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HCL BigFix: Patch Management, Compliance and Endpoint Management Explained

HCL BigFix is an endpoint management platform that patches, configures, inventories and secures servers and workstations from a single lightweight agent and console. It covers Windows, Linux, macOS and UNIX systems such as AIX and Solaris, patches operating systems and hundreds of third-party applications, and checks endpoints against compliance baselines such as CIS and DISA STIG. BigFix was originally IBM BigFix and is now developed by HCLSoftware, the same company that develops HCL Domino.

This guide explains what BigFix does, how its offerings fit together and how to run it well. RockTeam, an official HCL Business Partner, delivers BigFix as part of our server managed services and patch management.

What HCL BigFix Does

  • Patch management: operating system and third-party application patches, deployed on schedules with reporting on what succeeded.
  • Software distribution: deploying and updating applications across servers and endpoints.
  • Compliance: checking configurations against security baselines and remediating drift automatically.
  • Inventory: discovering hardware and software, and tracking software usage for license audits.
  • Vulnerability remediation: mapping scanner findings to the patches that fix them.

BigFix Offerings

OfferingWhat it covers
BigFix LifecyclePatching, software distribution, OS deployment and remote control
BigFix ComplianceSecurity configuration baselines, continuous compliance checks and remediation
BigFix InventoryHardware and software discovery and software license usage
BigFix RemediateVulnerability remediation tied to scanner results
BigFix Enterprise and Enterprise+Bundles of the above; Enterprise+ adds Runbook AI automation

HCL also offers add-ons such as Windows and RHEL Extended Security Update (ESU) patching and a CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities dashboard.

Why Organizations Use BigFix for Patch Management

  • One agent across platforms, so Windows, Linux and UNIX servers are patched from the same console instead of separate tools.
  • Scale, with a relay architecture that patches large and distributed estates, including remote sites with limited bandwidth.
  • Proof, with reporting that shows auditors and security teams which patches are applied where.
  • Licensing support, because BigFix Inventory tracks installed software for vendor audits and renewals.

Running BigFix Well

BigFix is powerful, and most problems we see come from how it is run rather than the product itself. A healthy BigFix program needs:

  1. A current, healthy deployment: supported server and agent versions, healthy relays and a maintained database.
  2. Patch policies and rings: test groups, pilot groups and production groups with maintenance windows agreed with application owners.
  3. Baselines that match your standards, so compliance reports reflect real policy.
  4. Reporting people read: monthly patch compliance, exceptions and overdue critical patches.
  5. Clear ownership for failed patches, reboots and exceptions.

BigFix Consulting and Managed BigFix

ServiceWhat RockTeam delivers
BigFix deploymentArchitecture, server and relay build, agent rollout and initial content
BigFix health checkReview of versions, relays, database, content and patch success rates
BigFix upgradesPlanned upgrades of servers, consoles and agents
Managed patching with BigFixMonthly patch cycles, reporting and failed patch remediation
BigFix administrationOngoing operator support, custom content and L3 escalation

Get more from HCL BigFix

RockTeam is an official HCL Business Partner. Start with a no cost BigFix and patch management assessment.

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HCL BigFix FAQs

HCL BigFix is an endpoint management platform from HCLSoftware for patching, software distribution, compliance and inventory across Windows, Linux, macOS and UNIX endpoints.

Yes. BigFix was previously sold by IBM as IBM BigFix. It is now developed and supported by HCLSoftware.

Yes. BigFix patches operating systems and hundreds of third-party applications from the same agent and console.

Yes. BigFix supports major enterprise Linux distributions as well as Windows Server, macOS and UNIX systems such as AIX and Solaris.

Yes. As an official HCL Business Partner, RockTeam deploys, upgrades, health checks and manages BigFix, including monthly patch cycles and reporting.