In the fast-paced world of Managed Service Providers (MSPs), efficiency isn't just a buzzword—it's a necessity. That's where Habitat for ConnectWise Automate comes in, revolutionizing how you manage your Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) environment. Priced at just $64.95 per month, this subscription-based toolbox bundles a suite of powerful utilities into one seamless package, with continuous updates ensuring you're always ahead of the curve. The latest version, 1.0.1.68, packs even more punch with enhanced integrations and new capabilities.
Whether you're optimizing database performance, managing patches across diverse OS environments, or gaining real-time insights into your agents, Habitat consolidates everything you need. Let's dive into the standout tools that make this plugin a game-changer for ConnectWise Automate users.
Core Management and Maintenance Tools
Habitat excels at keeping your Automate setup running smoothly with tools designed for everyday MSP challenges:
- Automate Database Maintenance Tool: Choose from Basic, Ticket, or Drive maintenance groups to run SQL optimizations, ensuring your database stays performant and clutter-free.
- Automate Server Plugin Logs Reader: Access server logs directly from the console—perfect for hosted environments where RDP isn't an option.
- Script and Searches Management Tool: Easily lock, unlock, or remove Automate scripts and searches to maintain control and organization.
- Stalled Agents Tool: Identify and remotely restart stalled agents, minimizing downtime without manual intervention.
- Automate Plugin Updater: Keep all your plugins current with automated updates.
These tools streamline administrative tasks, saving you hours of troubleshooting and manual work.
Advanced Patching and Software Management
Patching and application management are critical for security and compliance. Habitat delivers robust solutions across platforms:
- Windows Version Upgrade Assistant: Set policies for agent upgrades, integrate with Google Drive for backups, and schedule or run upgrades effortlessly.
- Windows 3rd Party Application Management Tool: Leverage Chocolatey (now with WinGet support in version 3.7) for efficient software installs, updates, and removals, optimized for Automate groups and searches.
- Linux Updates Manager: Handle patches for Yum, Apt-get, and Zypper-based distros with ease.
- Mac OS X Package Managers: Use HomeBrew alongside native tools for comprehensive Darwin agent management.
- Windows KB PatchMatic Tool: Deploy out-of-band patches via customizable policies.
- Windows Defender Management Tool: Centrally manage Defender settings across your agents.
With recent additions like Chocolatey For Automate 3.7 supporting WinGet, Habitat makes multi-platform patching a breeze, reducing vulnerabilities and enhancing automation.
Security and Monitoring Essentials
Stay vigilant with Habitat's security-focused features:
- Local Administrators Group Manager Tool: Monitor changes to local admin groups and auto-restore if needed, with alerts for unauthorized modifications.
- Active Directory Expired Password Notifier: Proactively email users about impending password expirations to prevent lockouts.
- Microsoft Safety Scanner Tool: Automate malware scans and repairs for quick threat resolution.
- Microsoft OneDrive Status Monitor: Track sync statuses and set alerts for issues.
- VMWare ESX Hardware Health Monitor: Monitor hardware across ESX hosts, storing data in Automate for easy alarming and viewing.
These tools provide proactive security layers, helping you safeguard client environments effectively.
Diagnostic and Reporting Powerhouses
Gain actionable insights with Habitat's analytics and diagnostic utilities:
- Quick Metrics Dashboard: Visualize ticketing stats (closed/open by tech or priority) and agent statuses (online/offline, by OS type) through intuitive charts.
- Agent Status History Tool: Analyze offline trends by hour or day to spot patterns.
- OS Types Tool: Get charts and detailed views of Windows, Mac, and Linux OS versions in your fleet.
- FileHog Search Tool: Hunt for files by name, size, or criteria, with Excel exports for reporting.
- Printer Status Tool: View and manage printer queues globally or per client.
- Windows Registry Search Tool: Perform real-time registry searches across agents.
- Mapped Drives Manager Tool: Oversee network drives for all clients.
- Host, LMHosts, Networks, Services File Manager: Edit Windows network config files centrally.
- WiFi Location Scanning Tool: Scan and log WiFi devices at agent locations for better asset tracking.
- Windows Backup Management Tool: Control WBadmin backups on Windows 10+ agents.
The Habitat Control Center ties it all together as a central hub, while the SQL Query Analyzer lets you run custom queries on your Automate database and export results to Excel—ideal for in-depth analysis in hosted setups.
User Experience Enhancers
Don't overlook the little things that make a big difference:
- Desktop Maintenance Announcement Tool: Notify users ahead of maintenance to boost patching success.
- PowerShell and Dot.NET Management Tool: Install and manage PowerShell/.NET, with a script library for quick executions.
What's New and Why It Matters
In 2025, Habitat expanded with unlimited-agent integrations for Chocolatey For Automate, Windows Defender Management, and VMware ESX Health Monitor. The latest updates, including FileHog 1.0.6 and enhanced Windows OS tools, further solidify its role as an MSP essential. These additions mean more unified operations, from patching to security, all under one roof.
Habitat isn't just a plugin—it's your all-in-one ally for elevating ConnectWise Automate. With ongoing development and a focus on MSP needs, it's designed to grow with you.
Ready to supercharge your RMM? Head over to Plugins4Automate.com to subscribe to Habitat today and experience the difference! If you have questions, our support team is here to help.
