Introducing DeployPilot™: Centralize and automate software deployment across all clients

In today’s IT landscape, software deployment and patch management are crucial parts of managed IT services. For MSPs, ensuring that software is installed, updated and maintained across various client environments efficiently, reliably and securely is essential for maintaining smooth operations and customer satisfaction. While Acronis Management has long offered tools favored by MSPs for managing software inventory, vulnerability assessments and patch management including software updates, an integrated component for streamlining software deployment was the final piece to add.

Managing software deployments across multiple clients can be a complex and time-consuming process. Without standardized practices, onboarding new clients and users becomes more difficult, leading to delays and added overhead for IT teams. Manual installations, configuration errors and delayed updates only add to the complexity, making it harder to maintain technician efficiency and ensure that client systems run smoothly.

Moreover, software deployments can introduce security risks, creating potential gaps that malicious actors could exploit, such as through malware embedded in software packages. Ensuring compliance with industry regulations is also difficult when software installations lack uniformity across environments. As security threats and compliance demands grow, MSPs need a solution that not only simplifies software deployment but also ensures consistency, security and control across all client environments.

To address these challenges, Acronis Management now offers a powerful software deployment component, DeployPilot™, that centralizes and automates software deployment across all client environments, empowering MSPs and IT admins to manage software installations remotely and at scale.  

Now, with this new feature, MSPs have a complete solution to automate every aspect of software deployment and patch management:

1. Repository (new): Centralized storage of software packages, including pretested and custom packages, to streamline deployment.
2. Installation (new): Automated or manual installation of software across client devices, ensuring consistency across environments.
3. Inventory: Tracking and managing installed software across all devices to maintain an up-to-date view of the software landscape.
4. Vulnerability scanning: Identifying security risks in installed software to ensure systems are protected from potential threats.
5. Patching and version updates: Applying patches and updates to fix vulnerabilities and ensure software remains secure and functional.
6. Uninstallation (new): Removal of outdated or unnecessary software to optimize system performance and security.

What sets software deployment in Acronis Management apart from other RMM solutions are two key advantages:

First, DeployPilot combines the best of both worlds: standardization to ensure efficiency and reliability, and customization to provide control over the deployment process while meeting unique client needs. This is achieved through the ability to create software repositories consisting of both Acronis-tested packages from a curated library of widely used applications and custom deployment packages. Additionally, it supports the creation of both central cross-client and per-client repositories.  

Second, it addresses security and authenticity risks with automatic anti-malware scans and digital signature checks for all packages – features other RMM solutions don’t offer. This protects clients from potential threats, helps ensure compliance with regulations and ultimately contributes to a more secure and trustworthy software environment.

Additionally, MSPs can benefit from flexible automation options with scheduled, recurring and event-triggered deployments, as well as on-demand installations. DeployPilot ensures full control over the deployment process, making it easier to maintain compliance and improve customer satisfaction through real-time alerts, status dashboards and audit logs.

DeployPilot in Acronis Management comes with the following features:

Remote management

·       Mass remote software deployment from a centralized console: Deploy software to multiple devices across various locations simultaneously, saving time and eliminating the need for manual installations or on-site visits.

Software repositories and packages

• Acronis-curated library of packages: Access a prebuilt repository of Acronis-tested, ready-to-deploy packages for commonly used software, ensuring reliable and rapid deployment with minimal configuration.
• Support for applications written in-house and custom apps: Allows to upload software packages from other sources to meet unique client requirements.
• Automatic updates of packages: Automatically keep imported packages from the Acronis library up to date, eliminating manual checks and reducing the administrative workload for IT teams.
• "My packages" repositories: Build custom repositories where software can be imported from the Acronis library or uploaded from other sources.
• Central and per-client repositories: Standardize deployments across multiple clients with central repositories while offering per-client repositories for tailored solutions.

Security

• Digital signature checks: Ensure that all custom packages are digitally signed to prevent the installation of unverified or tampered software, mitigating security risks.
• Anti-malware scans: Automatically perform anti-malware scans using Acronis Active Protection before installation to block malicious software and protect client environments.

Deployment options

• Deploy on demand: Use the "deploy now" option for immediate software installation on selected machines, providing flexibility for urgent deployments.
• Scheduled and recurring deployments: Automate deployments with scheduling options, enabling installations to run once or recur on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.
• Event-triggered deployments: Trigger deployments based on system events such as startup, shutdown or user login, ensuring timely software installations.

Monitoring, reporting and compliance

• Real-time alerts: Get instant notifications on deployment status and any potential issues, ensuring quick resolution.
• Dashboards: Access detailed statistics on deployment successes, failures and installation history, providing full visibility into your deployment operations.
• Audit logs: Maintain comprehensive records of all deployment activities for compliance tracking and accountability.

Watch this demo video by product manager Alexandru Hernest for an informative walkthrough:

With the introduction of DeployPilot in Acronis Management, MSPs can now enjoy a complete solution for managing and automating every aspect of software deployment and patch management. This feature enhances efficiency, reliability and security, ensuring that MSPs can meet the demands of their clients while simplifying their own operational workflows.

Here’s a recap of the benefits you will receive from DeployPilot:

• Increased efficiency: Automate mass software deployments to multiple devices across various locations, reducing manual effort and saving valuable time for technicians and IT admins.
• Enhanced flexibility: Create tailored repositories and upload custom deployment packages that meet specific client needs, ensuring adaptability to diverse environments.
• Improved reliability: Use Acronis-tested packages from a curated library for consistent, rapid deployments with minimal configuration errors.
• Simplified maintenance: Automatically update packages from the Acronis library, reducing the workload for IT admins and ensuring systems are always up to date.
• Strengthened security: Leverage automatic digital signature checks and anti-malware scans to safeguard software deployments, reducing the risk of installing compromised or unauthorized software.
• Greater control: Deploy software on demand, schedule installations in advance or trigger deployments based on specific system events, ensuring you have full control over timing and execution.
• Proactive monitoring and management: Monitor deployment status in real time with alerts and dashboards, enabling you to track successes and quickly resolve any issues.
• Ensured compliance: Maintain detailed audit logs of all deployment activities, helping you meet regulatory requirements and stay accountable.
• Scalable operations: Efficiently handle software deployments across large client bases without adding complexity or requiring extra resources.

Try it today by following the instructions in the product documentation, or if you’re new to Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud, start your free trial and experience the benefits of our software deployment feature firsthand.

Happy software deployment!