System Center Configuration Manager 2007 (SCCM) is the successor of SMS 2003. In addition to the enhanced functionality of software distribution and hardware and software inventory, this new version offers much more. So you can now do in a scalable way use Patch Management, Internet Clients, a Task Sequencer and much more.

Desired Configuration Management
A new feature is Desired Configuration Management (DCM). This makes possible creating "baselines" that include the setting in which a server - sometimes in the context of regulations such as SOX - must satisfy. The main goal of this functionality is to check the server satisfies them and may, where appropriate alert (integration with Operations Manager) or corrective actions.

Operating System Deployment
You can use it - possibly fully automatic - for deploying an operating system rollout. Whether XP SP3 or Vista SP1, OSD allows you an easy and integrated way to deploy OS, settings and all other deployment configuration. Using the User State Migration Tool (USMT), can even perform migrations where the user settings are preserved.