WHAT IS REMOTE MONITORING & MANAGEMENT (RMM) SOFTWARE?

Remote monitoring and management (RMM) software is a remote network management tool. Most often, this term refers to IT software that gives service providers remote access to client networks, allowing them to perform software updates, bug fixes, and ticket resolutions from anywhere offsite.

The best RMM technology can provide a wide range of benefits to managed service providers, such as cost savings, more reliable services, and the capacity to manage multiple clients at a time. Read on to learn more about RMM and how Liongard’s software backup solutions can complement your RMM tool.

What Is RMM?

Remote monitoring and management software allows managed service provider (MSP) organizations handling outsourced tasks to access their clients’ computers from anywhere via an internet connection. MSPs often use remote monitoring and management software to oversee client endpoints and keep systems and software up to date.

Unless an MSP offers onsite servicing, it needs to be able to access a client’s network without entering the actual business premises. As a result, MSPs often install an RMM tool on all of the client’s desktop and mobile devices, allowing them to monitor and manage networks remotely.

MSPs cannot operate and function properly without RMM software. These tools offer essential advantages for modern IT providers by allowing them to streamline the active maintenance of client systems.

How RMM Works

RMM software typically combines several IT management tools into one digital platform. These programs allow RMM agents to:

Track tickets and relevant alerts
Monitor client endpoints and client systems remotely
Automatically track machine health and machine status
Gain insight into client networks
Review device statuses and keep machines up to date
Install and configure software on client devices
Access the complete interface for multiple clients
Extend machine health and lifespan of client devices
Produce enterprise-level professional services automation for small businesses
Complete proactive maintenance to optimize client software

When RMM agents detect an issue on a client’s computer or network, the program will create an alert, or a “ticket,” for the MSP. The MSP will then resolve the issue remotely through the RMM tool. RMM software often ranks tickets depending on the severity and the type of problem, allowing service providers to prioritize more critical matters.

Detecting problems early allows the MSP to take a proactive approach to managed services and solve issues before they turn into detrimental system failures. In the best scenarios, RMM software allows managed service providers to resolve problems without end-users even noticing. As a result, these systems can save the client and the MSP time and money.

Who Can Use RMM?

Any company that needs to access a computer network remotely can benefit from using remote management and monitoring software. Often, the system administrator of a large business will utilize RMM software for device management throughout the organization.

However, the most common users of RMM software are managed service providers who specialize in IT services. MSPs often manage several clients simultaneously, and remote monitoring tools streamline their processes as they oversee a large client base.

Benefits of RMM for MSPs

RMM tools can provide several benefits for managed IT service providers aside from the general services and tasks these systems can complete. Often, when providers begin using a remote monitoring system, they notice improved productivity, higher client satisfaction, and more significant profit margins.

Here are a few significant benefits that remote monitoring and management tools offer to MSPs and other IT providers.

Small Software Footprint

Software footprint is the amount of space software takes up within a computer. When MSPs utilize an efficient tool for their client network management, they eliminate the need to install several programs on client devices. As a result, their MSP services create a smaller software footprint, allowing the RMM tool to run more smoothly and use less RAM.

Management of Multiple Client Networks

RMM technology decreases the time and effort an IT technician needs to put into its clients’ IT management. As a result, this technology allows MSPs and IT technicians to manage more clients than they could through manual processes, thereby increasing profits.

Patch Management

Patch management is the process of updating software to correct errors and prevent future issues. As such, it is an essential aspect of managing a company’s IT systems. Remote monitoring software makes patch management quick and easy by allowing MSPs to distribute and apply updates to all client systems from a centralized console or centralized location.

Staying on top of patch management can save you time and reduce the associated costs of fixing system failures.

Automation

We have already established that RMM software can produce enterprise-level automation for small businesses. However, an RMM system also automates many of the services an old-fashioned IT technician would complete manually, such as checking for errors, monitoring systems, and prioritizing help tickets, to name a few.

Choosing the Right RMM Software For Your Business

Dozens of companies create remote monitoring software for MSP clients across a range of industries. As a result, choosing the right RMM software for your MSP business can be challenging.

While the perfect RMM for you will depend on a wide range of factors—such as your typical MSP client, your MSP business size, and your business processes—you can narrow your options by looking for top-quality RMM tools. We recommend making sure that your remote monitoring and management software provides the following benefits before purchasing it.

Integrates With Your MSP Automation Software

If you currently use an automation platform to streamline your managed services, you will want to ensure that your RMM software integrates seamlessly with your existing programs. An RMM system that integrates with your automation tool can speed up ticket resolution and reduce the opportunity for disruption when installing the new program.

