

Microsoft Configuration Manager and Symantec Ghost Solution Suite compete in IT management and deployment solutions. Microsoft Configuration Manager holds the upper hand in system management and integration within Windows environments, while Symantec Ghost Solution Suite is notable for its disk imaging and deployment features.
Features: Microsoft Configuration Manager provides robust software distribution, patch management, and endpoint protection capabilities. It integrates extensively with Microsoft products, supporting efficient system administration for large enterprises. Symantec Ghost Solution Suite focuses on disk imaging, deployment, and cloning, ideal for system recovery and configuration without extensive integration needs.
Room for Improvement: Microsoft Configuration Manager could improve by simplifying its setup process and enhancing support for non-Windows environments. The user interface may benefit from modernization. Symantec Ghost Solution Suite can broaden its feature set for comprehensive system management and enhance integration within diverse IT infrastructures. User interface improvements and more comprehensive documentation could support broader use cases.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft Configuration Manager's deployment favors Windows-centric infrastructures, offering comprehensive customer support due to its extensive ecosystem. However, setup may require significant resources. Symantec Ghost Solution Suite provides a simpler and faster setup, supporting diverse OS environments with effective product-specific customer service.
Pricing and ROI: Microsoft Configuration Manager involves higher initial setup costs but offers substantial long-term ROI through enhanced environment control. Symantec Ghost Solution Suite provides a more straightforward pricing model, advantageous for immediate imaging needs and rapid ROI through simple deployment.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Configuration Manager | 19.4% |
| Symantec Ghost Solution Suite | 18.4% |
| Other | 62.2% |

| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 20 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 13 |
| Large Enterprise | 64 |
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?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.
Symantec Ghost Solution Suite is an industry leading and award winning solution for imaging and deploying desktops, laptops, tablets, and servers. From a single management console, you can quickly and easily migrate to the latest operating systems, inventory machines, deploy software, and perform custom configurations across multiple hardware platforms and OS types including Windows, Mac, and Linux. Symantec Ghost Solution Suite 3.1 includes the Altiris Deployment Solution 6.9 console and its core capabilities while adding key functionality from Ghost Solution Suite 2.5 including Ghost Cast Server, DeployAnywhere, Recovery Kit, and a streamlined no-cost database installation.
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