EXPERT RESPONSE
First, it's good that you are thinking about patching all of your software (many people get caught up with only addressing operating system patches). Things like browser plugins, office applications and others are often overlooked or at least made less of a priority.
For antivirus software updating, I would first check with your vendor (or related documentation) to see if there are any automatic update options. Some vendors will use such technology to simplify the process and ensure that critical updates (to the software, not just the signature files) are implemented as quickly as possible. If automatic updating won't work for you, you'll likely have to rely on one of two solutions -- a general systems or patch management solution that will allow for the updating of arbitrary software, or a 'home grown' solution that may consist of some scripting (login or otherwise) or other more manual options.
Regarding the best software in terms of needed maintenance, I am not certain if any relevant studies have been made of the various antivirus offerings. I would suggest checking in antivirus forums for more information on this topic.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Here are some related links to antivirus patching topics:
Tip: Patching your antivirus software
Expert Advice: Researching antivirus products
Tip: How to choose an effective antivirus solution
Learning Guide: Get up to speed on virus detection and protection in our Malware Learning Guide
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