What is system center configuration manager (SCCM)?

SCCM is a software management tool developed by Microsoft that allows you to automate the deployment, management, and monitoring of devices in your organization.

What can SCCM do for me?

With SCCM, you can centrally manage the configuration, software updates, and security settings of your devices. It enables you to deploy operating systems, applications, and patches across your network, ensuring consistency and efficiency.

How does SCCM work?

SCCM works by utilizing a client-server architecture. The SCCM server manages the administration and configuration, while client agents are installed on the devices to be managed. These agents communicate with the server, allowing you to control and monitor the devices remotely.

What are some key features of SCCM?

SCCM offers a range of features, including software distribution, patch management, inventory management, operating system deployment, remote control, and reporting. It also integrates with other Microsoft technologies, such as active directory and windows server update services (WSUS).

Can SCCM deploy applications to different operating systems?

Yes, SCCM supports the deployment of applications to various operating systems, including Windows, and Linux®. You can create application packages and deploy them to the appropriate devices based on their operating system requirements.

How does SCCM handle software updates?

SCCM provides a robust software update management feature. It allows you to download and distribute updates from Microsoft update or your own update catalog. You can schedule and automate the deployment of updates to devices, ensuring they are up to date with the latest security patches.

Can SCCM help with operating system deployments?

SCCM simplifies the process of deploying operating systems to new or existing devices. You can create customized deployment images, automate the installation process, and manage drivers and configurations for different hardware models.

Is it possible to manage devices outside the corporate network with SCCM?

Yes, SCCM supports managing devices both inside and outside the corporate network. You can use the Internet-based client management feature to manage devices that are connected over the internet. This allows you to extend management capabilities to remote or mobile devices.

Can SCCM perform remote control of devices?

Yes, SCCM includes a remote-control feature that allows you to take control of devices for troubleshooting or assistance. You can remotely view and interact with a user's desktop, transfer files, and perform various administrative tasks without being physically present.

How does SCCM help with inventory management?

SCCM provides detailed inventory management capabilities. It collects hardware and software information from managed devices, giving you insights into your information technology (IT) assets. You can track installed software, hardware configurations, and monitor license compliance.

Is reporting a part of SCCM?

Yes, SCCM offers reporting features that provide you with comprehensive data and insights about your managed environment. You can generate reports on software inventory, compliance, deployment status, and other metrics to help you make informed decisions.

Can SCCM be integrated with other Microsoft technologies?

Yes, SCCM integrates with various Microsoft technologies. It can integrate with Active Directory for user and device management, windows server update services (WSUS) for software updates, and Microsoft endpoint protection for antivirus and antimalware management.

How can SCCM be extended or customized?

SCCM provides several extensibility options to tailor it to your organization's needs. You can create custom scripts, use PowerShell automation, develop custom reports, and even integrate other solutions to enhance its functionality.

Can SCCM help with software license management?

Yes, SCCM can assist with software license management. It helps you track the installed software on devices, monitor license compliance, and generate reports on license usage. This information can help you optimize software licensing and ensure compliance with licensing agreements.

Does SCCM support mobile device management (MDM)?

Yes, SCCM has integrated mobile device management capabilities through the Microsoft Intune integration. With this integration, you can manage and secure mobile devices, enforce policies, and deploy applications to mobile platforms such as Android.

Can SCCM automate software deployments and updates?

SCCM is designed to automate software deployments and updates. You can create deployment packages with predefined settings and rules, schedule deployments at specific times, and even set up maintenance windows to ensure minimal disruption to end users.

How does SCCM handle security and compliance?

SCCM offers security and compliance management features to help ensure your devices meet your organization's security standards. It allows you to assess the compliance of devices, deploy security configurations, monitor security updates, and generate compliance reports.

Can SCCM be used for managing virtual machines (VMs)?

Yes, SCCM can manage virtual machines. It supports managing VMs running on platforms like Hyper-V and VMware. You can deploy operating systems, applications, and updates to virtual machines using SCCM's features and ensure consistency across your virtual infrastructure.

Is SCCM suitable for small businesses?

While SCCM is a powerful management tool, it is primarily designed for enterprise-level organizations with many devices. Small businesses might find SCCM's complexity and resource requirements excessive. Instead, they may consider alternative solutions tailored for smaller environments.

Can SCCM monitor and report on hardware inventory?

Yes, SCCM collects detailed hardware inventory information from managed devices. It can provide you with data on hardware configurations, including control processing unit (CPU), memory, disk space, and installed peripherals. You can leverage this information for asset management and hardware planning.

Can SCCM help with application compatibility testing?

Yes, SCCM offers application compatibility testing capabilities. You can use the built-in application compatibility toolkit (ACT) to assess the compatibility of applications with different operating systems. This helps you identify and address any compatibility issues before deploying applications.

Can SCCM perform software metering and usage monitoring?

Yes, SCCM includes software metering features to monitor software usage. You can track the usage of specific applications and generate reports on application usage patterns, helping you optimize software licenses and identify underutilized applications.

Is SCCM a cloud-based solution?

SCCM is primarily an on-premises solution, requiring the installation of server infrastructure and client agents. However, Microsoft offers cloud-based management solutions like Microsoft endpoint manager (formerly Intune) that provide similar functionality with a cloud-first approach.

Can SCCM be used to manage non-Windows devices?

SCCM's primary focus is on managing Windows devices. While it supports limited management of non-Windows devices through its integration with Intune, organizations with a diverse device ecosystem might consider dedicated mobile device management (MDM) solutions for comprehensive management.

Does SCCM provide role-based access control (RBAC)?

Yes, SCCM offers role-based access control to help you delegate administrative tasks and limit access based on job responsibilities. You can define security roles with specific permissions, ensuring that only authorized personnel can perform certain actions within SCCM.

Can SCCM handle software deployments in a phased approach?

Yes, SCCM allows you to deploy software in a phased approach using deployment rings. You can target a subset of devices for early testing, gradually expanding the deployment to larger groups. This phased approach helps identify and address issues before widespread deployment.