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General discussion

Software management tool eases the burden of patching systems

Nov 24, 2003 3:35PM PST
Microsoft has addressed the increasing complexity of software patching with the release of Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003.

SMS 2003, which was launched on 11 November, is a distribution platform for deploying updates for all types of Microsoft Windows systems. It forms a key plank of the company's Dynamic Systems Initiative, an effort to simplify and automate the management of Windows software, in particular patching.

Patch management has become a hot topic for IT managers, following the barrage of virus and worm attacks aimed at Windows systems over the summer.

Some users say the amount of time and effort required to patch systems against threats is becoming unreasonable. For example, one business said it spent four days downloading a patch to protect itself against the MSBlaster virus.

Scott Charney, chief security strategist at Microsoft, told Computer Weekly that he wanted to see improvements in the way the company handles patch management. "We need better installation and distribution processes for patches," he said.

http://www.computerweekly.com/articles/article.asp?liArticleID=126691

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