What is RMM (Remote Monitoring & Management)?

January 27, 2026

What is RMM software and why has it become essential for many businesses and IT service providers? The acronym RMM stands for Remote Monitoring and Management. It’s a category of software designed to help IT departments and MSPs (Managed Service Providers) remotely monitor IT infrastructure, computers, and networks, keeping them secure and up and running without requiring on-site intervention. In this article, we’ll explain in detail what RMM software is , what it’s used for, and why more and more organizations are using it.

What is RMM software?

Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) software is an IT tool that allows you to remotely monitor and manage IT systems, devices, and corporate networks. Using a lightweight agent installed on each endpoint (PC, server, laptop, etc.), the software continuously collects information on the health and performance of each device and sends it to a central console. This allows IT administrators to gain real-time visibility of all connected devices and intervene remotely when necessary.

With RMM, a technician can, for example, check whether a company server has applied the latest updates, monitor the CPU and memory usage of a group of computers, or promptly detect a network problem. All this without physically visiting the site: RMM allows you to identify anomalies , perform maintenance , deploy patches, and even resolve problems on a remote computer , all over the Internet. Essentially, RMM software allows companies to track the performance of IT resources and proactively detect and resolve any malfunctions in endpoints, networks, and applications.

Why do companies use an RMM?

Implementing a Remote Monitoring and Management solution brings numerous benefits to both companies and IT service providers. Let’s look at why different types of organizations (SMBs, large enterprises, and MSPs) are increasingly using RMM software as an integral part of their IT strategy:

Support for SMBs with Limited IT: Small and medium-sized businesses often have a small IT team, yet they still need to manage numerous workstations and provide support to employees. RMM software helps these SMBs maintain high productivity by remotely monitoring the infrastructure and resolving issues wherever users are located. For example, if some staff work from home (a common scenario), RMM allows them to be supported as if they were in the office, installing software or troubleshooting remotely . This increases efficiency and user satisfaction, without having to employ numerous on-site technicians.
Operational efficiency for MSPs: Managed Service Providers ( MSPs) base their business on the ability to remotely manage the infrastructure of many clients simultaneously. For an MSP, adopting an RMM is essential: thanks to continuous monitoring and automation, technicians can virtually be in multiple locations at the same time and prevent problems before they become critical . This translates into time and cost savings —fewer trips to customer sites, fewer emergency interventions—and improved service, because customers have more stable and secure systems. An MSP with good RMM software can manage hundreds of endpoints with a small team, focusing on strategic tasks rather than the barrage of small daily hitches.
Control and security in large enterprises: Even larger companies with extensive infrastructures benefit from RMM. In these contexts, there are often thousands of devices to supervise across multiple locations: a centralized remote monitoring platform allows for a single point of control for IT, uniformly applying security policies, patches, and updates . The result is greater cybersecurity and reduced downtime: problems are proactively detected and resolved before causing widespread disruptions. Furthermore, by minimizing the need for on-site interventions, RMM helps lower operating costs and improve IT department efficiency.

In general, the main reasons for using an RMM are to quickly identify and resolve issues , automate routine maintenance tasks , increase IT security , and centralize IT management into a single system. All of this translates into leaner operations and improved IT service quality, both internally and to customers.

Main features of an RMM software

Good RMM software offers a wide range of features to cover various remote management needs. Below, we review the key features that distinguish the most popular RMM solutions:

