Group Policy based Software Deployment

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With version 4.0, Specops Deploy constitutes a complete software deployment management system. This product now provides all the functionality you expect in a modern deployment solution:

•  Operating Systems Deployment 

•  Software Deployment 

•  Virtual Deployment

Specops Deploy

Learn more about Specops Deploy

Deploy software using Group Policy

Since Specops Deploy uses Group Policy technology, additional infrastructure besides Active Directory and Group Policy is not required. Software Deployment(Software Distribution) has never been this straight forward before. And if you are using Group Policy Software Installation today for software distribution/software deployment, Specops Deploy will amaze you!

Specops Deploy is a major upgrade from Microsoft's native Group Policy Software Installation software distribution. Feel free to contact us for more information on how to upgrade from GPSI (Group Policy Software Installation) to a more mature software deployment/software distribution process using Group Policy + Specops Deploy.

Operating systems deployment

The OS deployment feature is based on standard components such as Windows Deployment Services and Microsoft Deployment Toolkit 2010. It handles these two components in a fully automated way and allows you to do everything you want with them in an enterprise environment.

This means that you can start quickly and easily. You will be able to do everything yourself, without learning any complex new infrastructure or depending on consultants. Install or reinstall computers at will with the guidance of our intelligent wizard.

Software deployment

Specops Deploy's Software Deployment/Software Distribution functionality snaps right in to the Group Policy Management console (GPMC). The user interface is very consistent, clear and helpful making software distribution quick. Context aware help is always available helping you as you move along. There is no need to read through thick manuals before getting started with this Group Policy based Software distribution tool.

Use Specops Deploy to deploy the 2007 Microsoft Office system. Deploying Office is usually quite cumbersome. But not anymore if you use Specops Deploy. Read more about this in our documentation.

Virtual software deployment

With Specops Deploy, providing Microsoft App-V virtual applications to your clients is just as easy as managing any other type of software package.

Virtual applications are not installed like normal applications on the client computer. Instead the application is published, which means that the application will be downloaded to the local computer when the user uses it for the first time. This makes patching a virtual application very simple. After a patch has been applied the new version of the virtual application is simply added to a streaming server and tagged as an upgrade. The upgraded application will then be downloaded to replace the outdated local version the next time a user starts it.

Reporting and targeting

Specops Deploy offers detailed feedback of all software deployment, reporting that is not available natively in Group Policy Software Installation (GPSI). This information is displayed both as numbers, updated in real-time, and as graphs depicting success rate and deployment events over time. It is possible to drill down to specific client error messages, if needed. Getting good feedback is the key to a successful software deployment/software distribution process.

Specops Deploy not only reports status on all deployments. Applications can also be published both during boot/logon, after the computer is started and after the user have logged on, which ensures that the application is delivered to the user. The support for a background BITS download also helps to ensure delivery since it makes the software accessible for VPN users.
 

[Current version: 4.0.10033.40321]
[Updated: 2010-02-02]

Operating system deployment

  • Capture of a system to make into a master image is supported
  • Policy based rules for image management and settings
  • Driver management
  • Good visible GUI for progress report of installing clients
  • Supports bypassing the F12 PXE Prompt to automate the installation in all scenarios
  • Real Time Log files for client troubleshooting
  • Easy to use system

Software deployment/Virtual deployment

  • Use Specops Deploy together with Specops Gpupdate and get instant Group Policy refresh, wake-on-lan and restart functionality
  • Deployment/distribution of Software packages during user login/boot
  • Detailed feedback about the progress, success or failure of the software deployment/software distribution process
  • Support for non Windows Installer installations
  • Software Deployment/Software Distribution over slow network links. BITS technology is used, allowing the download to resume
  • Deploy/Distribute software when computers are running, without a reboot, if not requested
  • Scheduled software deployment/software distribution
  • Publish your software deployment(s)/software distribution(s)
  • Support for MSP (MS Patch) files
  • Target systems, users, security groups, active directory organizational units etc. Vast number of options for advanced targeting. Targeting is evaluated instantly on the client
  • Native App-V client support – Install the virtual application without the need of a wrapper Windows Installer package
  • Automatic Installation of App-V Client
  • Ability to configure the App-V client settings through Group Policy
  • Abstraction of virtual application deployment

Utilizing Group Policy

Regardless of your level of active directory knowledge, Specops Deploy can provide benefits to you and your organization. Bringing together the best of both worlds, Specops Deploy allows you to use the native group policy functionality and interface while getting all the additional functionality that your organization requires. Group policy is an integral part of the active directory, so why not maximize the potential of the existing infrastructure? Think of this concept as using existing roads for all types of vehicles, as opposed to building separate roads for red cars, blue cars etc.

Specops Deploy main product features

After downloading Specops Deploy, you should have your first software package installed on a client in less than one hour. The new systems administrator will find the simple GUI in Specops Deploy easy to navigate. More advanced administrators (such as those working with GPEdit, GPMC etc.) will discover a vast array of additional features for more effective deployment.

Specops Deploy technical feature set

  • Underlying GPX engine is completely based on Group Policy and leverages the existing infrastructure to provide a whole new level of functionality
  • Installation over weak network links including VPN links (using BITS technology)
  • Supports Windows installer packages or legacy setups such as setup.exe
  • Live feedback reporting indicating which software/updates/patches/security fixes were installed correctly, as well as installs that failed or had warnings
  • Extensive reporting to provide effective monitoring of the entire software deployment process
  • Supports background installations during runtime or boot/login
  • No reboots needed on target systems after deploying software
  • Advanced software targeting mechanism using optimal client side evaluation
  • Extensive end user interaction features
  • Scheduling of installations
  • Possible to prioritize installations for urgent deployments

Product reviews


AppDeploy

"The option to expand upon Group Policy instead of replacing it is the real beauty of Specops Deploy"

"There is a new Specops in town and this one is called v3.1. A minor point release? Yes. Significant updates worth covering? Very yes!" Read more »

Redmond Magazine

Score: 8.9 of 10
"Many companies have developed software deployment tools, but few have done it as simply as Special Operations Software. That simplicity is what makes Specops Deploy so attractive..."

"Microsoft should take a long hard look at this product ..." Read more »

Desktop Engineer

"Specops Deploy makes group policy deployment a practical reality in many situations where it was previously very labor intensive and lacked appropriate status reporting." Read more »

Customer quotes


Bill Barnes (RHCE Bloomsburg University):

"In an academic library settings, client reimaging has become a common procedure. When you reimage often, many software distribution management packages fail or are tricky to get working correctly. We chose Specops Deploy to fill the gap between the built in Group Policy Software installation and SMS. It is working so reliably for us, we're starting to remove SMS clients off the public computers, using Specops Deploy!"

Others:

"Specops Deploy is one of two software solutions that I have used that actually works as advertised."

"Today, I don’t understand how we could operate without Specops Deploy."

"We have been using Specops Deploy 3.6 for nearly a year and I cannot say enough about how it has streamlined and sped our software deployment process. Thanks you for such a great product."

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