The Custom Updates Publishing Tool enables independent software vendor or line-of-business application developers to create software updates catalogs that contain the custom update definitions. The catalog can be synchronized with the Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 site database, making it available to the Inventory Tool for Custom Updates, which scans for and distributes applicable updates to SMS clients.

The following sections provide planning, installation, and security information, explain the features and capabilities, and provide reference information for the Custom Updates Publishing Tool.

In This Section

Getting Started with the Custom Updates Publishing Tool


Provides information about getting started with the Custom Updates Publishing Tool, including system requirements and installing the tool.
Security Considerations for the Custom Updates Publishing Tool


Provides security information for the Custom Updates Publishing Tool.
Creating Custom Updates


Provides information about creating custom updates.
Importing Custom Updates


Provides information about importing custom updates.
Publishing Custom Updates


Provides information about publishing updates to a catalog and synchronizing the catalog to Systems Management Server 2003.
Exporting Custom Updates


Provides information about exporting the custom updates catalog.
Custom Updates Publishing Tool Settings


Provides information about the Custom Updates Publishing Tool settings.
Managing Custom Updates Publishing Tool Rules


Provides information about managing rules.
Custom Updates Publishing Tool Backup and Restore


Provides information about backing up and restoring the Custom Updates Publishing Tool database.
Reference Topics for the Custom Updates Publishing Tool


Provides reference information about the Custom Updates Publishing Tool console, commands, wizards, dialog boxes, rules, and so on.
Troubleshooting the Custom Updates Publishing Tool


Provides information about troubleshooting the Custom Updates Publishing Tool.