Continuous endpoint monitoring: The RMM platform monitors the status of servers, PCs, laptops, and other network devices 24/7 . Using an agent installed on each machine, it monitors parameters such as CPU and RAM usage, disk space, temperature, service status, and more. If any values exceed critical thresholds (e.g., disk almost full, service stalled, high temperature), the system sends real-time alerts to technicians via email or notifications, allowing for immediate intervention. This proactive monitoring ensures that problems are addressed before they cause significant failures or slowdowns .
Remote access and unattended support: An RMM typically includes remote desktop tools or integrations with remote control software, allowing technicians to connect to devices as if they were sitting in front of them. This means they can troubleshoot a computer in a distant office, transfer files, launch scripts, or remotely assist a user with guidance. Secure remote access is essential for resolving issues in real time without having to arrange on-site visits . For example, if an employee experiences difficulties, the technician can take control of their PC and fix the necessary configuration in minutes.
Automated patch and update management: Keeping operating systems and applications up to date is crucial for security and stability. Efficient RMM software offers centralized patch management capabilities : from the console, you can schedule the automatic installation of Windows updates, security patches, and even third-party software updates on all managed endpoints. Patch windows can be set, ensuring each machine remains protected from the latest known vulnerabilities. RMM often provides patch status reports and can also manage post-update reboots to minimize user impact.
Task and script automation: In addition to patching, many RMMs allow you to automate repetitive tasks through scripts or programmable policies . For example, you can schedule a cleanup script (cache, temporary files) to run on all PCs every week, or a script that monitors certain services and restarts them if they are stopped. Automation can cover tasks such as software installation/uninstallation on multiple machines, user management, routine backup integrity checks, and more. This feature is a true force multiplier for IT teams. It doesn’t matter whether you’re managing ten or a thousand endpoints – with automation, the effort scales efficiently.
Integrated security features: Given the growing cyber risks, modern RMMs often include endpoint security components . This may include: deploying and monitoring antivirus/antimalware across all devices, centralized firewall management (e.g., ensuring protections are active and properly configured), intrusion detection systems , and vulnerability monitoring. Some advanced solutions also offer data encryption or remote USB device control. Adopting an RMM therefore means keeping an eye not only on performance, but also on the security of each endpoint : if an antivirus detects a threat or a device is exposed to a known flaw, IT is immediately aware of it and can respond. This centralized approach also facilitates compliance with security regulations, as it allows you to apply uniform policies across all systems and demonstrate that they are protected.
IT asset inventory and management: Another key aspect is the ability to track hardware and software across the infrastructure. RMM software maintains an up-to-date inventory of every device: hardware model and specifications (CPU, RAM, disks, peripherals), as well as installed software with version numbers and licenses. This helps IT always know what’s on the network and manage the asset lifecycle (for example, plan the replacement of older PCs or ensure sufficient licenses for certain software). RMM can send alerts if an unauthorized program is installed on a machine or if hardware changes or a new device suddenly appears on the network. This complete visibility simplifies management and improves security, because nothing escapes the RMM’s central eye.
Centralized reporting and dashboards: Finally, RMM platforms offer detailed reports and dashboards that summarize IT status. Reports can be generated on server uptime, the number of tickets resolved remotely, the status of company patches, security incidents resolved, and more. These reports are useful both internally and externally: for example, an MSP uses them to show clients the work done and the value provided. Real-time dashboards allow you to monitor key indicators at a glance—for example, how many devices are online/offline, how many active alarms there are, whether backups have failed, and so on. In short, the RMM acts as an IT “operations center,” aggregating all the information needed to make quick, informed decisions.

Examples of popular RMM solutions

The market offers numerous RMM software; below we present some of the most recognized solutions.

Iperius One

Iperius One is a next-generation RMM platform that stands out for its all-in-one nature. It not only offers classic endpoint monitoring and remote management features, but also natively integrates modules for data backup and remote support . This means that MSPs and IT departments can perform data protection operations (backup and recovery) and provide remote device support directly within the same console, without having to rely on external integrations for these features. This deep integration streamlines IT processes and increases overall security, as all tools—from performance monitoring and patch management to remote control and backups—are brought together in a unified interface. Iperius One was designed to offer a modern and comprehensive approach to IT management, helping companies optimize system maintenance and ensure business continuity with less complexity.

NinjaOne

NinjaOne is a cloud-based endpoint management platform known for offering extensive RMM capabilities combined with high ease of use. Specifically, NinjaOne enables patch automation, real-time IT infrastructure monitoring, and centralized visibility across all managed devices. Thanks to an intuitive user interface and unified dashboard, technicians can efficiently monitor and automate large-scale maintenance tasks. NinjaOne also supports numerous native integrations with third-party tools to expand its capabilities and adapt to the needs of IT environments of any size.

Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud

Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud is a cyber protection platform that combines data backup and anti-malware defense with remote monitoring and management tools in a single service. Designed with a strong focus on security, this solution allows MSPs to protect endpoints and workloads through both local and cloud backups, while integrating vulnerability assessments and patch management in a centralized environment. One of the strengths of Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud is its security-first approach , with advanced features such as active anti-ransomware and other automated protection technologies that keep data safe. The unified console allows you to manage backups, restores, and cybersecurity measures from a single pane of glass, leveraging Acronis’ expertise in data protection and business continuity.

Atera

Atera is an all-in-one platform for MSPs that combines RMM with Professional Services Automation ( PSA ) tools into a single service. This means that in addition to remote endpoint monitoring and management, Atera natively includes features such as an integrated helpdesk, ticket management, and billing, offering a complete IT support solution. The platform offers continuous monitoring and remote management of networks and systems, patch automation, and an advanced notification system to alert technicians in the event of network or security issues. The administrative interface is intuitive and easy to use, simplifying day-to-day management for IT service providers.

Conclusion

Adopting RMM software means simplifying and enhancing IT management, thanks to continuous monitoring, automation, and the ability to intervene remotely quickly and proactively. Whether you’re an SMB, an MSP, or an in-house IT department, having an RMM platform helps increase operational efficiency, improve security, and reduce downtime .

Available solutions—such as Iperius One , NinjaOne , Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud , and Atera —offer different yet complementary approaches, with features tailored to specific contexts and needs. Choosing the right one depends on your business goals and the desired level of integration.

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