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Discover how Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) software streamlines IT operations for MSPs, internal teams, and small businesses. Learn about core features, benefits, security best practices, and how to choose the right RMM solution to boost efficiency, security, and uptime.
Level
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
Remote Monitoring and Management, or RMM, is software that lets IT teams and managed service providers monitor, manage, and secure endpoints and infrastructure from anywhere. It consolidates device health, alerts, automation, and remote access in a centralized IT console so you can fix issues faster and reduce on-site visits.
Most RMM platforms use lightweight agents installed on servers, workstations, and other endpoints. These agents collect telemetry like CPU and memory usage, disk health, patch status, and security signals, then send it to a single dashboard. Technicians use that dashboard for real-time system alerts, remote troubleshooting, and automation.
RMM tools help internal IT and MSPs improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen security. They cut routine manual work, free up time for higher-value projects, and improve user satisfaction by preventing incidents.
RMM platforms provide full-stack monitoring, automation, patch management, remote access control, and IT asset inventory tracking across servers, workstations, and other endpoints. They are designed for both managed services providers (MSP RMM solutions) and internal IT teams, enabling RMM agent-based monitoring for real-time system alerts, scripting automation, and proactive IT maintenance. This makes RMM ideal for organizations that need centralized visibility into their infrastructure and want to automate routine IT tasks across a distributed environment.
MDM solutions are focused on mobile and tablet management, handling device configuration, application control, and compliance enforcement for smartphones and tablets. While MDM offers centralized IT console capabilities for mobile endpoints, it lacks the broad remote IT management functions of RMM tools. MDM is best suited for organizations prioritizing BYOD governance, app distribution, and mobile security policies.
Standalone remote access software enables IT teams to connect to and control devices remotely, allowing for remote troubleshooting and support. However, these tools typically lack patch management automation, system diagnostics, and IT asset inventory tracking found in full RMM platforms. They are useful for ad-hoc support or occasional remote control but are not built for long-term infrastructure monitoring, proactive maintenance, or automation at scale.
Choosing the right RMM solution is critical for efficient IT management and service delivery. The right platform will improve remote IT management, boost automation, and provide the scalability your organization needs as it grows. Here are the key factors to evaluate when selecting an MSP RMM solution or an RMM tool for an internal IT department.
The RMM platform should be able to scale with your organization. As your client base expands and the complexity of your IT infrastructure increases, the RMM must handle more devices, networks, and endpoints without performance loss. For managed services provider RMM deployments, multi-tenant scalability is essential for managing multiple clients at once. For internal IT teams, scalability ensures future growth without needing a full platform migration.
A user-friendly interface is essential for day-to-day IT management. The RMM should be intuitive, allowing IT professionals to quickly learn and use features like RMM agent-based monitoring, patch management automation, and asset management dashboards. This is especially important for MSPs who must onboard and train new technicians rapidly.
Look for RMM vendors that offer comprehensive support and training resources. This includes onboarding assistance, 24/7 technical support, and learning tools such as tutorials, webinars, and documentation. Strong vendor support helps your team troubleshoot issues quickly and maximize RMM tool benefits.
Your RMM should integrate seamlessly with other tools in your IT ecosystem, such as professional services automation (PSA) platforms, ticketing systems, and documentation tools. Deep integration improves workflow efficiency, allowing you to connect RMM alerts directly to support tickets or client reports.
MSPs require RMM platforms with multi-tenant management, advanced automation, reporting, and reliable remote access control to support many clients simultaneously. Depth of features and uptime reliability directly impact profitability and service-level agreements (SLAs).
Internal IT teams benefit from centralized monitoring, scripting automation, and consistent patch compliance to maintain productivity across hybrid or distributed environments. Scalable RMM features allow these teams to manage hundreds or thousands of endpoints from a single centralized IT console.
Small IT teams can use RMM as an all-in-one hub for device registration, monitoring, alerting, and reporting without complex deployment requirements. This enables secure, proactive IT maintenance and real-time system alerts without needing enterprise-scale staffing.
There are several popular RMM software options available, each with its own strengths and features. The leading RMM tools include:
1. Level
Level is a modern RMM platform designed to streamline IT operations with efficiency and ease. It offers powerful automation tools that handle complex tasks, which saves IT professionals time and reduces operational costs.
