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Read our full guide on remote monitoring and management (RMM), including what it is, how it works, who needs it, and how to implement it.
Level
Tuesday, February 25, 2025
The rise of remote work has changed how businesses operate. Companies now benefit from lower operational costs, a larger talent pool, and increased flexibility for employees. However, this shift has also created significant challenges for IT teams and managed service providers (MSPs).
Managing remote systems means dealing with unsecured networks, unpatched devices, and limited visibility into endpoints across multiple locations. Organizations should find a way to monitor, secure, and support different systems without being physically present.
This is where remote monitoring and management (RMM) steps in. It allows IT teams and MSPs to oversee and control different devices from a single platform.
In today's guide, we will cover everything about RMM, including its definition, key features, benefits, and future trends shaping the industry.
Remote monitoring and management refers to a digital technology that can monitor and manage systems from a remote location, hence its name.
RMM tools can collect data from endpoint devices, such as servers, workstations, and network hardware, without requiring physical access. This enables IT professionals to detect and resolve issues remotely.
RMM works by installing lightweight agents on different endpoints like laptops, servers, and network equipment. These agents continuously gather information from devices and report system performance to the remote management tool.
The RMM solution then sends data to a centralized dashboard. This allows IT teams to monitor and manage devices without being onsite.
When an issue arises, RMM can also be configured to trigger automated responses, such as running scripts, deploying third-party patches, or alerting technicians.
This proactive approach helps maintain system health and ensures seamless operations across all managed devices.
Any organization that remotely manages multiple IT systems can benefit from RMM tools. However, certain individuals or sectors depend on remote monitoring management more than others. Let's break them down below:
In-house IT teams manage different types of devices, from employee workstations to cloud servers. Without direct or physical access to every system, tracking device health and troubleshooting issues can become overwhelming.
RMM for internal IT departments provides a centralized platform where IT teams can monitor system performance, apply security patches, and resolve technical issues remotely.
MSPs handle multiple client endpoints, often spread across different locations.
Instead of waiting for customers to report problems, RMM for managed service providers enables proactive issue detection and resolution. It can automate fixes from a remote location, which reduces the need for onsite visits and improves service delivery.
Many SMBs lack dedicated IT staff and technical expertise. However, they still need to manage devices and maintain system security, especially if they follow a remote or hybrid working setup.
RMM software for small businesses allows them to deploy remote monitoring management solutions and keep systems running smoothly. It helps them maintain a secure and reliable IT environment.
Large businesses have complex IT infrastructures, with thousands of devices and multiple office locations to manage. Their networks may also span across departments and data centers, which requires centralized control.
Enterprise RMM tools allow large IT teams to track system performance and enforce IT policies across all connected devices. They also automate routine tasks and endpoint detection to improve operational efficiency.
Hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities operate in a highly regulated environment where data security and compliance are top priorities. They should protect sensitive data and prevent system downtime that can directly impact patient care.
Healthcare RMM platforms help monitor critical systems, track medical devices, and automate patch management to maintain compliance. These tools also enable IT staff to quickly resolve technical issues without disrupting medical operations.
Schools and universities rely on technology for online learning, administrative management, and digital communication.
Education RMM helps IT teams in this sector manage student laptops, classroom computers, servers, and learning management systems (LMS) across multiple campuses. It also protects student and faculty data by detecting vulnerabilities before they are exploited.
Remote monitoring management systems can benefit businesses in several ways. Here are the advantages you can expect when implementing it into your IT infrastructure:
With employees working from multiple locations, IT teams need a way to remotely monitor devices, track system performance, and maintain endpoint compliance.
Fortunately, RMM platforms provide real-time insights into a company's entire technical environment. They give IT departments a centralized dashboard for seamless remote management.
RMM solutions can also integrate with mobile device management or MDM software. This connection allows companies to monitor smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices alongside traditional workstations.
Manually tracking and managing IT systems is time-consuming, especially if you're an MSP managing multiple client networks.
RMM automates routine tasks such as software updates, security patches, and system checks. This saves valuable time and reduces human errors, which can boost IT efficiency.
RMM allows your team to remotely monitor system health and detect performance issues before they escalate into major failures.
Remote monitoring management solutions can also automatically alert your IT staff of potential risks. This enables faster response times and proactive maintenance, which can reduce unplanned downtime.
RMM offers secure remote access solutions to protect your IT infrastructure against cyber threats. It can automatically deploy patches, scan vulnerabilities, and track compliance.
