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Application Packaging
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Application Packaging
Managing software in an organization is a
complex task which involves installing,
tracking, and maintaining a variety of software
applications. Especially with the reduced staff
and different sets of applications for
individual groups, departments or divisions,
installing and upgrading individual applications
and new operating systems on a large number of
existing users desktops can be challenging.
This is because most setup programs do not
adequately manage shared resources to enforce
consistent installation rules, provide easy
customization, help you decide which pieces of
an application users might need, or help you
diagnose and repair configuration problems.
Application Packaging is the effective means of
installing, deploying and upgrading an
application which would reduce the total costs
incurred for the process. Application packaging
wraps applications and operating systems into a
distribution unit, which makes it easier to
deploy and install them on user’s computers.
Windows Installer provides a standard packaging
format for applications and a standard method
for customizing applications. Preparing or
obtaining a Windows Installer package file for
installation is called packaging the software.
Each product has its own Windows Installer
package file. Depending on the application to be
deployed, packaging software can be as simple as
performing an administrative installation to
prepare the application for later installation
by clients from a network location. Packaging
can also be as complex as re-authoring the
entire application, or even repackaging the
application, which involves capturing the
required modifications when installing an
application and replacing the application's
native installation program with a customized
setup.
Potential Benefits
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Once packaged, applications can be quickly
installed on a range of desktops in multiple
locations, saving administrative costs,
simplifying the management of licensing fees
and minimizing support and repair
expenditures. |
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Simplifies management of new user set-up
along with the revision and distribution of
software repairs and new applications to
existing users. |
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Helps eliminate uncontrolled software
downloads and installation, enables
applications to be safely removed and
reduces non-business traffic on a corporate
network. |
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Using .MSI format, can automate software
distribution process and ensure that the
installation doesn’t break other
applications that have already been
installed. |
ESI's remote or onsite application packaging
services
enable the packaging of all of your business
applications to a common standard ensuring that
the full functionality of the Windows Installer
Service is available from the Windows Installer
Package.
Mid-sized to large organizations looking to
implement a standardized desktop / server
infrastructure often have hundreds, if not
thousands, of applications installed across the
enterprise. Managing the environment and
subsequently reducing the Total Cost of
Ownership (TCO) for each device, requires
applications to be packaged so they can be
dynamically deployed, remotely managed and
updated, and consistently distributed for
maximum supportability.
Leveraging ESI for your application packaging
requirements can help take the strain off of
internal software implementation staff by
creating automated software installation scripts
that can be easily deployed, or “pushed” out to
distributed environments. Our application
packaging engineers have years of experience
leading, and participating in, multiple
highly-visible packaging efforts in
enterprise-level environments, and they've
collectively developed thousands of application
packages.
Packaging Readiness Services
A well-designed process, based on the
appropriate industry best practices, is critical
to the ultimate success of any engagement
requiring application packaging. As an integral
part of your project, ESI will work directly
with each of your Business Unit Managers, IT
Managers, and/or Application Owners to:
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Define the complexity of each application to
be packaged |
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Application list identification and
inventorying assistance |
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Define or refine your application packaging
process |
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Document your Global Package Requirements |
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Determine special, non-default, application
configurations |
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Help formulate test cases to test for
adequate functionality |
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Coordinate application source media and
documentation |
Remote Application Packaging Services
In many cases, the average full-time employee
assigned the packaging task only spends roughly
25% of their time on the packaging function. In
these situations, our remote application
packaging services can fill the gap by providing
remotely-based, dedicated packaging engineers to
facilitate the packaging of your business
applications to a common standard ensuring that
the full functionality of the Windows Installer
Service is available from the Windows Installer
Package.
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Expert knowledge of best practice process
methodologies |
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Pre-configured MSI remotely developed for
deployment |
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Assistance with application scoping and
final configuration |
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Web-based portal for monitoring the
packaging lifecycle |
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Tiered pricing model for easy project
costing |
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Onsite liaison services for large, or
critical, engagements |
Staff Augmentation Services
At times, organizations experience talent gaps
relating to the application packaging function.
To help our clients retain the necessary talent,
we provide contract and contract-to-hire
technology employees to supplement internal
teams.
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Formal recruitment process for talent
identification |
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Expertise ensures the right fit based on
staff requirements |
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National access to expert-level talent |
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