Deploying Patches/Service Releases across network

[leslyekahn]

My office has 12 computers and 1 server and I am responsible for making sure that each computer has the most updated service releases and updates. The only software that pushes across the network is the Norton Anti-Virus b/c it is a Corporate edition, and it's loaded onto the server.

Nobody takes care of their computers, so temp files pile up, they don't defrag, and I know for a fact they don't check for updates for anything.

Is there something out there for small offices like mine to push SRs across a network instead of having to go from computer to computer with an excel spreadsheet hoping you got everything. I also have to wait for them to be away from their desks long enough (like lunch-hour or after work) to update the software.

The main software I check is: Timeslips 2006, MSOffice 2000, Windows XP Pro, Word Perfect 12, Adobe Acrobat 7.

I checked Symantec, and they've got LiveState Client Management Suite, but that's for 150+ computers.

Thanks.

Leslye

[Squashman]

Well for the Microsoft stuff you can setup WSUS. That can be setup to push down office updates and OS updates. But why don't you have these computers set to auto-update already? I believe Adobe can be set to Auto Update as well somewhere in its settings. I really don't know about your other programs.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserv...s/default.mspx

[johnwill]

Well, except for Timeslips and Word Perfect, all the other products have automatic updating capability. I'm not sure if MS Office 2000 falls under the automatic update umbrella, but I know Office 2003 does. I suspect if MS Office 2000 doesn't offer automatic updates, it also isn't going to get updated very often...