Automatic Software update/installation software?

[tantone]

What do y'all recommend to automatically install critical updates, software application updates, and other automated tasks in a domain environment?

We're getting stretched a bit thin having to "touch" each desktop PC to install updates, etc.

Thanks!!!

[Midknyte]

group policy software packages. if the updates have .msi files, they are ready for group policy deployment. if not, you can use wininstall LE to create patches.
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;257718

for windows updates, you can run SUS services, provided you have an IIS server running within your domain.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=a7aa96e4-6e41-4f54-972c-ae66a4e4bf6c&DisplayLang=en

That's about all the free stuff I can think of.

[rraehal]

I have not looked into the free stuff very much. We use Marimba application installer. Simply build a "macro" like package, add the package to the profile, send an e-mail company wide with an update schedule, and it gets done on its own. Getting ready to roll out the RPC updates to dial-up remote users now and will do a service pack in office when they come.