LabTech offers a few options for patch management. The primary patch tool within LabTech is the Hotfix Manager under each Group. LabTech also supports the use of a WSUS server or regular Windows Updates. The LabTech Hotfix Manager downloads the list of Windows updates from Windows Update. When the patches are installed they are slipstreamed together to reduce the number of reboots during the update process.
The Hotfix Manager is accessed through the DashBoard under Management Tab. From the Hotfix Manager the technician can set the parameters for the patch installation. The tech can also jump right to the knowledge base article for the Hotfix or create a script to run and test the patch on a specific system or group.
[Click to view a Demonstration on the Script Hot Fix Creation]
Click to Enlarge a screenshot of the Hotfix Manager.
The system uses the Remote Agent template configuration screen to determine if and when Hotfixes will be installed on a system. Templates can be applied to a computer or a group. The Patch Window setting determines when Hotfixes are installed.
Click to Enlarge a screenshot of the template configuration screen.
Approving HotFixes
Groups are set up in LabTech and hotfixes can be approved for entire groups of computers. This can be used to isolate some groups of computers that are sensitive to Windows updates. It can also be used to slowly role out new patches by appointing test groups and deploying hotfixes there. You can also approve patches on a per computer level.
Click to Enlarge the Group HotFix Tab Window.
