Senior System Administrator at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Stable, scales well, and the technical support team works quickly
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature is the scalability."
  • "The deployment process is lengthy and should be quicker to complete."

What is our primary use case?

I am a system administrator and I use the System Center Configuration Manager for test deployment and Windows update.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is the scalability.

What needs improvement?

If you need to reboot the system during Windows Update, it can take a long time.

The deployment process is lengthy and should be quicker to complete.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have three years of experience with SCCM.

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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I haven't had any problems with stability.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

This is a scalable product. We have approximately 1,000 users and we plan to continue using it into the future.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support from Microsoft is fast,

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We did not use another solution prior to this one.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was not easy. It takes about half an hour to install, and then it has to be configured. The deployment will take approximately six hours in total.

What about the implementation team?

I deployed it myself.

What other advice do I have?

In summary, this product works well and I recommend it.

I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
it_user1283139 - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Operations Manager at CHA Consulting
Real User
Speeds up PC and application deployment, improves consistency, and simplifies the update process
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features are application deployment and task-sequenced imaging."
  • "The operations could be faster and you need some patience with this tool."

What is our primary use case?

The primary uses are PC imaging, application deployment and updates, Windows patching, and baselining.

How has it helped my organization?

Using SCCM has sped up PC deployment, made it much more consistent through automation, and provided a self-service application portal that users can go to and install software themselves without admin rights.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features are application deployment and task-sequenced imaging.

What needs improvement?

The operations could be faster and you need some patience with this tool. I  wish that sending media to remote distribution points was faster.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using SCCM for 15 years.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Microsoft Configuration Manager
April 2024
Learn what your peers think about Microsoft Configuration Manager. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2024.
769,976 professionals have used our research since 2012.
PeerSpot user
Infrastructure Architect at a tech services company with 5,001-10,000 employees
Real User
Automates operating system, application, and update deployments
Pros and Cons
  • "Automation of operating system, application, and update deployments massively reduces IT operations effort."
  • "It would be of benefit if Configuration Manager could be connected/integrated with multiple Microsoft Intune subscriptions rather than just one (the current limit)."

What is our primary use case?

Primary use case is for Windows Desktop Operating System configuration management, primarily for fully automated operating system deployment. We use it for additional Microsoft operating system and application update delivery and malware reporting for 300 laptops/desktops distributed across eight international locations. We also use it for configuration management and update management for Windows Server operating systems.

How has it helped my organization?

Configuration Manager has standardised updating and application delivery across the organisation.

What is most valuable?

  • Automation of operating system, application, and update deployments - Massively reduces IT operations effort.
  • Desired configuration management – Enables identifying undesirable changes to corporate computer equipment and desktop applications.
  • Configuration reporting - Reduces the effort involved in annual software inventory and meets any ad-hoc computer reporting needs.

What needs improvement?

It would be of benefit if Configuration Manager could be connected/integrated with multiple Microsoft Intune subscriptions rather than just one (the current limit).

I cannot think of any other improvements, as the product has been full-featured for any use we need to put it to, especially since the Current Branch releases.

For how long have I used the solution?

More than five years.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
VP Pre-Sales & Product Manager at a tech services company with 1-10 employees
Real User
Helps manage deployment and security of devices through patch management
Pros and Cons
  • "The product is useful for patch management."
  • "Microsoft should extend support for additional platforms."

What is our primary use case?

My primary use case is for the product is mainly for helping with competitive analysis. It is not my main solution but it is one of the components.  

What is most valuable?

The most valuable part of the solution in my case is patch management.  

What needs improvement?

I would like to see Microsoft extend the coverage of the product to integrate better with other platforms beyond Windows.  

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using SCCM (System Center Configuration Manager) for about eight years now.  

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of the product is good.  

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We do not have any issues with scalability.  

How are customer service and technical support?

I have not had the need to contact technical support for any reason so I have no real experience with them.  

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I also use BigFix by HCL Technologies (Hindustan Computers Limited). I use these products to check between SCCM and BigFix to see if they agree.  

What other advice do I have?

On a scale from one to ten where one is the worst and ten is the best, I would rate System Center as an eight-out-of-ten.  

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
System Engineer at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
MSP
Full featured and stable but limited support for one operating system
Pros and Cons
  • "SCCM does everything from A to Z for a Windows operating system."
  • "They need to improve the support for the Mac operating system."

What is our primary use case?

SCCM does everything from A to Z for a Windows operating system. It provides a full-featured deployment for Windows-based systems from the setup screen.

How has it helped my organization?

It has reduced a lot of burden from external and internal IT teams, where they have to build systems individually.

What is most valuable?

There are many features that are useful, I will mention a few of the primary ones. You have a tool that enables you to build an operating system image and deploy it to a number of devices, system patching, application deployment, compliance checking, thorough documentation for installation and it has the ability for easy policy assignment management.

What needs improvement?

SCCM supports the Windows operating system well: however, there is minimal support for Mac and none for mobile devices. Organizations that do not just go with a single operating system, having the flexibility to support more operating systems and devices would be an added advantage. This would allow them to stand out from other products on the market.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using the product for approximately two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable enough to manage your Windows operating system.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We use the solution for a user base of approximately 500. It is scalable.

How was the initial setup?

I would say it's a bit complex. There are prerequisites which you have to install first before installing SCCM. You need a server in place, a SQL database and some other software installed separately, for example, Management Studio.

What about the implementation team?

We had experienced before allowing us to install the solution ourselves by following the documents provided. It usually takes five to six hours. The time is all depending on the hardware configuration on the server and if there are good hardware installed. It could take much more time if the setup is not good or if you are new to installing these type of solutions.

What was our ROI?

We have had a lot of issues with Mac application deployment support. They need to improve the support for the Mac operating system.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

There are a few licensing required. When you purchase the SCCM licence the SQL server license is included. 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.

What other advice do I have?

Compared to other tools I would recommend SCCM as a good solution for Windows systems only for managing your systems because it provides support for server operating system as well, rather than only for the client's operating systems.

I would rate SCCM a nine out of ten but since their support for other operating systems other than Windows is limited, I rate them overall, a six out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Enterprise System Engineer at CRAG
Real User
Feature-rich and helps to ease day-to-day system operations, but the price should be improved
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features are Remote Connect, SUP, Cloud functionality, Report, Query, and third-party patching."
  • "The cost of the product can be improved."

What is our primary use case?

We have an environment of eight thousand machines and eleven thousand users.

How has it helped my organization?

This solution helps to ease the day-to-day system operations and standardization of the organization.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features are Remote Connect, SUP, Cloud functionality, Report, Query, and third-party patching.

What needs improvement?

The cost of the product can be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for two years.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Configuration Manager Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: April 2024
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Configuration Manager Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.