SMS Client Overview

SMS Client Overview

Document number: 12028

The following is an overview of Microsoft's Systems Management Server (SMS). For more information about SMS, see the list of SMS documents in Eureka!

IT has standardized on Microsoft's SMS software for the deployment of all supported software packages within the enterprise. The following are some of the advantages of deploying SMS:

SMS provides a consistent product to every client, reporting successful installations and those installs that experience problems.
SMS creates an environment to evaluate risks, and mitigate those risks.
A user base with consistent software levels is easier to support.
Upgrade paths are well established, issues become more readily identified, and solutions are more quickly developed.
SMS collects data about the current hardware and software configuration of its clients. This information is propagated up through the environment to help identify changes, viruses and software licensing conflicts.

There are two types of software packages which are deployed using SMS:

Software installation requests you have submitted. When software you have requested arrives to your machine, a pop-up window appears to notify you the software is ready to be installed. You have the option of installing it immediately by clicking Yes, or clicking No if you want to perform the install at a later date.
- For instructions on installing on how to Run Advertised Programs later, see Eureka! document 12032 — Installing SMS Advertised Programs Manually.
- For instructions on how to request installation of a software package, see Eureka! Document 14111 — How to Request a SMS Software Installation.
Security Packages (also known as Security Patch Management). Security Package updates will not display the same notification as requested programs shown in Run Advertised Programs. These updates will allow you to postpone the installation for a short grace period. Security Packages typically contain security-related updates and require a mandatory installation after a predetermined period of postponement. These types of updates also often require a reboot of your machine, and in some cases, the reboot is forced and immediate.

For more information on the Security Patch Management process, see see Eureka! document 12034 — Security Patch Management. For Windows based Server Operating Systems please refer to Eureka! document 12035 — Security Patch Management - Server.