Comparing Systems Management Solutions: SMS and Altiris

Presented byLarry A. Duncan, MVP/MCSE/MCSA

Exclusively for:

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Agenda

• 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

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Introductions

• Larry A. Duncan– 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

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Defining Systems Management

• Systems Management maintains the healthand availability of operating systems and infrastructure

• Common aspects of Systems Management include:– Software Distribution– Patch Management– Remote Control– Software Metering– Hardware and Software Inventory– Operating System Upgrades and New Installations– Server Management

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Major Systems Management Vendors

• Microsoft• Altiris• ON Technology (now Symantec)

– ON Command

• Mobile Automation– Mobile Lifecycle Management Suite

• XcelleNet– Afaria

• Miramar– Desktop DNA

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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 Pre-

Boot Execution environment

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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

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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*

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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

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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)

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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