What’s new in Hexnode UEM
Hexnode has recently expanded its feature Matrix with a host of additional management functionalities. Take a sneak peek here
Choosing a UEM solution for your business is by no means a simple feat. It requires tons of time and research, not to mention the numerous trials and demos you’ll have to go through before you even get to the part where you decide how much you want to spend and how long you’re going to use it. What’s even more challenging is to choose between two UEM solutions that seem equally great in comparison, no matter how hard you try to analyze them. When comparing Hexnode vs Ivanti, this is precisely the case.
One is an industry-leading Unified Endpoint Management solution that aims to set the bar on accessibility and continuous support, while also offering an exceptional suite of management functionalities.
The other, a pioneer in desktop management solutions, that has now acquired MobileIron’s UEM software, enabling them to develop as an all-encompassing solution.
Now, which one should you choose for your enterprise and why? There are many factors to consider before you begin choosing, and we’re here to guide you through the labyrinth of features and functionalities and help you make the right choice. Well, let’s weigh up the essentials.
Ivanti
Ivanti is an established IT service provider, headquartered in South Jordan, Utah, that was first formed in 2017 with the LANDESK and HEAT software merger. Being industry leaders in desktop and IT systems management, their LANDESK Management Suite (now called Ivanti Endpoint Manager) is a well-recognized solution used for identity management, IT Asset Management (ITAM), IT Service Management (ITSM), User Workspace Management (UWM), and Unified Endpoint Management services.
Ivanti has always strived to achieve excellence in endpoint security and management. With their assimilation of MobileIron, they now provide a variety of solutions for both desktop management along with other Unified Endpoint Management services.
Hexnode
Hexnode UEM is a leading enterprise security and endpoint management offering from Mitsogo.Inc, a San Fransisco based IT service provider founded in 2013. With its extensive set of management functionalities and comprehensive support for all platforms, Hexnode is currently the go-to choice for SMBs and Fortune 100 companies from over a hundred countries. With its excellent Kiosk management capabilities and integrations with all the leading manufacturers and industries (most notably, Android Enterprise, Apple Business Manager, Apple School Manager, Samsung Knox, Google Workspace and more), Hexnode is a key player in the UEM market, globally recognized by Gartner in its Midmarket Context: Magic Quadrant for UEM 2021.
However, what really sets Hexnode UEM apart from other endpoint management solutions is its profound goal to simplify the process of endpoint management and have this solution made available to all businesses and industries, regardless of their size or strength.
Hexnode vs Ivanti
Alright, so let’s get straight to the juicy stuff. We’ve got a lot of ground to cover as both Hexnode and Ivanti offer a vast suite of management capabilities along with quite a few contrasting features between the two solutions.
Supported platforms
Both Hexnode and Ivanti provide extensive support for Android, Windows, iOS, macOS, tvOS and Fire OS platforms. Moreover, ChromeOS support is in the pipeline and will be available in the coming months for Hexnode UEM.
Having said that, there does exist differences in the list of features and functionalities available between the two UEM solutions.
UEM capabilities
Ivanti excels in the IT systems and desktop management industry, with its LANDESK asset management software (now, Ivanti Endpoint Manager), and has also established a stronghold in Unified Endpoint Management with MobileIron’s cloud UEM. However, when going up against Hexnode’s Unified Endpoint Management solution, there exists quite a few areas where Ivanti’s endpoint management solutions do not quite reach up to standards.
The absolute guide to Unified Endpoint Management (UEM) in enterprise
Kiosk management
For one, when compared to Hexnode’s excellent kiosk management capabilities, Ivanti comes out short. Unlike Hexnode, Ivanti does not provide support for multi-app kiosks or autonomous kiosk mode features on iOS devices. Neither do they offer a kiosk mode for tvOS devices. The ability to set up digital signages on Android devices is also missing from the Ivanti cloud UEM. This significant lack of kiosk capabilities can be a deal-breaker especially for schools and businesses that require effective ways to lock down their devices. On the other hand, Hexnode provides website kiosk configurations, background apps, kiosk screensavers and more, offering a highly customizable kiosk management functionality for enterprises of all sizes.
OEMConfig
Also, when comparing OEMConfig capabilities between the two UEM solutions, Hexnode comes out on top, with extensive support for a wide range of manufacturers including Samsung Knox, Zebra, Honeywell, Datalogic, Lenovo, Kyocera and more.
