RMM remote monitoring mixed devices

Unlock comprehensive remote desktop monitoring

One of the most challenging parts of being an MSP is achieving a high degree of visibility into all the various desktops and computing devices across your managed networks. N‑able RMM is designed to help smaller MSPs tackle monitoring at scale.

Proactive workstation monitoring helps ensure that machines are functioning properly. N‑able RMM gives MSPs complete visibility into managed networks to catch potential desktop issues early, which minimizes downtime, maximizes service time, and helps correct problems more quickly.

Free asset tracking also helps MSPs track IT assets on managed networks. This gives you the visibility needed to complete hardware configurations, deploy software updates quickly and efficiently, and track when licenses need to be renewed. With N-able RMM, you can centralize IT inventory, automatically scan workstations and laptops, and receive alerts when new devices are added to a network.

approving policy on path management

Fix software vulnerabilities and improve cybersecurity with patch management and antivirus

Cybersecurity is top of mind for MSPs and clients. As the frequency of ransomware, malware, and other attacks continues to rise, MSPs must make sure they’re doing all they can to keep their customers’ desktops safe from external threats. To properly protect them, it’s critical that MSPs stay on top of patch management to rapidly resolve known software vulnerabilities.

Automated patch management with N‑able RMM helps you keep software up to date, secure, and running efficiently. MSPs can easily detect, download, install, and deploy patches across their customer base, as well as configure settings from a single console.

N‑able RMM’s integrated antivirus protection also helps by allowing you to configure scan schedules and sending you real-time alerts as needed. Even better, RMM allows you to configure antivirus on workstations and laptops from a single point of contact. These security features help MSPs more easily manage desktops for customers with distributed or remote workforces.

RMM web protection

Guard against web-based threats with web protection built into IT software for MSPs

Many customers fall victim to today’s cybersecurity threats by clicking on malicious links. MSPs need desktop management software that goes beyond antivirus to keep their customers safe.

N‑able RMM’s web protection blocks malicious websites and manages web usage to keep users off blacklisted sites that might impact security or productivity. This desktop management solution is customizable and allows you to create a protection plan that fits customer-specific needs. MSPs can create their own web protection rules or automatically apply the default rules provided by RMM to customer desktops and laptops.

With web protection made for MSPs, you can help maintain customer productivity while safeguarding against cyberattacks.

remote access to windows

Troubleshoot quickly and effectively with remote access

When customers face technical issues with their desktops, MSPs must be able to troubleshoot quickly and effectively—no matter where they are. Desktop management software with built-in remote access capabilities can help.

With integrated remote control features, N‑able RMM can establish a rapid connection to any managed endpoint to help you quickly resolve issues and perform IT maintenance. You can remotely upload files and scripts to the user’s computer without disturbing their work, and you can open systems controls in the background to diagnose and troubleshoot issues.

MSPs can also rest assured that N‑able RMM allows technicians to conduct sessions via fully encrypted data channels and set up granular permissions to increase security. This solution also generates session recordings and chat transcripts for quality control and troubleshooting purposes. By using N‑able RMM for desktop management, MSPs have everything they need to offer outstanding remote desktop support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is desktop management?

What is desktop management?

Desktop management is a comprehensive, systematic approach to managing the computers within an organization or within an MSP’s managed networks.

In the early days of desktop management, it primarily comprised traditional IT tasks like installing hardware or software, applying spam filters, and regulating user permissions. Since then, desktop management has evolved to also place emphasis on security-related tasks to protect desktops from modern threats.

How is remote desktop management different from desktop management?

How is remote desktop management different from desktop management?

Remote desktop management is software that allows a user to connect to a computer from another location, log into it, and interact with it as if the computer were local. MSPs use remote desktop software to troubleshoot and fix their customers’ issues, perform administrative tasks, demonstrate processes, and more.

While traditional desktop management is a set of processes concerned with managing a wide network of personal computers and systems, remote desktop management generally refers to software designed for simply providing access to computers and systems from another location. The former is significantly larger in scope. Remote desktop management is often included in larger desktop management software platforms.

What are the basic components of desktop management?

What are the basic components of desktop management?

While every desktop management solution is different, their functions typically fall into four categories:

  1. Fault Management: troubleshooting, data recovery, error logging, diagnostics, remote control of systems elements, and more
  2. Configuration Management: managing the system’s hardware and software needs
  3. Performance Monitoring and Management: monitoring the performance of every application that runs on the desktops within your managed network
  4. Security Management: patch management, installing antivirus, controlling applications that have been installed without IT team approval, and more

What should desktop management software do?

What should desktop management software do?

The particulars of each solution will vary, but any enterprise-grade desktop management platform should at least perform the following functions:

  • Multiple discovery functions, including remote discovery, software discovery, asset discovery of devices on a managed network, and discovery for mobile devices and servers
  • Automated patch management
  • Remote desktop monitoring, remote access, and remote control
  • Security protocols like integrated antivirus and web protection

Why is desktop management important?

Why is desktop management important?

Desktop management helps MSPs monitor everything happening with their customers’ desktops from a single console. Because today’s networks are larger than ever and include a growing number of remote or distributed workers, desktop management is the most efficient way to manage and monitor all these endpoints.

Improperly managed systems can also leave your customers open to security vulnerabilities, negatively impact their workflows, and compromise compliance. Desktop management helps mitigate or eliminate these pain points via discovery, remote desktop monitoring, and robust security features.

Other benefits can include:

  • More control over your managed devices
  • Increased efficiency
  • Better data security
  • Improved regulatory compliance
  • Reduced software spending
  • Smarter decision-making through increased visibility into IT assets

What are some desktop management best practices?

What are some desktop management best practices?

Here are five desktop management best practices:

  1. Automate as much as possible.
  2. Define the assets you want to track, thinking about the risks involved in not including certain systems or device types in your discovery.
  3. Keep an eye out for assets that might be attractive targets for bad actors. You should apply additional security measures to these assets and patch more frequently.
  4. Consider implementing policies that require your customers to inform you of any applications they use that are operating outside of the IT team’s jurisdiction.
  5. Be proactive, not reactive.

Take desktop management to the next level

  • Keep an eye on managed desktops with remote monitoring capabilities
  • Easily deploy patches across an entire organization
  • Better protect your customers from web-based threats