ARD for me is based on a LAN, but can be used over WAN via VPN, but the latency makes ARD a less ideal tool. There are other cross platform tools that can do what ARD does which to me add value when managing a mixed environment
LogMeIn Pro is very well suited for small-to-medium sized organisations. The pricing is affordable and the implementation is easier. There are some concerns related to data privacy and security, hence I would not advise this to be used when your session handles PHI and PII kind of data, just to be compliant.
LogMeIn Pro by GoTo offers unattended remote access that’s reliable and always available. You can securely log in to a client’s device (Windows or macOS) from anywhere, even without them present.....as long as their machine is on.
You can transfer files during a session without disrupting work. I've also transferred some pretty large files at times without issues.
I like the dashboard as it makes it easy to manage and organize multiple devices across our client base. You can see online/offline status, access machines instantly, and share access with your team all in one easy to view place
LogMeIn Pro allows only one user to control the remote destination at a time. If more than one user needs to access/control the same destination, they can share the session (visibility to both parties), or will need to wait till the prior user is logged out for a more secure session. Being able to log in and use the same destination at the same time, initiating unique sessions would be ideal. (Similar to VPN.)
Ability to override or default session settings for security, for example blanking the remote monitor (or not), recording a session, or changing access while the user is in-session. This would allow an administrator or manager to more closely audit activity.
Provide a one-click logout+disconnect. Right now, users must disconnect their session before exiting LogMeIn Pro. If their session is not first disconnected and the user simply exits or logs out of LogMeIn Pro, the session may remain active, without disconnecting. This would show as an active session, even if the user is technically no longer using the remote destination.
More detailed audit information. What application did the user access while connected to the remote destination? Was the session shared with anyone else?
It is a fairly unique tool in the level of integration it has with Apple Desktop products. It definitely needs some engineering attention, and it should be expanded to the iOS arena. It is not perfect, but it is very useful and fills an otherwise fairly empty niche in the support toolkit realm. The built-in screen sharing app in macOS handles the direct screen control or viewing function fairly well, but it does not have all of the other mass control features that Apple Remote Desktop supplies.
Once it is set up, it is quite straightforward to use. However, currently, it requires both a script to run to set up permissions and controls, AND a command from the MDM to authorize it to be active. The MDM management command is manual. This is not conducive to an automated workflow, and sometimes gets forgotten. Then, the endpoint is not contactable until someone realizes that the MDM command was not sent or was not successful.
I will give a Rating of 10 for LogMeIn Pro by GoTo's overall usability because it has a centralized Dashboard to access all machines and servers and a very user-friendly User Interface. Also, the remote connectivity is very smooth and reliable as if you are working on your local desktop or laptop.
My calls and e-mails to tech support have been few and far between, but those rare interactions were always pleasant and handled professionally. Most support can be accessed electronically, but when the need arises to actually speak to a human being, LogMeIn's customer service reps are clearly well-trained and knowledgeable. Another plus: there isn't the language barrier that I've experienced with other technology companies' support centers.
I would feel much more comfortable having one of these alternative solutions as our Remote Desktop management tools. Each has their drawbacks and expenses associated with them, but we simply have too large of a deployment to not be considering alternatives. If it is the only solution you can afford, it is OK to start here. I could see where this would have a return on investment, but it is really only suitable for a very small and localized scale. If employees are at all mobile, the duct taping of products necessary (VPN, distribution points, script repositories) would be very cumbersome.
LogMeIn has U.S. servers for connectivity which is super important for us. We are constantly re-evaluating our licensing with these other products. The licenses are renewed simply because management and the technology support staff have not pushed for a detailed review and there have been no significant problems in its use. The licensing cost is considered an annual sunk cost.
Apple Remote Desktop has a positive return on investment because for the expense to the school, the value it brings to teachers is important. The return on improved student performance is very difficult to measure financially, but there is a definite return.
The overall objective of education is to increase student learning, ARD does that phenomenally. Parents see the tool used and are impressed at what the capabilities of the tool can do and how it impacts how active their students are as well as how well they can learn.
One negative impact is that teachers rely too much on this tool rather than on actually teaching sometimes.
not sure on a measurable ROI, but LogMeIn has definitely been a useful tool for our one satellite office where there are two devices that require unattended remote access
only negative I can think of, cost-wise, is that the cost of ALL remote access software jumped a number of years back where suddenly there were no longer any free options
