Best IT Management Software & Buyer's Guide

The average tech company used 110 software tools in 2021; considering how rapidly new tech solutions are developed and launched, I can only imagine how much higher this number is today.

It’s critical to not only have the right solutions, but to have the right solution for managing those solutions. I know, your software needs software. But managing your portfolio of SaaS solutions isn’t all an IT team needs to do – you’re responsible for data security, hardware performance issues, remote team tech management, and more.

With that in mind, let’s look at some specific options for IT management software.

10 Best IT Management Software

The exact needs of your business will determine the exact solution that’s best for you; however, these 10 are widely regarded as the best in class for their respective purposes. You can find more information for their specific use cases later in the article.

• Atera: Best for MSPs with all-in-one remote monitoring and management capabilities.
• LogicMonitor: Best for real-time monitoring and visibility across complex IT infrastructures.
• Freshservice: Best for small businesses with intuitive IT ticketing and asset management.
• Zendesk: Best for customer support teams seeking omnichannel ticketing and automation.
• JIRA Service Management: Best for agile IT teams with customizable service desk workflows.
• PagerDuty: Best for real-time incident response and seamless collaboration in IT management.
• ManageEngine Applications Manager: Best for application performance monitoring for enterprise IT.
• JumpCloud: Best for cloud-based directory service with single sign-on and mobile device management capabilities.
• ConnectWise RMM: Best for IT service providers with network, server, and endpoint management.
• SysAid: Best for streamlined and efficient IT service management and helpdesk operations.

---

Expert Pick

---

What Is IT Management Software?

IT management software refers to a set of tools and applications used by IT teams to manage and monitor their organization’s IT infrastructure, assets, and resources. This includes servers, networks, applications, databases, and endpoints such as laptops, desktops, and mobile devices.

IT management solutions are used by IT teams across industries and organizations of all sizes. These teams can include IT administrators, network engineers, security professionals, and service desk agents. The software is used to streamline IT operations, automate routine tasks, and proactively monitor and resolve IT issues to minimize downtime and ensure business continuity.

IT management software can help organizations to:

• Monitor the performance and availability of IT assets and resources
• Manage and automate IT processes and workflows
• Secure IT assets and data from cyber threats
• Manage and enforce IT policies and compliance requirements
• Provide IT support and helpdesk services to users
• Analyze IT data and generate insights for informed decision-making

Overall, IT management software is an essential tool for modern organizations to efficiently manage and secure their IT infrastructure and services.

Types Of IT Management Software

There are different types of IT management software that cater to specific needs and requirements of IT teams. Some common types of IT management software include:

• IT Service Management (ITSM) Software: ITSM software is used to manage and deliver IT services to users. It includes features such as incident management, problem management, change management, service level management, and service catalog management. A whole lot of management going on!

• Network Management Software: Network management software is used to monitor and manage the performance and availability of networks, routers, switches, and other network devices. In other words, network management software helps you to see network-wide device performance. It includes features such as network topology mapping, traffic analysis, configuration management, and network device discovery.

• Endpoint Management Software: Endpoint management software is used to manage and secure endpoints such as laptops, desktops, and mobile apps. It includes features such as device discovery, inventory management, patch management, software distribution, and endpoint security. If you’re purchasing software on behalf of your employees, you’ll want to install something like this.

• Application Performance Management (APM) Software: APM software is used to monitor and manage the performance of applications and services. Whereas network management software tracks the hardware, APM is looking at performance of software. It includes features such as application performance monitoring, transaction tracing, code-level diagnostics, and user experience monitoring.

• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Software: SIEM software is used to monitor and analyze security events and alerts from various sources such as networks, endpoints, and applications. It includes features such as log management, event correlation, threat intelligence, and security analytics. If you’re getting serious about your network security, this is a good place to start.

While certainly not exhaustive, the software I listed above seems to be among the most commonly used for IT management.

How To Choose Which IT Management Software To Buy

In order to better understand which of the above options are best for you, it’s best to understand the type of buyer you are or represent.

Which type of buyer are you?

Consider the following categories to determine which IT management software may be best for you. There are exceptions to every category though, so read through other sections if you don’t feel that the section describing your business has appropriate functionality for you.

Small and Medium-Sized Businesses (SMBs)

SMBs typically have limited IT resources and budgets but still need to manage their IT infrastructure and support their employees with a solution at a suitable price. One good fit for this user type would be Freshservice.

