1. A software update system for use in a computer network to automatically deploy software updates, wherein the computer network includes a host that executes an operating system and process control software to control operation of a process plant, the automated software update system comprising: a first client application, stored as a first set of instructions on a computer-readable medium, to receive software objects associated with the operating system from a first server for updating the operating system in the computer network, wherein the first server is operated by a provider of the operating system; a second client application, stored as a second set of instructions on a computer-readable medium, to receive metadata related to the software objects from a second server, wherein the second server is operated by a provider of the process control software; wherein the metadata specifies which of the software objects have been approved for use with the process control software and the process control software on the host; and wherein the second client application is further adapted to specify which of the software objects are to be deployed to the host.