Forescout Platform and KACE Systems Management Appliance compete in the network and endpoint management space. Forescout shows a stronger focus on security, while KACE excels in software deployment and asset management.
Features: Forescout Platform offers endpoint visibility, network access control without relying on 802.1x, and device management capabilities with alerting and quarantine functions. Its integration with prominent security products enhances its network security features. KACE Systems Management Appliance thrives in mass software deployment, efficient asset management, and comprehensive patch management, providing significant time savings through its scripting capabilities.
Room for Improvement: Forescout could benefit from enhancing third-party integrations, improving reporting capabilities, and broadening its cloud management scope. Pricing transparency and interface user-friendliness are also flagged as areas for improvement, alongside technical support responsiveness. KACE SMA users highlight a need for UI enhancements, better support for larger enterprises, and improved patch management efficiency, along with calls for better customer support and a revised training protocol.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Forescout typically deploys on-premises but also supports hybrid cloud scenarios, offering flexibility. Although its customer service is generally rated positively, there's room for improvement in technical support responsiveness. KACE SMA offers diverse deployment options, including public cloud, and is praised for its customer service, though suggestions exist for improved service accessibility akin to Forescout's benchmarks.
Pricing and ROI: Forescout's pricing is seen as high due to its comprehensive feature set, with its flex licensing model adding costs per device/IP, though users recognize its extensive security capabilities. KACE SMA's straightforward and competitive licensing offers a positive value proposition, with ROI considered favorable due to efficiency gains in asset management and deployments. Its transparent and flexible pricing makes it an attractive option for many organizations.
The return on investment is seen in the quick access to information, good inventory management, and efficient systems management.
We have had experience with their technical support and must pay additionally for maintenance, support, and regional service.
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.
Scalability can be costly since a physical box needs to be installed for every site.
The product is very scalable as it supports 10,000 thousand endpoints with just one appliance.
We have outgrown the size of one KACE appliance and are now running two.
I would rate its stability as 9.5 out of ten.
It would help if during integration, an admin user could check the password or credential used, as they currently cannot see the password after it is entered and saved.
Forescout Platform could enhance its integration of AI to improve IoT and OT device security to better meet our needs.
The console is a fat client, and a web interface would be preferable.
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.
The overall pricing of Forescout Platform is reasonable for the functionality it provides.
Installing a physical box on each site can be expensive.
The price of Forescout Platform is reasonable and not overly costly.
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.
The pricing is in the middle range of the market, not too expensive but not the cheapest either.
When it comes to the effectiveness of Forescout Platform's real-time visibility in reducing the overall attack surface, I give it a 9 out of 10.
The most effective feature has been network access management, which has been crucial for our primary use cases in the organization.
The platform enables automated policy enforcement, allowing us to simulate and test policies before enforcement, streamlining our security operations.
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.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Forescout Platform | 6.1% |
| KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) | 6.7% |
| Other | 87.2% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 30 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 10 |
| Large Enterprise | 44 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 8 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 20 |
| Large Enterprise | 15 |
Forescout Platform provides today’s busy enterprise organizations with policy and protocol management, workflow coordination, streamlining, and complete device and infrastructure visibility to improve overall network security. The solution also provides concise real-time intelligence of all devices and users on the network. Policy and protocols are delineated using gathered intelligence to facilitate the appropriate levels of remediation, compliance, network access, and all service operations. Forescout Platform is very flexible, integrates well with most of today’s leading network security products, and is a very cost-effective solution.
Forescout Platform Features
Real User Reviews
An important main feature of Forescout is the visibility the solution offers.
One reviewer who is a Consultant at a tech services company, says, "Within three or four days, you can have complete visibility of your infrastructure on the network. Compared to other solutions, the deployment of the solution is easier and we can close the project quickly."
Users also appreciate that the user interface is clear and easy to understand.
An Instructor at a tech services company, shares, "The most valuable feature of the Forescout Platform is the large capacity it can handle. Additionally, the interface of the platform is good."
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.
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