Organizations looking to stay up-to-date on technology while maintaining efficiency on issues related to skills supply, quality of service, cost, and risk depend on managed service providers (MSPs) to realize these goals. SMBs, nonprofits, and government agencies outsource critical business functions to MSPs, so they can focus on improving their services without worrying about downtimes or service interruptions. MSPs remotely and proactively monitor and manage client endpoints, applications, and network infrastructure under a clearly defined Service Level Agreement (SLA) to identify and eliminate problems before they impact business operations.
Traditionally, this function is usually performed on-premise, but many MSPs and IT departments are performing this function remotely using integrated SaaS applications. These applications are known as Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) applications.
RMM applications are designed to increase IT operational efficiency by providing an arsenal of IT management tools such as remote desktop monitoring, hardware, and network health visualization, and application management, among others.
Some of the factors to consider when choosing RMM solutions for your business include ease of onboarding, integration, and scaling strong security and patch management features, flexible pricing models, automation capabilities, and the ability to manage mobile devices, among others. This is where NinjaOne RMM software comes into play.
In this article, we will review the NinjaOne RMM application. Hopefully, this will guide you in the process of selecting the right one for your organization.
Overview of NinjaOne RMM
NinjaOne RMM is a Remote Monitoring and Management software designed to remotely monitor and manage client IT systems. It provides a centralized platform for managing various IT tasks, including patch management, antivirus, backups, and network monitoring, among others.
NinjaOne RMM is primarily designed for Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and IT professionals who manage the IT infrastructure of their clients remotely. But anyone who manages or outsources IT services can benefit from NinjaOne RMM to streamline IT operations and improve service delivery. This includes small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) that rely on IT services to operate and grow their businesses, as well as larger enterprises with complex IT environments. With NinjaOne RMM, MSPs can automate routine tasks, track issues, and proactively resolve problems before they cause downtime
The software is user-friendly, and it offers real-time insights into clients’ IT infrastructure, enabling MSPs to provide timely and efficient support. NinjaOne RMM is a comprehensive solution that streamlines IT management and enhances MSPs’ productivity while reducing the risk of security breaches and downtime.
Key features and capabilities include:
- Monitoring NinjaOne RMM provides real-time monitoring of critical IT assets such as servers, workstations, and network devices. It can monitor the health of these assets, generate alerts for issues that require attention, and even provide predictive analytics to prevent potential problems.
- Automation With NinjaOne RMM, you can automate routine IT tasks such as software patching, antivirus updates, and backup management. This helps to save time and reduce the risk of human error.
- Remote Management NinjaOne RMM allows IT professionals to remotely manage their client’s IT infrastructure, regardless of location. This includes remote desktop access, remote command execution, and remote file transfer.
- Reporting and Analytics NinjaOne RMM provides comprehensive reporting and analytics capabilities, allowing IT professionals to track performance metrics, identify trends, and generate reports for clients.
- Integrations NinjaOne RMM integrates with a variety of third-party tools and services, including PSA (Professional Services Automation) and CRM (Customer Relationship Management) software. This helps to streamline workflows and improve efficiency.
- Security NinjaOne RMM includes built-in security features such as antivirus and endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities, to protect IT assets from cyber threats
Installation and Deployment
NinjaOne RMM is a cloud-based SaaS solution, which means there are no installation requirements other than the usual signup process. To get started, you need to sign up for a NinjaOne RMM account, either by subscribing to a plan or by starting a free trial.
Once you have an account, you need to install the Ninja Agent, a lightweight software agent that needs to be installed on the devices you want to manage. The agent can be installed on servers, workstations, and other devices, and it will start communicating with the NinjaOne RMM platform once installed. The Ninja Agent can be downloaded from the NinjaOne RMM website or installed using an automated deployment tool, depending on your preferences.
After installing the Ninja Agent, you can log in to the NinjaOne RMM platform and configure the settings to suit your needs. This includes setting up policies, creating alerts, and configuring automation tasks. The platform is intuitive and user-friendly, with a drag-and-drop interface that makes it easy to customize policies and alerts to suit your specific needs.
