Vendor Spotlight: ManageEngine

ManageEngine produces software that monitors and manages IT systems. The company has a long list of products that include tools that feature one specific domain, such as its Firewall Analyzer. Or packages that cover all systems on a site or multiple sites, such as its RMM Central and OpManager Plus products.

ManageEngine is a division of an even larger company that excels as a software provider: Zoho Corporation, which is an Indian company. Zoho Corporation is a private company without any investment fund involvement..

ManageEngine Founding and Background

ManageEngine was established in 2003. However, to get the full picture of how this company came about, we need to rewind a little further to 1996 and examine the creation of AdventNet, Inc. That business grew and evolved six years later in 2002, which is when the ManageEngine name came about. However, ManageEngine contained more of the existing products than the functions that were left in the rump AdventNet operation.

AdventNet started out with a network monitoring tool, based on the Simple Network Management Protocol; the modern-day successor to that package is ManageEngine OpManager. The Zoho name came about as a product line, starting with Zoho Virtual Office in 2004. With all of its products carrying the Zoho name, AdventNet, Inc. changed its name to Zoho Corporation in 2009. So, ManageEngine is actually older than its parent company.

Zoho has since generated more divisions both through executives starting up side businesses, which Zoho later bought and integrated, and by splitting off sections of one brand to create another. An example of the latter is Site24x7, a cloud-based brand of system monitoring and management tools that was split off from ManageEngine in 2006.

AdventNet has been a multinational since its inception. The company was created by Indian technologists working in the USA and their friends and relatives back in India. The US branch presented an American brand, while the development division took advantage of the lower cost base of India. So, the company operated dual HQs for most of its history until it consolidated its structure when its Board of Directors all ended up being based in India.

ManageEngine produces on-premises software because the management of Zoho decided to create the Site24x7 brand as its cloud version of ManageEngine. However, the ManageEngine team provided its tools as services available on the marketplaces of AWS and Azure. These are self-managed cloud-based systems rather than a SaaS platform. The company is now introducing SaaS versions of its most successful tools, such as Log360.

Timeline and Evolution

ManageEngine is the enterprise IT management division of Zoho Corporation. So, the history of ManageEngine is closely linked to that of Zoho.

• 1996: Originally founded as AdventNet Inc., the company began as a network management software provider, focused on the telecoms industry.
• 1997-2002: AdventNet expands its products with more network monitoring services. Pivots its marketing to the general business community.
• 2002: AdventNet starts to plan its new ManageEngine brand.
• January 2003: AdventNet Inc. rebranded its IT management software as ManageEngine. Early products were focused on network and server monitoring.
• 2005-2008: Expansion of IT management tools portfolio to include solutions for helpdesk management, applications monitoring, and Active Directory management.
• 2009: Name of company changed to Zoho Corporation.
• 2010: ManageEngine launches its first MSP offering, producing ServiceDesk Plus for use by managed service providers.
• 2010-2015: Cloud solutions and security focus, addressing the rise of cloud computing by introducing cloud-based versions of its solutions, such as ServiceDesk Plus Cloud.
• 2017: GDPR compliance is integrated into ManageEngine products and processes. The company produces tools for customers to use in becoming GDPR-compliant and retaining the status.
• 2021: ManageEngine launches RMM Central, an unified remote monitoring and management solution, for MSPs.
• 2022: ManageEngine turns 20. Zoho Corporation also crossed $1 billion in revenue worldwide.

Today, ManageEngine offers over 60 products and tools across various areas like network performance, help desk management, endpoint security, Active Directory management, cloud infrastructure, and IT analytics. With a global presence and continuous innovation, ManageEngine is a leading player in the IT management industry, catering to small businesses and large enterprises alike.

