SCCM Patch Management - Third Party Patching Tool | SolarWinds (2024)

System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) is a software management suite provided by Microsoft that allows IT teams to manage Windows-based computers. Of its many features, SCCM is commonly used by organizations to deploy updates and security patchesacross a network. SCCM gives IT administrators substantial control over when and how patches are applied. Since it boasts more robust features than most other configuration management solutions, SCCM is often the most attractive option for large enterprise networks.

SCCM patch management provides a suite of endpoint protection toolsand, with the correct configuration, can operate as a full lifecycle management system for IT departments with a high number of Windows systems. Non-Windows systems (Mac, Linux, UNIX, Symbian, and others) can still be managed through SCCM as end-clients, although this process still requires a Windows server to run.

SCCM patching is controlled via an intuitive Graphical User Interface (GUI), which can make it significantly easier to implement than other self-deployed tools. And since it’s a Microsoft product, there are tons of community support options for IT teams that adopt SCCM to improve their third-party patch management practices.

Patching can be a difficult process. This is particularly true for infrastructures and application architectures that have become more complex and decentralized. For large enterprises, patch management is often a daunting and resource-intensive challenge, for both technological and organizational reasons. However, System Center Configuration Manager allows admins to more easily patch third-party software across their network. The tool allows admins to subscribe to lists of third-party updates and automatically integrate those updates with their own software update platform, enabling fast and automatic third-party patching across the network. Of course, those third-party software updates require storage space, so admins should be sure that their Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) folder has sufficient disk space before choosing to integrate SCCM as an additional tool. Additional patching tools can add additional capabilities, like granular scheduling options and more fine-tuned configurations.

SCCM streamlines the intricate task of scheduling and distributing updates to devices and applications across a network. Admins can easily send updates of Microsoft products and third-party applications to an array of devices like desktops, laptops, servers, and mobile devices.

SCCM offers IT admins more control over their patch management with intuitive GUIs that make patches easy to deploy once configured for an environment. Additionally, SCCM is designed to update alongside Windows 10 updates. This way, SCCM will always be capable of providing support for new Windows features as they become available. When SCCM is integrated with Microsoft Intune, you can also choose between multiple deployment and management options in Windows 10.

Configuration for SCCM is built to be easy to deploy with SolarWinds Patch Manager, even for large organizations with complex networks and applications. Just preconfigure update lists, templates, and collection and maintenance windows, and SCCM will take care of the rest.

SolarWinds Patch Manager works as an SCCM patch management software by extending the power of Microsoft SCCM to help keep desktops, laptops, and servers patched and secure with the latest patches for both Microsoft and third-party applications. It also provides you with pre-built, tested, and ready-to-deploy patches for common third-party applications. You can also customize patch reports to be scheduled and emailed, helping save time while protecting software and applications against vulnerabilities.

Without SCCM patch management software, organizations may struggle to regularly and efficiently update third-party applications on their networks. Although SCCM has added more support for third-party applications, the ability for SCCM to patch third-party applications is often a source of frustration for IT admins as it can be difficult to deploy and configure. Falling behind on patches and updates can put a network at risk of security threatsor other vulnerabilities. Patch Manager is designed to allow IT teams to receive the full benefits of SCCM.

Patch Manager is comprehensive patch management software. In addition to centralizing your third-party application patching, Patch Manager is built for automating patching of Microsoft servers, workstations, and more. With advanced scheduling and rebooting features, you can better optimize many patch management processes, such as proactively scheduling updates during tight maintenance timeframes or choosing which patches to install depending on release dates or severity level.

Additionally, users can use Patch Manager to extend Microsoft WSUS patching. With this feature, a comprehensive view of patch status and application vulnerabilities are provided through Patch Manager’s customizable reports. PM can report over 500 fields of data using over 100 report definitions. Reports can be sorted, filtered, and grouped by application type, patch status, and WSUS target group.

Other SolarWinds Tools to Help Ensure Security:

• SolarWinds Security Event Manager
• SolarWinds Access Right Manager
• SolarWinds Identity Monitor

Related Features:

• SCCM Software Inventory Management
• SCCM Hardware Inventory
• SCCM Alternative
• WSUS Patch Management
• WSUS Alternative
• Software Patch Management for Windows
• Remote Patch Management