- Patch management
- Ticket queues and scheduling
- 24/7 support
- Real-time monitoring and alerts
- Advanced remote maintenance
Pros
- New features are added regularly
- Library of user-created scripts available
- Pricing per technician makes it a relatively inexpensive option
Cons
- Some users want more robust patch management features
- SNMP control documentation is lacking
Kaseya VSA
Kaseya VSA RMM provides an all-in-one solution for endpoint management, automation, and security to improve visibility and operational efficiency. Users can manage all network devices, including mobile and internet of things (IoT) devices. Additionally, all endpoint functions are available from the centralized management console, lowering the time it takes technicians to handle routine maintenance. Security measures include two-factor authentication, threat detection, and automated patch management. Kaseya boasts a simple pricing model, but the pricing information is not available on the website.
Key Features
- Customizable automation
- Automated and scheduled patching
- Remote control and live connect
- Automatic device discovery
- Centralized network monitoring
- User-friendly mobile application
Pros
- Integrates with other software for better visibility
- Easy to implement and deploy
- Provides detailed device information
Cons
- Can be more complex than similar RMM software
- Some users complain about the time it takes to fix bugs
Barracuda RMM
Barracuda RMM includes a built-in security assessment tool to help IT professionals analyze overall device health and quickly identify any vulnerabilities. Users can schedule and automate routine tasks with over 200 pre-built scripts, and they can customize those scripts to meet their own needs. The reports are also customizable, allowing organizations to zero-in on the information that’s most important to them. Businesses can also add managed services through Barracuda, if they don’t have an in-house IT team. Pricing for Barracuda RMM requires a quote from the sales team.
Key Features
- Centralized management dashboard
- Patch management
- Security assessments
- IT automation
- Real-time monitoring and alerts
- Asset management
Pros
- Strong reporting capabilities
- Multiple options for remote access
- Easy to learn and use
Cons
- Built-in antivirus may have compatibility issues
- Patch management can be inconsistent
ConnectWise Automate
ConnectWise Automate is a unified endpoint management (UEM) platform that includes RMM, IT automation, patch management, and asset discovery. It provides audit trails showing which team members remotely connected to a device, what they did, and how long they were connected, and there are even video recordings of remote sessions available. Users get a single source of truth regarding device health. The software is configured to the best monitoring practices, but businesses can also customize its procedures to fit their needs. Pricing information is not available on the website.
Key Features
- Recordings of remote sessions
- Automated discovery tools
- IT automation
- Scheduled reporting
- Patch management
- Professional services automation billing
Pros
- Easy to customize the software as needed
- Provides a lot of functionality out of the box
- Powerful scripting engine
Cons
- Has a fairly steep learning curve
- Support can be slow to respond
Datto RMM
Datto RMM is completely cloud-based, making it accessible for remote IT staff and easy to scale as the business grows. Users can automate patch policies to update applications as needed and prevent vulnerabilities in the network. IT experts can also customize scripts and automation policies to detect ransomware and handle other manual tasks. The dashboards and reports are also fully configurable. Additionally, the remote support feature allows technicians to have live help sessions with employees to solve issues with their devices. Pricing information is not available on the Datto website.
Key Features
- Open REST API
- Scheduled and on-demand reporting
- Patch management
- Network mapping
- Wi-Fi monitoring
- Customizable automation scripts
Pros
- Easy to use with an intuitive UI
- Helpful and knowledgeable deployment support
- Improves monitoring efficiency
Cons
- Custom monitoring scripts can be challenging to create
- Some users have had problems with automatic updates failing
RMM Tools Enable Remote Work
Remote monitoring and management software is the key to successful remote work because it keeps employee devices running smoothly and prevents vulnerabilities stemming from uninstalled patches. They improve operational efficiency through IT automation and enable faster remediation of threats. Additionally, RMM tools work well for in-office teams because they allow IT to manage devices from a single management console, rather than having to visit an employee’s office to troubleshoot.
Organizations looking for RMM software should determine the types of devices they have on their network. Not all RMM tools support all operating systems. However, many RMM platforms do offer free trials, so businesses should test a few out to see what works best for them.
Read next: Eight Best Practices for Securing Long-Term Remote Work
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