A client reaches out with a critical issue when you are about to log off. Their business software is outdated, and they need an immediate update across all devices. Manually deploying fixes to each machine? That’s a massive drain on your time. Instead of focusing on strategic improvements, your team is caught in an endless cycle of repetitive work.
For MSPs, manual software updates are a productivity killer. It drains time, patience, and client satisfaction while increasing the risk of manual errors. But what if automated software deployment happened automatically, with zero disruptions?
In this guide, we will show you how to automate software deployment, preventing downtime and ensuring every device stays up to date without the last-minute stress.
What is Automated Software Deployment?
Automated software deployment is exactly what it sounds like. It is all about software getting installed, updated, and managed across multiple devices without you having to do it manually.
No more clicking through endless install wizards, no more late-night “urgent” update calls. Just smooth, consistent automated deployment, every time.
Now, there are two main ways to automate deployment:
The DevOps Approach
For software companies, updates are an ongoing process. Fixing bugs, rolling out new features, and patching security flaws all require quick and seamless deployment.
Doing this manually would slow everything down, which is why DevOps teams use CI/CD tools (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment).
Continuous Integration (CI) means that whenever a developer makes changes to the code, the system automatically tests and integrates those changes.
This prevents broken code from reaching production. Continuous Deployment takes it a step further. Once updates pass all tests, they are automatically deployed to users without requiring manual approval.
This approach guarantees that updates are frequent, reliable, and need minimal human intervention.
Here’s how the DevOps approach works:
This approach is perfect for software companies that need to frequently release updates. However, it’s not ideal for MSPs managing multiple client environments since they aren’t developing software; they’re maintaining IT infrastructure.
The MSP-Focused Approach
For Managed Service Providers (MSPs), the focus isn’t on pushing new software updates. It’s about keeping client devices up-to-date, secure, and running efficiently. Instead of managing a development pipeline, MSPs need automation to:
By automating software deployment, MSPs can ensure every client system is properly configured without wasting time on manual installations.
While DevOps teams use automation to develop and release software, MSPs use automated software deployment tools to maintain and manage IT environments efficiently. The right tools make all the difference, and that’s exactly what we’ll explore next.
How MSPs Can Automate Software Deployments?
Although automation can ensure that every device gets the necessary software without human intervention, not all software deployment tools are created equally.
Some require in-depth coding knowledge, while others simplify only a few steps rather than the entire process. So how do you choose the right one for your MSP?
Let’s break it down.
1. Writing Custom Scripts
For MSPs with technical expertise, custom scripting with PowerShell or Python can automate deployment and software configurations. This method offers full control, allowing you to tailor deployments to each client’s needs.
Pros:
Gives complete flexibility to customize workflows
Cons:
Requires constant updates as software versions change
Not scalable, each new client setup means more coding
Can be a security risk if scripts aren’t well-maintained
If your team has the development skills and time to manage it, scripting might work. But for most MSPs, it’s not a sustainable long-term solution.
2. Task-Based Automation
Some platforms provide a no-code approach to automating software deployment for simple, repetitive tasks. They allow MSPs to connect to different apps and trigger specific actions. For example, automatically opening a ticket when a software deployment fails.
Pros:
User-friendly, no coding required
Quick to implement for specific automation needs
Cons:
Handles isolated tasks but lacks end-to-end automation
No built-in multi-client support, meaning workflows must be manually replicated
Limited integration with MSP tools like RMMs and PSAs
While useful for single-step automation, these tools lack the depth needed for full deployment automation. MSPs still need to manually oversee software installations, troubleshoot issues, and ensure consistency across different clients.
3. Full RPA Solutions
For a true set-it-and-forget-it experience, Robotic Process Automation (RPA) offers complete automated deployment. They can handle everything from detecting new devices to installing software without human involvement. Unlike single-task automation tools, RPA works across multiple systems, integrating directly with RMM and PSA platforms.