Some RMM tools also encrypt connections and implement role-based access controls (RBAC). This reduces security gaps and prevents unauthorized access to sensitive systems.
As your business grows, your IT team needs to manage an increasing number of devices, applications, and cloud services.
RMM simplifies this process by providing a scalable, cloud-based solution that adapts to business needs. It can handle hundreds of devices across multiple locations without compromising performance.
It’s important to understand the key features that make RMM a valuable tool for businesses. Here’s what to look for when choosing RMM software:
Look for RMM that continuously scans networks, servers, and devices for potential issues.
You can also check if it sends an alert if your IT system shows signs of failure, low disk space, or high CPU usage. This feature allows you to respond quickly before small issues turn into major problems.
Better yet, choose an RMM tool with AI-driven anomaly detection to spot trends and prevent system failures.
The best RMM tool allows you to remotely access endpoints from a central dashboard. This means faster troubleshooting and fewer onsite service calls.
Make sure the remote monitoring management system gives you full control over different devices your company owns. These include desktops, servers, network devices, and Internet of Things or IoT gadgets.
Invest in RMM software that automates patch deployment for operating systems, third-party software, and security updates. This reduces the risk of cyberattacks and ensures devices stay compliant with your company's security policies.
Additionally, check if the platform allows you to schedule patches to avoid interrupting end users.
The best tools should also scan your network for missing updates and notify you when updates fail. These can improve your company's overall security posture.
Look for advanced scripting tools to automate maintenance, system updates, and security scans. These allow you to complete both routine and complex tasks with minimal effort.
Make sure it can support different languages, such as PowerShell, Bash, Zsh, Osquery, Python, Ansible, and Go. It should give you flexibility to implement solutions in the language your team knows best.
Evaluating RMM features is just the first step. You should consider the following factors to choose the right remote monitoring and management tool for your needs:
After selecting the right RMM solution, you should implement it properly to maximize its effectiveness. These are the best practices for a successful deployment:
Before RMM deployment, you should analyze your IT environment. Identify key systems, networks, and devices that need monitoring.
Then, you can set priorities based on business needs, security risks, and compliance requirements.
You should customize RMM settings to match your organization’s specific requirements.
For example, you can set up monitoring thresholds to prevent unexpected downtime or system failure.
For patch management, you can schedule software updates during off-peak hours to prevent user interruption.
If you have a large IT team, you can even customize permission rights to ensure that only management-level staff can access sensitive financial data.
Secure your RMM software by enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA), restricting access based on user roles, and using encrypted communications.
You should also regularly review user permissions and audit logs to prevent security breaches.
Having the best RMM solution in the market is meaningless if your employees don't know how to use it.
You should provide hands-on training on the software's features. Educate users on security best practices to prevent phishing and unauthorized device access.
You can work closely with the software vendor to ensure your team is maximizing the RMM tool's features.
You should integrate RMM with helpdesk systems, professional services automation (PSA) software, security platforms, and backup solutions.
Doing so enables faster incident response and better system monitoring, as you no longer need to switch between different tools.
After implementing RMM effectively, it’s important to stay ahead of emerging trends. Below are some developments you can expect:
Level offers a modern RMM platform designed to improve efficiency and free up valuable IT time for important tasks.
Its browser-based interface simplifies device monitoring, remote control, and maintenance across Windows, macOS, and Linux environments. It can also support IoT devices, Raspberry Pis, and servers to ensure comprehensive remote management.
Plus, Level features automation tools, patch management capabilities, and real-time alerts. These allow your team to proactively manage IT assets and address issues before they escalate.
On top of these benefits, Level exceeds security and privacy standards. It protects data against vulnerabilities by using encryption, complex passwords, RBAC, and IP restrictions, among other security measures.
Book a demo or try Level free for 14 days right now!
RMM is short for remote monitoring and management. This digital technology allows IT teams and managed service providers to oversee, maintain, and secure IT systems remotely.
RMM is a remote IT management tool that helps businesses monitor and control their IT infrastructure. It continuously collects system data using RMM agents and sends information to a central dashboard for easy monitoring.
A popular example of RMM is Level. It offers secure remote access, automated patch management, real-time system monitoring, and security features.
An RMM agent is a lightweight software component installed on endpoints such as desktops, servers, and network devices. It collects system performance data, deploys updates, and enables remote troubleshooting.
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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