Marc,
You may want to review
Using a Commercial Tool to Automate a Build and Deployment Process for information about tools that can be configured to optimize build and deployment processes.
AnthillPro, Build Forge, Cruise, and ElectricCommander are commercial tools that provide a framework for build and deployment automation. These tools use a server-agent architecture to distribute the work of building and deploying across a farm of servers. The tools act as a centralized job controller with distributed job execution engines.
I use AnthillPro for build and deployment process automation in a J2EE environment. The tool is well-designed and effective. The support from the vendor is competent and responsive.
If you are interested in using a commercial tool you should evaluate AnthillPro along with Build Forge, Cruise, and ElectricCommander. There are other tools in this space. However, these tools are similar because they use a server-agent architecture to implement a framework for build and deployment process automation.