Key People

• Sridhar Vembu is the CEO of Zoho Corporation, which he originally founded as AdventNet in 1996 with two of his brothers and three friends. As CEO, Sridhar guides strategic programs around employee advocacy, business development, and Zoho’s portfolio of online business software, one of the industry’s first cloud computing software suites. He is also responsible for Zoho’s unique staffing practice, which employs high school graduates that have completed Zoho University, the company’s six-month training program that serves as an alternative to a four-year college degree.
• Shailesh Kumar is co-founder of Zoho Corporation and vice president of engineering at ManageEngine. As the head of Zoho Labs, he works on problems related to databases, datacentre and data-related AI/ML.
• Rajesh Ganesan is president of ManageEngine, and a part of the leadership team overseeing product strategy and direction for the overall suite. Rajesh has been with Zoho Corporation for around 25 years developing software products in various domains including telecommunications, network management, and IT security. He is currently focussed on delivering enterprise IT management solutions as SaaS.

Locations

ManageEngine has offices worldwide, some of which it shares with its sister brand, Zoho. The global headquarters of the business is in Chennai, India. The registered US headquarters of Zoho Corporation is located in Pleasanton, California. The company runs 18 data centers around the world, including in Riyadh, Mumbai, Sydney, Tokyo, Shanghai, and Toronto. It has offices in major cities, such as Dubai, Singapore, Beijing, Jeddah, Sao Paulo and Cairo.

Target Market and Customer Base

ManageEngine targets a broad spectrum of customers across industries, primarily focusing on IT management and operations for businesses of all sizes. The company’s diverse product portfolio allows it to cater to various segments, ranging from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to large enterprises.

Target Market

A breakdown of the target market of ManageEngine:

• Small to Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs): Cost-effective IT management solutions. Many products have Free editions that limit the capacity of the tool, specifically for use by small businesses.
• Large Enterprises: Scalable, integrated solutions and support for hybrid infrastructures appeal to larger enterprises with sophisticated IT environments. These solutions handle large volumes of data, user bases, and multi-site networks.
• Managed Service Providers (MSPs): Multi-tenant versions of standard ManageEngine systems, plus new tools that were specifically written for MSPs. Remote monitoring, IT service management, and ticketing allow MSPs to serve multiple clients.
• Government and Public Sector: Tools that provide secure, compliant IT management solutions help government agencies maintain their networks, systems, and security. Data security products are particularly important in this sector.
• Educational Institutions: Universities, colleges, and schools need ManageEngine’s tools for managing large-scale IT infrastructure. Solutions manage user access, ensure network uptime, and maintain security without stretching IT budgets.
• Healthcare: Strict security, compliance, and uptime to protect patient data and ensure smooth operations are vital in this sector. ManageEngine provides systems for the security of sensitive healthcare data, compliance, and network management.
• Finance and Banking: Management of security, compliance, and networks. Log360 and Password Manager Pro are popular products used in the financial sector.

Customer Base

ManageEngine serves a global customer base across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East. It is widely used in regions with high demand for IT management solutions due to increasing digital transformation efforts.

Key Industries:

• Information Technology
• Government
• Healthcare
• Education
• Finance
• Retail

ManageEngine has over 180,000 customers globally, ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Notable customers include:

• Barclays Bank
• Siemens
• NASA
• Sony
• Intel
• UNICEF

ManageEngine’s wide range of solutions and customizable offerings allow it to address various industry-specific IT needs, making it a versatile provider across multiple sectors.

ManageEngine’s Product Suite

ManageEngine offers a wide-ranging product suite that covers various aspects of IT management, designed to meet the needs of businesses of all sizes. All its solutions are built in-house completely, a testament to its innovation and R&D efforts.

1. Unified Service Management (USM)

Enterprise and IT service management

• ServiceDesk Plus: Full-stack service management for enterprises (On-premises | Cloud | MSP)

Customer service management

• SupportCenter Plus: Customer support with built-in billing for businesses (On-premises)

IT asset management

• AssetExplorer: IT asset management with an integrated CMDB (On-premises | Cloud)

2. IT Operations Management (ITOM) and observability

Full-stack observability and digital experience monitoring

• OpManager Plus: Full-stack observability with AIOps and digital experience monitoring (On-premises)
• Site24x7: AI-powered, all-in-one SaaS platform for observability and digital experience monitoring (Cloud | MSP)
• Applications Manager: Digital experience, application performance, and infrastructure monitoring (On-premises)
• Digital Risk Analyzer: All-in-one vendor risk assessment tool to ensure domain security (Cloud)

