Managed and OnDemand Agents

In Datto RMM, there are two different types of Agents: Managed and OnDemand. Although we refer to the Agent as being "Managed" or "OnDemand", it is actually not the Agent or the devices that are Managed or OnDemand but rather the sites they are associated with. For example, if you have created a Managed site, a Managed Agent will be deployed to all devices that belong to the site. Similarly, if you have created an OnDemand site, an OnDemand Agent will be installed on all the associated devices. You cannot have both Managed and OnDemand devices in the same site.
For more information, refer to Sites and The Datto RMM Agent and Agent Browser.

Key differences between Managed and OnDemand Agents

Managed and OnDemand Agents differ in functionality. While Managed Agents can access all Datto RMM features, OnDemand Agents have limited access. Here are a few key differences between an OnDemand and a Managed Agent:

Feature	OnDemand	Managed
Automatic audit interval	Every 7 days	Every 24 hours
Allow remote takeover	Only with end user permission, via RDP, VNC, and Splashtop. OnDemand Agents appear offline, unless the end user requests a connection to the device. Refer to Connect to an OnDemand device.	Unattended (no end user permission needed), via RDP, VNC, Splashtop, and Web Remote. Refer to Connect to a Managed device and Action buttons.
Can initiate remote takeover		Via RDP, VNC, Splashtop, and Web Remote
Branding
Patch Management
Run jobs
Run policies
Run monitors

IMPORTANT  Switching a site's type from Managed to OnDemand will cause all current and future Agents in the site to enter the OnDemand state. Agents will only connect once every seven days to update their audit data and they cannot be targeted by monitors, policies, or jobs. A remote user can use an OnDemand Agent to request support from the system tray icon.
If a site's type is changed from OnDemand back to Managed, the devices in the site will remain in their OnDemand state until the Agents next check in to Datto RMM. However, you can speed up this process by requesting support from the system tray icon of the devices.

Reasons for deploying OnDemand Agents

You would typically deploy an OnDemand Agent if your end users insist that they request the remote takeover as they want to be present when the connection begins and ends. An OnDemand Agent is also great if you want only ad-hoc remote support, or support on devices that you don't regularly manage.

IMPORTANT  OnDemand Agents are compatible only with the Microsoft Windows operating system. Refer to Supported operating systems and Agent requirements.

Agent icons

NOTE  On macOS devices, the icons below display when dark mode is applied on the system. Similar icons will display when light mode is applied. It is not possible to modify the macOS menu bar icons using custom branding.

Windows	macOS	Name	Description
		Online	Managed Agent that is currently connected to the Datto RMM platform.
		Offline	The Agent is not connected to the Datto RMM platform.
		Privacy Mode	The Agent is currently connected to the Datto RMM platform and has Privacy Mode enabled. Refer to Privacy Mode.
	NA	OnDemand Mode	OnDemand Agent that is currently connected to the Datto RMM platform. Only compatible with Windows devices.
		Alert Mode Online	The Agent is online and waiting for a job to be run by the end user. Refer to Execution.
		Alert Mode Offline	The Agent is offline and waiting for a job to be run by the end user. Refer to Execution.
		Stopped	The Agent service has stopped. No logging is performed at this time.
		Active Screen Share	A screen share session is currently in progress. On Windows devices, the tray icon alternates between the Active Screen Share icon and the Online icon for the duration of the remote session. macOS devices display only the Online icon during remote sessions. To learn about remote screen sharing, refer to Remote takeover tools.

NOTE  If you have re-branded your account, you will see the icons you uploaded instead. Refer to Branding.