Underlying Technology

The software update inventory tools use the following existing technology to provide you with a better software update management solution:

Security Patch Bulletin Catalog (MSSecure.XML) This is the security updates database that the Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) and the Security Update Inventory Tool use to determine which security updates are installed on your computers and which are applicable. The Security Update Inventory Tool synchronization component automatically downloads the latest version of this database on a regular basis and distributes it to the computers in your enterprise by using SMS distribution points. For more information about MSSecure.XML, see the Microsoft Web site at https://www.microsoft.com/technet.

Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer (MBSA) MBSA runs on Microsoft Windows® operating systems and scans for applicable security updates in the operating system, and in other products, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Windows Media® Player, and Microsoft SQL Server(tm). The Security Update Inventory Tool includes MBSA technology in its scan component. The Security Update Inventory Tool synchronization component automatically downloads the latest version of this tool on a regular basis and distributes it to the computers in your enterprise by using SMS distribution points. For more information about the MBSA, see the Microsoft Web site at https://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/tools/Tools/mbsahome.asp.

Microsoft Office Update Tool (Invcm.exe) The Microsoft Office Inventory Tool for Updates uses the Microsoft Office Update Tool with the Microsoft Office Update Database (Invcif.exe) to analyze your client computers for applicable updates to Microsoft Office programs. The data gathered by the Microsoft Office Update Tool is then converted into a format that is compatible with the SMS site database. The Microsoft Office Inventory Tool for Updates synchronization component automatically downloads the latest version of the Microsoft Office Update Tool on a regular basis and distributes it to the computers in your enterprise by using SMS distribution points.

Microsoft Office Update Database (Invcif.exe) This is the database of software updates that the Microsoft Office Update Tool and the Microsoft Office Inventory Tool for Updates use to determine which office updates are installed on your computers and which are applicable. The Microsoft Office Inventory Tool for Updates synchronization component automatically downloads the latest version of this database on a regular basis and distributes it to the computers in your enterprise by using SMS distribution points. For more information about the Microsoft Office Update Tool, see https://support.microsoft.com?kbid=312982.

For More Information

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