Have you tried using SMS 2003 to deploy the new ITMU supported SMS client? It's a fairly easy task. There's a great article about doing this on myitforum.com.
http://myitforum.techtarget.com/articles/18/view.asp?id=8812

Now, for some reason, I can't access this website... I'm hoping it's just me. Anyway, this step-by-step will take you through the process of creating an ITMU SMS 2003 patch management system, but specifically, there is a section on creating the Package and Advertisement for deploying the newest version of the SMS Advanced Client.

-SWK
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let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance- Proverbs 1:5