Freshservice: This cloud-based IT service desk and asset management software is easy to use, affordable, and provides an all-in-one platform for IT teams to manage IT requests, assets, and incidents. It’s an ideal choice for SMBs that need an intuitive and customizable IT service desk without sacrificing features and functionality.

Don’t worry – I’m not leaving you with only one option. I’ve made an entire buyers’ guide for Small Business IT Management software – check it out!

Enterprise-Level Businesses

Enterprise-level businesses have complex IT infrastructure, require advanced security and compliance features, and need to manage large-scale IT operations. A good fit for this user type would be ManageEngine Applications Manager or JIRA Service Management.

ManageEngine Applications Manager: This enterprise-grade application performance management (APM) software is designed for IT teams to monitor the performance and availability of critical applications and services. It provides end-to-end visibility into application performance, offers proactive monitoring and notifications, and helps to optimize application performance. It’s an ideal choice for large organizations that need a scalable, customizable, and enterprise-grade APM solution.

JIRA Service Management: This cloud-based ITSM software is designed for agile IT teams to manage IT service delivery with ease. It provides a customizable service desk, workflow automation, self-service portals, and collaboration tools to help IT teams resolve issues faster and improve service quality. It’s an ideal choice for large organizations that need an ITSM solution that can integrate with other enterprise applications and scale to meet their growing needs.

Managed Service Providers (MSPs)

MSPs offer IT services to multiple clients, each with their own unique IT environments and requirements. A good fit for this user type would be N-able or ConnectWise RMM.

N-able: This cloud-based remote monitoring and management software is designed for MSPs to manage their clients’ IT infrastructure from a single platform. It provides features such as remote monitoring, patch management, backup and recovery, and security management. N-able also offers integrations with popular PSA tools and a large library of automation scripts to help MSPs streamline their operations. It’s an ideal choice for MSPs that need a comprehensive RMM solution with automation capabilities.

ConnectWise RMM: This cloud-based remote monitoring and management software is designed for MSPs to manage and monitor their clients’ IT environments. ConnectWise RMM provides features such as remote control, patch management, antivirus protection, and backup and disaster recovery. It also offers integrations with ConnectWise’s other business management tools and a large community of third-party integrations. It’s an ideal choice for MSPs that need a flexible and scalable RMM solution with a strong ecosystem of integrations.

Educational Institutions

Educational institutions such as schools and universities need to manage their IT infrastructure, support faculty and students, and ensure compliance with data protection regulations. A good fit for this user type would be Kandji or GoTo Resolve.

Kandji: This cloud-based endpoint management software is designed for education institutions to manage and secure their Apple devices. It provides features such as device inventory, automated device enrollment, software deployment, and compliance management. Kandji’s pre-built templates and workflows make it easy for IT teams to set up and manage their Apple devices and ensure compliance with regulations such as FERPA and GDPR.

GoTo Resolve: This cloud-based IT service desk software is designed for education institutions to manage IT requests and incidents from faculty and students. It provides features such as a customizable service desk, IT asset management, and self-service portals. GoTo Resolve’s simple and intuitive interface makes it easy for IT teams to manage IT requests and incidents, and the platform offers integrations with popular tools such as Slack and Microsoft Teams.

These are just a few examples of the different types of customers who can benefit from IT management software and the software products that would be a good fit for them. If you didn’t find your specific situation described above, keep reading to learn about the details that you should be looking for.

Key features to look for

There are several important features that IT management software should have, and their relative importance may vary depending on the organization’s specific needs. Here are some of the most important features:

• Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM): RMM is the most important feature for most when evaluating IT management software. It allows IT teams to monitor and manage the health and performance of IT assets and infrastructure remotely, without the need for physical access to the devices. RMM provides real-time visibility into the status of IT assets and can help to identify potential issues before they become problems. In this age of digital-first workplaces, this feature is critical for ensuring the reliability and security of IT infrastructure and reducing downtime.

• IT Service Desk: An IT service desk provides a centralized location for employees to submit IT requests and incidents. It is important for IT management software to have a robust service desk that allows for automation, tracking, prioritization, and reporting of IT requests and incidents. This feature helps to streamline IT service delivery, improve employee satisfaction, and increase transparency and accountability.

