In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, managing and securing endpoints is more critical than ever. ManageEngine Endpoint Central stands out as a unified endpoint management and security solution, acclaimed for its comprehensive capabilities in mobile device management, patch management, IT asset management, and more[1][3]. With a robust overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from 787 user reviews on Capterra, and a wide user base signified by its 976 ratings, the tool has solidified its position as a dependable endpoint management software[2][3].
This tool caters to a vast range of IT needs, from endpoint management to software deployment and automated patching, offering both on-premises and cloud-based solutions[3]. Whether for managing mobile devices, deploying OS, or managing vulnerabilities, ManageEngine Endpoint Central has proven to be an agile, scalable solution for organizations. As we delve into this review, we’ll explore its key features, integration capabilities, and the value it brings in driving efficient IT operations and ensuring compliance[1][3].
Key Features of ManageEngine Endpoint Central
ManageEngine Endpoint Central excels in providing a comprehensive suite of tools aimed at enhancing endpoint security and operational efficiency. Here is an in-depth look at its multifaceted features:
Comprehensive Endpoint Management
- Patch Management: Automates the deployment of patches for operating systems and third-party applications, ensuring systems are up-to-date and secure[5].
- Software Deployment: Facilitates the installation and uninstallation of software across endpoints using customizable templates, streamlining IT workflows[5].
- Asset Management: Offers detailed tracking and management of IT assets, enhancing visibility and control over organizational resources[5].
- OS Imaging and Deployment: Efficiently images and deploys operating systems to endpoints, crucial for maintaining system uniformity and ease of administration[5].
- Mobile Device Management (MDM): Supports manual or self-enrollment for Android and iOS devices, bolstered by two-factor authentication for enhanced security[5].
- Remote Troubleshooting: Provides robust tools for remote diagnostics and issue resolution, minimizing downtime and improving user satisfaction[7].
Advanced Security Features
- Ransomware Protection: Utilizes behavioral detection techniques to actively prevent ransomware attacks, safeguarding sensitive data[5].
- Data Loss Prevention and Endpoint Privilege Management: Helps in controlling data access and usage, while managing user privileges to prevent unauthorized actions[4].
- Vulnerability Remediation: Regularly scans endpoints to detect vulnerabilities and applies necessary patches to mitigate risks[5].
- Next-Gen Antivirus and Threat Detection: Offers advanced antivirus solutions and proactive threat detection mechanisms to combat evolving cyber threats[4].
Unified IT Management
- Unified Endpoint Management: Integrates management of desktops, laptops, and mobile devices in a single platform, simplifying operations across varied operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android[7].
- IT Operations Management: Combines network, server, and application management with security information and event management features to provide a holistic view of IT infrastructure[10].
- Integration Capabilities: Seamlessly integrates with ServiceDesk Plus for improved service management and user support[6].
User and Administrative Benefits
- Ease of Use: Features like software metering, license management, and integration with advanced IT analytics tools make it user-friendly and administratively efficient[5].
- Customization and Support: Offers extensive customization options through integrated templates for software deployment and comprehensive remote capabilities, backed by excellent customer support[7][6].
This detailed exploration of ManageEngine Endpoint Central’s features demonstrates its capability to address complex IT management needs while ensuring endpoint security and compliance.
Deployment Options
ManageEngine Endpoint Central offers flexible deployment options tailored to meet the diverse needs of organizations, whether they prefer on-premises, cloud-based, or hybrid environments. This versatility ensures that businesses can choose the deployment strategy that best fits their IT infrastructure and security requirements.
On-Premises Deployment
- Hosted Options: Organizations can host ManageEngine Endpoint Central on-premises, in Azure/AWS cloud environments, or in a DMZ, offering flexibility in deployment based on security policies and IT strategy[13].
- Customizable Deployment Policies: The on-premises version supports customizable policies for deploying patches, including configurable pre-deployment and post-deployment activities, allowing IT teams to tailor the installation process to meet specific organizational needs[13].
Cloud-Based Deployment
- Editions Available: ManageEngine Endpoint Central is available in both cloud and on-premises editions, catering to the varying preferences of organizations[5].
- Subscription Flexibility: The cloud version is available on a monthly subscription basis, providing scalability and ease of management without the need for substantial upfront investment[16].
Software Deployment Features
- Installation Triggers: Software installations can be initiated at system startup, during user login, or at regular refresh intervals, whichever occurs first. This flexibility helps in optimizing resource usage and ensuring successful installations[14].
- Resource Management: Deployments of resource-intensive applications are recommended during regular refresh intervals to prevent performance bottlenecks at startup or during user logins[14].
- Network and Dependency Considerations: Applications with significant network dependencies or interdependencies with other software are optimally installed during network-available times or synchronized with user logon events to ensure compatibility and connectivity[14].
Supported Formats and Advanced Options
- Software Package Types: Endpoint Central supports the deployment of both MSI and EXE software packages, enhancing the flexibility of software management across the network[15].
