Software Deployment Tools For Mac

1. Software Deployment Tools For Windows
2. Software Deployment Tools
3. Open Source Software Deployment Tool
4. Software Deployment Tools For Mac Free

Software Deployment Kace Supporting Mac Mac OS X Mac Please forgive me as this is my first experience trying to manage Macs with KACE or managing them in general on any large scale that I need to distribute software remotely.

• Have access to the best tools and technology. All of our products. Up the download and delivery of software through the Mac App Store. Mac Deployment Overview December 2019 6. Deployment Steps.
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Applies to: Configuration Manager (current branch)

Keep the following considerations in mind when you create and deploy applications for Mac computers.

Important

The procedures in this topic cover information about deploying applications to Mac computers on which you installed the Configuration Manager client. Mac computers that you enrolled with Microsoft Intune do not support application deployment.

General considerations

You can use Configuration Manager to deploy applications to Mac computers that run the Configuration Manager Mac client. The steps to deploy software to Mac computers are similar to the steps to deploy software to Windows computers. However, before you create and deploy applications for Mac computers that are managed by Configuration Manager, consider the following:

• Before you can deploy Mac application packages to Mac computers, you must use the CMAppUtil tool on a Mac computer to convert these applications into a format that can be read by Configuration Manager.

• Configuration Manager does not support the deployment of Mac applications to users. Instead, these deployments must be made to a device. Similarly, for Mac application deployments, Configuration Manager does not support the Pre-deploy software to the user's primary device option on the Deployment Settings page of the Deploy Software Wizard.

• Mac applications support simulated deployments.

• You cannot deploy applications to Mac computers that have a purpose of Available.

• The option to send wake-up packets when you deploy software is not supported for Mac computers.

• Mac computers do not support Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) for downloading application content. If an application download fails, it is restarted from the beginning.

• Configuration Manager does not support global conditions when you create deployment types for Mac computers.

Steps to create and deploy an application

The following table provides the steps, details, and information for creating and deploying applications for Mac computers.

Software Deployment Tools For Windows

Supplemental procedures to create and deploy applications for Mac computers

Use the following procedures to create and deploy applications for Mac computers that are managed by Configuration Manager.

Step 1: Prepare Mac applications for Configuration Manager

The process for creating and deploying Configuration Manager applications to Mac computers is similar to the deployment process for Windows computers. However, before you create Configuration Manager applications that contain Mac deployment types, you must prepare the applications by using the CMAppUtil tool. This tool is downloaded with the Mac client installation files. The CMAppUtil tool can gather information about the application, which includes detection data from the following Mac packages:

• Apple Disk Image (.dmg)

• Meta Package File (.mpkg)

• Mac OS X Installer Package (.pkg)

• Mac OS X Application (.app)

After it gathers application information, the CMAppUtil then creates a file with the extension .cmmac. This file contains the installation files for the Mac software and information about detection methods that can be used to evaluate whether the application is already installed. CMAppUtil can also process .dmg files that contain multiple Mac applications and create different deployment types for each application.

1. Copy the Mac software installation package to the folder on the Mac computer where you extracted the contents of the macclient.dmg file that you downloaded from the Microsoft Download Center.

2. On the same Mac computer, open a terminal window and navigate to the folder where you extracted the contents of the macclient.dmg file.

3. Navigate to the Tools folder and type the following command-line command:

   ./CMAppUtil<properties>

   For example, say you want to convert the contents of an Apple disk image file named MySoftware.dmg that's stored in the user's desktop folder into a cmmac file in the same folder. You also want to create cmmac files for all applications that are found in the disk image file. To do this, use the following command line:

   ./CMApputil –c /Users/<User Name>/Desktop/MySoftware.dmg -o /Users/<User Name>/Desktop -a

   Note

   The application name can't be more than 128 characters.

   To configure options for CMAppUtil, use the command-line properties in the following table:

   Property	More information
   -h	Displays the available command-line properties.
   -r	Outputs the detection.xml of the provided .cmmac file to stdout. The output contains the detection parameters and the version of CMAppUtil that was used to create the .cmmac file.
   -c	Specifies the source file to be converted.
   -o	Specifies the output path in conjunction with the –c property.
   -a	Automatically creates .cmmac files in conjunction with the –c property for all applications and packages in the disk image file.
   -s	Skips generating the detection.xml if no detection parameters are found and forces the creation of the .cmmac file without the detection.xml file.
   -v	Displays more detailed output from the CMAppUtil tool together with diagnostic information.

4. Ensure that the .cmmac file has been created in the output folder that you specified.

Create a Configuration Manager application that contains the Mac software

Use the following procedure to help you create an application for Mac computers that are managed by Configuration Manager. Convert youtube video software torrent mac software.

