tooling
fundamentals

RMM

Also known as: Remote Monitoring and Management, remote monitoring & management

Remote Monitoring & Management, agent-based software an MSP installs on every endpoint to inventory, patch, alert, automate, and run scripts at scale.

An RMM (Remote Monitoring and Management) platform is the central nervous system of an MSP. A small agent runs on each managed device, laptop, server, hypervisor, and reports back to a cloud console. From that console, an MSP technician can:

  • See real-time and historical health (CPU, RAM, disk, services)
  • Push patches and software updates on a schedule
  • Run scripts (PowerShell, Bash) ad-hoc or on a trigger
  • Receive alerts when something is wrong (disk full, service stopped, BSOD)
  • Take remote control sessions

Common products: NinjaRMM (now NinjaOne), Datto RMM, ConnectWise Automate, N-able N-central, Atera. Most MSPs settle on one RMM platform per business and standardize their playbooks around it.

The RMM is where techs live. Most frontline work, running scripts, applying policy, picking up alerts, happens here.