Patch Management Tool. In a testament to how eagerly it was awaited, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS)-which was released in June-nonchalantly put down stiff competition to emerge victorious in the contest for Best Patch Management Tool. Developed in response to ongoing complaints that managing updates is just too difficult, WSUS's capabilities far exceed those of its predecessor, Microsoft Software Update Services (SUS). New features include support for patching Microsoft applications, such as Microsoft Office, SQL Server, and Exchange Server, as well as the OS; the ability to deploy particular patches to specified groups of computers; the ability for an administrator to specify a deadline for patch installation; and built-in reporting about whether deployments were successful.
