KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) Reviews

Name: KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA)
Brand: Quest Software
Rating: 4.4 (39 reviews)

4.4 out of 5

39 reviews
95% willing to recommend

What is KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA)?

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.

Get the KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA), Microsoft Intune, Fortinet FortiClient and more!

KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is the #3 ranked solution in top Client Desktop Management solutions, #8 ranked solution in top Endpoint Compliance solutions, #8 ranked solution in top Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions, #10 ranked solution in top Patch Management solutions, and #12 ranked solution in top Remote Monitoring and Management Software. PeerSpot users give KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) an average rating of 8.8 out of 10. KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is most commonly compared to Microsoft Intune: KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) vs Microsoft Intune. KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 52% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a university, accounting for 12% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA)

August 2025

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Featured KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) reviews

Scott Tweed

Windows Engineer at a tech services company with 5,001-10,000 employees

I like how when you click on the device, it shows you everything that has changed as well as the software versioning. I am really enjoying the inventory aspect of it. The deployment process for both deploying and creating a package is straightforward. I believe the inventory in KACE is superior to SCCM's. I know with SCCM I could do things like remote console into machines via the agent's remote console, but that is not a feature that is provided in KACE. I know that at least in the Systems Management Appliance, I can't get to it. I'm not sure how distribution works, with distribution points. I'm not sure if KACE has that feature. You could use an SCCM to set up distribution points at remote sites so that they don't have to download patches or software from across the country. If you have a DP or something similar, they could pull it down.

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Michael Huffman

Server Administrator III at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees

The best features Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) offers include the scripting function, which stands out to me because I can find specific needs and deploy the applications based on those needs. There was a time when scripting really saved me time by allowing me to find specific registry entries and modify them to patch security vulnerabilities. Scripting has saved us hundreds of hours over the years when patching these vulnerabilities compared to how we did it before. I really enjoy the security features that are enabled to deploy Microsoft and other vendor patches, which stand out to me as key functionalities.

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RicardoGarcia1

Avocat at Star Boxes India Pvt Ltd

The main use cases for Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance are touch management, software and hardware inventory, and software delivery The most valuable features include simplicity, which makes systems management easier and faster, especially for device management. It provides a good…

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KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) mindshare

Product category:

As of August 2025, the mindshare of KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) in the Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) category stands at 0.9%, down from 1.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM)

PeerResearch reports based on KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM)	Aug 19, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Aug 19, 2025	Download
Comparison	KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) vs Kaseya VSA	Aug 19, 2025	Download
Comparison	KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) vs NinjaOne	Aug 19, 2025	Download
Comparison	KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) vs N-able N-central	Aug 19, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Microsoft Intune	4.1	N/A	94%	294 interviews Add to research
Fortinet FortiClient	4.0	N/A	92%	99 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

KACE Systems Management Appliance's most valuable features include efficient asset and patch management, seamless software deployment, and comprehensive endpoint management. Users benefit from its ease of use, integration with Bomgar, and automation capabilities, reducing manual processes. The appliance's single pane of glass provides a unified view for managing devices, updates, and compliance. Additionally, its reporting and scripting functions streamline operations, resulting in significant time savings and enhanced productivity across IT departments.

"Using Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA), we have been able to manage three times the amount of machines as other groups while having half the staff, which has positively impacted our organization."
"Overall, I rate the solution ten out of ten."
"The initial setup is relatively easy."

Room for Improvement

Users often find KACE SMA lacks scalability and automation, causing challenges in updating large numbers of machines and integrating Microsoft updates. Patching and reporting functions could be more intuitive, while the GUI needs streamlining to reduce confusion. Sale approaches are too aggressive. Image deployment limitations and manual customization requirements also hinder efficiency. Enhanced asset management, improved training, seamless integration with external tools, and better multilingual support are desired to meet diverse user needs.

"I wish Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) would have a top-down approach since we use orgs; 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 and lacks a manual configuration option."
"We had issues with the tool's support. We are a Dutch firm and everything has to be in Dutch. We were not able to do the alerts. You were required to tweak them a lot to get them in the language that you preferred. The solution's support depended on the person that you got online. Sometimes, the response was fast and other times you needed to wait a long time. The support also depended on the levels of support that you had requested."

