This is the first guest post from my partner Recast Software. Managing an ever-growing array of systems and permissions, SysAdmins often find third-party application patching slipping through the cracks. Despite best efforts to keep Windows updates in check, the other applications on our endpoints too frequently get overlooked.

This is where Application Manager by Recast Software (makers of Right Click Tools) comes into play. With Application Manager you can keep your third-party applications as up to date as possible. This way you can focus on more pressing projects, while resting easier knowing that your endpoints are more secure.

Simple to setup and use

Application Manager supports ConfigMgr, Intune, and even WSUS. In this post we will cover how it works with Intune, but know these other platforms are also covered.

Application Manager is not only comprehensive in its capabilities but also remarkably user-friendly in its design. From the initial setup process to the routine use of the patching tool, every aspect of Application Manager is streamlined for simplicity and efficiency. During the onboarding process, a knowledgeable Recast support member will be at your side to ensure a swift and seamless setup, and this expert guidance comes at no additional cost. This hands-on support eliminates the hassle of navigating complex installers and tedious documentation, allowing your team to focus on more strategic tasks.

Application Catalog

At the time this post went live, Application Manager supports 300 applications. If you are wondering if a specific application your company uses is covered, check out the supported application list here.

If you can’t find that one-off, niche application that only a handful of people in your org are using, Application Manager still has you covered. You can also upload your own custom applications if needed, which is useful for in-house developed applications or that one random application that Bill in Accounting insists he still needs.

Oh, Bill.

Adding an Application

Once you are set up and Application Manager is communicating with your Azure instance, it is quite simple to add the applications you want to manage. From the “Service Applications” page (see screenshot below), you will find the full list of all applications available for the environment type you are looking at (Intune in this case). Next, flip the “Active” switch to on. This will trigger Application Manager to deliver the fully packaged and tested application to your environment. Adding applications really is as easy as that.

Deploying the Application

Now that our applications have been added to the environment, it’s time to set up the deployment processes.

From the “Deployment Processes” page, click the “New Deployment Process” button. This will pop up a screen where you can name the new deployment process. Let’s name ours “Modern Device Management Test”.

Now we need to add our application to it. This requires another simple flip of the switch to turn it on.

From here, click on the “Deployments” tab and hit the “+Add” button. This will bring up the next page where we can select our tenant and choose a group. For demonstration purposes, I will just select “All Devices,” but know that you can narrow it down by users or collections—however you need.

After picking your group and clicking “select,” it’s time to set all the deployment settings. Everything from install intent to scheduling is covered. Keep in mind that deployment processes allow for you to have multiple deployments within it. Therefore, if you need to set up both a pilot group and a global group deployment, you can take care of all of that in one deployment process.

Once deployment processes are set up in Application Manager, it is also super simple to add another application to it. Go to the deployment process you want to add the application to and flip the application’s switch to active. If you have a bunch of applications that all need to be deployed following the same set of rules, adding them to an existing deployment process makes adding the new applications very straightforward.  

Time to Relax

With Application Manager now seamlessly integrated into your IT environment, it’s time to enjoy the long-term benefits this tool provides. The beauty of Application Manager lies not just in its initial ease of use, but in the ongoing efficiency and security reinforcements it provides. Once set up, you can confidently step back as the tool autonomously manages application updates. This automated process ensures that your systems are always up to date with the latest software versions, significantly reducing security vulnerabilities.

Also, the ‘set it and forget it’ nature of Application Manager frees up your IT team to focus on other strategic initiatives, rather than constantly monitoring and managing application updates. This shift from reactive to proactive is a game-changer, enabling your team to drive innovation and efficiency across the organization. In essence, Application Manager doesn’t just solve the immediate challenge of application patching; it fosters a more secure, efficient, and forward-thinking IT landscape. So, relax and let Application Manager do the heavy lifting, while you chart the course for your organization’s future IT successes.