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Discover the differences between on-premise and cloud-based RMM solutions to find the best fit for your business needs.
Level
Thursday, August 29, 2024
Imagine being able to monitor all your business' devices and endpoints, tweak settings, roll out updates, and fix problems no matter where you are, all in real-time.
That’s the magic of remote monitoring and management (RMM). With an RMM platform, you can spot and sort out hiccups, slowdowns, and anomalies as they happen. This proactive monitoring triggers prompt solutions before they disrupt your IT systems and infrastructure.
When choosing among available RMM solutions, a key decision is whether to opt for on-premise or cloud services. Which one is right for your business? We’ll help you decide.
On-premise RMM software offers localized control and customization for businesses managing their IT infrastructure in-house.
On-premise remote monitoring and management (RMM) software, often called "on-prem," is installed and operated directly within a business's physical location.
These remote tools are hosted on local servers and require the installation of RMM agents on each device that needs to be managed.
In an on-premise setup, all data these agents collect is transmitted to an on-site centralized system.
Administrators access this system directly, allowing them to remotely manage and monitor the health of various endpoint devices, such as servers, desktops, and other network devices.
This type of RMM tool is often chosen by organizations that prioritize in-house control over their IT environments. They usually have specific compliance requirements dictating local data storage and backup solutions.
On-premise RMM solutions also allow businesses to customize their setup to match their specific needs. However, this approach typically requires a dedicated IT team to handle maintenance, updates, and patch management.
Cloud-based RMM software is a back-office solution that helps a managed service provider (MSP) manage client IT operations and proactively monitor client endpoints. Cloud technology is helping businesses to improve network management.
Unlike on-premise RMM tools, a cloud-based RMM system is a remote monitoring and management solution hosted on the Internet. Instead of installing it on local machines from a physical location, it's accessed through the web.
Cloud-based RMM solutions eliminate the need for businesses to install or maintain the software on-site. This approach reduces the complexity of managing physical infrastructure.
With remote access, IT managers can log into the system to resolve issues, receive alerts about security events, and remotely monitor system performance. Remote management solutions like this allow IT teams to obtain actionable insights and perform routine maintenance tasks on remote ad devices.
Before comparing on-premise versus cloud RMM solutions, let's answer one important question: why do you need RMM software in the first place?
Here are the key benefits of a powerful RMM tool for businesses:
Since COVID-19, many organizations have adopted remote and hybrid work setups to boost efficiency. That said, monitoring IT systems remotely and endpoint management from any location is more important than ever.
Only RMM solutions enable remote monitoring and management, maintaining healthy systems and infrastructure regardless of geographical boundaries. This promotes IT efficiency because team members get the tech support they need on time.
You can get rid of repetitive tasks and improve service delivery while maintaining your IT infrastructure's health.
One key role of RMM software is collecting data from hardware, mobile devices, and client endpoints and pushing all information to a centralized dashboard.
They also have reporting tools and documentation solutions that an RMM agent will use for endpoint management.
RMM solutions improve operational efficiency with consolidated remote monitoring and management capabilities and remote control over their IT infrastructure from one console.
Even the most experienced managed service providers can make mistakes. However, with advanced RMM tools, many routine tasks that are often the victim of human error can be automated.
Robust automation capabilities make sure that maintenance tasks are carried out consistently and accurately, reducing the chances of mistakes that could snowball into bigger issues later on.
Making the right IT decisions relies on having the right information at the right time. Remote monitoring and management tools produce detailed reports that provide valuable insights into system health, performance, security, and compliance.
These reports give IT administrators a clear picture of their IT environment, enabling them to make smart decisions to meet current requirements and anticipate future needs.
Before introducing RMM solutions, businesses must rely on team members to report system issues. Often, these glitches are not detected until they're widespread and have already caused operational disruptions.
With RMM software, an IT department can monitor systems or networking devices remotely in real-time and proactively detect potential issues before they escalate into major problems. This will create smooth business operations, minimizing downtime and enhancing efficiency.
Gone are the days of metal filing cabinets. Confidential and private business data are now stored digitally. While more efficient, it is not yet a complete solution.
It still creates vulnerabilities that may lead to data loss. This underscores the need for more stringent security protocols.
A RMM platform provides comprehensive security features, such as automated monitoring of security threats, vulnerability assessments, and automated patch management.
The benefits of RMM solutions are no longer a nice-to-have.
They are a must for running efficient and secure operations. It is important to choose the right RMM software, whether on-premise or cloud-based, to get the most out of it.
On-premise RMM: Setting up on-premise RMM software can feel like a marathon because it can be a long-drawn-out process. Businesses need to get the proper hardware to host it, which can take time and money.