ROI

Companies using KACE Systems Management Appliance experienced significant time and resource savings, enhancing IT productivity. Implementation efficiency led to quicker problem resolution and fewer staff requirements for management tasks. End users and technicians reported substantial time reductions in processes like patching and software updates. Organizations noticed ROI within the first year, with increased efficiency allowing them to handle more tasks without additional resources. Enhanced security capabilities and ease of use contributed to overall value retention.

Pricing

KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) offers competitive pricing with a model based on per-device licensing, making it advantageous for larger environments. While initial setup and licensing can appear costly for smaller organizations, many find the investment justified by the robust features and seamless integration across devices. Users praise its value in asset management, security patching, and scalable support, ensuring that technical needs are met efficiently without incurring additional charges beyond standard fees.

"The product is reasonably priced."
"Some of the other solutions were just astronomical in price compared with KACE and didn't necessarily have the ease of use either. So, we chose Quest KACE for its easy-to-use features and cost."
"The pricing is fair."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) for ticketing, patch management, software and update deployment, and endpoint management. They often utilize its capabilities for device inventory, asset management, and imaging. SMA supports multiple departments and helps manage large volumes of IT requests. It is used for managing distributed environments, automating tasks, and maintaining security standards. Many rely on SMA for generating reports, tracking hardware and software, and deploying various software packages across their networks.

Service and Support

Customer service and support for KACE Systems Management Appliance are highly praised for their responsiveness, knowledgeable staff, and fast resolution times. Users frequently commend the helpfulness and skill level of the support team. While minor delays in reaching the correct person occur, once connected, guidance and solutions are prompt and efficient. Many users value the Premium Support, particularly for more complex inquiries or advanced consultations. The support's 24/7 availability and willingness to assist receive exceptional ratings.

Deployment

Initial setup experiences with KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) varied. Some found it straightforward with helpful support, clear instructions, and videos. Others encountered complexity, needing detailed training or assistance. Difficulties included network challenges, extensive steps, or configuration errors. However, many appreciated quick deployments and automation. Professional services and clear documentation often aided the process, while some faced longer durations or minor technical issues. Managed environments benefited from streamlined installations and upgrades.

Scalability

KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is highly adaptable for various environments. Users report deploying it across numerous devices, with ease in scaling operations, often without issues. Appliance accommodates increasing demands, with capabilities extending to large networks. Organizations have successfully integrated additional resources as needed, contributing to seamless scalability. There may be concerns about capacity limitations, but generally, SMA handles growth effectively, supporting transitions like virtualization and using cloud-based features efficiently as resources expand.

Stability

Users report that KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is highly stable and rarely experiences downtime. It upgrades and maintains performance effectively. Technical support is prompt and efficient, resolving rare issues quickly. While some users faced network-related challenges, these were typically due to infrastructure mismanagement rather than the appliance itself. Regular updates enhance the system, and its ability to deploy software intelligently is praised. Users appreciate its reliability over extended periods.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

University

12%

Government

10%

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

Non Profit

Educational Organization

Construction Company

Performing Arts

Manufacturing Company

Retailer

Healthcare Company

Comms Service Provider

Energy/Utilities Company

Insurance Company

Media Company

Outsourcing Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Transportation Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Hospitality Company

Mining And Metals Company

Legal Firm

Pharma/Biotech Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Logistics Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Engineering Company

Cloud Solution Provider

Compare KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) with alternative products

Learn more about KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA)

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?

Integration capabilities: Seamlessly connects with existing IT systems.
Efficient image deployment: Facilitates quick and effective distribution of system images.
Comprehensive asset management: Provides detailed tracking and management of IT assets.
User-friendly helpdesk: Simplifies handling IT requests and issues.
Automated patch management: Ensures devices are up-to-date with security patches.
Robust scripting: Allows for automation of complex IT tasks.
Detailed inventory tracking: Maintains accurate records of all IT assets.

What benefits should users expect from KACE Systems Management Appliance?

Simplified IT processes: Centralized management enhances operational efficiency.
Improved security: Streamlines cyber-security compliance through automated updates.
Flexibility in customizations: Adapts to specific IT environment needs.
Increased productivity: Efficient ticketing and reporting ease organizational operations.
Remote software updates: Ensures all devices are current, reducing security risks.

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.

KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) was previously known as Dell KACE Systems Management.