Q: Apple network management

I work for an IT management company. We've been using Labtech so far for PC management, but find it's sorely lacking in an Apple-based environment. Most of our clients have small networks of 1-5 PC's and macs, so home clients. Managing those Macs is proving to be a problem.

What we need from Macs:

• Remote access, with an audit of access.
• Status of backups, notifications regardless of success or failure
• Status of security software, preferably with reports on a schedule
• Hardware report:

kept up to date

sent out on a schedule

notification when hardware changes or is failing

• Software report:

kept up to date

sent out on a schedule

notification on any software events

I was looking at Apple Remote Desktop, but the reviews on the store make me think it would be a waste of money, any thoughts?

Any suggestions for a Mac alternative to Labtech or a bunch of apps that would do the trick?