ManageEngine Remote Access Plus Expert Review &... | Zoftware
Implementation Process
Download and Install the Server Begin by downloading the Remote Access Plus server from the official website. You can choose between the on-premises or cloud versions. Installation is quick and typically takes just a few minutes.
Configure Initial Settings After installation, you'll configure basic settings such as port numbers, SSL certificates, and user roles. You can also enable two-factor authentication and other security features at this stage.
Add Domains or Workgroups Connect your domain or workgroup to the platform. This allows the software to discover and manage all endpoints within your network.
Deploy Agents to Endpoints Install the Remote Access Plus agent on all target computers. This can be done manually, via Windows GPO, or using scripts for bulk deployment. The agent enables remote control and management features.
Create Remote Offices (Optional) If your organization has multiple locations, you can create and configure remote offices to optimize bandwidth and performance.
Test Remote Access and Tools Initiate test sessions to ensure remote control, file transfer, chat, and system tools are functioning correctly. You can also test features like Wake-on-LAN and remote shutdown.
Train Technicians and Go Live Provide training for your IT support staff using the built-in help guides and tutorials. Once familiar, you can begin using the platform for live support.
Customisation
ManageEngine Remote Access Plus can be customized to fit specific business needs. Here are several ways it supports customization:
Rebranding: You can customize the web console with your company’s logo, name, and color scheme for a branded experience
Role-Based Access Control: Define custom roles and permissions for technicians based on their responsibilities.
Custom Groups: Organize endpoints into logical groups (e.g., by department or location) for easier management.
Script Automation: Use custom scripts to automate repetitive tasks like software installation, system cleanup, or diagnostics.
Custom Alerts and Notifications: Set up alerts for specific events such as system downtime, failed connections, or unauthorized access attempts.
Integration with Directory Services: Supports Active Directory, Azure AD, and SAML-based SSO, allowing seamless integration with your existing identity infrastructure
API Access: Offers REST APIs for integrating with other IT management tools or building custom workflows.
Language and Localization: While English is the default, the platform supports multiple languages and is expanding localization features, including Arabic support in some regions.
ManageEngine Remote Access Plus offers transparent pricing with no hidden setup fees. However, there are a few cost components to be aware of:
License Fees: You can choose between subscription-based (annual/monthly) or perpetual licenses. For example, managing 100 computers with one technician costs around $195/year (subscription) or $487 one-time (perpetual) for the on-premises version.
Annual Maintenance and Support (AMS): For perpetual licenses, there is an annual maintenance cost that includes updates and technical support. This is typically a percentage of the license fee.
Additional Technicians: Adding more technician licenses incurs extra charges. For instance, one additional technician costs $95/year or $195 one-time
Optional Add-ons: Features like Failover Server, Secure Gateway Server, and Multi-Language Pack may come at an additional cost depending on your deployment needs
Training
ManageEngine provides a robust support ecosystem for new users of Remote Access Plus:
Free Product Demos: Live and recorded demos are available to walk users through setup and usage.
User Guides and Documentation: Comprehensive manuals and how-to articles are available on the official site.
Video Tutorials: Step-by-step video guides help users understand features and best practices.
Community Forums: The ManageEngine PitStop community allows users to ask questions and share solutions.
Email and Phone Support: Available as part of the subscription or AMS package.
Dedicated Account Managers: For enterprise customers, ManageEngine may assign account managers to assist with onboarding and customization.
Security Measures
ManageEngine Remote Access Plus is built with enterprise-grade security to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance:
End-to-End Encryption: All remote sessions are encrypted using AES-256 and TLS 1.2 protocols.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Adds an extra layer of login security for technicians.
Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Limits access based on user roles to prevent unauthorized actions.
User Consent for Remote Sessions: End users must approve remote access, ensuring transparency.
Session Recording and Audit Logs: All sessions can be recorded and logged for compliance and review.
Secure Gateway Server: An Optional add-on that enables secure remote access without exposing internal systems to the internet.
Compliance Ready: Helps organizations meet standards like HIPAA, GDPR, and PCI-DSS.
Updates
ManageEngine Remote Access Plus releases regular updates in the form of service packs, hotfixes, and agent upgrades. These updates typically include:
For the on-premises version, updates are applied manually using the UpdateManager tool, and once the server is updated, agents are automatically upgraded during their next refresh cycle.
For the cloud version, updates are pushed automatically, and roaming agents check for updates every 90 minutes. If an update fails, the agent retries every 60 minutes until successful.
Data Ownership and Portability
ManageEngine, as part of Zoho Corporation, follows a strict data ownership policy:
You own your data: All data collected and processed through Remote Access Plus remains the property of the customer.
Data Portability: You can export your data at any time. This includes logs, reports, and configuration settings.
Data Deletion: Upon termination of service or request, your data is deleted from ManageEngine’s servers in accordance with their data retention policy.
Compliance: The platform is designed to help organizations comply with regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS, which include provisions for data access, portability, and erasure.
Scaling Up / Down
ManageEngine Remote Access Plus is built to scale with your organization’s needs:
Flexible Licensing: You can increase or decrease the number of managed endpoints or technician licenses at any time. Pricing adjusts accordingly.
No Downtime for Scaling: Adding new licenses or endpoints does not require downtime or reinstallation.
Cloud and On-Premises Options: Choose the deployment model that best suits your scalability and compliance needs.
Modular Add-ons: Optional features like Secure Gateway Server or Failover Server can be added as your infrastructure grows.
Custom Groups and Remote Offices: Easily organize and manage large-scale environments by creating logical groups and remote office structures.
The terms & conditions for contract renewal and cancellation
ManageEngine Remote Access Plus offers both subscription-based and perpetual licensing models, each with distinct renewal and cancellation terms:
Subscription License:
Valid for a one-year period.
You must renew at least 10 days before expiration to avoid service interruption
If not renewed, you are required to stop using the software and uninstall it from your systems after the license expires.
Subscription includes access to updates, upgrades, and support during the active period.
Perpetual License:
Offers lifetime usage rights for the purchased version.
Includes one year of free maintenance and support (updates, upgrades, and technical assistance).
After the first year, continued support and updates require an Annual Maintenance and Support (AMS) renewal.
If AMS is not renewed, you can still use the software but won’t receive updates or support.
Compliance
ISO/IEC 27001: Information Security Management System (ISMS) certification for secure handling of data across all cloud and on-premises products.
ISO/IEC 27701: Privacy Information Management System (PIMS) certification, extending ISO 27001 to include privacy controls for handling personally identifiable information (PII).
ISO/IEC 27017: Cloud-specific security controls, ensuring best practices for cloud service providers and customers.
ISO/IEC 27018: Focuses on protecting PII in public cloud environments, ensuring transparency and accountability in data handling.
ISO/IEC 20000: IT Service Management certification, ensuring quality and consistency in IT service delivery.
ISO 9001:2015: Quality Management System certification, demonstrating commitment to delivering reliable and compliant software solutions.
