Comparing Systems Management Solutions: SMS and Altiris Presented by

Comparing Systems Management Solutions: SMS and Altiris Presented by Larry A. Duncan, MVP/MCSE/MCSA Exclusively for:

Agenda Page 2 Introductions Defining Systems Management Major Vendors – Microsoft / Altiris Primary Vendor Solutions for Systems Management Feature Comparison Variances in Features Competitive Strengths and Weaknesses Summary Q&A

Introductions Larry A. Duncan – – – – – – Page 3 Microsoft Recognized MVP – Systems Management Annual Presenter Microsoft Management Summit Member of Various IT-Related Boards Published Author of Over 80 Technical Articles Profiled in Nashville Business Journal 9 Years Experience in Systems Management

Defining Systems Management Systems Management maintains the health and availability of operating systems and infrastructure Common aspects of Systems Management include: – – – – – – – Page 4 Software Distribution Patch Management Remote Control Software Metering Hardware and Software Inventory Operating System Upgrades and New Installations Server Management

Major Systems Management Vendors Microsoft Altiris ON Technology (now Symantec) – ON Command Mobile Automation – Mobile Lifecycle Management Suite XcelleNet – Afaria Miramar – Desktop DNA Page 5

Microsoft Solutions Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 – Comprehensive application deployment, asset management, and security update management solution Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005 – Comprehensive operations management to improve Windows Server System service availability Systems Center 2005 – Integrated data repository and reporting service to support and provide insight for your business and IT decisions Active Directory Group Policy – Enable IT administrators to automate one-to-many management of users and computers—simplifying administrative tasks and reducing IT costs Remote Installation Services (RIS) – Remotely install Windows-based operating systems using a PreBoot Execution environment Page 6

Altiris Solutions Asset Management Suite – Single web-based architecture, repository, and console helping unite disparate departments and processes. Client Management Suite – Enables administrators to deploy, manage, and troubleshoot systems from virtually anywhere Server Management Suite – Decreases the cost and complexity of deploying and configuring servers Handheld Management Suite – Discover, manage, and secure Windows Mobile* based Pocket PCs, Palm OS*, and BlackBerry* handheld assets 24 Individual Components Page 7

SMS & CMS Product Comparison Product Comparison SMS CMS Software & Hardware Inventory Yes Yes Remote Control Yes Yes Software Distribution Yes Yes Patch Management Yes Yes Software Metering Yes No* Operating System Deployments Yes* Yes Software Packaging Application Yes Yes Web-based Reporting Yes Yes Web Admin Console No Yes* Active Directory Integration Yes Yes Multi-platform Support Yes* Yes* Page 8

Feature Variances Both are extensible by varied methods – SMS uses MOF extensions through WMI providers – Altiris uses AeXCustInv.exe (INVWR088600) Zero-Footprint Inventory vs Data Discovery Altiris Carbon Copy & Proprietary RC for DS SMS Remote Tools, RDP Support and Remote Assistance Management One-off installations via Altiris Software Portal SMS manages Windows Installer Source Location for roaming clients Both support importing from MSI file – SMS also supports Package Definition Files SMS Offers Protected Distribution Points Page 9

Altiris Strengths Ease-of-use Imaging and Personality Migration Product Line Supports Full Lifecycle Management Sales Organization 100% Focused on Systems Management Strong Vendor Partnerships (HP, Dell, & Fujitsu) Cross-Platform Support (Linux, UNIX, PocketPC) Page 10

Altiris Challenges Confusing Licensing Model – Component licensing (24 separate or bundled products) – Each suite has 3 levels Limited Active Directory Integration – Connector imports users, groups, computers and OUs, but cannot target users for software distribution Limited Integration Between Modules – Web front-end, but not for Deployment Solution Still Has Scalability Issues – No hierarchical architecture. Many Altiris customers still use SMS for SWD for this reason. Software Delivery Targeting is Limited – Removed ability to target users from 6.0 release HP Partnership in Question – HP purchased another competitor, Novadigm, this year Page 11

Microsoft SMS Strengths Simple Pricing – MSRP, Enterprise Agreement, SQL Technology, FREE Secondary Sites Scalability – Efficiently manages tens of thousands of distributed clients – Fault tolerant, geographically tiered architecture – Minimal management related network overhead Security – Automatic detection and distribution of security updates – Strong integration with Active Directory, if available – Very granular security model for access/administration COMMUNITY! – Unlike any other. Very supportive. Page 12

SMS Challenges Complexity of Deployment Options Dependency of other Microsoft Solutions for Lifecycle Management (ADMT, RIS, GPMC) Steep Learning Curve – Not an Easy Solution to Master Legacy Behavior in Non-Active Directory Environments or With Down-Level Clients Cross-Platform Support Requires 3rd Party Solutions Page 13

Case Studies Altiris and CNA Insurance – Joint CMS/SMS Solution for 18,000 Clients – http://www.altiris.com/docs/sales/customerwins/SS-C NA.pdf Microsoft and Dell – Global SMS 2003 Deployment for 40,000 Clients and 8,000 Servers – http://www.dell.com/downloads/global/casestudies/ 2004 dell sms.pdf Page 14

Summary Both Products Have Strengths and Weaknesses Your Environment is Unique and Would Require Further Study to Choose the Right Solution or Combination of Solutions Dell Professional Services Has Created Strong Industry Alliances to be Able to Offer the Best Solution for Your Organization Page 15

THANK YOU! QUESTIONS? More Info: – – – – Altiris: www.altiris.com Microsoft: www.microsoft.com/smserver Dell: www.dell.com Community: www.myitforum.com www.appdeploy.com www.faqshop.com – Presenter: www.msmvps.org/lduncan Page 16

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