Syncro's third-party application patching system provides a comprehensive, automated solution for Technical Leaders wanting to automate the in-place updating of pre-existing software for default or custom third-party applications.

You can:

• Install or update third-party applications on their own, or as a component of the Policy for the installed agent, 
• Specify that Syncro manages third-party application updates based on a schedule that doesn't interrupt your clients' business, 
• Automate the in-place updating of pre-existing software for any third-party application, whether default or custom, with minimal manual intervention.

The Third-Party Patch Management policy module in Syncro's Policy Builder specifies how these Third-Party updates are managed and installed.

Create a Third-Party Patch Management Policy

To create a Third-Party Patch Management policy that you can later use in the Third-Party Updates section of Syncro's Policy Builder, follow these steps:

1. Navigate to the Policies tab. The Policies table displays.
2. In the upper right, click Policy Modules and select Third-Party Patch Management. Syncro displays the Third-Party Patch Management Policies page.
3. Click +New Third-Party Patch Management Policy. Syncro displays the Create Third-Party Patch Management Policy page: 
   
4. Give your Third-Party Patch Management Policy a descriptive Name.
5. For each of the APPS listed, select:

• DO NOT MANAGE: Syncro never attempts to install or update this third-party application.
• UPDATE IF PRESENT: if Syncro detects the third-party application on the asset, then it will be updated when a patch is available. Otherwise, nothing happens.
• INSTALL AND UPDATE: Syncro always attempts to install and update this third-party application.

6. If desired, add other third-party applications. Click +Add Application: 
   
   Note: The +Add Application button allows you to search for and add a single application quickly. However, you can also click Manage Applications to open the Additional Third-Party applications page:  
   
   and then click +New Third-Party App. (The latter choice helps you add and see all of your third-party applications at once.)
   
   1. In the pop-up window, type an app name, then select the correct one from the results:
      
   2. Optionally, change the Name and/or customize the Device Search String as needed to match the app name registered in the Windows device:
       
      Tip: Use partial values to target specific versions.
   3. Click +Add Application. 
7. In the SCHEDULE SPECIFICATION section, make appropriate selections. This section is described in detail in Windows Update Management.
8. Click Save. 

You can now use this Third-Party Patch Management Policy in the Third-Party Updates section of Syncro's Policy Builder for assignment to assets. See also Assign a Policy.

Notes: 

• Chocolatey will not install until a third-party patch management policy is applied to the policy assigned to the asset.
• When the Syncro agent is deployed on a device, the programs and updates chosen in the third-party patch management policy will run at the first scheduled update. The software won't be installed or updated immediately after the Syncro agent is installed. 

Edit or Remove a Third-Party Patch Management Policy

1. Navigate to the Policies tab. The Policies table displays.
2. In the upper right, click Policy Modules and select Third-Party Patch Management:   
   
   Syncro displays the Third-Party Patch Management Policies table with your existing Third-Party Patch Management Policies listed:
   
3. Click a policy's hyperlinked Name or the edit (pencil) icon to edit it. Alternatively, click the red X to delete it.