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.

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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.  

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Key software deployment features

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Central dashboard

View software information for multiple computers from a single pane of glass. Manage your software installations and deployments across your entire environment.

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Scan and report

Automatically scan and report software information for every PC in your environment so you know what to deploy, patch, or uninstall.

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Save hours of work with a library of prebuilt application packages that you can download and deploy to any PC immediately.

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Custom application packages

Create custom packages for unique deployments — whether it’s an MSI package, Office 365 deployment package, or custom PowerShell scripts.

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When setting up new PCs, streamline the process by deploying common applications with your Windows OS image

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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.

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Automate deployments

Schedule zero-touch software deployments to any endpoint at a specified time. Set up silent installs during off-hours to minimize downtime.

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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.

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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 

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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. 

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Greater IT consistency, Greater IT control & oversight, Streamlined deployment workflows, Enhanced IT security, Eliminated shadow IT, Centralized management, Easier software updates & patching, and Time savings  Greater IT consistency, Greater IT control & oversight, Streamlined deployment workflows, Enhanced IT security, Eliminated shadow IT, Centralized management, Easier software updates & patching, and Time savings  Greater IT consistency, Greater IT control & oversight, Streamlined deployment workflows, Enhanced IT security, Eliminated shadow IT, Centralized management, Easier software updates & patching, and Time savings

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

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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

Competitor

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.

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  • Plan
    Identify the software you need to deploy, who you’re deploying to, and potential risks. And remember to document the process.


  • Test
    Install and run new software in a test environment before deploying.It’s also advisable to test the deployment mechanism.


  • Schedule and deploy
    Schedule time for testing, remediation, and issues management. Avoid deploying at peak hours to minimize downtime. Larger-scale deployments are best done in phases.


  • Train users
    Provide user training for brand-new software. You can use FAQs to reduce reliance on IT for troubleshooting.


  • Monitor
    Keep a close eye out for issues that may occur during and after deployment.


  • Support and troubleshoot
    Have a contingency plan in place and stand by to provide support, if necessary.



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.

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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 

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What are software deployment best practices?

To deploy software successfully across your endpoint environment, here are some best practices to keep in mind.

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  • Review endpoints regularly
    Check for outdated software, especially for mission-critical applications. Minimize security vulnerabilities by uninstalling unused software from user devices as well.  


  • Know your environment
    This includes your network structure and resources, critical systems, the hardware makes and models you manage, and security requirements.


  • Stay on top of software updates
    Whether it’s subscribing to RSS feeds or systems-specific mailing lists, it’s important to stay informed of the latest software releases.


  • Develop a solid plan
    Your PC application deployment plan should be based on your organization’s operational schedule and always include contingencies in case issues occur. 


  • Communicate clearly
    Inform users of major updates and any potential impact on their system. Use communications tools like Slack to post helpful updates, FAQs, or resources.


  • Test thoroughly
    Test new software by running a pilot program before official deployment. Recruit test users who reflect the diversity of your organization and can give you constructive feedback. 


  • Automate tasks
    Automate software deployment and post-deployment tasks as much as possible.


  • Audit your deployments
    Review your deployments to make sure that new software or software updates have been installed successfully.


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.  

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What are the different software deployment methods? Which is the best?

There are four common types of software deployment methods.

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  • Basic deployment
    involves deploying software to all target endpoints at the same time, without a controlled process or strategy. There’s a high risk of outages if problems occur during app deployment.


  • Rolling deployment
    takes a staggered approach where software is deployed in phases, on one endpoint or a subset of endpoints at a time. This reduces the risk and scope of disruption from any errors or issues that may occur.


  • Blue-green deployment
    involves having two identical environments in place while deploying the new software simultaneously. One serves as a backup and is removed once the software is successfully deployed and the new environment is free of issues.


  • Canary deployment
    is an incremental approach. New software is first deployed to a small batch of endpoints or users and tested for issues before being delivered progressively to the rest of the organization.



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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