Comparison of RMM Software (Remote Monitoring & Management)

Remote Monitoring Management Software Definition: What is Remote Monitoring Management Software (RMM)?

The acronym "RMM" stands for "Remote Monitoring Management". The individual expressions of the term already make it quite clear what it is about: namely an approach that enables remote monitoring and management. The focus of the corresponding processes is on IT systems or IT components and IT devices, such as servers, PCs, mobile devices, or network elements.

Remote Monitoring Management is carried out using special RMM software. In addition to the monitoring and control of specific hardware, such programs also allow the monitoring and maintenance of software located on the devices. They enable you to manage IT systems of various configurations from A to Z remotely.

The implementation of such services uses solutions that generally consist of two components: for control, there is a central management and monitoring interface (dashboard). This then communicates with clients installed de-centrally on the devices to be monitored and organized.

In particular, RMM software is used by Managed IT Service Providers (MSPs). However, if you want to monitor and manage your own IT remotely, you can also benefit. Core functions of RMM tools are the installation of software, the execution of updates, the configuration of devices, the monitoring of system performance, alerting in case of problems, and reporting on individual processes. Professional Services Automation Software (PSA) may also be integrated.

Why should companies use remote management software?

The mere fact that IT managers in businesses now mostly search online for appropriate solutions for their IT requirements and compare services and prices across regions there, makes it inevitable for relevant providers to go online with their offerings. IT providers acting exclusively at a regional level are a slowly but surely dying breed.

As a result of online business, modern IT companies and their service staff today usually have to look after a multitude of differently oriented systems at various customers. Much more than is the case with the classic business approach of regional IT partners. This certainly means enormous challenges. However, with the right RMM software, these can be faced relatively calmly.

In fact, larger IT providers can hardly provide comprehensive support for their numerous partner companies without such a solution. However, smaller IT companies, which perhaps still operate (predominantly) regionally, also benefit. Because remote support enables companies of any size to serve more customers with the same or even fewer personnel. The service becomes more efficient from the customers' point of view as well, satisfaction increases, and there are better chances of recommendations, real advocates, significantly more sales, etc.

How does remote monitoring software work?

Remote management is usually implemented via software solutions that consist of two components. The actual monitoring and management of individual systems, devices, or components is done via a central dashboard. This provides you with an always up-to-date status overview of the environment to be monitored and allows direct control of its configuration and function elements.

The central control component can be flexibly accessed via a network, usually the internet. Many solutions enable the dashboard to be accessed and operated from any end device via the web using a conventional browser.

The program on which the IT experts work, in turn, communicates network-based with the individual system components to be administered. The communication is carried out using special clients installed on the end devices. These collect relevant information from the devices and have access to their most important settings. Thus, they enable the collection and transmission of relevant data as well as the execution of commands via the connected dashboard.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of remote monitoring management software?

Some significant advantages that IT companies can derive from the use of remote management tools have already been alluded to above. The following provides a summary of the key benefits.

• Meeting modern IT requirements: Hardware and other IT components are becoming increasingly integral to daily business processes. As the pool of devices and hardware grows, it becomes simultaneously more difficult to keep the entire infrastructure safely operational. RMM software can help companies master these challenges.

• Overview and problem detection (in real time): The early detection and correction of errors or other problems in today's IT systems is essential. They usually control economically enormously important processes and enable them in the first place. Remote monitoring management software provides the necessary overview. It forms a central medium for the registration of difficulties, the general monitoring, the alerting, and the management of the most important components.

• Improved customer satisfaction: IT providers can make monitoring and management processes significantly more efficient using RMM software. One of the biggest advantages is that this increase in efficiency also reaches customers. If errors are detected more quickly, problems are solved more promptly, and important settings and the central business processes associated with them function more smoothly, the companies concerned operate more profitably. The fact that the resulting increased customer satisfaction can have a positive effect on the IT service provider in many respects probably needs no further explanation here.

• Expanding the company's reach: By using remote monitoring tools, IT companies can serve their customers promptly and securely without leaving the house. Even in the home office, important configurations or maintenance work can be carried out easily and quickly. This gives such businesses the opportunity to offer their services or products with less additional effort regionally or even internationally. Offered systems and/or IT services (around them) no longer necessarily have to be maintained or monitored on-site.

• Flexibility (for self-users): Of course, IT service providers are more flexible by using software for IT monitoring and management. Customers hardly ever need to be visited personally for maintenance, updates, etc. Almost any necessary work on an IT system - including its operation - can be carried out remotely. But also for self-using companies, there are some opportunities here. The corresponding solutions allow those responsible in the company to calibrate processes quickly, fix errors, and generally keep everything in view from anywhere.

• Overcoming the shortage of skilled workers: With the help of RMM software, fewer skilled workers can achieve more. This enables IT companies to keep the demand for personnel resources relatively low. In addition, the work for IT experts becomes simpler with such software. Both are undoubtedly very positive effects in view of the steadily expanding shortage of skilled workers.