OEMConfig – Breaking the boundaries of Android device management
macOS management
When taking macOS device management capabilities, in addition to the standard device policies, configurations, restrictions, network, security and application management functionalities, Hexnode also provides additional features including time limits, smart card authentication, login window preferences and dock customization options, that are not available with Ivanti’s UEM solution.
| Features | Ivanti | Hexnode |
| Windows management | ✅ | ✅ |
| macOS management | ✅ 1 | ✅ |
| Remote view and control | ✅ | ✅ |
| OS update management | ✅ | ✅ |
| Custom and dynamic grouping | ✅ | ✅ |
| SCCM | ✅ | ✅ |
| OEMConfig support | ❌ 2 | ✅ |
| iOS multi-app and autonomous kiosk | ❌ | ✅ |
| tvOS kiosk mode | ❌ | ✅ |
| Digital signage display | ❌ | ✅ |
|
1 2 |
<i><sup>1</sup>Does not support all macOS features</i> <i><sup>2</sup>Does not support all OEM vendors</i> |
Cloud/On-premise models
From its inception, Ivanti has been a leading provider of desktop and IT systems management capabilities for mid and large enterprises, with its on-prem endpoint management solutions. Currently, Ivanti provides enterprises with on-prem solutions using its Unified Endpoint Manager software, and organizations that require cloud services makes use of its recently acquired MobileIron UEM solution to help meet their management needs.
In addition to these solutions, Ivanti also provides auditing and data management capabilities with its Xtraction software, Infrastructure and workspace automation with Ivanti Automation, pre-emptive threat remediation using Ivanti Neurons, and zero-trust network security using MobileIron’s Mobile Threat Defence (MTD) software.
However, the downside to having so many different solutions is the sheer complexity they bring about with them. You’ll most likely spend hours of your time getting all your facts straight before you even start to decide the right combinations necessary for your business. And in the end, for most enterprises, it’s just not worth the hassle.
This is what Hexnode addresses with its singular Unified Endpoint Management solution, that aims to fulfill all your enterprise needs. Zero-trust network security, data reporting and auditing, automated device management, data security and compliance, Hexnode has it all and more, completely packed in one simplified cloud solution.
Ease of use
Comparing the ease of use for a Unified Endpoint Management solution essentially depends on two factors –
- The setup and user interface, and
- The distribution of features available for enterprise management.
Although Ivanti’s cloud-based UEM solution hosts a fairly easy-to-get-around distribution of available features, its user interface could be more straightforward and refined. However, when it comes to the on-prem solution, there are the obvious difficulties involved in setting up the software and getting it ready for enterprise usage. This process requires an experienced IT admin to accomplish. In addition, the UI and placement of features are also fairly complex for the average IT technician to follow.
Hexnode, on the other hand, ensures a simple and easy-to-navigate UI along with a vast and seamlessly distributed suite of features. Moreover, with the help of its Getting started wizard and step-by-step setup guides, even first-time users will rarely require the need for any external assistance.
Quality of support
Now, in any event that you require some form of assistance, the team at Hexnode’s got it covered with the help of its comprehensive suite of webinars, help videos, presentations, user guides, data sheets, whitepapers, FAQs, forums, and more. In any off-chance that you’re still left with queries, Hexnode also boasts an exceptional support team available 24/5 to answer all your questions, in the form of chats, emails or calls. Compared to the maze of documentation offered by Ivanti, you’ll find a significantly easier time navigating through Hexnode’s well-ordered guides and how-tos’, accessible straight from the UEM portal if necessary.
Plan pricing and minimum required devices
Now there’s a reason why small enterprises don’t make use of Ivanti’s UEM solutions. A minimum limit of 200 devices is a pretty difficult hurdle for small businesses to clear. On the other hand, with Hexnode’s minimum of 15 devices, and flexible pricing plans from $1 to $5.8 per device per month, along with bulk corporate discounts for large scale companies, enterprises can get the best out of Hexnode’s features and functionalities, regardless of their size.
The pricing of Ivanti UEM solution is not publicly available. However, you can request a quote from their website. But with a fairly complex set of solutions and resulting documentation, it is advisable to employ the help of a support team to get things running smoothly.
Here’s the final verdict
In all fairness, Ivanti offers a robust set of desktop and mobile device management solutions that are quite effective for securing enterprises. However, their complex suite of solutions and a minimum device limit of 200 act as pretty significant barriers for small and medium enterprises seeking to employ a scalable UEM solution.
Hexnode, with its simplified and easy-to-use UI, along with well-organized documentation and excellent support, acts as a singular scalable solution that meets all your endpoint needs.
Disclaimer
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