PC software & application deployment
Whether you’re provisioning new devices or updating existing computers, it’s crucial to do it right. A well-designed software deployment tool lets you deliver software and updates across user devices and groups from a single platform, saving you hours of manual work. Keep employees productive and endpoints secure without breaking a sweat.
What is software deployment?
Software deployment, or application deployment, is the process of configuring and testing new software applications before delivering them to endpoint devices. It includes pushing out software updates and patches to keep business-critical systems healthy, secure, and up to date.
Done manually, PC software deployment is time consuming, difficult to monitor, and prone to security lapses. Software deployment tools allow IT teams to automate the process, distributing software more efficiently and securely to multiple computers across the organization.
Key software deployment features
Central dashboard
View software information for multiple computers from a single pane of glass. Manage your software installations and deployments across your entire environment.
Scan and report
Automatically scan and report software information for every PC in your environment so you know what to deploy, patch, or uninstall.
Save hours of work with a library of prebuilt application packages that you can download and deploy to any PC immediately.
Custom application packages
Create custom packages for unique deployments — whether it’s an MSI package, Office 365 deployment package, or custom PowerShell scripts.
When setting up new PCs, streamline the process by deploying common applications with your Windows OS image.
Deploy software across groups and devices
Have the flexibility to cater to different user groups easily by deploying specific software to separate departments or employees.
Automate deployments
Schedule zero-touch software deployments to any endpoint at a specified time. Set up silent installs during off-hours to minimize downtime.
Multiple deployment options
Whether PCs are on-site or in remote locations, you can deploy software via offline media, a local network, or over the cloud.
How to deploy a software application package
Install the console
Install the client on the target PC or test environment
Download prebuilt application packs from the library
Select the target machine via the central dashboard
Select the application packs to be deployed
Set deployment settings and deploy
What are the benefits of using a software deployment solution?
Greater consistency & oversight
A software deployment tool gives IT a more unified and consistent way to manage company software applications. Track software information and identify outdated versions — all from a single source of truth.
Efficient & secure software management
Deploy software across your fleet more efficiently with task automation and scheduling. And stay on your security A-game by eliminating shadow IT while keeping company software patched and up to date.
Hear from real SmartDeploy
customers
SmartDeploy vs. leading competitor in PC software and application deployment
Easy setup
Short ramp-up time
Wizard-driven guided interface
Suitable for any skill level
Additional training recommended
Requires complex configurations
Quick-start guides available
Easy setup
Yes
Short ramp-up time
Yes
Wizard-driven guided interface
Yes
Can be used by technicians of any skill level and experience
Yes
Additional training recommended
No
Requires complex configurations
No
Quick-start guides available
Yes
Easy setup
No
Short ramp-up time
No
Wizard-driven guided interface
No
Can be used by technicians of any skill level and experience
No
Additional training recommended
Yes
Requires complex configurations
Yes
Quick-start guides available
Yes
How to deploy software to user devices?
Deploying software to user devices involves these key steps.
Establishing clear workflows and using a software deployment tool enables you to better handle the complexities of deploying software to different users and devices with more consistency and less risk.
How do you incorporate a software deployment solution?
To incorporate a PC software and application deployment solution in your organization, start with these steps:
Assess your organizational needs
Evaluate your IT resources
Take stock of your software inventory
Research and choose the right software deployment solution for your business
Create a reliable testing environment
Have a robust software deployment process in place
What are software deployment best practices?
To deploy software successfully across your endpoint environment, here are some best practices to keep in mind.
How do you choose the right software deployment solution for your business?
The right software deployment solution can help you regain the long hours spent on manual deployments and reduce critical inconsistencies in your software environment. When considering your options, assess each one against these key criteria:
Ease of setup and use
Prebuilt package library
Functionality (including task automation, bulk rollouts, and remote management)
Reporting features
Technical support
Real customer reviews
Look for solutions that offer product demos and fully functioning free trials so that you can get first-hand insights before deciding.
What are the different software deployment methods? Which is the best?
There are four common types of software deployment methods.
Among the four, canary deployment comes with the least risk and allows IT to have more control over the app deployment process and outcomes.
What are the different types of software deployment solutions?
Software deployment solutions can be network based or agent based. Which option you choose depends on multiple factors like your IT infrastructure, resources, and where endpoints are located.
Network-based software deployment solutions can be used without an agent installed on the endpoint device. Instead, IT creates a local administrator account, which is used to perform deployment tasks via network-executed scripts or commands. For security reasons, these admin credentials should be encrypted in all the places where they are stored. Remote devices need to be connected to a VPN.
Agent-based software deployment solutions function via an agent that’s installed on an endpoint machine. Leveraging a secure channel of communication between console and agent, you can deploy software directly to the device. Some solutions like SmartDeploy offer the flexibility of more than one software distribution method. You can deploy apps via a local network or over the cloud using your existing cloud storage account, no VPN required.
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