UpdateEXPERT (Formerly SPQuery)

UpdateEXPERT is a hotfix and service pack security management utility that helps systems administrators keep their hotfixes and service packs up-to-date by analysing which service packs and hotfixes are installed on the Windows 2000/NT and Terminal Server machines on their network, which ones are not installed and which ones are available. UpdateEXPERT facilitates locating, downloading and installing the latest service packs and hotfixes. UpdateExpert eliminates the confusion and labour of maintaining hotfixes.

Some Facts : -

• Most intrusions are easily avoided by deploying security hotfixes.
• Microsoft releases updates constantly for Windows NT, 2000 and XP and mission critical applications.
• Most updates fix security vulnerability bugs.
• Other updates fix system stability problems.
• Unless you know about them, you cannot keep up with these changes.
• UpdateEXPERT will help you conduct research, take inventory, deploy these updates and validate installations from the comfort and ease of your own workstation.
• Updating machines regularly is the only way to ensure that these problems with the OS and applications are addressed before lightning strikes

How UpdateEXPERT can help.

UpdateEXPERT Database
UpdateEXPERT has the most comprehensive database in the industry. The goal is to eliminate the need to go to Microsoft's Knowledgebase site for hotfixes and service packs. UpdateEXPERTs team of specialists comb through various download sites for updates every hour; they also check for new categories. UpdateEXPERT has the most categories for these updates in the industry. This exclusive feature makes it easy to find any group of updates instantly.

When new updates or changes to the database are discovered, UpdateEXPERT specialists test the article link; download link, inventory parameters, validation parameters and installation parameters. Then, they test the deployment to ensure that the installation parameters are correct. The efficiency and the performance of the update are not tested. Once it is confirmed the installation is complete, the testing is stopped.

We cannot confirm if the update conforms to the specifications from the vendor. If the update is not functioning after the installation completed properly, we suggest that you notify the vendor.

Once testing is completed, a new database is released to your console from the host-site.

System Tray Icon
Your console holds the System Tray icon. The UpdateEXPERT System Tray program periodically checks for new databases so that you know instantly when new information has arrived. In addition, this program will automatically update your local database if you desire. If not, the icon in the System Tray will animate, thus telling you that a new database has arrived.

Required Updates
You can designate updates as required. This feature enables you to manage hotfixes by policy. One simply defines the required updates with a click of the mouse. The sum of required updates equals the policy. Policies are used for many configuration parameters. Plus, with one click of the mouse, you can deploy all required, missing updates to any combination of machines. UpdateEXPERT is smart enough to sort out the ugly details of deployment.

Conformance Report
This verifies policy adherence. This report makes it easy for you to see how the inventory matches up against required updates. Policy management is enforced by defining policy (with Required Updates) and managing by exception those machines that are missing these required updates.

Validation
In addition to installing the updates, UpdateEXPERT will ensure that the update is correctly installed. This validation can be performed at any time and as part of the deployment process.

Machine Access Wizard
UpdateEXPERT includes a "machine access" wizard. This exclusive feature makes it easy to manage thousands of machines simultaneously. Plus, you can manage machines with multiple user names and passwords.

Summary of What You Can Do with UpdateEXPERT

• Help secure systems by managing the deployment of security hotfixes.
• Manage deployment of multiple updates to any number of machines.
• Apply a global policy by defining required updates.
• Research Knowledgebase articles from a categorized list of updates.
• Get immediate notification when new updates are available.
• Use the "machine access" wizard. This exclusive feature makes it easy to manage thousands of machines simultaneously. Plus, you can manage machines with multiple user names and passwords.
• Take inventory at the press of a button and reveal what updates are present and missing.
• Match required updates against current inventory with the Conformance Report.
• Validate installations before, during and after deployment.
• Receive complete, immediate feedback about the status of deployment jobs.
• Use built-in, on-screen and printed reports.
• UpdateEXPERT User Web is another exclusive feature.
• Supports English, German, Spanish, Italian and French OS configurations from an English language console.
• Use the Required Updates feature to see how easy it is to make all of your systems conform appropriately to your policies.

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