Key Points
SCCM enables manual, automatic, and phased patch deployments for comprehensive Windows endpoint management.
- Deploy patches manually in SCCM by filtering updates, creating update groups, downloading content, and deploying the group
- Automate patch deployment using Automatic Deployment Rules (ADRs), adding deployments, and organizing ADRs in folders
- Roll out phased deployments by meeting prerequisites, creating a default two-phase setup, and manually adding phases if needed
- Compare tools based on team needs; SCCM suits expert admins, while tools like NinjaOne offer simpler automation and unified patching features
Microsoft Windows remains the leading desktop operating system, holding over 74 percent of the global market share as of January 2023. Microsoft offers several widely used IT tools, including SCCM. This SCCM patch management deployment guide outlines the key steps for deploying updates using the tool.
What is SCCM?
System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) is a part of Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM), and it’s an endpoint product used for endpoint management and patching. Key features include network discovery, automated patching, remote access, patch reporting, health and performance monitoring, and support for OS and third-party patching.
Are SCCM and WSUS the same tool?
SCCM is not the same as WSUS, although they are both tools that can be used in the patching process. WSUS stands for Windows Server Update Services, and unlike SCCM, it is free to use and provides only the most basic endpoint management and patching features. Due to its additional features, SCCM is the recommended tool for MSPs and larger IT departments, while WSUS is suitable for small businesses.
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How to deploy patches with SCCM
As explained by Microsoft, there are three ways to roll out patches with SCCM. Using SCCM, admins can deploy patches manually, automatically, or in phases. Here are the steps required for each type of SCCM patch rollout:
1) Manual patch deployment
Manually deploying updates in SCCM requires administrators to complete several time-consuming steps. While SCCM supports manual patching, the process is lengthy, leading many IT professionals to recommend automated patching instead. However, for teams that choose manual patching, the steps include:
- Filter and specify search criteria for software updates
- Gather software updates into groups
- Download content for the software update groups
- Deploy the software update group
These are the four basic steps that an admin uses to manually roll out patches in SCCM. Although these steps might look simple, don’t be fooled! There are many substeps within each of these processes.
2) Automatic patch deployment
Because patching is usually an IT admin’s worst nightmare, IT teams prefer to automate patching processes when possible. Once you set up automatic patch deployment in SCCM, you can rely on the software to roll out patches without manual intervention.
- Set up an automatic deployment rule (ADR)
- Add more deployments to the ADR
- Store and organize ADRs in folders
These three steps allow MSPs and IT departments to enable automatic patching in SCCM. For more in-depth information on each step and their substeps, view Microsoft’s SCCM automated patch deployment guide.
3.) Phased patch deployment
Phased deployments automate patching by rolling out updates to multiple groups in sequence. SCCM initially allowed only two phases, but now supports multiple phases. Before configuring phased deployments in SCCM, administrators must meet several prerequisites. Microsoft’s SCCM phased deployment guide outlines these requirements and how to address them. Once the prerequisites are met, administrators can proceed with setting up phased patch deployments.
- Resolve all prerequisites
- Set up a default, two-phase deployment
- Manually configure phases if necessary
NinjaOne vs. SCCM: Which one is best?
SCCM remains a widely used patching tool, but several alternatives now match or exceed its capabilities. SCCM no longer ranks among the top patch management solutions for IT departments and MSPs. In a comparison with SCCM, NinjaOne offers a more streamlined approach through unified patch management and automation features.
Choosing between NinjaOne and SCCM depends on your team’s specific needs. If your administrators are already proficient with SCCM, it may be the best short-term option. If they want a faster, simpler patching process, NinjaOne is the better choice.
Get started with NinjaOne Patch Management today for free
Want to simplify and automate your patch management systems? NinjaOne’s patch management is the solution you’ve been looking for. With Ninja patching, you gain access to automated patching for OS and 3rd party applications, remediation tools, vulnerability data, reboot management, alerts and notifications, and patch reporting. Get started with NinjaOne today with this free patching trial.
