Feature Packs Aid SMS Admins

Two new feature packs are now available for Systems Management Server (SMS) 2.0 that make it substantially easier for organizations with SMS to deploy security patches and perform certain administrative tasks. Both include a new Web-based reporting system that makes it easier for administrators to distribute reports on distribution status and hardware and software inventory. SMS allows organizations to electronically inventory their Windows desktops and servers, deploy software to those computers, make configuration changes across groups of computers, remotely manage computers, and track software licenses across their networks.

The two feature packs-the Software Update Services Feature Pack and the Administration Feature Pack-share certain common components so that either can be installed without the other. (During the beta period, the two were combined into a single product called the SMS 2.0 Value Pack.)

Software Update Improvements

The Software Update Services Feature Pack makes it substantially easier for SMS 2.0 organizations to deploy Windows and Office patches.