System consolidation tool and method for patching multiple servers

A system consolidation tool for simplifying the analysis and maintenance of multiple computers comprising:

• a collection tool that gathers product specific information from each of a plurality of computers of a similar type;
• a mastering system that reorganizes the gathered information into one or more information groups each containing information gathered from a plurality of computers, the computers whose information is included within each group having installed thereon program products the versions of which are upgrade compatible;
• and
• a merged product specific information creator guided by the mastering system which generates product specific information for each group to replace the product specific information for each computer whose information is included within that group for use in maintaining and upgrading the computers in each group.

A system consolidation tool for simplifying the analysis and maintenance of multiple computers comprising:

• collection means for collecting product specific information from each of a plurality of computers;
• mastering means for reorganizing the gathered information into one or more information groups each containing information gathered from a plurality of computers, the computers whose information is included within each group having installed thereon program products the versions of which are upgrade compatible;
• and
• merged product specific information creation means for generating product specific information for each group of computers that replaces the product specific information for each computer gathered by the collection means.