- Advanced Deployment Options: IT administrators can schedule software installations, execute installations as a specific user, and utilize pre-deployment/post-deployment scripts to ensure installations proceed only if certain conditions are met. This level of control is crucial for maintaining system stability and security[15].
This comprehensive set of deployment options and features underscores ManageEngine Endpoint Central’s adaptability to various IT environments, ensuring that organizations can manage their endpoints effectively regardless of their infrastructure setup.
Security and Compliance
ManageEngine Endpoint Central integrates robust security measures and compliance protocols to ensure enhanced protection and adherence to international standards. Here’s an in-depth look at these critical features:
Comprehensive Security Strategy
ManageEngine’s security framework encompasses multiple layers including organizational, application, operational security, and more. This holistic approach ensures that all aspects of security are addressed, from incident management to customer control mechanisms[8].
Endpoint Security Features
- Vulnerability Management and Compliance: This feature assesses real risks from vulnerabilities, maintains systems in line with CIS benchmarks, and audits high-risk software and antivirus status, ensuring comprehensive protection and compliance[17].
- Browser Security: Manages security across organizational browsers by controlling add-ons, filtering access, and enforcing secure browsing practices[17].
- Device Control: Monitors and restricts peripheral device usage within the network, ensuring secure data transfers and storage on BitLocker encrypted devices[17].
- Application Control: Manages application usage through blocklisting, allowlisting, and greylisting, enhancing protection against privilege elevation attacks[17].
- BitLocker Management: Ensures that data storage is confined to BitLocker encrypted devices, safeguarding sensitive corporate information[17].
Compliance with Regulatory Standards
ManageEngine Endpoint Central supports compliance with multiple regulatory standards such as ISO 27001, CIS, PCI, GDPR, and more, ensuring that organizations meet necessary compliance benchmarks across various sectors[18].
Collaboration and IT Management
The platform provides a unified dashboard that facilitates collaboration between IT operations and security operations, streamlining vulnerability and patch management processes[12]. This feature is especially beneficial for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), enhancing their ability to manage IT for multiple clients effectively[10].
Despite its comprehensive security offerings, it is important to note that the platform has shown limitations in proactive malware detection and failed to detect malware during certain tests[5]. This underscores the need for organizations to implement additional security measures when using ManageEngine Endpoint Central[5].
Integration Capabilities
ManageEngine Endpoint Central boasts extensive integration capabilities that enhance IT infrastructure management by connecting with over 25,000 device models and 1000+ applications[12]. Despite the complexity that some users experience during integration processes[7], the platform supports effective collaboration with industry-leading solutions, significantly improving IT management[19].
Key Integration Features
- Service Management Tools: Integrates seamlessly with IT Service Management solutions including ServiceDesk Plus, Jira, Spiceworks, Freshservice, ServiceNow, and Zendesk[19].
- Enterprise Protection Platforms: Compatibility with Tenable.io and Tenable.sc enhances security management capabilities[19].
- Business Intelligence: Integration with ManageEngine Analytics Plus aids in data-driven decision-making[19].
- IT Asset Management: ManageEngine Asset Explorer can be integrated for enhanced asset tracking and management[19].
- Integration Platform as a Service: Supports Zoho Flow to streamline workflows across various cloud services[19].
Enhanced ServiceDesk Plus Integration
- Real-time IT Asset Management: Direct management from the ticket window[20].
- Efficient Ticket Resolution: Deploy over 75 predefined scripts and 50 configurations[20].
- Advanced Remote Troubleshooting: Offers robust remote control options for immediate problem-solving[20].
- Single Sign-On: Simplifies processes by allowing ticket submissions without additional logins[20].
- Dynamic Inventory Alerts: Automatically logs alerts as requests in ServiceDesk Plus[20].
ManageEngine Endpoint Central also supports integrations across a broad spectrum of IT management domains, including Endpoint Protection, Patch Management, Remote Desktop, and Mobile Device Management, ensuring a comprehensive approach to enterprise IT needs[23]. These integrations not only streamline operations but also enhance the responsiveness and efficiency of IT services, catering to a diverse range of organizational requirements.
Pricing and Subscription Models
ManageEngine Endpoint Central offers a variety of pricing and subscription options tailored to different organizational needs and sizes. Below is a detailed breakdown of these models:
Free and Paid Editions
- Free Edition: Supports up to 25 endpoints, ideal for small businesses[5].
- Paid Editions: Includes Professional, Enterprise, and UEM Editions, catering to larger organizations and more complex requirements[9].
Pricing Based on Endpoints and Servers
- Endpoints Pricing (Annual Subscription):
-
- 50 endpoints: $1,095
- 100 endpoints: $2,095
- 250 endpoints: $4,195
- 500 endpoints: $7,395
- 1000 endpoints: $12,545
- 2500 endpoints: $26,185
- 5000 endpoints: $41,895
- 10000 endpoints: $62,845[16]
- Servers Pricing (Annual Subscription):
-
- 10 servers: $395
- 25 servers: $895
- 50 servers: $1,645
- 100 servers: $3,145
- 250 servers: $6,245
- 500 servers: $11,095
- 1000 servers: $18,845
- 2500 servers: $39,295
- 5000 servers: $62,845[16]
Licensing Options
- Annual Subscription: Offers a recurring yearly payment model[24].
