System Center Updates Publisher

The System Center Updates Publisher has been built on the custom updates framework that was introduced in Systems Management Server 2003 R2. Updates Publisher is a stand-alone tool that enables independent software vendors or line-of-business application developers to import software update catalogs, create and modify software update definitions, export update definitions to catalogs, and publish software updates information to a configured update server. By using Updates Publisher to define software updates and publish them to the update server, administrators can begin detecting and deploying published updates to client and server computers in their organization.

Updates Publisher enables administrators to do the following:

• Import catalogs created by non-Microsoft organizations or created from within the administrator's organization.

• Create applicability and deployment metadata for software updates.

• Export software update catalogs so that they can be imported by Updates Publisher at another location, or export a test catalog to verify that the rules for the updates work as expected.

• Manage software updates information.

• System Center Updates Publisher 4.0 now available
  

  An enhancement to the System Center Updates Publisher is now available.  In addition to the ability to manage and deploy third-party updates, the new version 4.0 adds functionality to import and publish bundles, drivers, and import defined prerequisites and publish them to your line of business or third-party application updates.

• Download Partner Catalogs
  

  Building a more secure and reliable infrastructure while lowering operating costs relies on the ability to update independent software vendor (ISV) and in-house applications as well as updates provided by Microsoft. With SMS 2003 R2 and the Inventory Tool for Custom Updates (ITCU), or System Center Configuration Manager 2007 and System Center Essentials 2007 with System Center Updates Publisher, organizations can achieve this goal quickly and efficiently.

• Evaluate System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Service Pack 1
  

  System Center Configuration Manager—previously Systems Management Server—represents a tremendous advance over its well-regarded predecessor, now providing the control necessary to more effectively manage change in today's dynamic IT infrastructures. Manage the full deployment and update lifecycle with streamlined, policy-based automation; with enhanced insight into, and control over, assets and systems compliance; and with optimization for Windows—particularly Windows Server 2008 and Windows Vista—and extensibility to customized administration experiences and third-party applications.

• Read the SCUP Online Documentation
  

  Learn how to get started with Updates Publisher, configuring and using the Updates Publisher, and troubleshooting common issues.