Software Update Deployment for Real Estate
A procedure for planning, testing, and deploying software updates and patches across the organisation to maintain system security and functionality.
Purpose
To keep all organisational software current with the latest features, bug fixes, and security patches while minimising disruption and the risk of compatibility issues.
Scope
Covers all software updates including operating system patches, application updates, firmware updates, and security patches for all managed devices and servers.
Prerequisites
- Software asset inventory listing all managed applications and versions
- Patch management system configured for the environment
- Test environment for validating updates before deployment
- Change management approval process
Supports Real Estate Institute compliance, trust account management requirements, and state property legislation documentation.
Step-by-Step Procedure
Identify Available Updates
Monitor vendor release channels and the patch management system for available software updates and security patches.
- 1.1Review vendor bulletins and release notes for new updates
- 1.2Check the patch management system for pending updates
- 1.3Categorise updates by type: security, feature, and bug fix
Assess and Prioritise
Evaluate each update for relevance, criticality, and potential impact on the environment. Prioritise based on security risk and business impact.
- 2.1Assess the severity and applicability of each update to the environment
- 2.2Prioritise critical security patches for expedited deployment
- 2.3Identify any updates that may require extended testing due to complexity
- Critical security patches should be fast-tracked through the testing process
Test in Non-Production Environment
Deploy the updates in a test environment and verify compatibility, stability, and functionality before production deployment.
- 3.1Deploy updates to the test environment
- 3.2Run compatibility and regression tests on critical applications
- 3.3Verify that the updates install cleanly and do not introduce issues
Obtain Change Approval
Submit a change request for the production deployment and obtain approval through the change management process.
- 4.1Prepare the change request with deployment plan, rollback procedure, and test results
- 4.2Submit the change request for review and approval
- 4.3Schedule the deployment window to minimise business impact
Deploy to Production
Execute the deployment plan, pushing updates to production systems during the approved change window.
- 5.1Notify users of the upcoming update and any expected downtime
- 5.2Deploy updates using the patch management system
- 5.3Monitor the deployment progress and address any installation failures
Verify and Monitor
After deployment, verify that updates were applied successfully and monitor systems for any issues.
- 6.1Confirm update installation status across all target devices
- 6.2Monitor systems for performance issues or errors post-deployment
- 6.3Address any devices that failed to update successfully
Contract and Close
Contract the deployment results, update the software asset inventory, and close the change request.
- 7.1Record deployment results including success rate and any issues encountered
- 7.2Update the software asset inventory with current version information
- 7.3Close the change request with completion details
Quality Checkpoints
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Expected Outcomes
Percentage of managed devices with all critical patches applied within the defined timeframe.
Percentage of update deployments that complete successfully without requiring rollback.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can users defer updates on their devices?
Users may be able to defer non-critical updates briefly, but critical security patches are typically enforced within a defined grace period. The IT team manages enforcement through the patch management system.
What if an update breaks something?
If an update causes issues, the rollback procedure is executed to return systems to the pre-update state. The issue is investigated, and the vendor is contacted for a fix before reattempting deployment.
How quickly should critical security patches be deployed?
Critical security patches should typically be deployed within 48 to 72 hours of release, following expedited testing. The exact timeframe depends on the severity and the organisation risk tolerance.
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