SCCM and WSUS handle Windows OS updates well. They leave two gaps open: third-party app patching, and patches that report as “deployed” but never actually installed. Most on-premise teams close these gaps with one companion tool, not a full replacement. The right pick depends on your budget and which gap hurts more.
This is a common question for IT managers who inherit an SCCM setup. They’re often told to improve it without a bigger budget.
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What Is On-Premise Patch Management?
On-premise patch management — deploying, tracking, and verifying software updates using infrastructure hosted inside your own network, without depending on a cloud service.
This matters for segmented networks, regulatory restrictions on cloud dependency, or devices that aren’t always internet-connected.
Why SCCM and WSUS Alone Aren’t Enough
SCCM and WSUS are built primarily for Windows OS and Microsoft product updates. Neither natively patches most third-party software. Chrome, Java, 7-Zip, and Adobe Reader all sit outside their default scope.
This gap shows up often in real IT discussions. One 89-upvote thread among sysadmins on patch strategy drew responses naming at least six different supplementary tools. None replaced SCCM. Every one ran alongside it.
The Third-Party App Problem
Without a supplementary tool, third-party patching usually means manual scripting. Some teams just accept the gap instead. Both choices carry real risk, since unpatched third-party apps are a common entry point for breaches.
The Failed Patch Problem
SCCM can report a patch as “deployed,” but deployed doesn’t always mean installed. Devices that were off or mid-reboot at push time often fail silently. Most don’t retry on their own.
Comparing the Common Options
| Tool | Works With SCCM/WSUS | Third-Party App Patching | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| PatchMyPC | Yes, as a catalog source | Strong app catalog | Teams keeping SCCM as the core |
| Action1 | Standalone or alongside | Strong | Small to mid-size teams wanting simplicity |
| Intune | Cloud, can run hybrid | Growing, add-on dependent | Teams already licensed via Microsoft 365 |
| Baramundi | Standalone UEM | Strong (~250 tested apps), plus scripting | Larger on-premise/regulated environments |
| Anakage | Alongside SCCM/WSUS | Endpoint-level repair of failed patches | Teams where patches report “done” but aren’t |
How to Approach This as a Strategy
- Audit what SCCM covers today. List which third-party apps are patched manually or not at all.
- Check your real patch success rate. Confirm actual installed versions on a sample of endpoints, not just reported status.
- Add one tool for your specific gap. Catalog coverage, simplicity, or failed-patch remediation each point to a different pick.
- Set a review cadence. Most teams check OS patches within two weeks of Patch Tuesday. Third-party apps get checked monthly.
- Re-audit every quarter. Users install new third-party apps faster than most IT teams can track them.
Where a Failed-Patch Remediation Layer Fits
Anakage is one option worth considering for the second gap specifically. It’s not an SCCM replacement. It catches patches marked “deployed” that never installed, then repairs them at the endpoint. It’s not the right fit if your main gap is third-party catalog coverage; PatchMyPC or Action1 solve that problem better. A free 30-minute demo focused on this specific gap is available here: anakage.com/book-a-demo
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is on-premise patch management? A: It means managing software and OS updates using infrastructure hosted on your own network. It’s common in regulated industries or networks with limited connectivity.
Q: Is SCCM enough for patch management on its own? A: SCCM handles Windows OS patching well. It doesn’t natively cover most third-party apps, and it doesn’t always catch patches that fail silently after reporting as deployed.
Q: What’s a low-cost alternative to SCCM? A: Most teams don’t fully replace SCCM. They add a lower-cost companion tool like PatchMyPC or Action1 alongside it to cover third-party apps.
Q: How often should you check for endpoint patches? A: OS patches are typically reviewed within two weeks of Patch Tuesday. Third-party apps are usually checked monthly.
Q: Can you patch third-party apps with WSUS? A: Not natively. WSUS is built for Microsoft updates. Third-party patching needs manual scripting or a supplementary tool with its own app catalog.
Q: What is patch compliance? A: It means confirming an update is actually installed and working, not just that it was pushed. Reported deployment and real compliance often differ.
Most on-premise teams don’t need to replace SCCM. They need one tool that closes the specific gap it leaves open.