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On-Premise Servers - 3rd-Party Applications Install & Patching

Covalt, Jonathan G 146 Reputation points
2022-08-31T20:41:14.9+00:00

We've been testing the Azure Automation solution for patching a few on-premise servers, with the intent of moving away from using SCCM/MECM for patching entirely. This seems to work well enough for Windows patches, but it doesn't support 3rd-party software installations and patching.

Anyone know of a way to automate the install and patching of 3rd-party software through Azure for on-premise servers?

An easy example here is that we have some servers that have Adobe Pro installed because it is used in the automation of PDF creation by other applications. Using SCCM we are able to install this, but also patch it when necessary on these servers. I'm just not seeing a way to do so without using SCCM.

Azure Automation
Azure Automation
An Azure service that is used to automate, configure, and install updates across hybrid environments.
1,257 questions
Windows Server
Windows Server
A family of Microsoft server operating systems that support enterprise-level management, data storage, applications, and communications.
13,228 questions
Accepted answer
  1. Limitless Technology 39,676 Reputation points
    2022-09-02T07:41:51.667+00:00

    Hello

    Thank you for your question and reaching out. I can understand you are having query related to 3rd Party Applications Patching.

    With Windows Native you can use SCCM but as you mentioned you are moving away from SCCM , you can use third party software like ManageEngine Desktop Central for Windows and Third party software patching.

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  1. Maxim Sergeev 6,571 Reputation points Microsoft Employee
    2022-08-31T22:27:24.093+00:00

    Azure Automation Update Management doesn't replace all SCCM capabilities.
    It's designed to patch OS first.
    As a workaround, you could leverage Azure DSC to install 3d-party software, but honestly, I don't like this approach. Please have a look at https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machine-scale-sets/virtual-machine-scale-sets-deploy-app#install-an-app-to-a-windows-vm-with-powershell-dsc

    On the other hand, Azure VMs have VM Application deployments feature. https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/virtual-machines/vm-applications
    Which is partly could solve your problem, but currently it's not available for Azure Arc-based on-premises machines. Perhaps, it will be supported in the future, but not today.

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