HCL BigFix vs. Symantec Ghost Solution Suite

BigFix is well suited for patch review and deployment, but there are key features that can definitely be improved. An example is that if a specific patch is deployed, but a cumulative update that contains that patch is not deployed, the system still shows the patch as outstanding or not implemented. Another area for improvement is the customization of BigFix. The tool has many uses and can be extremely helpful, but the amount of knowledge required to customize the solution is significant and customized scripts or "fixlets" need to be created. If common things could be pre-packaged and provided to the customer community, it would allow for an easier deployment and use of the tool.

Incentivized

It helps to manage the mass of computers we use. We use GSS to see where and who deployed software to what computers. This can particularly be helpful when dealing with license usage, and tracking how many licenses we have left, and where those licenses have been used. We are able to use it to manage clients.

Incentivized

• Custom patch packages are easy to set up and allows for use with a repository.
• Asset management by use of agents is simple and allows for user assignment by the device.
• Reporting has a large variety of templates.

Incentivized

• Ghost Cast [Server} gets the job done.
• Easy to use.
• Nice UI.

• No console for macOS
• No easy setup UI for macOS users
• Patching can be complicated if you don't understand relevance
• Patching can be complicated it you don't understand scripting
• Could be better in helping with CIS Benchmarks

Incentivized

• Even though Ghost Solution Suite saves configurations, software settings and installation within the image, there is still some manual configuration that needs to be done once the image is complete.
• Installing Drivers for specific models of computers. With Ghost Solution Suite, it can be difficult to get the drivers for all the hardware of all the different model computers, so you have to create different images for different model computers. It would be nice to have the ability to have a hardware independent image for all model computers
• Image Size. Ghost does have compression to reduce the size of the image, but when you have to store all the drivers within the image it increases the total size of the image you need to manage.

Incentivized

While some support calls are quickly responded to, many times our engineers have been pointed to collaborative web sites such as Bigfix.me for solutions or the option of engaging professional services has been proposed. While this may seem like a good way to drive business, it is not seen as efficient a support process as could be provided to the customer base.

Incentivized

We have significantly enhanced our ability to patch desktops, including laptops, desktop, cloud, virtual machines and other mobile devices used by end-users. BigFix's endpoint management functionality allows us to seamlessly patch a wide range of operating systems, such as Windows, MacOS, ChromeOS, and Linux systems, ensuring comprehensive patch management across IT infrastructures. We have established a track record of delivering secure and hassle-free patching solutions to our clients

Based on our particular company needs, we selected Ghost primarily for the cost. There are better products out there to deploy new computers. KACE was one of the products tested. I used KACE at a previous company and I can say KACE is a more effective deployment method, but the cost prevented us form going with this product. Also, since we have one single standard image it was very easy to manage Ghost for all our employee computers. We also standardized to one single hardware model computer which also made the decision to use Ghost easier.

Incentivized

• Overall, the product helps achieve the security posture mandated by HIPAA for our organization.
• It is a decent inventory management solution, and provides IT leaders with useful information for decision making.

Incentivized

• Initial setup took a long time to nail down. Once support figured out the issues, it was smooth.
• After implementation, capturing and deploying images were smooth.
• Being able to quickly deploy software, or move users to new AD groups, or manage power of the machines quickly made us enjoy the software even more.

Incentivized