Managing Updates
Hi people,
I am just wondering how people manage updates for software like Java, Quicktime, Adobe.
At the moment we have nothing in place so the software is left as default which is download the update and pester the user until the user contacts us (IT) and we do the update for them.
There are always alot of updates for these types of software so I am just curious if people could share there ways in how they handle this.
And maybe this could be a good chance to tell me of software package creators that are good for this type of thing and how they distrupute them?
Cheers
Tom.
I am just wondering how people manage updates for software like Java, Quicktime, Adobe.
At the moment we have nothing in place so the software is left as default which is download the update and pester the user until the user contacts us (IT) and we do the update for them.
There are always alot of updates for these types of software so I am just curious if people could share there ways in how they handle this.
And maybe this could be a good chance to tell me of software package creators that are good for this type of thing and how they distrupute them?
Cheers
Tom.
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Posted by:
dunnpy
17 years ago
Tom,
We use SMS 2003 to deploy Java, QuickTime, Adobe Reader etc.
These apps are packaged (Wise Package Studio 7) and have all auto update settings disabled.
When a new version of the app is released the IT security team evaluate the issues that are fixed and make a decision as to whether it is required across the desktop estate.
To prevent end users from updating their own software the internet proxies have many download sites blocked.
This means that the IT dept pretty much have full control of what is out there on the desktop estate.
Hope that makes sense,
Thanks,
Dunnpy
We use SMS 2003 to deploy Java, QuickTime, Adobe Reader etc.
These apps are packaged (Wise Package Studio 7) and have all auto update settings disabled.
When a new version of the app is released the IT security team evaluate the issues that are fixed and make a decision as to whether it is required across the desktop estate.
To prevent end users from updating their own software the internet proxies have many download sites blocked.
This means that the IT dept pretty much have full control of what is out there on the desktop estate.
Hope that makes sense,
Thanks,
Dunnpy
Posted by:
yarborg
17 years ago
Yep. What dunnpy said is most common. We use Wise as well and have no complaints. I personally prefer creating exe packages especially since most of our installs are simply wrappers around an existing msi installer from the software manufacturere, i.e. Adobe, Java, Quicktime etc. We generally bundle the msi or exe install into a wise package and then call it with whatever parameters necessary to make it silent. Then finish up any cleanup or disabling of "auto-update" services afterwards within the exe. This is also a good practice because you can build in any custom logging or removal of previous versions.
If you do not have any method of distribution you should check out www.InstallSolutions.net. The Remote Software Installation Utility may be a good fit.
If you do not have any method of distribution you should check out www.InstallSolutions.net. The Remote Software Installation Utility may be a good fit.
Posted by:
nheim
17 years ago
Hi Tom,
it depends what you have allready in place in your environment. If you have AD, then the easiest way (IMHO) would be to use AD-GPO deployment, as all of this packages come as MSIs. To deploy exe style setups with this method, either capture to an MSI, use MSI-wrappers or use a SW like SPECOPS Deploy.
But in general: If you deploy from IT (considering, your users work in lockdown environment with only user right), you have to alter all of these apps more or less to get the settings delivered, the users need. And the things YOU need, like no autoupdate etc.
Hope this gives you some ideas.
Regards, Nick
it depends what you have allready in place in your environment. If you have AD, then the easiest way (IMHO) would be to use AD-GPO deployment, as all of this packages come as MSIs. To deploy exe style setups with this method, either capture to an MSI, use MSI-wrappers or use a SW like SPECOPS Deploy.
But in general: If you deploy from IT (considering, your users work in lockdown environment with only user right), you have to alter all of these apps more or less to get the settings delivered, the users need. And the things YOU need, like no autoupdate etc.
Hope this gives you some ideas.
Regards, Nick
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