Pros:
Automates the entire software deployment process, not just parts of it
Fully integrates with MSP tools like Autotask, Datto RMM, and ServiceNow
Scales easily across multiple clients without repetitive setup
Cons:
Requires initial setup, but the long-term time savings are massive
RPA ensures that every client device is properly configured, monitored, and updated, without requiring technicians to step in.
How to Automate Software Installation in 5 Steps?
Manually installing software on every new device? No thanks. By integrating your PSA, RMM, and documentation tools with your automation platform, you can eliminate manual effort and let automation handle the entire deployment process.
From tracking new devices to ensuring they get the right software, it helps streamline the entire process.
Step 1: Integrate Your IT Management Tools
First things first, connect your IT management tools. Your automation platform should integrate with your Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) and Professional Services Automation (PSA) systems. This ensures when a new device comes online, automation immediately recognizes it and applies the necessary software configurations.
Step 2: Define Software Packages for Each Client
Not every client requires the same software. By syncing your PSA, RMM, and documentation tools through your automation platform, you can define software packages based on client needs. These lists might include security tools, backup solutions, or industry-specific applications. This way, each new device is configured correctly without any manual effort.
Step 3: Automate Software Deployment
With predefined software lists in place, your automation platform should trigger the deployment process. When a new device is detected, workflows initiate automatic software installation, ensuring each system gets exactly what it needs without IT teams having to step in.
Step 4: Monitor Deployments & Get Instant Alerts
Automation is powerful, but things can still go wrong. That’s why your automation platform should be integrated with monitoring and alerting tools. This allows for real-time tracking of deployments, immediate notifications if an installation fails, and automatic remediation steps to minimize downtime. No more last-minute scrambles to fix missing software.
Step 5: Track Everything in One Place
To keep deployments organized, your automation platform should sync with documentation and reporting tools. This provides a centralized dashboard to track software installations, flag failed deployments, and ensure compliance across all client environments, without tedious manual tracking.
Why MSPs Choose an Automation Platform for Software Deployment?
For MSPs managing multiple clients, software deployment needs to be seamless and scalable. Automation ensures consistency, reduces errors, and frees up technicians for more valuable tasks.
Here’s how it transforms deployment workflows:
1. Makes New User Onboarding Effortless
Bringing new users onto a system can be tedious. Manually creating accounts, assigning permissions, and installing necessary software leaves room for human error. With an automation platform, MSPs can automate this entire process.
By integrating with RMM platforms it detects when a new device comes online and triggers an automatic software installation. Additionally, it can sync with PSA tools like ConnectWise PSA to update tickets, track progress, and even handle user provisioning without technician intervention.
2. Proactively Identifies and Resolves Deployment Issues
Without automation, detecting software deployment failures can be a nightmare. An automation platform takes a proactive approach by continuously monitoring deployments and flagging potential issues before they escalate.
For example, if an antivirus installation fails, it can automatically retry the deployment, escalate a ticket, or notify a technician to intervene. This ensures minimal downtime and maximum protection for client environments.
3. Centralizes Deployment Data for Better Security and Access Control
Managing software installations across multiple clients means dealing with multiple security policies, access controls, and compliance requirements.
An automation platform simplifies this by consolidating deployment data into a single dashboard, giving technicians clear visibility into which software is installed, which devices need updates, and any potential security gaps.
By automating tasks like password resets, access provisioning, and backup scheduling, automation enhances security while minimizing manual work. No more jumping between platforms to manage client environments, everything can be handled from one place.
Wrapping It Up
Keeping client systems updated shouldn’t feel like a never-ending chore. With an automation platform, MSPs can eliminate guesswork and manual effort by automating deployments from start to finish. No more last-minute scrambling, inconsistent installations, or wasted technician hours. Experience smooth, reliable software deployment every time.
An automation platform integrates seamlessly with your existing tools, ensuring updates happen effortlessly across all client environments. So, ready to make automated software deployment stress-free? Get started with automation today!