I'm curious about the various methods folks are using to install and update vendor-specific BIOS, firmware, drivers, utilities, and software for HP, Dell, and Lenovo devices. I know there are a bunch of approaches like using WSUS, SCCM, Intune, or even going the manual route. How's everyone managing this? I'm specifically looking for ways to push HP BIOS updates through Intune and also deal with other vendor updates. We used to use SolarWinds Patch Manager integrated with WSUS, which worked great in a domain-joined environment, but it doesn't play nice with Intune. We've switched to Patch My PC for general updates, but they don't handle vendor-specific hardware updates. What strategies are working for you?
6 Answers
Honestly, I just let Windows Updates do its thing. It’s been pretty reliable for all of the devices in my fleet.
If you're working with HP devices, definitely give HPIA a shot. It can install all drivers and firmware with a single command, and you can easily set it up to run with your management software. Makes it a breeze!
From my experience, using an RMM tool to run a Powershell script that targets updates by manufacturer is super efficient. It automates the process quite a bit!
We manage updates for Dell devices using a combination of Intune, SCCM, and Patch My PC, and it's been pretty effective. We're covering about 90% of our fleet this way.
SmartDeploy is another great option if you're looking to manage driver and BIOS updates. They have something called Platform Packs which can handle a lot of specific devices, so it might be worth checking if they support what you need.
I've put together a Bulk updater for HP and Dell systems, and I'm eager for feedback! It lets you add devices by IP and validate compatibility before updating. I'm still new to coding, but it's been a fun project! Let me know if you're interested in trying it out.
Absolutely! HPIA has been a game changer for us. We had a challenging time getting some EliteBook G9s to update, but using HPIA and CMSL really simplified the process—everything else just fell flat.