{"id":44093,"date":"2023-06-05T11:46:55","date_gmt":"2023-06-05T15:46:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/?p=44093"},"modified":"2024-11-14T19:04:46","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T00:04:46","slug":"rmm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jumpcloud.com\/blog\/rmm","title":{"rendered":"What Is Remote Monitoring and Management Software for MSPs?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s hard to believe IT managers once ran from one desk to another fixing tech issues on the fly. Fast forward a couple of decades later, and cue the widespread adoption of remote monitoring and management (RMM) software, and the image is relegated to \u201cold movies.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, managed services providers (MSPs) watch their client’s technology infrastructure from afar and troubleshoot problems before they become full-blown disasters. But what exactly is RMM? And why is software more crucial today than ever before? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This article will address these questions before presenting a next-level RMM solution that MSPs can use to monitor client stacks effectively, while cutting costs. First, let\u2019s dig into the technical definition of remote monitoring and management. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Is Remote Monitoring and Management?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

RMM is the use of specialized software<\/a> that helps IT managers monitor and maintain their organization’s IT stack from wherever they are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This software typically works by installing agents on managed devices. These agents serve as the communication bridges through which the RMM platform collects data and issues commands to the endpoints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RMM platforms provide real-time visibility into devices’ health, performance, and security status. Plus, even without setting foot on-prem, they can deploy software updates, install security fixes, and troubleshoot other issues that may arise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Is RMM Important for MSPs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As described earlier, IT managers were once saddled with the unglamorous task of moving around the workplace trying to identify and fix tech-related problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, their workflow consisted of being informed of tech problems, coming on-site to investigate and fix them, and then leaving. Only to be called upon again whenever another issue arises. This cycle was called the “break-fix” model, and it did little good for anyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For organizations and their employees, it meant a loss of productive hours that proactive monitoring could have saved. Plus, what happens when the “fixer” is too far away to come on-site?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For service providers, it also meant several hours on the road, travel hazards, and other costs associated with on-site visits. Plus, the break-fix cycle meant that they had to focus more on reactionary maintenance rather than implementing proactive measures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Changes to the work environment coupled with the rise of cloud computing meant that IT service providers needed to and could adjust their business models using RMM tools. The average small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) is now 57% remote or hybrid-remote<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, IT service providers transitioned into managed services providers and became responsible for not just fixing issues but proactively monitoring client IT stacks to prevent problems from occurring in the first place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RMM tools also ensured that MSP reaction times became much quicker, and many service level agreements now include standard expectations that most clients and providers would have deemed unreasonable a few decades ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use Cases for RMM<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Admins use RMM software for a variety of practical IT applications such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Device Monitoring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

MSPs leverage remote monitoring and management tools to gain visibility into devices’ health and activity<\/a>. Monitoring device health provides insight into device parameters such as CPU usage, disk space, network connectivity, etc. These are relevant because they help MSPs detect signs of performance degradation or resource bottlenecks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That way, they can resolve them before these issues impact end-user productivity. Monitoring device activity, among other things, allows admins to detect events such as hardware failures, software crashes, or security breaches, enabling them to respond quickly and minimize such incidents’ impacts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Patch Management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

RMM tools enable MSPs to automatically install software and operating system patches at scale or per device.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With RMM, MSPs minimize user disruption by scheduling patch installations during off-peak hours or at predetermined maintenance windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They also control patch installation sequences, ensuring that critical systems and applications get priority attention.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remote Support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

RMM software allows MSPs to provide support for their clients regardless of location. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is even more relevant with the rise of remote working arrangements as end users can easily receive tech support whether they’re working from home or in the office. Where necessary, MSPs can also take remote control of the device and carry out fixes themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Security Management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A major reason why MSPs utilize RMM tools is to track and monitor security threats and vulnerabilities. They can fix bugs in their clients’ security networks, monitor unauthorized activity within the system, and take necessary action to secure their client’s networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of Using RMM Software<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

MSPs benefit from using RMM software in the following ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Increased Efficiency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The visibility, automation, and policy enforcement capabilities that RMMs provide help MSPs maximize their operational efficiency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The insights they gain from these tools enable MSPs to identify and fix issues before they become incidents. And the automation they leverage saves MSPs time and reduces the likelihood of error.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, not having to be on-prem and still being able to provide managed services is a form of efficiency in itself. Not only does it eliminate travel time and expenses, it also enables MSPs to provide prompt and simultaneous support to multiple clients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Improved Client Satisfaction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to the better service that RMM tools help MSPs provide, clients are more well off than they would be in a sans-RMM world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They benefit the most from fewer disruptions<\/a>, greater reliability of IT systems, and faster response times that RMM helps MSPs offer. The absence of a significant decrease in their employees’ productivity is a major plus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Experience<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Reduced Costs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

MSPs, as well as their clients, benefit from the cost savings that RMM tools provide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

RMM automation helps MSPs streamline their processes and reduce labor costs. Also, with fewer on-site visits, travel expenses become almost nonexistent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For clients, they save money by avoiding long downtimes and the potential losses associated with them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Centralized Management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

RMMs tools provide MSPs with a single-pane-of-glass view into their clients’ IT infrastructure including hardware, software, and network performance metrics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This allows them to centrally manage clients from a single platform and provides an easy way to push updates, generate reports, and enforce policies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

JumpCloud’s RMM Solution for MSPs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

JumpCloud Remote Assist<\/a> is an RMM solution that increases MSPs’ efficiency by granting visibility and control over users’ devices. It provides multi-OS support and allows MSPs to set rules as to which technicians can access user devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remote Assist provides a secure and documented medium for MSPs to support users through enterprise-grade cryptography and centralized logging of all support sessions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n