Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) Reviews

Name: Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA)
Brand: Quest Software
Rating: 4.4 (38 reviews)

4.4 out of 5

38 reviews
95% willing to recommend

366 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 55% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a university, accounting for 10% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA)

May 2025

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Featured Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) reviews

Scott Tweed

Windows Engineer at a tech services company with 5,001-10,000 employees

I like how when you click on the device, it shows you everything that has changed as well as the software versioning. I am really enjoying the inventory aspect of it. The deployment process for both deploying and creating a package is straightforward. I believe the inventory in KACE is superior to SCCM's. I know with SCCM I could do things like remote console into machines via the agent's remote console, but that is not a feature that is provided in KACE. I know that at least in the Systems Management Appliance, I can't get to it. I'm not sure how distribution works, with distribution points. I'm not sure if KACE has that feature. You could use an SCCM to set up distribution points at remote sites so that they don't have to download patches or software from across the country. If you have a DP or something similar, they could pull it down.

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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

My favorite features are the feature build update and managed installations. Using the Windows feature build update means that instead of having to do things manually or set it up through a WSUS-type environment, you can easily download the package into the K1000. From there, you can culture and cater to it and then set it up by smart labeling. Or, you can completely automate the process to where, as it checks in, you can set those intervals. You don't have to be an advanced user. Rather, in terms of ease of use, this product is right where it needs to be. It's easy enough where a layman can do a lot of basic stuff, but it's advanced enough such that you've got to have some knowledge of what you're doing, otherwise it's just not going to work as well as you need it to. It's right on par with where it needs to be.

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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 15, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jun 15, 2025	Download
Comparison	Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) vs NinjaOne	Jun 15, 2025	Download
Comparison	Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) vs Kaseya VSA	Jun 15, 2025	Download
Comparison	Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) vs TeamViewer Remote Management	Jun 15, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Microsoft Intune	4.1	N/A	94%	271 interviews Add to research
Fortinet FortiClient	4.0	N/A	92%	99 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) excels in device overview, service desk ticketing, and asset management. It simplifies software deployment, automates patch management, and manages Windows and Mac enrollment. The image deployment feature allows for remote imaging, while the patching system ensures compliance and security. Its ease of use and extensive scripting capabilities support multiple users and environments efficiently, with a robust inventory system aiding in IT asset management and reducing manual work.

"Overall, I rate the solution ten out of ten."
"The initial setup is relatively easy."
"My company had bought some new machines. We used the tool to do some basic settings to ship every machine the same way and undertake the Windows deployment. We did the scripted installation. The tool helped us deploy custom software for specific departments. We also did Windows updates with the product."

Room for Improvement

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance needs improvements in scalability, imaging capabilities, user interface intuitiveness, and automatic application updates. Users highlight challenges in simplifying booting solutions, enhancing patch management, and resolving software compatibility issues. The tool's reporting, dashboard customization, and communication features require attention. Some express difficulties with licensing and inventory correlation. Users also experience issues with the KACE Go Mobile App stability and express a desire for more flexible scripting and cloud integration.

"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."
"It could be designed a little bit more intuitively in terms of administration."

ROI

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance significantly enhances efficiency, saving time for IT teams and boosting productivity across departments. Users experience notable reductions in manual tasks, faster deployment of updates, and streamlined processes. It supports large-scale environments with limited staffing, providing savings in personnel hours. The tool is easy to implement and train on, ultimately yielding a high return on investment by quickly addressing and managing IT infrastructure needs.

Pricing

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) offers a pricing model considered reasonable and competitive, especially for larger organizations. Licensing is per device and often includes additional features without extra costs. Many users appreciate its comprehensive asset management and IT service capabilities, justifying the investment. While some smaller businesses may find it cost prohibitive, others benefit from significant cost savings over time. The annual license fees and straightforward pricing structure contribute positively to user satisfaction.

"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

Organizations utilize Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance primarily for software deployment, patch management, asset management, and inventory control. Many employ it as a centralized help desk and ticketing system, supporting endpoints and managing virtual and physical appliances. It plays a vital role in automating processes, enhancing security for IT environments, and facilitating updates and installations across various platforms, ensuring efficiency and compliance in IT operations.

Service and Support

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance's customer service and support is highly regarded for its responsiveness and knowledgeable staff. Users appreciate prompt assistance, especially in urgent situations, and value their engagement with technical account managers or specialists. Though experiences vary, many note efficient problem resolution, professional support engineers, and accessible resources. While some encounter minor delays or issues, most find the support reliable and beneficial, contributing to long-term satisfaction and continued use of Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance.

Deployment

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance's initial setup experiences varied. Many found it easy with helpful guidance and documentation, while some encountered complexity requiring professional assistance. Some reported setup to be intuitive and quick, others needed additional time due to environmental challenges or technical issues. Overall, users highlighted the importance of clear instructions and support. Various organizations managed setup efficiently, appreciating the system's user-friendly nature once configured.

Scalability

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance is highly scalable, managing thousands of devices with ease. It efficiently supports expanding networks and allows easy addition of licenses for new endpoints. Users appreciate its ability to cover numerous devices, with scalability never being a concern. Expanding device coverage is straightforward, often through license upgrades or adding virtual resources. Its comprehensive support for large-scale deployments makes it a preferred choice for many growing organizations.

Stability

Quest KACE Systems Management Appliance (SMA) is highly stable and reliable. Users report minimal downtime and efficient support during rare outages. The system functions smoothly, even after manual upgrades, and remains robust when requirements are met. Technical support helps resolve occasional issues swiftly. Many users find it rock-solid and appreciate its reliability over years, although frequent updates can be time-consuming. Overall, it consistently delivers strong performance, with only minor concerns in specific contexts.

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

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

10%

Government

10%

University

10%

Financial Services Firm

Non Profit

Educational Organization

Manufacturing Company

Healthcare Company

Construction Company

Retailer

Performing Arts

Energy/Utilities Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Comms Service Provider

Outsourcing Company

Media Company

Insurance Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Mining And Metals Company

Transportation Company

Hospitality Company

Legal Firm

Pharma/Biotech Company

Logistics Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

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.