Endpoint Services, Munki, Managed Software Center

Overview

Managed Software Center is the end-user application for the Munki Endpoint Management system. This application provides IT Pros with a way to notify users that there are software updates to be installed or removed. It also provides visual feedback for update progress. End users may also run Managed Software Center manually to check for available updates. Additionally, it serves as an Apple App Store-like source for on-demand/optional software installs and removals.

Installing Updates with Managed Software Center

When Managed Software Center launches, it will connect to the Munki Mac Endpoint Management server, determine what software is available for that computer, and download and display all available updates. The end user can then install the updates by clicking the UPDATE or UPDATE ALL button (depending on how many updates are pending). Users may also re-check for available updates by clicking the CHECK AGAIN button. Managed Software Center will also automatically check for available updates in the background (by default once every 1-2 hours) but will not display anything to users unless there are pending updates.
  

Installing Software via the Self-Service Catalog

Managed Software Center also acts as a self-service software catalog from which users can install additional software on-demand. Users are NOT required to be administrators on their computers to use the software catalog. To access the software catalog, select the Software tab from the Managed Software Center navigation sidebar. Managed Software Center will then display all of the software that has been made available for the computer by the local IT department. Please refer to our article on manifests for more information on which applications are displayed in Managed Software Center. Users also have the ability to search for specific software and they can click a software's name to view additional information about a particular piece of software.

Once the end user has identified the software they would like to install, they may click the INSTALL button located next to the software listing to trigger an install.

User Notifications

Beginning with macOS 10.13 (High Sierra), Munki and Managed Software Center have used the macOS Notification Center to notify the end user about available software updates. Current versions of macOS require that the end user (or an MDM such as Workspace ONE) grant Notification Center access to Managed Software Center. If Notification Center access to Managed Software Center is denied, the device may fall behind with updates.