Once the platform is configured, you can start monitoring and managing your IT assets remotely from the NinjaOne RMM dashboard. You can view the health status of your IT assets, run automation tasks, and generate reports to keep track of performance metrics. NinjaOne RMM also offers integration with other tools and services, such as PSA and CRM software, to further streamline your IT management workflows.
Overall, deploying NinjaOne RMM is a straightforward process that can be completed in a matter of hours, depending on the number of devices you need to manage. The cloud-based nature of the solution means that there is no need for on-premise hardware or software, and updates and upgrades are handled automatically by the vendor, further simplifying the deployment process.
Infrastructure and Asset Management
NinjaOne RMM provides powerful infrastructure and asset management capabilities that allow IT professionals and MSPs to effectively manage their IT environments. NinjaOne RMM’s infrastructure and asset management capabilities provide users with a comprehensive suite of tools to manage their IT environments effectively, ensuring compliance, security, and optimal performance.
One key feature of NinjaOne RMM is its network discovery tool, which automatically maps out your network infrastructure and displays all IT assets in a single dashboard. This provides real-time monitoring of the performance and health status of all IT assets, including servers, workstations, routers, switches, and printers.
NinjaOne RMM’s detailed device inventory management feature allows users to keep track of hardware and software configurations, warranties, licenses, and more. This allows you to monitor changes made to your IT assets, ensuring compliance and security. Additionally, the patch management feature automates patch deployment across your IT environment, keeping all devices up to date with the latest security patches and updates.
Asset tracking is another critical feature of NinjaOne RMM, enabling users to track IT assets throughout their entire lifecycle, from acquisition to disposal. This includes tracking the location of assets, warranties, and maintenance contracts, and generating reports on asset usage and performance. The remote access feature allows users to troubleshoot issues and perform maintenance tasks without needing to be physically present at the device location. NinjaOne RMM offers a range of automation capabilities, such as automated alerting, scripting, and policy-based automation. These tools can help reduce downtime, improve productivity, and streamline IT management workflows.
Professional Services Automation (PSA)
NinjaOne RMM offers Professional Services Automation (PSA) capabilities that allow IT professionals and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) to automate and streamline their business operations. It provides a comprehensive PSA solution to manage all aspects of a business. Some key features of NinjaOne RMM’s PSA capabilities include:
- Ticket Management NinjaOne RMM’s ticketing system allows users to create, track, and manage tickets from a single dashboard. You can assign tickets to team members, set priorities, and track progress to ensure the timely resolution of issues.
- Time Tracking and Billing NinjaOne RMM’s time tracking and billing features enable users to track billable hours and expenses, generate invoices, and manage client accounts. This ensures accurate billing and streamlined financial management.
- CRM Integration: NinjaOne RMM’s integration with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software allows users to manage client relationships and track sales opportunities. This streamlines business processes, improves client satisfaction, and enhances revenue growth.
- Project Management NinjaOne RMM’s project management capabilities allow users to plan, execute, and track projects, assign tasks to team members, and monitor progress. This improves project management efficiency and ensures timely project completion.
- Reporting NinjaOne RMM offers detailed reporting capabilities, providing users with insights into their business operations. This includes financial reports, client reports, and project reports, enabling users to make informed business decisions
NinjaOne RMM’s PSA capabilities help IT professionals and MSPs automate and streamline their business operations, improve efficiency, and enhance client satisfaction. With features such as ticket management, time tracking and billing, CRM integration, project management, and reporting.
Mobile Manager
NinjaOne RMM Mobile Manager is a tool that enables IT administrators to manage and monitor mobile devices remotely. This tool works in conjunction with the NinjaOne RMM platform and can be accessed via a web browser or a mobile app. NinjaOne RMM Mobile Manager provides a comprehensive set of features for managing and monitoring mobile devices in an organization, ensuring they are secure and properly configured to support the organization’s work.
With NinjaOne RMM Mobile Manager, IT administrators can view a list of all the mobile devices in their organization and their details such as model, OS version, and installed apps. They can monitor device activity in real-time, including CPU usage, battery life, and network activity, and enforce security policies such as password complexity requirements. In case of loss or theft, IT administrators can remotely wipe devices to secure company data. IT administrators can manage app installation and removal on mobile devices and restrict access to specific apps. They can remotely configure device settings such as Wi-Fi and email configurations to ensure that devices are correctly configured and secure.
