Introducing ConnectWise Platform patching for ConnectWise Automate partners

Using CW Automate alongside the CW Platform 

Many CW Automate partners have built sophisticated setups around their teams, processes, customers, and managed service offerings. For CW Automate partners asking us, “How can we take advantage of the latest ConnectWise innovation incrementally while keeping what works?”, CW Platform patching access was designed with you in mind.

Our goal with this project was to give CW Automate partners the best of both worlds: the ability to benefit from select patching innovation ConnectWise RMM™ partners enjoy today, while continuing to use CW Automate for broader operations and workflows. For partners who already have established CW Automate workflows, we know that more flexibility matters!

Through this program, your established operations can continue to provide significant value, while you gain a new way to modernize your approach to patch management, especially in areas such as third-party application coverage, expert-reviewed security updates, and patch reporting.

You spoke, we built

Patching is one of the most important, and often time-consuming, responsibilities MSPs take on for their customers. It directly impacts endpoint security, compliance readiness, uptime, technician workload, and client trust. When patching works well, it helps teams stay ahead of risk and deliver consistent service delivery with metrics to back up their efforts. When application coverage, automation, or reporting falls short, patching can create added work across the business and drive up labor costs and third-party solutions. 

In a recent survey, CW Automate partners highlighted two recurring needs:

• Broader third-party application coverage
• Stronger patch compliance reporting and visibility

We hear you! Access to CW Platform patching was introduced in direct response to that feedback, leveraging the same patch management technology where CW RMM™ already excels. CW Automate partners can start using these services today, without requiring additional purchases or changes in broader operations.

By expanding access to CW Platform patching, we’re giving CW Automate partners a practical way to benefit from proven capabilities to improve patching compliance. When Slipstream IT moved their patching operations to the CW Platform, the team experienced meaningful gains. "We’ve probably shaved off 10–15 hours a month on patching alone," said Daxton Kyes, AVP, Slipstream IT. 

CW Automate partners interested in evaluating broader modernization opportunities beyond patch management can review the Journey to RMM ConnectWise University™ page or read this blog to learn more about the benefits of modernizing their operations on the CW Platform.

Benefits for CW Automate partners

Through the CW Platform, Automate partners can now access:

• Third-party patching for thousands of applications
• OS patching for Windows and Intel-based Mac endpoints
• Monthly NOC expert analysis of all Windows OS security updates, with in-app recommendations to approve or block updates
• Select CW Platform-based patching reports for expanded compliance visibility

These capabilities can help partners broaden their patching offering, reduce research hours, and decrease reliance on third-party patching alternatives.

Because access to CW Platform patching is included at no additional cost, you can begin realizing value through a specific, high-impact, and practical use case today.

Patch management through the CW Platform

CW Automate partners do not need to change how they run their entire service operation. The value of CW Platform patching is in improving a specific, high-impact workflow so CW Automate partners can:  

• Expand third-party patching coverage: Today, CW Automate patches 10 third-party applications while CW Platform patching covers thousands of titles. Since this capability has the least overlap with current CW Automate features, it's a great way to begin testing with a focused use case before expanding further.
• Approach Windows OS security updates with added confidence: Windows update workflows can be time-consuming, especially when teams are balancing patch approvals, risk, client requirements, and technician workload. CW Platform patching includes our NOC expert analysis of Windows OS security updates and in-application recommendations, helping partners approach OS security patching with added confidence. 

Getting started with CW platform patching

 
Through access to the ConnectWise Platform, ConnectWise Automate partners can now dramatically expand their third-party patching coverage, benefit from monthly expert-assessed Windows security updates, and gain greater patch visibility at no additional cost.  

Explore the patch management interactive demo to get a brief overview of how you can gain value today, become familiar with the CW Platform experience, and see what the next evolution of your managed services could look like. 

Ready to get started today? Visit the ConnectWise University documentation for setup guidance and additional resources.