

KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) and Qualys Patch Management are key competitors in the endpoint management and vulnerability detection space. Qualys seems to have the edge in vulnerability detection, offering comprehensive risk assessments, while KACE is more favored for its robust system deployment capabilities and customizability.
Features: KACE SMA provides extensive endpoint management, offering automated updates, system deployment efficiency, and flexible system customizations. Qualys Patch Management integrates vulnerability detection with risk assessments, streamlining patch deployment and prioritizing risks to enhance security.
Room for Improvement: KACE SMA could improve in dashboard flexibility, resource consumption, and scalability in large environments. Qualys Patch Management needs improvements in patch deployment flexibility, reporting capabilities, and support for third-party applications.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: KACE SMA is often deployed on-premises with responsive technical support. Users appreciate the prompt issue resolution from the technical team. Qualys is used frequently in hybrid and cloud environments, providing industry-standard support with effective resolution capabilities.
Pricing and ROI: KACE SMA offers competitive pricing with a straightforward licensing model that scales with the number of devices, often resulting in high ROI through reduced workload. Qualys is relatively more expensive but justified by its comprehensive risk management, leading to significant risk reduction and efficient patch management, providing a valuable return for organizations with extensive endpoint requirements.
The return on investment is seen in the quick access to information, good inventory management, and efficient systems management.
With Qualys, we can save around 70 percent of time and between 30 to 40 percent of money.
We have a 50 percent return on investment due to reduced operational complexity and increased efficiency in patching and detection.
In the past, it took us seven to ten days to close critical patches, but now we manage to address them within forty-eight hours, while high-priority SLAs can often be resolved within seven days.
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.
The support team is experienced and responsive.
The support team is responsive and provides detailed information.
Whenever we raise a request and mention the priority of the ticket, they respond immediately via email or call.
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.
It scales efficiently across different machines globally, ensuring patches are deployed smoothly.
Qualys Patch Management is a globally scalable product, easily handling increasing workloads and users.
If a client has purchased licensing for ten thousand assets and exceeds that, Qualys continues to scan those additional assets, which ensures the client's coverage.
KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is stable and secure;
I would rate the stability of Qualys Patch Management nine point five out of ten.
The stability of Qualys Patch Management is impeccable.
Overall, it is reliable.
Currently, we have to go into each org to deploy applications when we need them all across the university.
The dashboard could be more interactive; for example, it should provide alerts if an endpoint is vulnerable to viruses.
The user interface needs improvement as customers have mentioned they do not like the interface since it is not an SMA-based interface.
There is a limitation where Qualys may not always offer solutions for remediation, particularly for end-of-life or end-of-service applications.
It would be better if Qualys Patch Management identifies whether the process has failed at the first instance and provides a retry button or retry mechanism, allowing retries for failed patches.
For critical options, they could make them red, green for medium, and blue for less significant options.
The pricing is in the middle range of the market, not too expensive but not the cheapest either.
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.
In terms of cost-effectiveness, considering a situation where I want to deploy KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) for just pushing updates, it is completely fine.
We get many more features at the same price as other solutions such as Microsoft SCCM.
However, it can be a bit expensive sometimes, and I think clients can be shocked when they see the price.
The pricing is reasonable and less expensive than the previous tool.
Scripting has saved us hundreds of hours over the years when patching these vulnerabilities compared to how we did it before.
Overall, KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) helps streamline my processes by allowing me to check the uptime and downtime of machines, whether they are connected to the internet or not, and how long a machine has been switched off.
The most valuable features include simplicity, which makes systems management easier and faster, especially for device management.
We leverage this functionality to deploy scripts that adjust registry values, effectively patching vulnerabilities and enhancing the security of our machines.
We have been able to apply workarounds for zero-day vulnerabilities efficiently.
It provides insight into the organization's security posture and keeps databases updated with new CVEs.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Qualys Patch Management | 2.8% |
| KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) | 3.4% |
| Other | 93.8% |


| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 8 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 20 |
| Large Enterprise | 16 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 17 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 9 |
| Large Enterprise | 33 |
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.
Qualys Patch Management offers asset visibility, risk-based prioritization, and automation to enhance security. It integrates with VMDR for vulnerability prioritization, ensuring efficient patch deployment and reduced manual effort.
Qualys Patch Management focuses on automating patch deployment and bridging the gap between vulnerability identification and resolution. It supports Windows and Linux servers, providing real-time assessments and comprehensive reporting. The integration with VMDR prioritizes risks efficiently, promoting collaboration between IT and security teams. Organizations benefit from streamlined workflows, improved vulnerability response times, and enhanced remote management.
What are the key features of Qualys Patch Management?
What benefits can organizations expect from Qualys Patch Management?
In industries like finance and healthcare, Qualys Patch Management is pivotal for maintaining stringent security standards. It helps organizations quickly address vulnerabilities, crucial in sectors that handle sensitive data. The ability to integrate with existing systems ensures minimal disruption and maximizes resource efficiency.
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