To deploy software to managed computers, you must first create a software package and then approve the software package for deployment on computer groups.

The New Software Package Wizard facilitates software deployment. If, after finishing the package wizard you approve the deployment, the deployment will begin immediately. If you complete the wizard without approving the deployment, the software package is created but the software deployment does not start on the managed computers until you specifically approve it.

When deploying a Windows Installer application, if the agent on the managed computer detects that the deployed application is already installed, it does not reinstall the application.

Important
If you are deploying a version of Microsoft Office to an Application Install Point (AIP), and if you deploy a version of Office that is not aligned with a major release such as RTM, SP1, SP2 (specifically, if you install a major release with some updates applied), then Office updates may not be properly detected or downloaded for the AIP afterward.

To create a software package and approve the deployment

  1. In the Essentials 2007 console, click Software.

  2. In the Results pane, in the Actions area, click Create and deploy a new software package to start the New Software Package Wizard.

  3. Proceed through the New Software Package Wizard.

    Note
    When using a Windows Installer file, Windows Installer starts and extracts the file information.

  4. On the final page of the wizard, select Show deployment options when this wizard closes, and then click Finish.

  5. In the Approve Groups for Deployment dialog box, select the computer groups that contain the computers to which you want to deploy the software, or click Create New Group to create a new computer group.

  6. Click Set Deadline if this software must be deployed to computers by a specific time, and then click OK.

To approve a previously created software package for deployment

  1. In the Essentials 2007 console, click Software.

  2. In the Software pane, expand Software Packages, and then click All Software Packages.

  3. In the All Software Packages pane, select the software package that you want to approve for deployment.

  4. In the Actions pane, click Approve for Deployment.

  5. In the Approve Groups for Deployment dialog box, select the computer groups that contain the computers that you want to deploy the software to, or click Create New Group to create a new computer group.

  6. Click Set Deadline to schedule the deployment for a later time, and then click OK.

See Also