Network and server performance monitoring

• OpManager: Network, server, and storage performance monitoring (On-premises)
• NetFlow Analyzer: Bandwidth monitoring and traffic analysis (On-premises)
• Network Configuration Manager: Network change and configuration management analysis (On-premises)
• Firewall Analyzer: Firewall rule, configuration, and log management (On-premises)
• OpUtils: IP address and switch port management (On-premises)

IT incident management

• AlarmsOne: Centralized IT alert management (Cloud)
• Site24x7 StatusIQ: Status pages for real-time status and incident communication (Cloud)

DNS and DHCP management

• CloudDNS: All-in-one DNS management service (Cloud)
• DDI Central: Unified DNS, DHCP, and IP address management (On-premises)

Cloud cost management

• CloudSpend: AI-powered cloud cost observability for modern businesses (Cloud)

3. Unified Endpoint Management and Security (UEMS)

Endpoint management and protection platform (UEM and EPP)

• Endpoint Central: Integrated endpoint management and protection platform (On-premises | Cloud | MSP)

Endpoint management

• Mobile Device Manager Plus: Seamless mobile device management from onboarding to retirement (On-premises | Cloud | MSP)
• Patch Manager Plus: Automated patching across multiple OSs and over 850+ third-party apps (On-premises | Cloud)
• Patch Connect Plus: Simplified third-party patch deployment via ConfigMgr and Intune (On-premises)
• OS Deployer: Automated OS image creation and seamless role-based deployment (On-premises)
• Remote Access Plus: Remote troubleshooting with integrated chat, voice, and video (On-premises | Cloud)
• RMM Central: Unified network monitoring and endpoint management for MSPs (MSP)

Endpoint security

• Vulnerability Manager Plus: Prioritization-focused enterprise vulnerability management (On-premises)
• Device Control Plus: Data theft prevention with strict peripheral device control (On-premises)
• Application Control Plus: App control and endpoint privilege management software (On-premises)
• Browser Security Plus: Browser security with isolation, lockdown, and activity tracking (On-premises)
• Endpoint DLP Plus: Sensitive data protection and compliance for endpoint devices (On-premises)

4. Security Information and Event Management (SIEM)

SIEM

• Log360: Unified SIEM solution with integrated DLP and CASB capabilities (On-premises | Cloud | MSSP)

Log and compliance management

• EventLog Analyzer: Comprehensive log and IT compliance management (On-premises | MSSP)
• Firewall Analyzer: Firewall rule, configuration, and log management (On-premises)

Security auditing

• ADAudit Plus: Real-time Active Directory, file, and Windows server change auditing (On-premises)
• SharePoint Manager Plus: SharePoint reporting and auditing (On-premises)
• M365 Security Plus: Microsoft 365 security (On-premises)
• Cloud Security Plus: Cloud security monitoring and analytics (On-premises)
• DataSecurity Plus: File auditing, data leak prevention, and data risk assessment (On-premises)
• FileAnalysis: File security and storage analysis (On-premises)

5. IT Analytics

IT analytics

• Analytics Plus: AI-enabled IT analytics for enterprises (On-premises | Cloud)
• SaaS Manager Plus: Spending management platform for SaaS subscriptions (Cloud)

6. Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Active Directory management

• ADManager Plus: Active Directory, Microsoft 365, and Exchange management and reporting (On-premises | MSP)
• ADAudit Plus: Real-time Active Directory, file, and Windows server change auditing (On-premises)
• ADSelfService Plus: Identity security with adaptive MFA, SSPR, and SSO (On-premises)
• Exchange Reporter Plus: Reporting, auditing, and monitoring for hybrid Exchange and Skype (On-premises)
• RecoveryManager Plus: Active Directory, Microsoft 365, and Exchange backup and recovery (On-premises)

Identity governance and administration

• AD360: Workforce identity and access management for hybrid ecosystems (On-premises)
• M365 Manager Plus: Microsoft 365 management, reporting, and auditing (On-premises)
• Identity360: A cloud-native identity platform for workforce IAM (Cloud)

