10 ConnectWise Automate Patch Manager Best Practices

ConnectWise Automate Patch Manager is a powerful tool for managing patches and updates across your organization. It helps you keep your systems up-to-date and secure, while also ensuring that your users have the latest versions of the software they need.

However, it’s important to use ConnectWise Automate Patch Manager correctly in order to get the most out of it. In this article, we’ll discuss 10 best practices for using ConnectWise Automate Patch Manager to ensure that your organization is secure and up-to-date.

1. Use the Patch Manager to keep your systems up-to-date

The Patch Manager allows you to quickly and easily deploy patches, updates, and hotfixes to all of your systems. This ensures that your systems are always running the latest versions of software, which helps protect them from security vulnerabilities and other potential issues.

The Patch Manager also makes it easy to keep track of patching progress across multiple machines. You can view a list of all pending patches, as well as their status, so you know exactly what needs to be done in order to keep your systems secure. Additionally, you can set up automated patching schedules, so you don’t have to worry about manually deploying patches every time there’s an update available.

2. Keep an eye on your patching schedule

By monitoring your patching schedule, you can ensure that all of the patches and updates are being applied in a timely manner. This helps to keep your systems secure and up-to-date with the latest security fixes. Additionally, it allows you to quickly identify any potential issues or vulnerabilities before they become a problem.

Finally, keeping an eye on your patching schedule also ensures that you’re not missing out on important bug fixes or feature enhancements that could improve the performance of your system.

3. Be aware of any conflicts with other software

When you install ConnectWise Automate Patch Manager, it will scan your system for any existing software and patching solutions. If there are conflicts between the two, then this could cause problems with the installation process or even lead to errors in the future.

Therefore, it’s important to be aware of any potential conflicts before installing ConnectWise Automate Patch Manager. This can be done by researching the other software that is already installed on your system and making sure that they are compatible with each other. Additionally, make sure to read through the release notes of both products to ensure that all features are supported.

4. Test patches before deploying them in production

Testing patches before deploying them in production ensures that the patch will not cause any unexpected issues or conflicts with existing applications. It also allows you to identify and address any potential compatibility issues between the patch and other software on the system. Additionally, testing patches can help reduce the risk of downtime due to a failed patch deployment.

By taking the time to test patches before deploying them in production, you can ensure that your systems are secure and up-to-date without risking any unexpected problems.

5. Deploy patches during off hours

Deploying patches during off hours ensures that the patch installation process does not interfere with your users’ work. It also reduces the risk of any potential issues caused by the patch, as it will be installed when fewer people are using the system. Additionally, deploying patches during off hours allows you to monitor the patch deployment process more closely and address any issues quickly if they arise.

6. Prioritize security patches over feature updates

Security patches are designed to fix vulnerabilities in the system, which can be exploited by malicious actors. Feature updates, on the other hand, are not as critical and may not need to be applied immediately.

By prioritizing security patches over feature updates, you ensure that your systems remain secure and protected from potential threats. This is especially important for businesses that handle sensitive data or have a large customer base. Additionally, it’s important to keep up with patching schedules so that all of your systems stay up-to-date and secure.

7. Enable automatic reboots for Windows Updates

When Windows Updates are installed, they often require a reboot to take effect. If the computer is not restarted after installation, then the updates will not be applied and the system will remain vulnerable to security threats. By enabling automatic reboots for Windows Updates, you can ensure that all of your systems are up-to-date with the latest patches and fixes. This helps protect against malicious attacks and keeps your network secure.

8. Create a backup plan

ConnectWise Automate Patch Manager is a powerful tool that can help you keep your systems up to date with the latest security patches and updates. However, if something goes wrong during the patching process, it could cause serious damage to your system.

Creating a backup plan will ensure that you have a way to restore your system in case of an emergency. This includes backing up all important data before running any patching operations, as well as creating a recovery image or snapshot of your system so that you can quickly revert back to a known good state. Additionally, make sure to test your backups regularly to ensure they are working properly.

9. Avoid using third-party tools

Third-party tools can introduce security risks, as they may not be updated regularly or have the same level of security measures in place that ConnectWise Automate Patch Manager does. Additionally, third-party tools can cause conflicts with other applications and services running on your system, leading to instability and performance issues.

For these reasons, it’s best to stick with ConnectWise Automate Patch Manager for all patch management needs. This ensures that you’re getting the most secure and reliable solution available, while avoiding any potential conflicts or security risks associated with third-party tools.

10. Consider using ConnectWise Automate’s Reboot Agent

The Reboot Agent allows you to schedule reboots for machines that need them after patching. This ensures that the patches are applied correctly and that any changes made by the patch are properly implemented. Additionally, it helps reduce downtime as the reboot can be scheduled at a time when it is least disruptive to users. Finally, it also reduces the risk of failed patch installations due to an unpatched machine being restarted without the patch being applied first.