Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) Reviews

Name: Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA)
Brand: Quest Software
Rating: 4.4 (39 reviews)

4.4 out of 5

39 reviews
95% willing to recommend

359 followers

What is Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA)?

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance is a comprehensive tool for managing IT endpoints. It facilitates asset management, software distribution, and endpoint tracking while offering remote access capabilities and a centralized help desk.

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Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is the #8 ranked solution in top Endpoint Compliance solutions, #12 ranked solution in top Client Desktop Management solutions, #12 ranked solution in top Patch Management solutions, #17 ranked solution in top Remote Monitoring and Management Software, and #18 ranked solution in top Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) solutions. PeerSpot users give Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) an average rating of 8.8 out of 10. Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is most commonly compared to Microsoft Intune: Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) vs Microsoft Intune. Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 56% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a university, accounting for 11% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA)

June 2025

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Featured Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) reviews

Michael Huffman

Server Administrator III at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees

The best features Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) offers include the scripting function, which stands out to me because I can find specific needs and deploy the applications based on those needs. There was a time when scripting really saved me time by allowing me to find specific registry entries and modify them to patch security vulnerabilities. Scripting has saved us hundreds of hours over the years when patching these vulnerabilities compared to how we did it before. I really enjoy the security features that are enabled to deploy Microsoft and other vendor patches, which stand out to me as key functionalities.

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RicardoGarcia1

Avocat at Star Boxes India Pvt Ltd

The main use cases for Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance are touch management, software and hardware inventory, and software delivery The most valuable features include simplicity, which makes systems management easier and faster, especially for device management. It provides a good…

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Michael (Mikey) Wright

Systems Administrator at Custom Truck One Source

I have complaints about smart label adaptation and because of this, I recommend a 24 to 48 hour bake-in period. I'm not a big fan of the bake-in period, but that's going to happen because we have a two-hour report time. We've got 1,626 PCs, which means that it's just going to take time no matter what. If there is a machine that doesn't report, then it never receives that smart label. In this case, we have what I call hanging chad, but with 1,626 machines, if we can catch 1600 of them, that's only degradation of 26. That's not bad compared to sometimes in other programs, where they don't conform at all or don't report at all. I'm not sure what could be done to resolve this. I know that I can tell the system to report more often, but the agent reporting time of two hours is perfect because we won't have a lot of machines bogging down our infrastructure. We're running what's considered a modified MPLS and if you think about it that way, having 26 hanging chads is not terrible. The reality is that I think it's working as well as it can, given our current infrastructure.

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Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) mindshare

Product category:

As of June 2025, the mindshare of Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) in the Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) category stands at 1.6%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM)

PeerResearch reports based on Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM)	Jun 22, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jun 22, 2025	Download
Comparison	Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) vs NinjaOne	Jun 22, 2025	Download
Comparison	Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) vs Kaseya VSA	Jun 22, 2025	Download
Comparison	Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) vs TeamViewer Remote Management	Jun 22, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Microsoft Intune	4.1	N/A	93%	273 interviews Add to research
Fortinet FortiClient	4.0	N/A	92%	99 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is valued for its integration with Bomgar, image deployment, asset management, service desk, and automation capabilities. Users appreciate its ease of use for patch management, centralized software deployment, and ticketing system. Its ability to manage and automate updates, mass deployment, and reporting efficiently has significantly enhanced productivity and resource optimization. The single interface for monitoring compliance and asset inventory has been praised for improving workflow efficiency and cost savings.

"Using Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA), we have been able to manage three times the amount of machines as other groups while having half the staff, which has positively impacted our organization."
"Overall, I rate the solution ten out of ten."
"The initial setup is relatively easy."

Room for Improvement

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) faces limitations with scalability, requiring split tasks and lacking built-in load balancing. Enhancements are needed in patch management, user interface simplicity, and report generation. More intuitive asset and software management is desired, along with automatic application updates and improved booting solutions. Communication between agents and relaying accurate, real-time data is inconsistent. Additionally, users report aggressive sales practices and insufficient support, with requests for a cloud-based model, easier scripting, and better integration with other systems.

"I wish Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) would have a top-down approach since we use orgs; 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 and lacks a manual configuration option."
"We had issues with the tool's support. We are a Dutch firm and everything has to be in Dutch. We were not able to do the alerts. You were required to tweak them a lot to get them in the language that you preferred. The solution's support depended on the person that you got online. Sometimes, the response was fast and other times you needed to wait a long time. The support also depended on the levels of support that you had requested."

