For what it's worth I'm running SMS2003 for my patch management. It uses MBSAv2 for OS patches and a special patch manager for Office Updates. The mechanisms for patch distribution may be similar.. I don't know.

If anyone is interested in more information, let me know.

BTW, I found the Microsoft On-Demand webcasts were critical in assimilating technical information on new technology I was implementing. Microsoft has a webcast for just about every application they make now. It's almost as good/just as good as attending a training class.
http://www.microsoft.com/events/itpro.mspx

I haven't checked but there may also be a demo server of WSUS on Microsoft's virtual lab site.
http://microsoft.demoservers.com/