In many organizations, making sure that all users have access to the right software at the right time is a challenge with no easy solution. Software distribution across an organization, especially for companies with remote offices, can be time and resource-consuming and disruptive to end users. In this environment, finding a remote software installation process that does not interrupt normal business operations is a top priority.
Fortunately, there are software deployment tools that can make this process easier. Many of these are designed for organizations with remote offices and allow for the management of the software to be undertaken automatically.
Groups and Filters
Part of the problem of trying to install software to a remote location is getting the applications, patches, and operating systems, to the right machine. Software deployment tools arrange for this by targeting specific laptops, desktops, and servers with dynamic grouping and filters. This allows the IT professional to select the users that need the software and schedule the install according to a location-specific timetable. This benefit minimizes impact on end users by making sure that only the correct employees receive the upgrade at the right time.
Remote Replication
With a centralized deployment tool, software can be replicated to remote offices much more easily. Local systems can pull their software from local download locations can be set up with the control of the software remaining centralized. This can help keep costs and complexity to a minimum.
Deferred Installation
It can be difficult to schedule software upgrades and maintenance in a remote environment, which is why a tool that allows end users in remote offices to defer installation for some pre-determined time is so useful. This feature can reduce the disruption that employees experience during software migration or upgrades.
User States
Something that is important to have in place is a tool that saves and stores user states and information. This is especially vital during a switch from one operating system to another. One of the goals of software upgrade is allowing users to continue working as seamlessly as possible, and by ensuring that users’ states are migrated along with other data, this can save a lot of time.
Software Management
Since software deployment does not end at installation, good software deployment tools for remote locations should also allow IT professionals to manage the software remotely. This involves managing upgrades, patches, licenses, policies, and many other aspects of enterprise software. With the right tools in place, this becomes much simpler.
Remote software installation and management is a challenge, but one that can be overcome with the proper tools in place.