Are there any disadvantages at all with these clear advantages? The short answer is: yes. As with any software, specific problems can also arise when using RMM tools. The following difficulties are typical.

• Compatibility issues: Buying an RMM solution that is not compatible with some of the devices to be monitored, of course, cannot be purposeful. There are indeed systems with more and less wide application areas. In addition, the market offers software for very specific areas, such as network controlling or software maintenance. Therefore, you should make sure that the RMM software you are considering is compatible with all necessary devices and components.

• More attack points for cyber criminals: Remote connections to external systems unfortunately provide additional points of attack for cyber criminals. Therefore, prior to choosing an RMM tool, you should pay close attention to the safety precautions offered. A firewall should always be integrated into the system to create a safe gateway or access control point for all network traffic. For more critical processes and devices, consider a solution that brings with it security requirements specifically tailored to the respective purpose.

How to choose the right remote monitoring software?

The selection of RMM software is an important decision. Only if a tool is chosen that fully meets your own requirements can you benefit to the maximum. To ensure this, you should keep a close eye on the following factors during your research.

Equipment Of course, you should first of all ensure that the system of your choice comes with the right features. Only then can an RMM solution be a maximally effective support in IT administration or IT support. Of course, it only brings limited advantages to choose a tool whose main focus is perhaps on monitoring, if you need to perform extensive operating tasks remotely. Furthermore, there are end-user and service-oriented applications.

Security Management The potential effectiveness boost in the security management of systems and their components is undoubtedly one of the most valuable advantages that RMM tools can provide.

An essential part of RMM software are specific monitoring functions. Remote monitoring enables the continuous observation of systems as a whole, individual devices, or special components. Thus, RMM tools are capable of identifying security risks and efficiency problems. A good system then reports possible difficulties to the responsible parties and other relevant persons who finally provide a solution.

Many RMM programs also bring specific security or update mechanisms for the systems to be administered. These should then, of course, continuously evolve with the tactics of online criminals. New threats should be safely identifiable and correct conclusions possible. Especially critical to-dos should be reliably and automated.

Before making the decision for one or the other RMM software, you would do well to carefully check whether the respective requirements for comprehensive security monitoring and updating are served. If this is not the case, it can be fatal for your own systems or those of the customers you look after.

Use and management of and for mobile devices Today, the management of IT systems can no longer only take place remotely from the desktop. It is often also possible and necessary to handle such processes on the go. Therefore, the remote monitoring management software you are considering should ideally also be usable from mobile devices such as notebooks, smartphones or tablets.

On the other hand, more and more mobile components, such as smartphones or tablets, that are relevant for work, need to be kept secure and operational. This can also be done using RMM tools. If many such devices are used in your own company, you should include appropriate RMM options in your research.

Scalability The change in company size over time is a typical business process. IT providers sell more applications and therefore have to provide a larger volume of service. Likewise, IT-using companies grow (among other things through the use of specific IT solutions) and therefore have to adapt the management of their system architecture to the developments. In both usage contexts of RMM software, it is important that it is able to provide its services on a changing basis.

The ability to ensure a consistent quality of IT system monitoring is a key component of remote monitoring management software. Therefore, make sure that the targeted solution has no problems with an increase in devices or changes in functions and their interplay.

Such flexible scalability can usually be achieved particularly purposefully when an RMM software is used that is billed per technician station, instead of basing the number of components defined for monitoring. This allows technician teams to add new components as administration or monitoring tasks flexibly without additional costs.

Automated software patch management and updates Good RMM software not only ensures that the systems it manages are well supplied with updates. It also reliably performs updates for itself. Any security gaps are promptly patched and new regulations are applied in time.

This is obviously very important for the security of the system and the components organized with it. On the other hand, however, it also ensures an increase in efficiency in the administration of IT resources and a consistently high quality in the complete network over the long term. Such processes can be relatively easily automated. The manual completion by an IT team, on the other hand, involves considerably more effort.

What does the Remote Monitoring Management software cost?

The prices for Remote Monitoring Management tools mainly depend on their functions. The more features included or booked additionally, the more expensive the solution will be. In addition, the number of users who can use the program is also central to the costs.

RMM programs provided by software suppliers in conjunction with their systems are often included in the price thereof. There are also free external tools – for example, open-source RMM. However, these either have only a limited range of functions or require more in-depth installation and usage experiences.

Companies that purchase RMM tools separately to expand the capabilities of their IT (service) teams should expect a monthly fee of at least 50 euros. Individually tailored, feature-rich solutions can quickly demand several hundred or even over 1,000 euros per month. There are programs on the market that are purchased once and then cost over 15,000 euros. In fact, most pricing options are individual. That is, an exact cost breakdown is only available when you contact the respective developer company and clarify your needs. Before the purchase, a free trial version is usually provided.