Privileged access management

• PAM360: Complete privileged access security for enterprises (On-premises | MSP)
• Password Manager Pro: Privileged password management (On-premises | MSP)
• Access Manager Plus: Secure remote access and privileged session management (On-premises)
• Key Manager Plus: SSH key and SSL/TLS certificate management (On-premises)

7. Low-code app development

Custom solution builder

• AppCreator: Advanced low-code platform for building powerful applications (On-premises)

Notable Products

Endpoint Central

Endpoint Central is an endpoint management solution designed to simplify the administration and security of endpoints across an organization. It allows IT teams to manage desktops, laptops, mobile devices, servers, and other endpoint devices from a centralized platform. The tool streamlines various tasks such as patch management, software deployment, remote troubleshooting, and asset management. These functions ensure that devices are up-to-date, secure, and compliant with organizational policies.

Key Features:

• Endpoint Management: Manages servers, laptops, desktops, and mobile devices from a central location.
• Patch Management: Automates the deployment of patches for operating systems and third-party applications to keep systems secure.
• Software Deployment: Facilitates the installation and uninstallation of software across endpoints using customizable templates.
• Asset Management: Provides detailed tracking and management of IT assets, enhancing visibility and control over organizational resources.
• OS Imaging and Deployment: Efficiently images and deploys operating systems to endpoints, maintaining system uniformity.

The package incorporates security management capabilities in all of its functions. The software ensures that endpoints are protected from security threats by automatically applying patches, managing antivirus definitions, and enforcing security configurations.

The platform supports remote monitoring and troubleshooting, allowing IT teams to resolve issues without needing to be physically present at the device’s location. Endpoint Central also provides detailed reporting and analytics, offering insights into endpoint health, compliance status, and security vulnerabilities. This comprehensive approach helps organizations maintain a secure, well-managed endpoint environment while minimizing risks and improving overall IT operations.

Read more: ManageEngine Endpoint Central Full Review

ServiceDesk Plus

ServiceDesk Plus is an IT service management (ITSM) tool designed to automate and optimize helpdesk operations. The package was written along ITIL guidelines and it’s functions include incident management, problem management, change management, asset management, and service catalog management. The platform processes requests, tracks issues, and manages workflows, ensuring faster resolution times and improved user satisfaction.

Key Features:

• Incident Management: Manages the complete lifecycle of IT tickets, reduces outages, and improves agent productivity.
• Asset Management: Tracks and manages IT assets to optimize utilization, avoid vulnerabilities, and ensure license compliance.
• Change Management: Streamlines planning, approval, and implementation of changes with automated workflows.
• Problem Management: Analyzes root causes of incidents to reduce repeat occurrences and boost help desk productivity.
• Service Catalog: Showcases available services to end users with custom SLAs and multi-stage approvals.

An important component of ServiceDesk Plus is its powerful reporting and analytics tools, which provide valuable insights into service desk performance and operational metrics. The software helps team managers track key performance indicators (KPIs) such as response and resolution times, workload distribution, and ticket volume.

ServiceDesk Plus integrates with other IT management tools, such as monitoring solutions and configuration management databases (CMDBs), allowing for a more comprehensive and cohesive IT management strategy. The package includes a self-service portal that enables end users to submit and track service requests, reducing the workload on IT staff and enhancing the overall support experience.

Read more: ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus Full Review

ADManager Plus

ADManager Plus is an Active Directory (AD) management and reporting solution that simplifies the administration of users, groups, computers, and other Active Directory objects. It provides IT administrators with a centralized platform for managing and automating routine tasks, such as user provisioning, password resets, and group management, thereby streamlining operations and enhancing productivity. The package supports delegation of administrative tasks, allowing organizations to grant specific permissions to designated users or departments without compromising overall security.

Key Features:

• Automated Workflows: Standardizes AD management tasks with automated workflows and delegation.
• Bulk User Management: Create, modify, and delete multiple user accounts simultaneously using CSV files.
• Group Management: Manage security and distribution groups in bulk, including adding or removing members.
• Password Management: Reset passwords, configure password policies, and manage password expiration settings.
• Active Directory Cleanup: Identify and remove stale accounts, such as inactive or disabled user accounts.

