Consolidating update management for enterprises

Update management for enterprise customers has been consolidated into a single solution, Windows Autopatch. What was previously known as Windows Update for Business Deployment Service has been integrated into Windows Autopatch to provide a more cohesive and streamlined update experience. This change allows you to use Windows Autopatch to streamline all aspects of keeping your Windows devices up to date. Automation helps ensure seamless update deployment for Windows OS, Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Edge.

How Windows Autopatch simplifies update management

In the fast-moving world of IT, efficiency and simplicity are not just goals, they are imperatives. As an IT professional, you are responsible for managing complex systems and ensuring that they are up to date and secure. This is where Windows Autopatch comes in, providing an integrated update management approach that streamlines the update process and enhances system stability and security.

Windows Autopatch has a new, unified dashboard designed to make update management easier and more efficient. When you access Windows Autopatch from the Microsoft 365 admin center, you’ll see four main sections:

• Policy Update: Create and manage update policies that define when and how updates are installed on your devices. Choose from predefined policies or create custom policies. Assign different policies to different update groups for greater flexibility and control over your update strategy.
• Group Updates: Organize devices into custom update rings or Autopatch groups based on criteria such as device type, location, department, or function. Apply different update policies and schedules to each group to ensure updates are delivered in a way that suits your business needs and minimize disruption. Monitor and manage the update status of each group from the dashboard.
• Update Status: See the update status of all your devices at a glance. See which devices are up to date, which are updating, which need an update, and which are experiencing issues. Dig deeper into each device’s details, including update history, current version, and error codes. Take action if necessary, such as retrying or pausing an update, or downloading update logs to troubleshoot issues.
• Update Report: Generate and download update reports for insight and analysis on update performance and compliance. Choose from a variety of report types, including update compliance, quality, distribution, and inventory. Filter and customize reports by date, device, group, policy, or update. Use reports to assess update effectiveness, identify issues, and optimize update processes.

Benefits of an Integrated Update Management System

Moving to unified update management with Windows Autopatch delivers real benefits that go beyond simplification.

• Reduce complexity: With Windows Autopatch, the days of coordinating multiple update tools and policies are over. A single, streamlined service manages everything, freeing your IT team to focus on more strategic initiatives. Plus, Autopatch deployment rings and careful rollout sequences minimize disruption, allowing you to plan and execute updates with minimal impact to your organization.
• Enhanced Compliance and Security: Autopatch makes it easier to maintain industry standards and compliance because updates are applied consistently across the board. Timely updates are also important for security. Autopatch’s automated system ensures that all devices receive the necessary updates as quickly as possible, effectively closing security gaps.
• Better resource allocation: By automating update management, you can reallocate your IT resources to areas that drive innovation and growth in your business. Automating routine tasks also reduces the need for manual intervention, reducing labor costs and the potential for human error.

Embrace the future of update management

Fully integrating the Windows Update for Business deployment service into Windows Autopatch represents a significant evolution in Windows update management. A unified dashboard with central control makes it easier to manage updates for devices across your organization, keeping them up to date and secure.

Windows Autopatch lets you upgrade your entire update management strategy by easily transitioning to a unified service that not only updates your systems, but also allows you to take advantage of this change without new licensing. The licensing requirements are the same as today. As endpoint management systems continue to evolve, you can be confident that the familiar and trusted features, including API access, will be preserved.

Discover the benefits of unified update management for yourself. Microsoft Ignite November 19-22, 2024, Chicago. You can also check: Windows Autopatch Documentation or Watch the demo.

Stay tuned for more updates. Thanks for joining us on this exciting journey!

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