System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM 2007 R2)

The Configuration Manager, which many possibly still know as SMS, is the centerpiece in the Software Distribution and Client Inventory domain.

Any Windows software packs and software updates can be distributed centrally from here. The integration of AppV (formerly SoftGrid) also allows virtual applications to be provided using the same mechanisms.

The Asset Intelligence catalog from Microsoft, likewise the 2007 version, was built into the SCCM. It allows software from a wide range of different manufacturers to be detected efficiently on the connected systems. Microsoft provides and updates the stored catalog on a regular basis. One interesting aspect of this is that it allows the data obtained to be integrated into Microsoft Volume Licensing Services so that an automatic license comparison can be performed.

Integration with the hardware manufacturer is especially important when rolling out operating systems on Clients and Servers. In the case of Servers, the hard drives must first be set up, bios and firmware updates must be loaded, and the latest drivers must be integrated. HP provides add-ons for this (More info. here).

Existing Servers must be provided with current drivers on a regular basis. Some driver updates fix critical security problems. Central distribution with appropriate reporting is therefore important. For this, HP offers a suitable update catalog that can be used to integrate the driver and firmware updates directly into the normal Microsoft software distribution.

Microsoft also supports other manufacturers in addition to HP with this (More info. here).