- Perpetual License: Includes an upfront cost with an Annual Maintenance and Support fee, calculated as 20% of the total invoice[24].
Specialized Add-ons
- OS Deployment Add-on Pricing:
-
- Servers: $1,200 per year for 250 servers.
- Workstations: $720 per year for 250 workstations[24].
Custom and Flexible Pricing
Organizations can contact ManageEngine sales for tailored pricing solutions, including discounts for educational institutions, government, and non-profit organizations[24].
This flexible pricing structure allows businesses of all sizes to choose a model that best fits their budget and endpoint management needs.
Conclusion
Through this in-depth review, it’s clear that ManageEngine Endpoint Central is a powerful and versatile solution for endpoint management and security. The software excels in providing comprehensive features such as patch management, asset management, security measures, and much more, tailored to fit a variety of IT needs across diverse organizational landscapes. Its robust integration capabilities, coupled with a user-friendly interface, ease the complexity of IT management, ensuring both operational efficiency and enhanced security posture.
As businesses continue to navigate the complexities of digital transformation, the significance of choosing a reliable endpoint management solution cannot be overstated. ManageEngine Endpoint Central stands out for its comprehensive approach to managing and securing endpoints, offering flexibility in deployment and scalability to meet future demands. For those looking to experience its capabilities firsthand, consider taking the next step towards streamlined IT management anddownload a free 30-day trial. Adopting ManageEngine Endpoint Central could very well be the pivotal decision in elevating your organization’s IT operational efficiency and security to new heights.
FAQs
Q: What are the most appreciated features of ManageEngine Endpoint Central?
A: Users highly value ManageEngine Endpoint Central for its ability to automate patching schedules, deploy software and updates, run scripts, provide remote assistance to users, and manage assets effectively. It offers these functionalities for both Windows and macOS environments without the necessity for Azure AD or on-premises Active Directory.
Q: What is the main function of ManageEngine Endpoint Central?
A: ManageEngine Endpoint Central is designed to consolidate devices, applications, data, and personnel into a single platform. Its purpose is to secure the digital workplace and facilitate the management of a global workforce.
Q: How does the Endpoint Central agent assist in device management?
A: The Endpoint Central agent is instrumental in managing computers across distributed networks, such as branch or remote offices (WAN) and for mobile users like sales personnel who are frequently traveling.
Q: Can you explain the role of ManageEngine as an ITSM application?
A: ManageEngine functions as an IT Service Management (ITSM) application that enhances visibility into an organization’s assets, proactively resolves technical issues, and gives agents increased control over their assets. It is a comprehensive IT management solution that serves as a centralized platform for all technical operations.
References
[1] –https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/introduction/why-desktop-central.html
[2] –https://www.gartner.com/reviews/market/unified-endpoint-management-tools/vendor/manageengine/product/manageengine-endpoint-central
[3] –https://www.capterra.ca/reviews/170018/manageengine-desktop-central
[4] –https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/
[5] –https://www.techradar.com/pro/manageengine-endpoint-central-review
[6] –https://www.softwareadvice.com/ca/it-management/manageengine-desktop-central-profile/reviews/
[7] –https://www.getapp.com/it-management-software/a/manageengine-desktop-central/reviews/
[8] –https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/security-features.html
[9] –https://www.comparitech.com/net-admin/manageengine-desktop-central-review/
[10] –https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/summary-server/architecture.html
[11] –https://www.softwarereviews.com/products/manageengine-endpoint-central
[12] –https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/top-reasons.html
[13] –https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuring_desktop_central/software_deployment_setup.html
[14] –https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/deploy-software-install-options.html
[15] –https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/software_installation/windows_software_installation.html
[16] –https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/pricing.html
[17] –https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/endpoint-security-features.html
[18] –https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/iso-27001-compliance.html
[19] –https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuring_desktop_central/desktop-central-integrations.html
[20] –https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuring_desktop_central/dc-sdp-integration-features.html
[21] –https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/help/configuring_desktop_central/dc_sdp_integration.html
[22] –https://help.servicedeskplus.com/configurations/general/desktop_central_settings.html
[23] –https://slashdot.org/software/p/ManageEngine-Endpoint-Central/integrations/
[24] –https://store.manageengine.com/desktop-central/get-quote.html
[25] –https://www.insight.com/en_US/shop/product/85511.0S4/ZOHO%20CORPORATION%20/85511.0S4/Desktop-Central-UEM-Edition–subscription-license-1-year–1-user-500-endpoints/
[26] –https://ca.insight.com/en_CA/shop/product/85510.0SU2/ZOHO+CORPORATION/85510.0SU2/Mobile-Device-Manager-Plus—subscription-license–1-year—-2-additional-users/
[27] –https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/edition-comparison-matrix.html
[28] –https://www.getapp.com/it-management-software/a/manageengine-desktop-central/pricing/
[29] –https://www.manageengine.com/products/desktop-central/features-benefits.html