Microsoft System Center

Score9 out of 10

72 Reviews and Ratings

What is Microsoft System Center?

Microsoft System Center Suite is a family of IT management software for network monitoring, updating and patching, endpoint protection with anti-malware, data protection and backup, ITIL- structured IT service management, remote administration and more. It is available in two editions: standard and datacenter. Datacenter provides unlimited virtualization for high density private clouds, while standard is for lightly or non-virtualized private cloud workloads.

Categories & Use Cases

Verified User

Administrator in Information Technology (201-500 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use System Center to manage patching all desktops, packaging software and deploying to all systems, centralized antivirus management and policy control, and remote system administration. We also use it for image building and deployment across our enterprise network with local endpoints for build and patch management speed.

Pros

Patch Management.
Image creation and deployment.
Software packaging and deployment.
Antivirus dat file management and deployment.

Cons

Modernize the interface.
Simplify everything it does and cross-connect all bits of the software so you can do tasks linearly.
Make the UI web based and get away from a client gui.

Return on Investment

It has saved us hundreds of hours of patching, imaging, and remote support issues.
It has allowed us to keep current on MS products easily and scale our network quickly.
The aging ui interface does cause us to drag on being able to work faster to resolve issues and be flexible in helping users.

Usability

Other Software Used

Microsoft Intune, PRTG Network Monitor, Lansweeper

Andry Campos

Soporte Técnico in Information Technology at Asociación La Nacional de A y P (501-1000 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We use Microsoft System Center for remote support to users in the company and for the assets management. This software has been help us to be more productive and to have access the endpoint very easy. With System Center we too deploy software and can get information about the computers.

Pros

The remote access is very useful
The software deployment is very useful
The dashboard is very friendly

Cons

The patches software need to be improved
The reports need to be improved
This need a mobile device management

Most Important Features

The software deployment
The data about when the computer was online
The options for remote control

Return on Investment

The remote assistance is very useful, and we don`t need move for assist an user in another city
There aren`t offline optios for we schedule a windows reinstall
Sometimes the agent loses connection with the server

Alternatives Considered

SysAid, Acronis Advanced Backup (formerly Cyber Backup Cloud) and SmartDeploy

Other Software Used

Device42, Webex Contact Center, Able2Extract Professional

Amy Howard

Computer and Network Spec in Information Technology at BND (51-200 employees employees)

Pros

Remote PC connection
Software installation
Imaging PCs

Cons

Reporting could be improved (offering more canned reports)
Easier patching/patching automation (ability to connect to the vendor's site to create the patching in an automated fashion)

Most Important Features

PC imaging
Remotely connecting to PCs
Software installation

Return on Investment

Software installation is efficient and uses less of IT staff's time
Remotely connecting to PCs is very efficient to provide IT support
Imaging PCs provides a fast turnaround so little downtime for setting up new PCs

Alternatives Considered

Symantec Ghost Solution Suite

Other Software Used

Microsoft System Center Endpoint Protection, Logi Report (formerly JReport), Microsoft Power BI

Verified User

Manager in Information Technology (501-1000 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We have a large group of users over several buildings that require management. We use SCCM to control the device drivers and software that are deployed to different groups. This allows us to have unique offerings to the different groups of users, ex: Teaching staff, maintenance staff, different grade levels for students, etc. This also allows us to do a clean wipe of the machines if they become corrupt or abused by the user. The product also makes it easier to repurpose desktops and notebooks, allowing for us to clear a machine and install new programs as needed. Another nice feature is the ability to update operating systems and software versions via SCCM.

Pros

Allows the grouping of devices by user.
Allows controlling updates being deployed to user devices.
Allows for the repurposing of machines by being able to load new or updated software on machines that already are in the system.
Allows us the ability to wipe a machine clean and restore it back to the configuration that was assigned the machine.

Cons

The end-user should be able to update the base system (SCCM) much easier than is currently allowed.
Searching across the different levels of device groups would make locating a single computer much easier.
Because our version is an older release this concern may have already been resolved. Often after we've done considerable re-imaging our unit requires a reboot to bring all of the services back online.

Most Important Features

The imaging aspect of SCCM is a major plus.
The ability to log into a desktop remotely for support is very helpful.
The ability to update and install existing or new applications is a big time saver.

Return on Investment

We achieved a savings by no longer having to purchase desktop management software from 3rd party vendors.
We achieved a savings because of the time saved with tech's being able to re-image a machine to it's original configuration in minutes rather than hours of service time.
We are able to manage and view current configurations of desktops and laptops throughout the district from the SCCM management console.

Alternatives Considered

Symantec Ghost Solution Suite

Other Software Used

Tools4ever UMRA, Skyward Student Management System, Follett Destiny Library Manager

Verified User

Engineer in Information Technology (501-1000 employees employees)

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

We currently use Microsoft System Center to manage and image all staff and student machines in the organization. We utilize Microsoft System Center to push applications and programs to machines and keep them up to date. We also use the Windows Update Server side of System Center to keep machines up to date and compliant. We use System Center's monitoring and query ability to track machines and assets in the district as well. This allows us to identify machines as they fall out of compliance. We utilize the Remote Control aspect of Microsoft System Center to remotely assist staff and work on issues. We also use Right Click Tools to expand the functionality of Microsoft System Center to give us greater control over machines.

Pros

Imaging
Remote Control Assistance
Deploying Software and Programs
Driver Management
Inventory Management
Windows Updates

Cons

User Interface
Windows Update Configuration and Setup
Distribution Point Setup

Most Important Features

Imaging
Remote Control
Application Management and Deployment

Return on Investment

Increased efficiency from IT
Faster turn around on replacing machines
Better asset control and inventory

Other Software Used

Securly Filter, Securly Classroom, Dell EMC Managed Services, Google Classroom