IBM Tivoli Configuration Manager [EOL] vs Microsoft Configuration Manager comparison

IBM and Microsoft are both solutions in the Software Distribution category. Additionally, 100% of IBM users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 91% of Microsoft users who would recommend it.

IBM Tivoli Configuration Ma...

Read 1 IBM Tivoli Configuration Manager [EOL] review

100% willing to recommend

Microsoft Configuration Man...

Read 85 Microsoft Configuration Manager reviews

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99 Comparison Views

91% willing to recommend

IBM Tivoli Configuration Ma...

Microsoft Configuration Man...

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 16, 2025

Microsoft Configuration Manager and IBM Tivoli Configuration Manager [EOL] compete in IT infrastructure management. Microsoft Configuration Manager has an advantage in pricing and customer support, making it more cost-effective.

Features: Microsoft Configuration Manager provides automated operating system deployment, mobile device management, and application delivery, integrating seamlessly with Windows environments. IBM Tivoli Configuration Manager [EOL] offers cross-platform capabilities and complex network management tools despite being phased out.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft Configuration Manager is known for a straightforward deployment, especially in Microsoft-centric settings, and responsive support services. IBM Tivoli Configuration Manager [EOL] required more setup effort, with customer service efficiency being mixed, resulting in deployment challenges.

Pricing and ROI: Microsoft Configuration Manager is praised for competitive pricing and solid ROI in large-scale deployments. IBM Tivoli Configuration Manager [EOL] had higher setup costs, impacting its overall ROI negatively compared to Microsoft’s solution.

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

IBM Tivoli Configuration Ma...

Average Rating

8.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Microsoft Configuration Man...

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

6.4

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Software Distribution (1st), Server Monitoring (7th), Configuration Management (3rd), Patch Management (2nd)

Featured Reviews

Megha Rastogi

Server Administrator at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited

Responsive support, reliable, and scalable

IBM Tivoli Configuration Manager is used for complete database storage The user interface of IBM Tivoli Configuration Manager could improve. You have to know the full UI before you can manage it properly. I have been using IBM Tivoli Configuration Manager for approximately 10 years. IBM Tivoli…

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JunedBedrekar

Expert at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

Have effectively deployed patches and applications while integrating with cloud solutions

The features I find most valuable in Microsoft Configuration Manager are replication and scripting. If I want to get a fetch report for anything, such as hardware-related issues or group policy-related issues, I need to fetch the report by using SCCM's scripting language and remediation part. The inventory collection features of Microsoft Configuration Manager are good because we always prefer the inventory. We do it by using the script language. We use remote management capabilities in Microsoft Configuration Manager. Remote management capabilities are useful if the user is not providing access; we can use the backend users to update the group policy and sync the devices. These are the main features we require.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"I have found IBM Tivoli Configuration Manager to be scalable."

"You can remote control or RDP. That has been the most valuable because we can go into one console and can get to anything we want. Instead of going to all these different consoles, we centralized everything."

"This solution captures all the devices in our infrastructure."

"With the right administrator, application deployment can do wonders."

"It gives us the ability to set up schedules, according to what our security requirements are, to automate the patching of our servers and desktops."

"There is a faster time to rollout. If we get a new PC, it can be ready for productivity right away."

"The dashboards have information about our assets."

"SCCM is a stable solution."

"It is a very well-rounded product. It is a complete package with all the features using which we are able to manage our PCs very efficiently."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager pros

Cons

"The user interface of IBM Tivoli Configuration Manager could improve. You have to know the full UI before you can manage it properly."

"The App to upgrades to the server needs to be improved."

"Its client interface should be more accessible, and the notifications should be more customizable from the console. It should be more user friendly and have some kind of customized notifications so that we can use it on the client side. These are the reasons why we restricted its use only for the server environment and didn't use it on the client side."

"One area of improvement is regarding the patching of Office 365 products. We have some difficulties on this side, and it can be improved."

"Regarding this, I'd like to mention the agent situation. When the agent on an end-user device is not functioning correctly, it can be quite problematic. It would be highly beneficial if there were a self-healing mechanism in place. Essentially, if the agent becomes corrupted or encounters issues, it should be able to rectify itself autonomously. This is particularly critical because, in order to utilize a tool like MECM (assuming you're referring to Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager), we need to deploy agents, known as AsMs, on all the devices we use, such as Windows 10 or Windows Server. Sometimes, when we deploy configurations or updates, they don't apply properly due to agent issues. This issue has been present since we began using MECM around 23 years ago. Unfortunately, there is currently no built-in mechanism for the agent to detect its own problems and initiate self-repair. Microsoft doesn’t have any feature to scan vulnerabilities and hence, they could include those."

"There is a reboot issue with the patching. Sometimes, if patching runs into any issue whatsoever, it doesn't reboot but it doesn't tell you it errored out. It just sits there and we don't find out until the next day whether it patched or not. That was a big issue for us. We're working through that. They added some stuff in there now where you can actually tell reboot is pending. But we still need some kind of notification that if something fails or is pending, we know. We shouldn't have to go in and look. They don't have anything for that right now."

"SCCM can improve on third-party application support."

"We'd like the solution to make it easier to manage remote users."

"It does seem a bit buggy from time to time."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

Information not available

"The price of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager is expensive."

