SCCM 2012

JAMF's SCCM plug-in simply facilitates the exportation of inventory data for SCCM so you can unify your asset reporting. Supposedly SCCM 2012 SP1 (Jan 2013) is going to have broader support for Mac OS systems management; at the very least native inventory and package/patch distribution.

I really know nothing more about it, however two accounts I'm working with are asking me compare and contrast that with Casper. And I'm sure I'll end up hearing from management 'since we already own SCCM, let's drop Casper and use the one product'. (YUCK!)

I don't want to learn SCCM, I like Casper. Assuming I'll have to do the research and write up some business justification as to why that would be a terrible bad idea, I'll keep this thread alive as I find out more about it if others need similar.

If anyone else can contribute here with real life data, pro or con, that would be fantastic.

Darrin

I would assume that much like Altiris or Symantec Management Agent as its now called, SCCM will be like driving a nail with a screwdriver, you can do it but you are not going to enjoy it and you might loose an eye in the process. But eventually somebody is going to make me use it as well because the customer has 50,000 windows seats and whats 200 more for Macs... all the while they have refused to let me use the sccm plugin from Casper, remediation and packaging costs will go up because you have to engineer more into your pre and post install scripts because the tool you are using to push software does not have anywhere near the right abilities to figure things out on its own. But, if it were easy they would not pay us so much right.

I think you'll be pleasantly surprised with ConfigMgr 2012 and SP1.

SCCM is a very good tool, but it currently lacks the features that we need to fully manage Macs in the enterprise. SCCM 2012 SP1 does support Macs with inventory and software push distribution, but it does not provide:

Imaging
Self-Service Software Store
Remote Control
Integrated Apple update management

This illustrates what good value Casper continues to provide in comparison to SCCM. THis being said it should be pointed out that Microsoft usually takes about 3 revs to get something right and SCCM 2012 SP1 is essentially Rev 1. They will refine it and continue to add features and value until it is competative - and then they will have an advantage in those businesses that have invested in Windows infrastructure.

JAMF should improve thier Windows infrastructure compatability - or at least improve AD integration and give Casper a chance to establish a better foothold in these customers environments.

JAMF has posted an instructional video covering the new plugin. http://youtu.be/ktSidaZ3XF4

Darrin,

I'm in the same boat. If you come up with a comparison, please post.

Thanks,
Ron