With features like remote control, patch management, and advanced monitoring, Level ensures that IT systems run smoothly and securely. The platform’s intuitive interface consolidates multiple functions, so it’s a go-to solution for businesses looking to optimize their IT management.
Level also provides transparent, usage-based pricing, ensuring you only pay for what you use.
SolarWinds offers users monitoring and security features. It provides real-time visibility into the health and performance of client systems and networks.
It also comes along with tools for proactive monitoring and threat detection. With its automated maintenance and instant alerts, SolarWinds helps MSPs maintain a high level of service quality.
NinjaOne is user-friendly, easy to deploy, and offers strong customer support. It also offers a unified dashboard for managing devices.
You can get real-time alerts and integrations with various IT management tools, which makes it a popular choice for MSPs.
NinjaOne's flexibility and scalability also allow MSPs to manage different client environments for a smoother operation.
Setting up RMM software will help you get more out of your IT management. Follow these steps to ensure a successful implementation and smooth operation of your RMM system.
Check your current IT environment and identify your needs. You must determine the number of devices, client networks, and endpoints that need to be managed.
It is also important to assess your current security and identify any gaps RMM solutions can improve.
Choose the RMM tool that best meets your requirements. You can consider key factors like scalability, ease of use, support, and integration capabilities.
Your chosen RMM software should be aligned with your business functions and IT management goals.
Install the RMM agents on all devices and configure the centralized dashboard. You have to make sure that all client endpoints and network devices are included in your RMM system.
Try to set up initial monitoring parameters and automated maintenance tasks. You should update this on a regular basis.
Train your IT staff on how to use the new tool. There is a learning curve for RMM tools, so you have to provide comprehensive training sessions.
Make sure to cover all aspects of the RMM platform, from basic monitoring to advanced automation features. You should highlight which parts will be important for your operations.
Don't forget to encourage them to keep learning and stay updated with the latest features and best practices.
Begin monitoring your IT environment and setting up automated alerts and tasks. For complete visibility of your IT systems, use the RMM platform's unified dashboard.
You also have to set up instant alerts for critical events and automate routine tasks. This will be useful for future software updates and patch management.
Level allows you to take advantage of modernized remote access, enhanced automation, and a suite of tools that will elevate your service capabilities.
Whether you're looking to improve efficiency, strengthen security, or expand your service offerings, Level provides the technology to make it happen.
Book a demo or try Level free for 14 days right now!
While RMM platforms are powerful tools, they also represent a potential security target because they centralize access to multiple devices and networks. If compromised, an RMM platform can give attackers broad control over endpoints, making security best practices essential. Below are the main risks and the steps you can take to mitigate them.
Only grant technicians the minimum level of access they need to perform their tasks. Restrict admin rights and use role-based permissions within the RMM platform to prevent unauthorized actions. Combine this with MFA to ensure that even if credentials are compromised, attackers cannot easily gain entry.
Unpatched systems are a prime target for cyberattacks. Leverage the RMM’s patch management automation capabilities to schedule and enforce regular updates for operating systems and third-party applications. Set policies to prioritize critical security patches, reducing vulnerability exposure windows.
Comprehensive logging allows you to track technician actions, remote access sessions, and automated tasks. Configure real-time system alerts to flag suspicious activities, such as mass file deletions, unauthorized configuration changes, or failed login attempts. Review logs regularly to spot trends that may indicate compromise.
To prevent lateral movement if an endpoint is breached, apply network segmentation, separating devices and clients into isolated zones. When combined with secure gateways and encrypted connections, segmentation ensures that access to one system does not provide free access to all others.
Evaluate your RMM vendor’s security practices, update frequency, and patch responsiveness. Choose vendors with transparent security communication and a history of quickly addressing vulnerabilities. Additionally, conduct incident response drills with your team to ensure they can react swiftly to potential RMM-related security events.
RMM is software that monitors, manages, and secures IT systems remotely using agent-based monitoring, automation, and centralized dashboards.
Agents collect device data, send it to a central console, trigger real-time alerts, and enable remote troubleshooting and scripted fixes.
Use built-in patch policies to schedule OS and app updates by device group, maintenance windows, and severity, then track compliance in reports.
Less downtime, faster fixes, and stronger security without expanding headcount.
MDM handles mobile configuration and app governance. RMM extends visibility and automation across desktops, servers, and broader infrastructure. Many orgs use both.
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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