Software+Packaging

=Software Packaging= When an application needs to be installed on many computers one option is to create a Software Package that can be assigned to workstations or users. There are 3 main steps in the process


 * 1) Obtain or create an MSI for the application.
 * 2) Create an associated Application in ConsoleOne
 * 3) Test the installer and tweak as needed. May involve repeating all or part of steps 1 & 2.

The MSI
MSI stands for Microsoft Installer and refers to a standard way of installing all the components of an application. While it's sometimes possible to install a simple application with out an MSI, pushing out software from an MSI is usually the easiest and and most successful way to do it.

//In some cases the software vendor has their own software installer method and they provide a specialize software tuner. Adobe is a good example of this. Always use Adobe's Enterprise distribution software to make a package for their software.//

There are a few different ways to get an MSI. Some of them are more likely to be successful than others. Here's are some methods for getting an MSI in the order of most desirable to least.


 * 1) Obtain the MSI directly from the software vendor
 * 2) Copy the MSI from the install media
 * 3) Extract the MSI from the installer
 * 4) Use AdminStudio to repackage the application and build an MSI