1. In the Configuration Manager console, choose Software Library > Application Management > Applications.

2. On the Home tab, in the Create group, choose Create Application.

3. On the General page of the Create Application Wizard, select Automatically detect information about this application from installation files.

   Note

   If you want to specify information about the application yourself, select Manually specify the application information. For more information about how to manually specify the information, see How to create applications with Configuration Manager.

4. In the Type drop-down list, select Mac OS X.

5. In the Location field, specify the UNC path in the form <server><share><filename> to the Mac application installation file (.cmmac file) that will detect application information. Alternatively, choose Browse to browse to and specify the installation file location.

   Note

   You must have access to the UNC path that contains the application.

6. Choose Next.

7. On the Import Information page of the Create Application Wizard, review the information that was imported. If necessary, you can choose Previous to go back and correct any errors. Choose Next to proceed.

8. On the General Information page of the Create Application Wizard, specify information about the application such as the application name, comments, version, and an optional reference to help you reference the application in the Configuration Manager console.

   Note

   Some of the application information might already be on this page if it was previously obtained from the application installation files.

9. Choose Next, review the application information on the Summary page, and then complete the Create Application Wizard.

10. The new application is displayed in the Applications node of the Configuration Manager console.

Step 3: Create a deployment type for the Mac application

Use the following procedure to help you create a deployment type for Mac computers that are managed by Configuration Manager.

Note

If you automatically imported information about the application in the Create Application Wizard, a deployment type for the application might already have been created.

1. In the Configuration Manager console, choose Software Library > Application Management > Applications.

2. Select an application. Then, on the Home tab, in the Application group, choose Create Deployment Type to create a new deployment type for this application.

   Note

   You can also start the Create Deployment Type Wizard from the Create Application Wizard and from the Deployment Types tab of the <application name>Properties dialog box.

3. On the General page of the Create Deployment Type Wizard, in the Type drop-down list, select Mac OS X.

4. In the Location field, specify the UNC path in the form <server><share><filename> to the application installation file (.cmmac file). Alternatively, choose Browse to browse to and specify the installation file location.

   Note

   You must have access to the UNC path that contains the application.

5. Choose Next.

6. On the Import Information page of the Create Deployment Type Wizard, review the information that was imported. If necessary, choose Previous to go back and correct any errors. Choose Next to continue.

7. On the General Information page of the Create Deployment Type Wizard, specify information about the application such as the application name, comments, and the languages in which the deployment type is available.

   Note

   Some of the deployment type information might already be on this page if it was previously obtained from the application installation files.

8. Choose Next.

9. On the Requirements page of the Create Deployment Type Wizard, you can specify the conditions that must be met before the deployment type can be installed on Mac computers.

10. Choose Add to open the Create Requirement dialog box and add a new requirement.

    Note

    You can also add new requirements on the Requirements tab of the <deployment type name>Properties dialog box.

11. From the Category drop-down list, select that this requirement is for a device.

12. From the Condition drop-down list, select the condition that you want to use to assess whether the Mac computer meets the installation requirements. The contents of this list varies depending on the category that you select.

13. From the Operator drop-down list, choose the operator to use to compare the selected condition to the specified value to assess whether the user or device meets the installation requirements. The available operators vary depending on the selected condition.

14. In the Value field, specify the values to use with the selected condition and operator to assess whether the user or device meets in the installation requirement. The available values vary depending on the condition and operator that you select.

15. Choose OK to save the requirement rule and exit the Create Requirement dialog box.

16. On the Requirements page of the Create Deployment Type Wizard, choose Next.

17. On the Summary page of the Create Deployment Type Wizard, review the actions for the wizard to take. If necessary, choose Previous to go back and change deployment type settings. Choose Next to create the deployment type.

18. After the Progress page finishes, review the actions that have been taken, and then choose Close to complete the Create Deployment Type Wizard.

19. If you started this wizard from the Create Application Wizard, you will return to the Deployment Types page.

Deploy the Mac application

The steps to deploy an application to Mac computers are the same as the steps to deploy an application to Windows computers, except for the following differences:

• The deployment of applications to users is not supported.

• Deployments that have a purpose of Available are not supported.

• The Pre-deploy software to the user's primary device option on the Deployment Settings page of the Deploy Software Wizard is not supported.

• Because Mac computers do not support Software Center, the setting User notifications on the User Experience page of the Deploy Software Wizard is ignored.

• The option to send wake-up packets when you deploy software is not supported for Mac computers.

Note

You can build a collection that contains only Mac computers. To do so, create a collection that uses a query rule and use the example WQL query in the How to create queries topic.

For more information, see Deploy applications.

