SmartDeploy vs. Symantec Ghost

Unlike conventional tools like Symantec Ghost Solution Suite, SmartDeploy gives you true hardware independence. Deploy a single Windows golden image to any PC — slipstreaming driver and software installation into custom deployments. With SmartDeploy, you get more flexibility and control in one go.

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See how SmartDeploy compares with Symantec Ghost Solution Suite

Symantec Ghost

Using sector-based technology, Symantec Ghost clones system images for deployment to the same machines. But if you support diverse hardware, that means maintaining a large image library and multiple reference machines — with no easy way to manage device drivers and custom deployments.

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SmartDeploy

SmartDeploy’s file-based imaging technology enables single-image management and greater deployment flexibility. Deploy a custom Windows golden image, apps, and drivers to any PC in minutes. Support different hardware models easily using our library of 1,500+ downloadable prebuilt driver packs.

Deploy an image with SmartDeploy in minutes

SmartDeploy

Symantec Ghost Solution Suite

Driver package library

yes

no

Prebuilt & customizable script packages

yes

no

End-to-end automated deployments

yes

no

Out-of-box integration with third-party
cloud storage providers

yes

no

Multicast imaging

yes

yes

Offline imaging

yes

yes

Remote imaging via cloud*

yes

no

Windows updates automation

yes

no

Slipstream user data migration

yes

no

Compatibility with Linux systems

no

yes

*Without using VPN or any additional infrastructure

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How it works

Set up, update, and manage endpoints with greater flexibility and ease. Flexible layers enable you to manage the OS, applications, drivers, and user data independently from each other rather than baking everything into a locked image.

  • Step one

Build your golden image containing the Windows operating system, apps, and settings that you need.

  • Step two

Download any of our prebuilt device driver packages for all the hardware models you support.

  • Step three

Pick the software and scripts you need from our library — or build a custom installer to fit your specific needs.

  • Step four

Save and deploy with ultimate flexibility using any combination of USB, network server, or cloud storage.

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Meet some of our customers

Learn how businesses from startups to global leaders use SmartDeploy to streamline their endpoint management.

Meet our customers

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“Love that I just need a basic VM and it can run on our 30+ different models; love that it’s PC device agnostic. Also, the response to technical support questions happens lightning fast and usually within an hour of submission.”

WAYNE A.
IT Support Analyst

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“With roughly 250 workstations between two different schools, SmartDeploy makes it so easy and user-friendly to image. I love that each model has a prebuilt Platform Pack with all the drivers included. It even goes so far as to flash the BIOS. What imaging software does that?!”

JOE W.
Technology Assistant

Why customers prefer SmartDeploy

Meets requirements

Ease of use

Ease of setup

Ease of admin

Quality of support

Ease of doing business

Product direction

SmartDeploy logo white

Meets requirements

95%

Ease of use

94%

Ease of setup

92%

Ease of admin

96%

Quality of support

95%

Ease of doing business

97%

Product direction

95%

Symantec Ghost logo

Meets requirements

71%

Ease of use

77%

Ease of setup

73%

Ease of admin

75%

Quality of support

73%

Ease of doing business

79%

Product direction

46%

One platform, endless use cases

SmartDeploy is your one-stop shop for PC provisioning and lifecycle management.

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Computer imaging

Build and maintain a single Windows golden image, regardless of PC make or model

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PC refreshes

Keep all your users' files and settings consistent while rolling out new hardware

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Application management

Deploy, update, and patch applications zero-touch to any endpoint

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Windows updates

Push periodic updates or centrally manage entire migrations for local and remote PCs

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Device setup

Seamlessly roll out images, drivers, and applications to entirely new devices

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PC break-fixes

Reimage the operating system layer without affecting applications or user data

Resources

Ready to make the switch?

SmartDeploy is not affiliated with or endorsed by Broadcom Inc. The use of Symantec Ghost Solution Suite on this page is for comparison purposes only. Information last updated: 10/23/2023