Liongard’s system is compatible with several top remote monitoring and management programs, allowing clients to integrate network management tools into their existing procedures quickly. This trouble-free system makes it easy to combine your automation efforts with existing or new RMM software.

Streamlines Existing Processes

If your MSP has previously operated without remote monitoring software, you will want the software you choose to streamline the existing processes your team completes for your client base.

Your RMM software should make your life easier and support managed services you already perform. If a network management tool does not suit your existing processes, it may be a waste of your time and money.

Accommodates a Wide Range of Use Cases

If your MSP works with clients in several industry types, you’ll want to be sure that your RMM software is flexible and versatile enough to accommodate all of the use cases you encounter. Additionally, you should consider how a remote monitoring platform will grow with your business or help you achieve your long-term goals.

Provides Several Channels to Reach End Users

As a managed service provider, you probably work with at least a few clients every day. The largest MSPs service dozens of clients through an extensive team of IT technicians. Communication is key when it comes to staying organized with multiple clients, and the best RMM software streamlines communication for both you and your customers.

We recommend looking for an RMM tool that offers several channels through which you and your clients can communicate. Your RMM program should allow clients to submit requests for help quickly and easily, allowing you to respond to their requests with fast support.

Incorporates Security Management

Security is an essential aspect of any business’s digital network. Unfortunately, data breaches and cyber attacks threaten to steal your clients’ personal data every day and cost them thousands of dollars in identity theft restoration.

However, top-quality RMM programs include security management features to keep your clients’ data safe. These programs also detect bugs and perform automatic system updates, ensuring that clients use the most up-to-date systems with the lowest vulnerability to data breaches.

Is Compatible With All Network Devices

Today, many businesses use more than just computers and mobile devices to complete day-to-day tasks. Most companies incorporate servers, printers, routers, cloud services, and firewalls into their broader business networks, and you want to be sure that your RMM software is compatible with all of these device types.

As you search for an RMM program for your MSP business, be sure to analyze each program’s compatibility with the most frequent device types you manage.

How Can Liongard Complement RMM Tools?

Some MSPs fear that onboarding a new remote monitoring software will disrupt their automation program or that incorporating a new automation platform into their routines will hinder their RMM. However, using Liongard as your MSP automation platform allows you to feel confident that your RMM will integrate seamlessly with the Liongard platform.

Liongard integrates with several popular remote monitoring and management tools, including:

Combining Liongard with one of the above remote monitoring and management systems will optimize your MSP services, allowing you to broaden your client base, reduce your workload, and craft a more successful MSP team.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is the Best RMM?

Every RMM company will tell you that its software is the best on the market. However, instead of looking for the best all-around RMM tool, we recommend searching for a tool that meets your needs. As you search for the right RMM, ask yourself questions such as:

Can I easily integrate this program into my daily practices?
Will this RMM program reduce my workload?
Does this RMM program support a proactive approach to systems monitoring?
Will this RMM program slow me down at first?
Is this RMM program compatible with desktops, mobile devices, servers, and all client endpoints?
Would the features in this RMM program make my life easier?

Additionally, be sure to look for software that has positive customer reviews, runs smoothly, and has minimal bugs.

Finding a remote monitoring and management tool that checks your boxes will provide the best benefits for you and your MSP business.

Why Do You Need an RMM?

Whether you are an IT provider or a managed service provider, an RMM could significantly reduce the manual labor you and your team put into managing client networks. Specifically, an RMM can benefit the following areas of your workload:

Time

The tools available with RMM platforms can perform network monitoring for multiple managed assets at the same time. The real time remote monitoring that RMM services can provide also allow for automatic updates.

Money

An RMMplatform can alsobe great for cost savings in the long run, as they:

Streamline routine tasks
Allow remote access to client devices

Efficiency

RMM software allows you to resolve client issues more quickly and efficiently, as they alert you to problems as soon as they occur, often allowing you to solve issues before clients even notice them.

Client Satisfaction

When you usea remote access software like RMMforclient network monitoring, they will see a difference in your performance and efficiency, improving their satisfaction.

Liongard Can Streamline Your RMM Processes

Liongard is an efficient, secure MSP automation platform that integrates seamlessly with several RMM tools. Thousands of MSPshave benefited from Liongard’s visibility, automation, and simplicity compared to manual MSP practices.

If you’re wondering how you can work the Liongard platform into your existing IT processes, contact us today at 1-800-332-0460 to request a demo.