A Simple Alternative to SCCM?

[Gongalong]

Hi folks,

 

Although I have done the SCCM configuration training, and have it installed, for the moment I simply don't have the time to wrestle with packaging up apps in the ideal way etc.

 

My main concern for the moment is keeping applications up-to-date e.g. Java, Adobe Reader, Flash.

 

Is there an alternative, a bit like an anti-virus client, that I can stick on a PC and administrate centrally to make sure PCs are updated?

 

I'm ideally after recommended-because-have-used things, hence the post here.

 

TIA

[Norphy]

You could use SCUP for that, it allows you to push updates for certain apps like flash, java etc through WSUS. The nice thing about doing like that is that you'll be able to manage it through SCCM later on if you want to

[ADMaster]

Take a look at Admin Arsenal, PDQ inventory and PDQ deploy. Also I have heard good things about ninite pro but have not used it myself.

 

cheers.

[AliG]

Pdq Deploy and Pdq Inventory has come on leaps and bounds in the last few releases. AutoDeployment, Heart beat and retry queue have now made it a viable solution.

[bashy]

Pdq deploy is very useful. Just deployed office 2013 to 400 machines. And it removed office 2010 correctly.

[flyinghaggis]

We use ManageEngine as an alternative to SCCM. We previously had SCCM installed but as you;ve said found it far too cumbersome to administer and maintain plus it seemed to have a habit of breaking itself. We've found Manage Engine's Desktop Central pretty useful but unfortunately it's nowhere near as cheap as SCCM when you factor in MS's educational discounts. It does have a lot of very handy features though and offers similar functionality to SCCM. We're also using their servicedesk which integrates into the desktop central so it can do nifty things like software installs to open calls and requests in the service desk. They also maintain a central repository of common apps/updates like java/adobe reader/ Flash/etc to save you the hassle of manually packaging them when a new version appears.

 

Desktop Management Software | Desktop Administration Software | Mobile Device Management (MDM) Software

Edited December 24, 2014 by flyinghaggis

[synaesthesia]

If you intend on using SCCM once you have gotten to grips with it, I'd suggest starting simple and sticking with available tools: MDT and WSUS mostly. That way, when the time comes you can transfer everything over (collections, settings etc) with ease.

SCCM is indeed cumbersome but when it's done right it's reliable and scalable; and often very nearly cost-free if you have an EES licence. I'd say stick with it, but you are indeed right to put it off if you're not entirely confident yet. Test, test and test again!

[free780]

Just be aware sccm is meant for a range of organisations. As with a lot of ms software. You need to do things Microsoft's way to avoid issues.

[Blue_Cookeh]

Just to chime in... I'd say take the time to learn it. As others have said the cost is ridiculously low for education and actually once it's setup and running properly it's got a ton of useful features. We're only a primary school with around 40-50 Windows clients but I've found it's brilliant, particularly since I work off site most of the time. I'm working on getting totally automated rebuilds setup for staff at the moment, and they love the Software Catalogue functionality.

 

The assetting and auditing that's built in has made it worth it's while already, since we were audited not long ago.

[TheScarfedOne]

Well worth it. Unfortunately I know of some who have ripped it out in favour of deep freeze etc, but in a fully automated (eg rebuild room every few weeks) setup, inc windows updates, its pretty shiny. You can also use it to give control back to staff by letting them install software from you approved library (and set up approval routines for requests of software). Handy.

[free780]

I've found deep freeze causes more issues than it solves. You can get sccm (with enough work) yo reimage a room with all software. You always seem to get one piece of software that's needs a manual install.

[Gongalong]

Thanks all for the honest opinions.

[JasonNVSD]

Ninite Pro is pretty slick. It doesn't get any easier. You can also use it to create MSI packages for SCCM.