Hey MSP pros! If you're knee-deep in ConnectWise Automate like we are, you know that staying ahead means arming yourself with tools that actually solve real pain points—without the hassle of juggling a dozen separate plugins. That's why we're thrilled to announce the latest evolution of Habitat for ConnectWise Automate: the seamless integration of three powerhouse tools—Chocolatey For Automate 3.7, Windows Defender Management Tool, and VMware ESX Hardware Health Monitor. These aren't just add-ons; they're now baked right into your Habitat subscription, ready to supercharge your RMM workflows for unlimited agents. No per-agent fees, no limits—just pure, scalable efficiency.
Habitat has always been our commitment to building a smarter, more adaptive toolbox for MSPs. With over 30 tools (and counting), it's designed to evolve with your needs, delivering automatic updates and new features on a monthly basis. This integration means you get these premium capabilities without lifting a finger beyond your existing Habitat sub. Let's break down what's new and why it matters for your operations.
Chocolatey For Automate 3.7 : Revolutionize Third-Party App Management
Gone are the days of manual software deployments across sprawling client environments. Chocolatey For Automate 3.7 brings the magic of Chocolatey—the beloved Windows package manager—directly into your Automate console. Now optimized for Habitat, this tool lets you deploy, update, and manage third-party applications across *massive* fleets of Windows systems with a ridiculously simple interface.
Key upgrades in this Habitat-integrated version:
- - WinGet Support: Choose your flavor—stick with Chocolatey or switch to Microsoft's native WinGet for even broader compatibility.
- - Automate-Optimized Automation: Leverages ConnectWise Automate Groups and Searches for rock-solid reliability. Say goodbye to inconsistent results and hello to a leaner Automate host that runs smoother than ever.
Whether you're rolling out updates to Adobe suites, browsers, or custom tools, Chocolatey For Automate handles it all in bulk. It's like having a personal app store for your clients' endpoints—deploy once, manage forever. MSPs using this report slashing deployment times by up to 70%, freeing your team for high-value tickets instead of grunt work.
Windows Defender Management Tool: Lock Down Endpoints with Ease
Security shouldn't be a patchwork of alerts and manual checks. Enter the Windows Defender Management Tool, now a core Habitat feature that puts comprehensive antivirus and firewall control at your fingertips—right inside Automate.
This tool empowers you to:
- - Monitor and Remediate in Real-Time: Scan for threats, configure policies, and enforce firewall rules across all Windows agents.
- - Policy-Driven Protection: Set global or client-specific rules for Defender updates, exclusions, and scans, ensuring consistent security without overriding client prefs.
- - Integrated Alerts and Reporting: Ties directly into Habitat's Quick Metrics Dashboard for at-a-glance views on threat statuses, tying into your ticketing system for automated responses.
In an era where ransomware and zero-days are daily headlines, this integration means proactive defense is no longer optional—it's effortless. We've seen MSPs reduce security incidents by 40% just by automating Defender workflows. And with Habitat's unlimited agent support, scaling to enterprise clients is a breeze.
VMware ESX Hardware Health Monitor: Proactive Insights for Virtual Environments
Virtualization is the backbone of modern IT, but hardware failures don't announce themselves politely. The VMware ESX Hardware Health Monitor steps in as your vigilant sentinel, now fully embedded in Habitat for unlimited ESX hosts.
Here's what it delivers:
- - CIM Data Deep Dive: Polls unlimited VMware ESX hosts for hardware metrics, from RAID arrays and SCSI controllers to power supplies and thermal sensors.
- - Smart Alarms and Views: Stores data in your Automate database, triggering custom alarms for failures like overheating or drive errors—before they cascade into downtime.
- - Scalable Monitoring: No host limits, so whether you're managing a handful of vSphere clusters or hundreds, it scales without extra cost.
This tool has been a game-changer for MSPs with heavy VMware footprints, catching issues early and preventing costly outages. Integration with Habitat's Control Center means you can launch diagnostics, view trends, and even correlate hardware health with agent statuses—all from one pane of glass.
Why Habitat? One Subscription, Endless Value
What ties this all together? Habitat's monthly subscription model—yours for just $64.95 —unlocks everything: 30+ tools, automatic updates, and now these three integrations for unlimited agents. No nickel-and-diming per endpoint or per-host. It's built for hosted or on-prem Automate environments, with the Habitat Control Center as your command hub and a dashboard packed with charts on tickets, agent health, and more.
This isn't just an update; it's a force multiplier for your MSP. Streamline patching, bolster security, and monitor hardware like a pro—all while your subscription keeps evolving with fresh tools addressing tomorrow's challenges.
Ready to level up? [Dive into Habitat today](https://www.plugins4automate.com/products/habitat-for-connectwise-automate) and see how these integrations can transform your Automate setup. Got questions or a feature request?
Hit up our [support forums](https://support.plugins4automate.com) or drop us a line—we're here to make your RMM life easier.
Stay automated,
The Plugins4Automate Team
#MSP #ConnectWiseAutomate #Habitat #RMM #ITAutomation
