These and other objectives are attained with a method and system for updating software applications or systems on a target client. The method comprises the steps of providing the target client with an update manager; and using the update manager to initiate a procedure to compare the level of software or services on the target client with the level of software or services available on a specified server to determine if an update is available on the server for the software or services on the target client. If an update is available, the update is copied from the server to the target client. Preferably, the update manager registers with the server manager to have a specified one or more of the applications or systems updated. The preferred embodiment of the invention uses information that currently exists with the customer and vendor that can make the update process more automated.