Accessibility can also be a sticking point. On-premise RMM solutions aren't as flexible since they can only be accessed on company property. So, the “remote” in remote monitoring and management doesn’t quite live up to its name.
Cloud RMM: Getting started with a cloud-based RMM platform is pretty straightforward. Since everything is hosted online, businesses don’t need to worry about software installation, server management, or handling upgrades and ticket management. This reduces a significant portion of the setup process and makes the learning curve much smoother when using a new RMM tool.
Platforms like Level or Datto Remote Monitoring and Management are good options if you want to start out with a cloud-based RMM tool. Level and Datto RMM can provide you control over when, where, and how automated tasks are performed.
On-premise RMM: Expanding functionalities requires more time and money with in-house hardware and on-premise RMM tools. This makes it difficult for businesses to grow their RMM capabilities, especially if they are undergoing rapid growth or digital transformation.
Cloud RMM: Most cloud-based RMMs are built with flexibility and scalability in mind. Thanks to different licensing options and subscription models, adding more users, increasing bandwidth, upgrading licenses, expanding capabilities, or adding servers as needed is easy.
On-premise RMM: With an on-premise RMM solution, an in-house team takes over maintenance and support. Since this type of RMM is self-hosted, there's no external vendor to keep everything functioning properly. Having the right IT resources is key to managing on-premise RMM effectively.
Cloud RMM: With a cloud-based RMM solution, businesses don’t have to worry about maintaining the application or providing support. Support teams from RMM providers handle all the patches and updates to keep things running smoothly.
Plus, many cloud-based RMM solutions come with a robust knowledge database. These resources can provide detailed documentation for self-service troubleshooting. There are also online communities that help get advice and collaborate with others who have faced similar challenges.
On-premise RMM: When using on-premise RMM, managing cybersecurity is necessary. Since the system is hosted internally, businesses must build and maintain their security protocols. This means having an understanding of compliance requirements and remaining vigilant about potential threats.
Cloud RMM: There was a time when on-premise RMM software was thought to be the gold standard for security and vulnerability management because data was stored on servers in one location.
However, that idea has been debunked. Storing data in the cloud is just as secure as keeping it on-site. Plus, a cloud-based solution can benefit businesses with a small IT team. It comes with complete security features that are out of the box.
These include real-time monitoring of potential threats and simultaneous patch management for security updates from a remote location.
On-premise RMM: Setting up on-premise RMM platforms can be expensive. The initial setup and implementation costs can be high, driven by the need to invest in the necessary hardware and infrastructure.
Cloud RMM: Cloud-based monitoring systems are popular with various organizations, especially small to medium businesses (SMBs), because they have lower entry costs. With different subscription models, businesses can choose how much they want to spend depending on their desired features.
Lastly, since all cloud RMM tools are provided as part of the software as a service (SaaS), there's no need to spend on infrastructure updates. You can also easily check the hardware status for seamless integration.
Based on the criteria above, cloud-based platforms are the better option due to their cost efficiency and scalability. With lower upfront costs and predictable subscription fees, businesses can easily budget and grow seamlessly with cloud-based RMM.
Maintenance and support are faster as the provider handles updates, patches, and troubleshooting.
Additionally, choosing the right cloud-based RMM solutions offers robust security measures to protect sensitive data, making them an efficient choice for managing IT infrastructure.
Level allows you to take advantage of modernized remote access, enhanced automation, and a suite of tools to elevate your service capabilities.
Whether you're looking to improve IT efficiency, strengthen security, or expand your company's remote devices and service offerings, Level provides the technology to make it happen.
Book a demo or try Level free for 14 days right now!
On-premise remote management tools must be accessed within a company's premises, while cloud RMM platforms can be accessed remotely.
These include all network devices connected to an organization's IT infrastructure. When connected to an RMM portal, IT managers can monitor and manage endpoints' security. They can check the stored data and perform service delivery such as maintenance and troubleshooting.
This will depend on current and future business needs. However, key features, such as compatibility with widely used operating systems, an easy-to-use intuitive interface, reliability and uptime, frequent software updates, and security compliance, can be considered non-negotiables.
At Level, we understand the modern challenges faced by IT professionals. That's why we've crafted a robust, browser-based Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) platform that's as flexible as it is secure. Whether your team operates on Windows, Mac, or Linux, Level equips you with the tools to manage, monitor, and control your company's devices seamlessly from anywhere.
Ready to revolutionize how your IT team works? Experience the power of managing a thousand devices as effortlessly as one. Start with Level today—sign up for a free trial or book a demo to see Level in action.
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