SimpleHelp Vs. Kabuto

[jbartlett323]

Hi everyone,

Time for me to upgrade my old ScreenConnect Self-hosted remote software, but not sure where to go. Very small, cash flow is a huge concern, so renewing the SC self-hosted isn't in the cards since the price increase, and monthly cost is high enough for me to cringe a bit.

Looking around for a lower-cost remote solution, stumbled on SimpleHelp. Been trialing it, seems a very good product, and can potentially replace MaxFocus for me also (very few clients). The only thing it doesn't seem to do is patch-management (I don't use Max A/V, so that's no loss for me). Not super keen on the Java base either, but I can live with it.
In the process of looking at this, I started reading everyone's recommendation for Kabuto. Have been trialing that also, and is a great product, but is missing the Remote control requirement. Would be a great replacement for Max in everything but Remote & Windows Patches (which Max has been failing me on anyway, so again, no big loss).

So I'm looking for further input, especially from SimpleHelp users (looking at you @lcoughey), as I did a forum search and know that we have a couple users on here, but not a lot of actual info.

A couple of the questions I have, in no particular order:
1. What remote software have you paired with Kabuto? (keep in mind Teamviewer is out of my price-range, so looking more for other, lower-cost options)
2. How reliable is SimpleHelp in monitoring and ease of remote connection?
3. Does anyone know of a good 3rd party patch-management that can be paired with SimpleHelp?
4. My SimpleHelp trial is a bit slow to install and connect on remote machines, but I have it hosted local on a desktop with slow upload speeds. Do you find it to be kind of slow and how are you hosting it?
5. Any scuttlebutt on Kabuto for windows patching or built-in remote software? 'Net didn't show anything, but sometimes someone is in the know. I know they just release the 3rd party patches, which is definitely a step in the right direction.

I plan to ask these question of the manufacturers also, but was hoping for some non-biased input before I move forward with either product. Any input for either product would be helpful! If nothing else, helps with the search for the next guy!

 

[Computer Bloke]

renewing the SC self-hosted isn't in the cards since the price increase

Are you sure about that? If you're an existing self-hosted user then ScreenConnect will honour the original renewal pricing scheme - it's just business as usual.

 

[jbartlett323]

Are you sure about that? If you're an existing self-hosted user then ScreenConnect will honour the original renewal pricing scheme - it's just business as usual.

Oh really? Actually, I didn't know that. Guess I missed that! Now I'm glad I posted, off to talk to SC!

 

[cypress]

I can only answer a couple of the questions since I haven't tried SimpleHelp before.

1. One option I would recommend is Splashtop. Couple of users have purchased the annual license and it is good. I trialed it for a week and really liked it. $60 business license for 10 devices or $180 for unlimited. This gives you unattended access to them. If you just want to do one off remote support then you can get their $100 unlimited plan but it does not include unattended access.

4. Ian @repairtechinc just replied on this in another thread and they plan on working on windows patch management as well. They also plan on doing something with Remote software by the end of the year.

 

[Mike McCall]

I looked at several remote access packages and settled on Splashtop. $60yr. for up to 10 clients, $120yr. for up to 20 clients. On-demand (w/website integration) is $100yr.

http://www.splashtop.com/business
http://www.splashtop.com/business

 

[jbartlett323]

I looked at several remote access packages and settled on Splashtop. $60yr. for up to 10 clients, $120yr. for up to 20 clients. On-demand (w/website integration) is $100yr.

http://www.splashtop.com/business

Yeah, I looked at splashtop, just generally wasn't impressed.

I can only answer a couple of the questions since I haven't tried SimpleHelp before.

1. One option I would recommend is Splashtop. Couple of users have purchased the annual license and it is good. I trialed it for a week and really liked it. $60 business license for 10 devices or $180 for unlimited. This gives you unattended access to them. If you just want to do one off remote support then you can get their $100 unlimited plan but it does not include unattended access.

4. Ian @repairtechinc just replied on this in another thread and they plan on working on windows patch management as well. They also plan on doing something with Remote software by the end of the year.

Yeah, saw that post right after I posted this!

After Computer Bloke's comment, I went to SC. I am going to upgrade, only makes sense. So that means I don't need a Remote software anymore, and I know SC integrates with Kabuto. Sounds like they are making strides, so it may very well be the way I go!

 

[Curtis Skowlund]

I have been using Simplehelp for a few months now. I have a few Remote managed Clients. So far it has worked very well. I have not had any down time. I like the fact it is hosted locally and all data is coming back to my server and not a 3rd party. The customers also like that security of it.

I have used WUinstall for windows updates and just run it our of a toolbox I created. Seams to do windows updates great.

Also I run 360 Internet Securities which also has some patch management in the AV portion. Simplehelp will notifiy if 360 is not up to date also which is nice.

Simplehelp gives you unattended access and also a nice interface for remote support. Does not require many resources either on the host or the Client computer.

So far I have been very happy with Simplehelp and there is not yearly cost unless you want to keep getting updates and the renewal costs are quite a bit less then the first purchase.

If you have any other questions let me know.

 

[Your PCMD]

I have used WUinstall for windows updates

I use WSUS Offline Update and its free.

 

[allanc]

Hi everyone,

Time for me to upgrade my old ScreenConnect Self-hosted remote software, but not sure where to go. Very small, cash flow is a huge concern, so renewing the SC self-hosted isn't in the cards since the price increase, and monthly cost is high enough for me to cringe a bit.

I believe that you are grandfathered with the 'old ScreenConnect Self-hosted remote software' plan.
I bought an additional license after the new price plans were announced at the old price.
I think that they also stated the grandfathering either on their site and/or an Email.