Security and Patch Management
One of the key features of NinjaOne RMM is its security and patch management capabilities. NinjaOne RMM’s security and patch management features can help to ensure that IT infrastructure and endpoints are secure and up to date with the latest security patches. This can help to reduce the risk of cyber-attacks and data breaches.
NinjaOne RMM’s security management features include antivirus protection, firewall management, and web protection. It can help to protect endpoints from malware, viruses, and other cyber threats. NinjaOne RMM also provides real-time monitoring of endpoints to detect any potential security issues and alert IT administrators.
In terms of patch management, NinjaOne RMM can help to ensure that all endpoints are up-to-date with the latest software patches and security updates. It can automatically deploy updates to endpoints to ensure they are protected against known vulnerabilities. NinjaOne RMM can also schedule patch deployments to minimize disruption to end users.
Dashboard, Reporting, and Integration
NinjaOne RMM offers a powerful dashboard that provides IT administrators with a centralized view of their entire IT infrastructure. The dashboard displays key metrics and data related to endpoints, including device status, software updates, antivirus protection, and more. IT administrators can also access reports and analytics to gain insights into endpoint performance and identify potential issues.
NinjaOne RMM’s reporting capabilities enable IT administrators to generate customized reports based on specific criteria, such as device inventory, software inventory, security status, and more. Reports can be scheduled to run automatically and delivered via email, making it easy for IT administrators to stay informed about endpoint performance and status.
In terms of integration, NinjaOne RMM is designed to integrate with a wide range of third-party tools and platforms. For example, it can integrate with PSA (Professional Services Automation) tools to automate workflows and streamline service delivery. It can also integrate with other security tools, such as SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) platforms, to provide a holistic view of security threats and incidents.
Overall, NinjaOne RMM’s dashboard, reporting, and integration capabilities provide IT administrators with powerful tools to monitor and manage their IT infrastructure. The dashboard provides a comprehensive view of endpoint status and performance while reporting and integration capabilities enable IT administrators to generate customized reports and integrate with other tools and platforms to streamline workflows and improve overall IT management.
Licensing and Price Plans
NinjaOne RMM offers a variety of licensing and price plans to meet the needs of different organizations. Being a company that is supportive of MSPs, NinjaOne does not disclose its pricing information publicly. This approach empowers MSP partners to steer their pricing discussions away from the cost of tools and towards the value of their services. Prices are customized for each partner based on the number of agents they wish to deploy and the functionality they wish to use.
But in general, the pricing is based on the number of endpoints to be managed. NinjaOne operates a pay-per-device pricing system. You pay monthly, only for what you require. The pricing is based on a subscription model, per endpoint (device) per month. The cost per endpoint decreases as the number of endpoints increases, with volume discounts available for larger organizations.
In addition to the subscription fees, there may be additional charges for certain features or add-ons, such as advanced security management or mobile device management. NinjaOne RMM does not have a free version but does offer a free trial for interested organizations to try out the platform before committing to a subscription.
Concluding Remarks
As they say, “there is no such thing as a perfect product”, and NinjaOne RMM is certainly not one. While NinjaOne RMM is a powerful tool for managing and monitoring IT infrastructure, there are some weaknesses to consider.
One such is the platform’s limited customization options. Users may find it challenging to personalize the user interface or create custom reports. Additionally, the platform has a steep learning curve, and new users may take time to become familiar with all the features and functionalities.
Another weakness of NinjaOne RMM is the lack of multi-tenancy support. This means that managing multiple clients or organizations with separate policies and configurations may be more challenging. Furthermore, the platform’s integration options may be limited for some organizations, which may be a concern for those that require a more comprehensive set of integrations.
Nonetheless, NinjaOne RMM is certainly one of the best RMM tools out there, especially for medium and large-scale businesses with fairly complex network infrastructure and asset requirements. With a strong focus on remote monitoring and managing assets from a mobile device, several organizations trust and rely on it to monitor their environments, collaborate across teams, and respond to issues. MSPs and IT departments that want to keep the mean time to resolution (MTTR) as low as possible should give it serious consideration.
