How to Streamline Software Updates: Automation, Tools, and Tips

It’s no secret that keeping your software up-to-date is important for security and stability reasons. However, manually updating software can be a daunting task for many businesses, particularly when you have hundreds or even thousands of applications to keep track of. In this blog post, we will discuss different ways to automate and streamline the process of software updates.

Automate Software Updates Whenever Possible

One of the easiest ways to streamline software updates is to automate them whenever possible. There are many different tools available that can help you with this, including Helm repositories. Helm repositories allow you to manage your software updates in one place and automatically deploy them to your systems.

Many different tools and services are available that can help you automate software updates. Some of these tools include:

1. Helm repositories: A Helm repository by Jfrog allows you to manage your software updates in one place and automatically deploy them to your systems. This is a great option for businesses with many applications to keep track of.
2. Ansible Tower: Ansible Tower is a tool used for managing automation and orchestration. It includes a feature called “Playbooks,” which can be used to automate the installation and updating of software.
3. Puppet: Puppet is another tool used for automation and orchestration. It also includes a feature called “Puppet Modules,” which can be used to automate the installation and updating of software.
4. Chef: A chef is a tool used for configuration management, automation, and compliance. It includes a feature called “Cookbooks,” which can be used to automate the installation and updating of software.

Use A Tool To Monitor For And Manage Software Updates

Another way to streamline software updates is to use a tool to monitor for and manage them. There are many different tools available that can help you with this, including:

1. Patch Manager Plus: Patch Manager Plus is a tool that helps you manage and deploy software updates. It includes patch management, vulnerability management, and compliance reporting features.
2. SCCM: SCCM is a tool used for managing systems and applications. It includes asset management, configuration management, and patch management features.
3. SolarWinds N-central: SolarWinds N-central is a tool used for monitoring and managing networks. It includes features such as patch management, device management, and network.
4. Kaseya VSA: Kaseya VSA is a tool used for managing IT systems. It includes patch management, asset management, and remote control features.
5. All the above tools are different patch management tools that can help you automate and streamline the process of software updates.

Schedule Time Each Week To Review And Install Updates

Scheduling time each week to review and install updates is another way to keep on top of things. This doesn’t need to be a major time commitment – even setting aside 30 minutes each week can make a big difference. 

You can review what updates are available and decide which ones to install during this time. This is also a good opportunity to check for any new features that might be useful to your business. By installing updates regularly, you can avoid playing catch-up later on down the line. 

It’s also worth noting that some software updates may require a reboot to take effect. If possible, try and schedule these during times when it won’t impact productivity too much (e.g., overnight or at the weekend). That way, employees can get back to work with minimal disruption. 

Test Updates In A Sandbox Environment Before Deploying Them

When it comes to software updates, it’s always a good idea to test them in a sandbox environment first. This will help you to gauge how the update will impact your business and whether or not it’s worth deploying. 

There are some ways to do this, but one of the simplest is to create a duplicate of your production environment and apply the update to that. This will allow you to see how things change and identify any potential problems.

By testing updates before deploying them, you can help to avoid any nasty surprises further down the line. Once you’re happy that the update is ready for production, you can then roll it out to employees. Of course, even after testing, there’s always a small risk that something could go wrong. For this reason, it’s important to have a plan in place for reverting back to a previous version if necessary. 

Here Are Some Sandbox Tools That Can Be Used For Software Update Testing:

1. Google Cloud Platform Sandbox:  This tool from Google Cloud Platform lets you create a duplicate of your production environment to test updates in a safe and controlled way.
2. Azure DevTest Labs: Another option for testing in a sandbox environment, this time from Microsoft Azure.
3. AWS Sandbox: Amazon Web Services also offers a sandbox environment that can be used for software update testing.