The tool provides detailed audit and compliance reports, which help organizations track changes to Active Directory objects and ensure adherence to internal policies and external regulations. The reporting and auditing capabilities of ADManager Plus generate extensive reports on AD objects, user activities, group memberships, and more, enabling administrators to gain a clear understanding of their AD environment.

ADManager Plus simplifies Active Directory cleanup by identifying inactive or stale accounts, reducing security risks associated with orphaned accounts. Tthe software supports integration with other IT management tools, providing a unified approach to IT administration. ADManager Plus helps organizations maintain a secure, compliant, and efficiently managed Active Directory environment.

ADAudit Plus

ADAudit Plus implements real-time monitoring and detailed reports on all user activities within an organization’s AD environment and also audits AD records. It tracks changes to user accounts, group memberships, file access, and login attempts, offering a comprehensive view of who is accessing what data, when, and from where. ADAudit Plus helps IT teams maintain security by enabling them to detect suspicious activities, such as unauthorized logins, privilege escalations, and other potential security threats.

Key Features:

• Real-Time Monitoring: Continuously tracks logon activity, including logon failures and history.
• Account Lockout Analysis: Identifies the root cause of account lockouts from various Windows components.
• Employee Work Hours Monitoring: Monitors active and idle time spent by employees at their workstations.
• Windows Server Change Notifier: Provides details on who made changes, what changes were made, when, and from where.
• Privileged User Monitoring: Audits the use of privileges to hold admins and other privileged users accountable.

The platform offers granular, customizable auditing and alerting, ensuring that administrators can promptly respond to any unusual behavior and take corrective actions as needed. It generates reports that align with major regulatory frameworks like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI DSS, helping organizations stay compliant with industry standards. The software also provides historical auditing data, making it easy to track past events for forensic investigations or audits.

ADAudit Plus simplifies the process of monitoring Active Directory changes by offering a user-friendly interface that provides actionable insights, as well as automated alerts that notify administrators of critical events. This level of visibility and control over AD activities helps organizations bolster their security posture, mitigate risks, and ensure regulatory compliance.

Major Competitors

Here are some major competitors to ManageEngine:

1. Datadog A cloud-based infrastructure monitoring and APM platform that provides end-to-end visibility into application performance, logs, and metrics, widely used for its scalability in cloud-native environments.
2. Paessler PRTG A versatile network monitoring tool offering an all-in-one solution to monitor traffic, bandwidth, and device health. It excels in ease of use and real-time reporting for medium-sized enterprises.
3. Nagios An open-source network monitoring tool that provides real-time monitoring of systems, networks, and infrastructure with customizable plugins and dashboards, ideal for organizations looking for a flexible solution.
4. Zabbix An open-source monitoring solution that covers networks, servers, and cloud services. It provides highly customizable monitoring options, ideal for organizations seeking cost-effective and flexible control.
5. Splunk A powerful data analytics platform that focuses on IT operations management and security, providing robust log management, monitoring, and incident response capabilities for large-scale enterprise environments.
6. Microsoft System Center A suite of tools for managing Windows
7. SolarWinds A leading provider of network, systems, and IT management tools, offering comprehensive monitoring and performance management for hybrid IT environments, known for its scalability and rich feature set.environments, offering capabilities for network management, configuration, and application monitoring, favored by organizations heavily invested in the Microsoft ecosystem.
8. BMC Software A comprehensive IT service management platform offering tools for monitoring, automation, and IT operations. Its strength lies in providing enterprise-level solutions for infrastructure and cloud management.
9. New Relic A cloud-based observability platform that delivers real-time insights into application performance, infrastructure, and user experiences, ideal for DevOps teams focused on optimizing software performance and delivery.
10. IBM Tivoli A suite of enterprise-level monitoring tools for managing networks, applications, and storage. Tivoli is known for its scalability and customization options, suited for complex, large-scale IT environments.

Conclusion

Post-pandemic, ManageEngine focused on helping organizations adapt to the remote work culture. It enhanced its cloud offerings and strengthened remote IT management tools. It expanded its product suite with new capabilities around endpoint security, zero-trust models, and advanced threat management, responding to the increased cybersecurity risks.