AdminStudio

In this course, you will also gain experience in creating transforms for existing third-party MSI packages and identifying and resolving conflicts between packages before deploying your applications.

Objectives
In this class you will learn:

• How to prepare your development systems, test systems and documentation for the application-migration process
• How to use AdminStudio's Repackager to convert traditional setups to Windows Installer setups
• How to enhance and customize repackaged setups and to correct validation errors
• How to use AdminStudio's ConflictSolver to identify and resolve potential conflicts between Windows Installer setups before deployment into your desktop environment
• How to use AdminStudio's Tuner to customize the installation of existing Windows Installer setups—such as third-party installations—to meet your company-specific requirements
• How to use AdminStudio's Process Workflow tool to create workflows to track and manage any pre-deployment process

Course Prerequisites
Previous AdminStudio experience is not required; however, you should be comfortable with the following:

• Using Windows Explorer and the command prompt to create and manage files and run executables
• Basic Windows terminology (e.g. DLL, Control Panel, etc.)

Course Delivery
The following course sections and topics will be covered in the class. If you have a specific area that you think might need extra attention, mention it to your instructor on the first day of class.  

Introduction and Overview

• Windows Installer Background
• Features and Benefits of Windows Installer
• Format of a Windows Installer Installation
• Windows Installer Concepts and Terminology
• AdminStudio Tools
• Overview of the Application Migration Process
• Process Assistant

Best Practices

Microsoft Windows Installer

Preparing for Application Migration

• Creating the Storage Structure
• Defining Your Standard Images
• Project Documentation
• Copying Repackager to a Network Drive
• Global Exclusion Lists

Preparing Workflow Templates and Projects

Building Releases

Repackaging

• Repackager Best Practices
• Using the Repackager IDE
• Repackager IDE Tools Menu
• Using Installation Monitoring to Repackage an Application
• Repackager Output
• Reviewing the Repackaged Data
• Running Repackager in Snapshot Mode
• Repackaging InstallScript MSI Installations

Converting Windows Installer Packages to Virtual Applications 

• Converting a Single Application
• Converting a Suite of Applications
• Testing Packages for Virtualization Compatibility

Testing the Repackaged Installation  

• Running MSI Installations
• Testing Guidelines
• QualityMonitor
• Predeployment Test

InstallShield Editor  

• Overview
• Setting Editor Options
• General Information
• Working with Application Data
• Path Variables
• Shortcuts
• Registry Data
• INI Files
• Environment Variables
• Per-Application Paths
• Conditions
• Building Releases
• Validating the MSI Package
• Creating Templates
• Building a Citrix Profile
• Building a ThinApp Application

Advanced Editor Topics  

• Searching for Files
• Direct Editor
• Handling Locked-Down Environments

Custom Actions  

• Windows Installer Sequences
• Custom Action Scheduling Options
• The Custom Actions View
• Common Custom Action Types

Custom Actions, Sequences

Tuning an MSI Package  

• Overview
• Introduction to InstallShield Tuner
• Creating a Response Transform
• Editing the Transform Using Tuner
• Applying a Transform

Application Management and Conflict Solving

• Application Catalog
• Importing Merge Modules
• Working with Groups
• Creating and Importing OS Snapshots
• Identifying Conflicts and Importing MSI Databases
• Defining Custom ACE Rules
• Sharing Application Catalog Data
• Command-Line Options
• Managing System Patches

Testing and Best Practices Application Isolation  

• Application Isolation Techniques
• Using the Application Isolation Wizard

Distribution Wizard  

• Marimba
• Tivoli
• Altiris
• ManageSoft
• ZENworks
• SMS

Upgrades 

• Preparation
• Defining the Upgrade Properties

Additional Topics: Workflow Manager, Report Center, Job Manager

• Companies, Users and Roles
• Submitting Applications
• Assigning Users to Applications
• Navigating the Workflow

Software Repository

• Enabling
• Importing Packages
• Checking Packages In and Out

Using PackageExpert to Identify and Resolve Package Errors

• Available Tests
• Testing Packages and Viewing Results
• Viewing and Managing Test Results
• Resolving Errors