Method and apparatus to manage software updates of networked data collection devices are disclosed. Example disclosed methods involve in response to receiving a software update, determining if the data collection device is to receive the software update and, if the data collection device is to receive the software update, setting, in memory, a state indicator for the data collection device to an update state. Disclosed methods also include in response to receiving a configuration request from the data collection device when the corresponding state indicator is set to the update state, sending an update command to the data collection device, the update command to include a bill of materials corresponding to the software update and a time for the software update to take effect.