ROI

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance delivered substantial time savings and productivity enhancements. Organizations experienced a noticeable return on investment within a year, seeing reduced man-hours and improved efficiency in daily tasks. IT staff found the appliance easy to implement and use, allowing for quick training and deployment. The tool's capabilities in patch management, inventory control, and software distribution significantly decreased manual efforts. Enhanced IT support and reduced need for on-site interventions contributed to overall cost reductions.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers evaluating Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance find its pricing and licensing competitive and straightforward, particularly appealing for larger environments. While perceived as more costly by smaller businesses, the value is justified by comprehensive features like security patch management and asset tracking. Licensing is on a per-device basis, adding flexibility. Annual payments cover technical support without additional fees. Despite the middle-range costs, the ROI is significant, largely due to its functionality outpacing competitors' offerings.

"The product is reasonably priced."
"Some of the other solutions were just astronomical in price compared with KACE and didn't necessarily have the ease of use either. So, we chose Quest KACE for its easy-to-use features and cost."
"The pricing is fair."

Popular Use Cases

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is primarily used for ticketing, patch management, software deployment, and inventory management. Organizations leverage its capabilities for managing thousands of endpoints, deploying updates, and automating workflows. The system aids in asset management, security compliance, and reporting, supporting IT tasks across multiple sites while integrating seamlessly into various IT environments, including virtual and physical setups, to streamline operations and maintain cybersecurity standards.

Service and Support

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) customer support is efficient and responsive, with users frequently noting timely assistance and knowledgeable support staff. Many users appreciate the accessibility of the support team, finding them quick to address issues and offer solutions. Although some experience minor delays in reaching experts, overall satisfaction with the assistance provided remains high. Premier support users particularly value the detailed attention and advanced help available, appreciating their consistent professionalism and technical proficiency.

Deployment

The Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) setup experiences varied. Some found it straightforward with helpful support and documentation, while others faced complexities, especially in networks with intricate architectures. Several required initial help from professional services or vendors. Many users highlighted the intuitive interface and helpful resources but noted challenges with specific configurations and the need for comprehensive steps. Successful setups often used automated scripts or labels to facilitate deployment and management.

Scalability

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance is highly scalable, supporting thousands of endpoints with a single appliance. Users have expanded by adding appliances, licensing for additional devices, and increasing resources like memory. It efficiently manages large networks without performance issues, adapts well to virtual environments, and supports diverse deployment scenarios. Many utilize it extensively, while others appreciate its flexibility for future growth, highlighting its adaptability to different organizational sizes and structures.

Stability

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is highly stable. Many users report minimal downtime and excellent support during issues. Over several years, stability has improved with regular updates, and outages are rare. Many have not experienced server crashes, citing its reliability and resilience across both physical and VM environments. Some mention needing manual upgrades and compatibility checks but generally affirm consistent performance without major disruptions. Stability is regarded positively by numerous organizations.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

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Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

University

11%

Computer Software Company

10%

Government

10%

Financial Services Firm

Non Profit

Educational Organization

Manufacturing Company

Construction Company

Healthcare Company

Retailer

Performing Arts

Energy/Utilities Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Comms Service Provider

Insurance Company

Media Company

Outsourcing Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Hospitality Company

Mining And Metals Company

Transportation Company

Legal Firm

Pharma/Biotech Company

Logistics Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Engineering Company

Compare Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) with alternative products

Learn more about Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA)

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance is designed for organizations that need efficient endpoint management. It offers a range of features like inventory tracking, automated patch management, and ticketing. By integrating with remote access tools such as Bomgar, Quest KACE helps reduce manual tasks involved in managing software updates and system deployments. Although it faces challenges in scalability and requires improvements in integration and reporting, it remains a versatile choice for asset tracking and endpoint administration.

What are Quest KACE SMA's key features?

Asset Management: Streamline the organization and tracking of physical and virtual assets.
Remote Access: Integrates with Bomgar for secure, remote troubleshooting and management.
Software Distribution: Deploy applications across devices efficiently without physical intervention.
Centralized Endpoint Management: Manage endpoints from a centralized console to ensure compliance and optimization.
Automated Patch Management: Schedule and deploy patches to maintain system security and performance.
Help Desk: Integrated ticketing system for tracking and resolving user issues.
Scripting and Reporting: Enhance administrative tasks through automated scripts and detailed reports.

What benefits should users consider?

Improved Productivity: Reduces manual interference with automated deployments and updates.
Labor Savings: Minimizes labor requirements with efficient remote management tools.
Integrated Reporting: Provides actionable insights through comprehensive reports to optimize IT operation.
User-Friendly Interface: Boosts effectiveness due to its intuitive, easy-to-navigate design.

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance is implemented across industries for managing IT assets and endpoints, particularly where remote management and compliance are critical. It's employed in healthcare, education, and government sectors for efficient patch management, inventory control, and software deployment, aiding organizations in managing security accreditations and centralizing help desk operations.

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) was previously known as Dell KACE Systems Management.