 

[jbartlett323]

I believe that you are grandfathered with the 'old ScreenConnect Self-hosted remote software' plan.
I bought an additional license after the new price plans were announced at the old price.
I think that they also stated the grandfathering either on their site and/or an Email.

Yup, no thinking here, what you say is correct. Right after my last post, I upgraded my self-hosted license for $130. As for the statement, I missed it somewhere. Probably was an email that went to my partner, who is no longer with the company.

 

[WilmotCS]

I have started to use Kabuto and have instanthousecall as my remote support software and it integrates with kabuto. Kabuto doesn't have remote software built in....you bring your own and upload the .exe or url to the dashboard.

 

[tucsonpc]

I love Kabuto. Especially as they continue to add more features.

In terms of remote support, I've been using Comodo ONE (not great, not terrible; a LOT of improvement from when I first tried it last year) and Panorama9 (still on the trial, but their price is published starting at 1.89/device. Both have been very good tools, especially given the price.

 

[lacym]

Yeah, I looked at splashtop, just generally wasn't impressed.



Yeah, saw that post right after I posted this!

After Computer Bloke's comment, I went to SC. I am going to upgrade, only makes sense. So that means I don't need a Remote software anymore, and I know SC integrates with Kabuto. Sounds like they are making strides, so it may very well be the way I go!

It seems someone is doing a good job spreading misinformation about the whole ScreenConnect thing. I've got my original support plan (which allows me to remote into new connections) just recently renewed, plus I've got the license (different servers) from Labtech to allow multiple connections to computers with Labtech installed.

 

[repairtechinc]

Hey all! Here to answer your questions

1. What remote software have you paired with Kabuto? (keep in mind Teamviewer is out of my price-range, so looking more for other, lower-cost options)

We've seen people use: TeamViewer, Instant Housecall, ScreenConnect, and an assortment of others. There are a ton out there so shouldn't be hard to find one in your price range. We've said publicly that we'd very much like to make it far easier to remote into computers, so it's something that we're investigating.

5. Any scuttlebutt on Kabuto for windows patching or built-in remote software? 'Net didn't show anything, but sometimes someone is in the know. I know they just release the 3rd party patches, which is definitely a step in the right direction.

We're working on Windows Patch Management right now

Let me know if you have any other questions,

Ian

 

[Jgiesing]

Kabuto did not work out well for our shop but it dose show potential.

 

[Your PCMD]

Kabuto did not work out well for our shop but it dose show potential.

Kabuto is amazing - for my shops needs. Believe me when I say I researched EVERYTHING out there before I chose Kabuto. I even talked to Ian personally and that is something that's priceless to me. Kabuto has come a long way and yes it is still being increased. But I am of the mindset that once I find a product I like, am happy with and is useful to my business, I stick with it. I only have a handful of clients so the high cost of most of these other services is not in my budget. As for remote support, I use AnyDesk. No, its not the Team Viewer equivalent, but its what I like and its what I use and it just works, even through safe mode with networking.

Now if only @repairtechinc offered a 75 or 100 device for $60/yr, I would be all over that. I actually mentioned that in a webinar not too long ago. They didn't say no, but they didn't say yes either. Heres hoping! You will find @repairtechinc is easy to contact and very open minded. I cannot say enough about them.

 

[cypress]

Kabuto is amazing - for my shops needs. Believe me when I say I researched EVERYTHING out there before I chose Kabuto. I even talked to Ian personally and that is something that's priceless to me. Kabuto has come a long way and yes it is still being increased. But I am of the mindset that once I find a product I like, am happy with and is useful to my business, I stick with it. I only have a handful of clients so the high cost of most of these other services is not in my budget. As for remote support, I use AnyDesk. No, its not the Team Viewer equivalent, but its what I like and its what I use and it just works, even through safe mode with networking.

Now if only @repairtechinc offered a 75 or 100 device for $60/yr, I would be all over that. I actually mentioned that in a webinar not too long ago. They didn't say no, but they didn't say yes either. Heres hoping! You will find @repairtechinc is easy to contact and very open minded. I cannot say enough about them.

Ahh so you were the one that asked that question! Lol. I was in the same webinar as well.

I agree completely with what you are saying on Kabuto. The product fits me perfect from what I am doing currently and I really like where the product is headed. Currently looking for another remote program though. Gonna PM you about AnyDesk.

 

[Your PCMD]

Ahh so you were the one that asked that question! Lol. I was in the same webinar as well.

Yup, that was me.

Indeed, Kabuto fits my business perfectly. Wish I could say the same about other ventures, lol. I love their webinars and also the fact that afterwards, they really pay attention to people and answer questions, even ones that don't pertain to the webinar. You don't get that kind of customer service from MOST companies. Its the little (big?) things like that that makes me stick with them. I have had a couple other businesses ask me about them and I told ONE of them to just go for it, you wont regret it. The other one, I honestly can tell you I told them not to go with them. Why? Because he is my competition. I am not sending my direct competition to MY TEAM, no way!

Dont be mad at me Ian

I did PM you back

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Still waiting on kabuto to allow custom scripts and then at that point maybe ill make the switch.

 

[repairtechinc]

Hey all!

I'm not mad @Your PCMD haha

Still waiting on kabuto to allow custom scripts and then at that point maybe ill make the switch.

We are going to do this, but first comes windows updates, and getting TechSuite Beta out of "Beta" - since that will be the method through which "custom scripts" is accomplished.

Let me know if you guys have any questions,

Ian