• Patch Management: Patch management allows IT professionals to automate the process of applying software updates and patches to IT assets and infrastructure. This feature is important for maintaining the security and stability of IT systems, and for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.

• IT Asset Management: IT asset management provides a centralized view of IT assets, including hardware and software inventory, license management, and lifecycle management. This feature helps IT teams to optimize IT asset utilization, improve compliance, and reduce costs.

• Automation and Scripting: Automation and scripting capabilities allow IT teams to automate routine tasks and processes, reducing the need for manual intervention and freeing up time for more strategic work. This feature is important for increasing efficiency, reducing unnecessary errors and headcount, and improving IT service quality.

• Reporting and Analytics: Reporting and analytics capabilities provide IT teams with insights into IT performance, trends, and areas for improvement. This feature is important for identifying opportunities to optimize IT operations, track progress, and demonstrate the value of IT to the organization.

Functionality to look for

Just as importantly, you need to know what you want to achieve by using the software. Here are a few of the big things you want to make sure you can do after selecting an IT Management software solution.

• Improved IT Security: One of the primary advantages of IT management software is improved IT security. By providing real-time visibility into the status of IT assets and infrastructure, IT management software can help IT teams improve cybersecurity and identify potential security vulnerabilities and threats before they become problems. This can help organizations reduce the risk of data breaches and other security incidents.

• Increased IT Efficiency: IT management software can also help organizations streamline their business processes through increased IT efficiency. By automating routine tasks and processes, IT management software can free up IT staff to focus on more strategic work. This can help organizations to reduce costs, improve service quality, and increase employee satisfaction.

• Better IT Service Delivery: IT management software can help you deliver better IT services to your employees and customers. By providing a centralized location for IT requests and incidents, IT management software can help to streamline IT service delivery, improve communication and collaboration, and increase transparency and accountability.

• Improved IT Asset Management: IT management software can also help you improve IT asset management. By providing a centralized view of IT assets, IT management software can help IT teams to optimize IT asset utilization, improve compliance, and reduce costs.

• Enhanced IT Reporting and Analytics: IT management software can provide organizations with enhanced reporting and analytics capabilities. This can help IT teams to gain insights into IT performance, trends, and areas for improvement. By using data to drive IT decisions, organizations can optimize IT operations, track progress, and demonstrate the value of IT to the organization.

Important purchase considerations

Features and functionality should make up the bulk of your research considerations, but there are other important considerations you need to think about before purchasing. Some of the big ones include:

• Ease of Use: The software should be user-friendly and easy to navigate, with intuitive interfaces and clear documentation. This is particularly important for organizations with non-technical staff who may need to use the software.

• Integration: The software should integrate with other systems and tools that you already use, such as ticketing systems, monitoring tools, or reporting software. This can help to streamline workflows and increase efficiency.

• Scalability: The software should be able to scale as you grow and your IT needs evolve. This includes the ability to manage more endpoints, users, and data, as well as support for new technologies and platforms.

• Customizability: The software should be customizable to meet your specific needs, which may change over time! This can include custom fields, workflows, and reporting capabilities, as well as integrations with third-party tools and services.

• Security and Compliance: The software should adhere to industry best practices for security and compliance. This includes features such as role-based access control, data encryption, and compliance with regulatory requirements such as HIPAA or GDPR.

• Support and Training: The software should come with adequate support and training resources, such as online documentation, user forums, and customer support. This is important for ensuring that IT teams can get up and running quickly, troubleshoot issues, and maximize the value of the software.

Overall, evaluating IT management software is a complex process that requires careful consideration of features, functionality, and a range of other factors. By considering the above purchase considerations, organizations can ensure that they select a solution that meets their specific needs and helps them achieve their IT goals.

Other IT & Security Software

• Backend/Database Software
• CMS Software
• Data Security Software

Key Takeaways

IT Management Software is used by IT teams to manage and optimize IT infrastructure, services, and assets.

There are different types of IT management software, including network monitoring, IT service management, and endpoint management.

The most important features of IT management software include monitoring and alerting, automation, reporting and analytics, and integrations with other systems and tools.

The most important functional advantages of IT management software include improved IT security, increased IT efficiency, and better IT service delivery.

Other important purchase considerations when evaluating IT management software include ease of use, integration, scalability, customizability, security and compliance, and support and training.

Need more help? Reach out to our team, we’ll make sure the perfect solution comes your way.

---