Software Deployment Tools

Step 5: Monitor the deployment of the Mac application

You can use the same process to monitor application deployments to Mac computers as you would to monitor application deployments to Windows computers.

For more information, see Monitor applications.

Software deployment tools are an IT professional’s best friend. They elevate existing update services, automate deployment tasks, put security best practices in place, and monitor user activity and application functioning. Without these tools, IT teams spend hours manually deploying and tracking rollouts. This takes time and resources away from other important tasks.

With so many software deployment tools out there, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. I’ve built this list of the best software deployment tools to help you find the right fit for your business. My favorite? SolarWinds^® Patch Manager. This tool makes automating and managing software updates easier by optimizing software performance and putting security front and center. With SolarWinds Patch Manager, you’ll know what critical patches need to be implemented and have the power to schedule them across thousands of servers and workstations. The tool boasts robust reporting features to help you stay compliant. For me, SolarWinds Patch Manager should be an integral part of any IT team’s software deployment strategy.

There are countless software deployment tools out there. Some are highly specialized, others serve a myriad of functions, and a few falls somewhere in the middle. To help you streamline all aspects of software delivery, I’ve put together a list of the best software deployment tools from 2020. Each of these offers a little something different so you can find the right fit for you company.

Top Software Deployment Tools

1. SolarWinds Patch Manager

Key Features:

• Automated patch management
• Perform third-party patch management across thousands of servers and workstations
• Comprehensive, UX-friendly dashboard shows available updates, highlighting the top 10 missing patches
• Advanced scheduling and rebooting across servers and workstation
• Extend the capabilities of SCCM and WSUS
• Robust reporting component
• Extra layer of protection against cyberthreats
• Recommended for big enterprises

Cost:

• Free trial fully functional for 30 days—after that, price starts at $3,750

Review:

Of all the software deployment tools out there, SolarWinds Patch Manager is by far my favorite. While many applications now come with automated patch management, these automated services require a user to be connected to the internet and accept the installation of the update, rather than skipping it. Users who don’t understand the implications will simply ignore these prompts month after month.

But SolarWinds Patch Manager makes it easy to perform third-party patch management across thousands of servers and workstations. The platform’s comprehensive dashboard provides a list of all available updates, highlighting the top 10 missing patches in your environment, and categorizing them based on critical level, date released, application type, and more. When it’s time to act, you can manage patch deployments with advanced scheduling and rebooting across servers and workstations, giving you total control over when and where patches get installed.

These functions allow you to extend the capabilities of Windows Server Update Services (WSUS). This is particularly valuable because relying on WSUS alone won’t cut it. You need to be able to effectively schedule patches and report on their status and inventory. The same can be said for Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM). SolarWinds Patch Manager allows you to view the details of third-party software patches, determine the status of endpoints managed by SCCM, and deploy pre-tested, pre-built third-party updates. But perhaps what makes this tool stand out the most is its robust reporting component, which allows you to easily demonstrate to auditors that systems are patched and compliant.

This level of automated patch management will keep all applications running as efficiently as possible and, most importantly, provide an extra layer of protection against cyberthreats by minimizing vulnerabilities. With such a comprehensive, security-forward offering, SolarWinds Patch Manager tops my list of best deployment software for 2020.

2. Octopus Deploy

Key Features:

• Compatible with ASP.Net, Java, Node.js, and Windows services
• Dashboard automatically updates config files

• Limit who can deploy to production
• Ensure releases have been tested
• Schedule releases at a time that works for your team

Open Source Software Deployment Tool

Cost:

• Based on the size of company—from free to upwards of $40,000

Review:

If you’re in the market for a tool focused solely on deploying services and apps, you could consider Octopus Deploy. This automated release management tool is compatible with ASP.Net, Java, Node.js, and Windows services as well as a variety of script languages and database types. It’s designed to allow IT professionals to automate application deployments in the cloud, corporate data center, and on-site.

Octopus Deploy prides itself on a model that ensures deployments are as consistent as possible between environments.

With Octopus Deploy, you can rest assured everything is falling into place as it should. Users also love the platform’s detailed yet intuitive dashboard that automatically updates config files and lets IT departments know the status of an application. The low learning curve makes getting up and running with Octopus Deploy a straightforward process. Plus, if you’re feeling lost, they offer several customer training tutorials. The cost of this software deployment tool varies drastically based on the size of your company—from free to upwards of $40,000 for full data centers with unlimited users and nodes.

