For years, remote monitoring and management (RMM) tools have been the backbone of every managed service provider’s (MSP’s) service delivery stack. They’ve empowered MSPs to proactively monitor systems, deploy patches, automate maintenance, and respond to issues before clients even notice them.
But as the IT landscape evolves, some MSPs have begun to question whether RMM tools are still necessary—especially with the rise of modern solutions like Microsoft Intune and other cloud-based device management platforms.
Let’s be clear: RMM isn’t dead. It’s evolving, and it is still one of the most essential components in an MSP’s toolkit.
🚀 Cloud Management vs. Traditional RMM
The growth of cloud-native management tools such as Intune, Autopilot, and even Apple Business Manager has changed the way devices are provisioned and managed. These tools excel in policy enforcement, compliance, and identity-based controls, particularly in hybrid or cloud-first environments.
However, they’re not replacements for RMM tools. Intune and similar solutions often lack real-time visibility, deep automation, and reactive control. They can push policies, but they don’t actively monitor and remediate in the same way an RMM platform does.
For MSPs responsible for uptime, security, and customer experience, that difference matters.
⚙️ Why RMM Still Matters
1. Real-Time Visibility and Response
RMM platforms offer instant insight into device health—CPU usage, memory, disk space, service uptime, and more. Alerts trigger immediately, allowing technicians to act before an outage occurs.
With Intune, that data often updates only during check-ins or policy sync cycles, which can be hours apart. For fast-paced environments, that delay can mean downtime.
2. Automation and Scripting at Scale
RMM tools are built for MSP automation. Whether you’re deploying software, cleaning temp files, checking backups, or remediating failed services, RMM allows for powerful script-based automation across thousands of devices—Windows, macOS, or Linux.
Intune automation is improving, but it’s limited to policy-driven actions. RMM platforms give MSPs true hands-on control for event-based, conditional, and cross-platform automation.
3. Third-Party Application Management
Patching and software deployment across hundreds of vendors remains a key differentiator. Most RMM tools provide integrated patch catalogs for third-party applications—something Intune still struggles with without custom packaging or add-ons.
4. Support Workflows and Integration
MSPs live in the world of tickets, service-level agreements (SLAs), and client relationships. RMM platforms integrate seamlessly with professional service automation (PSA) systems (e.g., ConnectWise Manage, Autotask, HaloPSA), allowing closed-loop automation between monitoring, alerting, and billing.
That level of operational efficiency isn’t native to Intune—it was never designed for MSP workflows.
5. Remote Access and Troubleshooting
Although Intune can execute remote actions, RMM tools give MSPs instant remote control, session recording, chat, file transfer, and multi-tech collaboration. When a client calls about a printer not working, you don’t want to wait for Intune to sync—you want to connect now.
🧩 The Future Is RMM + Modern Management
The smartest MSPs aren’t abandoning RMM tools—they’re blending them with Intune, leveraging the best of both worlds:
- Intune handles enrollment, compliance, and security posture.
- RMM tools handle performance, automation, and support efficiency.
Together, they create a layered management approach that’s both modern and responsive.
💡 The Bottom Line
RMM isn’t obsolete. It’s adapting to a hybrid, cloud-first world.
As long as MSPs are responsible for keeping endpoints healthy, secure, and optimized, RMM will continue to play a vital role.
So before you drop your RMM platform in favor of a single cloud console, ask yourself this: Can your clients afford to wait for Intune to notice something is broken?
🔧 How MSP+ Can Help
At MSP+, we specialize in helping managed service providers modernize their tech stacks while maintaining operational excellence. Whether you’re choosing your next RMM platform, improving automation and patching strategies, or aligning your toolset with proven practices, our team can help.
We don’t just recommend tools—we build frameworks around them that drive efficiency, visibility, and profitability.
