TrustRadius: an HG Insights company

Symantec Server Management Suite

Score7 out of 10

3 Reviews and Ratings

What is Symantec Server Management Suite?

The Symantec Server Management Suite is an option for automating the management of servers and deployments.

Read more details.

Who Buys & Uses Symantec Server Management Suite

My experience with Symantec Server Management Suite (SMP)

Pros

  • Being able to manage and report on our entire enterprise infrastructure from a single pane of glass is very handy!
  • Deploying patches via the SMP can be a little complicated, but once you figure out exactly how to do it, it works very well!
  • Building system images with the SMP is an easy process. I build a VM with the software I want, and then run a job that prepares the system for image capture (runs sysprep, wipes the SMP GUID, etc) and then boots into WinPE and captures the image via Ghost.

Cons

  • The SMP solution is a beast. Each piece is complicated in itself let alone how everything ties together!
  • There is plenty of documentation online on how to perform a specific task, but you need to pay attention to what VERSION the article is written for. I've been halfway through implementing something only to hit a roadblock since I'm running a newer version and the option the article says to click on doesn't exist anymore...

Return on Investment

  • Being able to report on the majority of things you want all from one interface, makes it really easy to get the results you want.
  • Because my employer didn't provide training, it took working with support, reading technical documentation, and just playing around on my own to learn how to do certain things.
  • I've had a lot of help from the SMP Support staff and they're great people and very helpful!

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager

SMP 7.6

Pros

  • Software deployment through policy
  • Engage with customers for feedback
  • Understands the future needs of customers

Cons

  • Interface design - slow and clunky move away from Microsoft only browser support used html5
  • Global rules for software policies so they can be reused easily
  • Better tools for cloning policies

Return on Investment

  • Increased efficiency
  • Higher percentage success
  • Faster deployment of software