"Pricing and licensing are a downside of SCCM. It's expensive. I'd have to confirm this, but I think they changed the licensing to core-based instead of socket-based. It's not cheap, because you have to buy the software, you have to buy SQL. Another thing we learned from talking to Microsoft is that they provide you a license for SQL if you run it on the same box as the primary server. If you run it outside that box, you have to buy SQL. Microsoft does recommend you running it on the same box because of performance. But then, in order to run SQL, SCCM, and everything on the same box, you better have some resources. It's an expensive solution. There's no doubt about it."

"Presently, I am using a free trial version."

"There is not a license needed to use the solution."

"We have to pay for a license."

"Along with buying a license for MECM, we also have to buy a service called CMG (Cloud Management Gateway) which is a virtual machine in the cloud with which you can link your MECM to the Azure tenant so as to manage teleworkers."

"When you compare this solution with other tools in the market you might actually find a lot of variation in the pricing and that's why people opt for the other tools rather than Microsoft tools."

"I rate the price of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager an eight out of ten."

More Microsoft Configuration Manager pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Financial Services Firm

11%

Government

10%

Computer Software Company

Manufacturing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	20
Midsize Enterprise	13
Large Enterprise	64

Questions from the Community

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How does Ansible compare to Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (SCCM)?

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How to choose between ManageEngine Desktop Central and Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (formerly SCCM)?

ManageEngine Desktop Central is very easy to set up, is scalable, stable, and also has very good patch management. What I like most about ManageEngine is that I can log on to every PC very easily a...

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What do you like most about SCCM?

One of the standout features of SCCM is its application management capabilities. It allows us to create packages efficiently and deploy them to specific groups within our network. This streamlined ...

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Comparisons

No data available

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Compared 9% of the time

ManageEngine Endpoint Central vs Microsoft Configuration Manager

Compared 7% of the time

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Compared 5% of the time

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Compared 4% of the time

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Compared 4% of the time

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Product Reports

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Buyer's Guide

Microsoft Configuration Manager

December 2025

Download Microsoft Configuration Manager product report

Also Known As

Tivoli Configuration Manager

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM ), Microsoft SMS

Overview

IBM Tivoli Configuration Manager V4.2 provides software distribution and hardware and software inventory capability in a multiplatform environment. Tivoli Configuration Manager V4.2 can help enable you to: Scan hardware and software to determine which enterprise assets are part of your inventory, Reduce the time and effort in installing and configuring your network population by centralizing and automating the distribution of software across your enterprise, Automate and schedule software distribution and inventory operations, Monitor system and configuration changes, Manage the desired state of all elements of your network, Manage your enterprise environments across firewalls and Extend the scope of your managed network to include pervasive devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs).

IBM

Microsoft Configuration Manager streamlines IT management with features such as software deployment, patch management, and automation, centralizing operations for Windows environments. Integration with Microsoft products allows efficient oversight of workstations and servers.

Microsoft Configuration Manager provides comprehensive IT management, offering software deployment, patch management, and application pushing. Automation reduces manual tasks, ensuring consistency across systems. Centralized management enables standardized OS deployments, application updates, and configuration integrity. Integration with Microsoft products facilitates seamless operations, while hardware and software inventory, compliance reporting, and remote control functions enhance IT management. Users seek improvements in application deployment for those without deep scripting knowledge and desire better WSUS control, PowerShell and Intune integration, Linux compatibility, and user interface enhancements. Performance improvements are requested for remote user management and third-party application support.

What features enhance Microsoft Configuration Manager?

Software Deployment: Efficiently distribute software across large networks.
Patch Management: Automate and streamline update processes for security and functionality.
Automation Capabilities: Reduce manual effort and enhance consistency in IT tasks.
Centralized Management: Standardize OS deployments and application updates.
Integration with Microsoft Products: Seamless operation with existing Microsoft infrastructure.
Hardware and Software Inventory: Comprehensive tracking for assets and resources.
Compliance Reporting: Ensure compliance with internal and external standards.
Remote Control Functions: Enhance support and troubleshooting capabilities.

What benefits should users expect when evaluating Microsoft Configuration Manager?

Decreased Manual Work: Automation reduces time spent on repetitive tasks.
Enhanced Security: Automated patch management keeps systems secure.
Consistent Configurations: Centralized updates ensure uniformity across systems.
Improved Integration: Seamless operation within Microsoft ecosystems boosts productivity.
Comprehensive Oversight: Detailed inventory and reporting tools aid in strategic planning.
Streamlined Support: Remote capabilities improve IT support and user satisfaction.

Microsoft Configuration Manager is widely implemented in organizations to manage Windows workstations and servers. It is essential for deploying operating systems and applications, managing software updates, and conducting hardware and software inventories. The tool is crucial for endpoint and configuration management, ensuring compliance, and automating processes like patching and vulnerability management. Industries such as finance, healthcare, and education rely on Microsoft Configuration Manager to keep systems secure and operational, adapting it to address their specific needs and challenges in maintaining diversified IT environments.

Microsoft

Sample Customers

Bendigo Community Telco

Bank Alfalah Ltd., Wªrth Handelsges.m.b.H, Dimension Data, Japan Business Systems, St. Lucie County Public Schools, MISC Berhad

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