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Why Supplant GPSI?

Out of the box, Microsoft provides GPSI, Group Policy Software Installation. However, there is some critical software deployment functionality left out of GPSI. Here is a short list of what is missing when you use only the native Microsoft Group Policy to deploy your software:

• You get no feedback if the package deployment succeeds or fails
• You cannot schedule when the package is to be deployed. (Microsoft GPSI only deploys software upon reboot or at logon time.)
• You cannot deploy software while the user is logged on
• You cannot easily deploy legacy packages such as .exe files
• There is no support for slow network links.

   

  And the list goes on.

Key Features and Benefits

Specops Deploy doesn't just extend GPSI, it replaces it. However, the technology still rides upon the Group Policy infrastructure you already have in place. In doing so, you get an amazing amount of key benefits from this blend of technologies. To name a few, here's how Specops Deploy can help:

 

Supports .MSI or setup.exe FILES

With Specops Deploy you can deploy older legacy setup packages (.exe) (as long as these can be run silently on the target system.) Of course, it is also possible to deploy Windows Installer packages and the use of MST (transform files) is also supported.

 

Real time feedback (including client side errors)

Prior to Specops Deploy it was impossible to get real time feedback from Software Deployments made by Group Policy. Now, in real-time, you will get live feedback of all your on-going Software Deployment operations as seen here.

 

 

 

deploy Software while the user is logged on or at boot/logon

Sometimes, you want extra important software, such as Anti-virus and definitions to deploy before the computer has finished starting. With Specops Deploy you can deploy software at logon time for users, during boot if the software is intended for the machine, or even at runtime if that is preferred. No reboot is necessary if not explictly needed by the software package.

 

Advanced targeting mechanism

With GPSI, it's difficult to hone in your deployment. You might inadvertently deploy software to machines. With Specops Deploy, you can define detailed targets to pin-point your specific target. Choose any mix of OS version and Service Pack level, OUs, sites, security groups and more.

End User notification features

The end-users will be notified of the software that has been assigned to them (or to their machine) and get information of how proceed next.

Scheduling of deployments

Out of the box, GPSI requires that the computer be rebooted or the user log out and back in for the software to deploy. Instead, with Specops Deploy, you can simply schedule your deployments, and have the software be deployed on your terms.

 

Slow links Support (using BITS technology)

All deployments with Specops Deploy can be performed over slow network links. Only unused bandwidth will be used to make the download process a transparent to the end user as possible. To achieve this, Microsoft's Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS) 2.0 is primarily used, with SMB as a secondary option. You can even deploy software to users over a VPN!

 

How does Specops Deploy Extend Group Policy?

Specops Deploy extends Group Policy in several ways. First, the user-interface Windows snaps-in and integrates directly with the Group Policy Object editor (GPEdit) as seen below.

In addition Specops Deploy loads on the client as a true Client-Side Extension (CSE).

How you win with Specops Deploy

 

In short, by implementing SpecsOps Deploy, you can...

 

• Reduce Operating Costs and Complexities: Maximize the use of your existing Group Policy and Active Directory infrastructure.
• Implement quickly: Specops Deploy is setup and ready to use usually within an hour.
• Reduce costs: No need for expensive consultants for implementation of a large "Software Deployment" system.
• Use what you have: Make use of your existing hardware. There's no extra hardware purchases needed to run Specops Deploy, unlike the large "Software Deployment" systems.

Overall, if you are looking for a powerful Active Directory and Group Policy integrated solution for Software Deployment that is cost effective, Specops Deploy and Group Policy is the solution for you.

Visit the Specops Deploy Website