3. Jenkins

Key Features:

• Automation processes like software deployment, virus detection to project building, and code analyzing
• Integrates with hundreds of plugins
• Open-source automation tool

Cost:

• Open-source tool, but not recommended for big enterprises

Review:

If continuous delivery and integration are the name of your game, Jenkins has you covered. Backed by a large, very involved, community full of major corporations, Jenkins has earned a reputation as the leading open-source automation tool on the market, and for good reason. The tool can automate everything from software deployment and virus detection to project building, code analyzing, and more. Jenkins also integrates with hundreds of plugins, making it compatible with nearly every tool in the continuous integration and continuous delivery toolchain. This focus on all-in-one automation allows IT teams to streamline processes and remove the manual components often associated with these tasks.

Continuous delivery is taken to the next level with Jenkins Blue Ocean, a fully automated, integrated tool that makes it easy for users to build, test, and deploy pipelines. You can even track the progress of these pipelines, allowing you to quickly spot any problems that arise.

Like Octopus Deploy, Jenkins is easy to set up and features a user-friendly interface. It’s a self-contained, Java-based program, so it’s ready to run straight from the box with installation packages for Windows, Mac OS X, and other Unix-like operating systems. There are even “on-the-fly” error checks and built-in support tools to keep you on track. At no cost, this open-source tool is worth digging into—but don’t expect it to give you everything you need for a business solution.

4. Bamboo

Key Features:

Software Deployment Tools For Mac Free

• Continuous delivery and continuous integration
• In-depth look at all deployment activity
• Real-time monitoring across all tools
• Flags errors as soon as they occur

Cost:

• 100 remote agents start at $17,000

Review:

Bamboo has a lot in common with Jenkins, but there are key differences that make Bamboo a bit more advanced. Both are great options, it just depends on what you’re trying to achieve. Like Jenkins, Bamboo focuses on continuous delivery and continuous integration. But, unlike Jenkins, it also offers several built-in features, including Git branching workflows, deployment projects, Jira software integration, Bitbucket server integration, and automatic testing.

If you’re searching for a software deployment tool that provides an in-depth look at all deployment activity, this is a good option. Bamboo offers end-to-end visibility into release implementation through real-time monitoring across all tools. It even flags errors as soon as they occur, so you can quickly act when needed. Small IT teams can get Bamboo for as little as $10 for 10 jobs, but the price rises quickly—100 remote agents start at $17,000.

Why Are Software Deployment Tools Important?

Software deployment is a complicated beast that has drastically changed shape over the last several years. It requires more than simply installing a tool—you need to configure, test, and optimize the performance of an application. This means regularly performing updates and evaluating how the software is functioning over the course of its lifetime, both independently and in conjunction with other apps. This process requires both time and attention to ensure everything is running smoothly.

Many software deployment tools have surfaced to alleviate the stress and hours IT departments spend on software deployment. These tools are designed with the following in mind:

• Automation: Software deployment has previously been considered manual labor—it can take a lot of upkeep and proactive scheduling. New, automated deployment tools eliminate much of this manual heavy lifting. Look for tools that feature automated deployment encompassing tasks like bug detection, patch protection, performance testing, and code analyzing. Automating these functions will eliminate the amount of time you spend on deployment, so you can tackle other projects on your growing to-do list.

• Security: Cybersecurity breaches are on the rise—cybercriminals will steal an estimated 146 billion records by 2023. Security needs to be top-of-mind when deploying software. Within software are user and group settings that define permission levels and access to highly-sensitive company information. Software development tools can help you manage these permission settingsso only those who absolutely need to access this information can do so. The fewer people with administrator rights, the fewer the opportunities for hackers to sneak in.

• Updates: Microsoft comes with its own software update services, but these put third-party software, like Adobe or Flash, at risk. They also require employees to remember initiating or accepting update prompts. Updates are critical because they improve performance and implement patches that mend software vulnerabilities. If left unpatched, these vulnerabilities expose servers to attackers ready to strike. Implement a software deployment tool that automates system updates, scans for vulnerabilities, and practices regular patch management across applications.
  It’s worth noting that a Skype survey of U.S., U.K., and German consumers showed that 40% of respondents don’t update their machines when prompted. Almost 25% required a second prompt and around 45% were worried that installing the update would weaken their computer’s security. This means IT professionals must check each machine individually to ensure they are all patched and running the latest software versions. This is where software deployment tools can help.

• Monitoring: Once your software is up and running, it’s important to analyze employees’ interactions with it. Knowing when and where they experience hiccups and how they’re using the application can help you optimize performance and eliminate issues before they spread to your entire company.

The Best Deployment Software

All these tools are designed to help you streamline software deployment and get hours back in your day. If you’re looking for an enterprise-grade tool that not only automates processesbut puts security front and center, SolarWinds Patch Manager is for you. With this tool, you’ll stay abreast of patch management needs and have the power to easily schedule patches across thousands of servers and workstations. Plus, the reporting feature helps you stay compliant. Who doesn’t love that? Try the free trial and see for yourself.