AdminStudio

New Features

New in Adminstudio 9.5 SP2

AdminStudio 9.5 Service Pack 2 introduces:

• Automated Application Converter Tool - using this new tool you can automate the process of repackaging Windows Installer setups that cannot be cleanly virtualised and convert them to virtual packages. Please note: this functionality is only available in AdminStudio Enterprise Desktop model with Virtualisation Pack
• Enhanced Installation Monitoring methods in the Repackaging Wizard - enhancements include improved system reboot handling, 64-bit support, Windows side-by-side support and an improved engine
• Virtual conversion settings - configure default settings for virtual application conversions globally or for individual applications
• Enhanced command line support for the repackager - new command line options include no reboot and build MSI only options

New in Adminstudio 9.5 SP1

AdminStudio 9.5 Service Pack 1, released February 17th 2010, expands support for Windows 7, App-V and 64-bit migrations:

• Now you can repackage 64-bit applications and hybrid applications (32-bit and 64-bit), along with 32-bit applications, all through the AdminStudio Repackager. The Repackaging Wizard itself remains a 32-bit application but can be run on both 32-bit and 64-bit applications
• Simultaneously create 64-bit Windows Installer packages and 64-bit Microsoft App-V packages to be deployed on 64-bit systems with the App-V 4.6 64-bit client
• 12 new Windows 7 compatibility tests in Package Expert including for Per User setups, AdminUser or Privileged Launch conditions, Windows 7 Protected Files and Registry Keys and more!

New in 9.5

Supports the latest technologies

• Windows 7 - Easily convert your existing packages and legacy installers and ensure they will run on Windows 7. AdminStudio 9.5 expands support for Windows 7, can test packages for Windows 7 suitability and has an updated exclusion list so new Windows 7 processes, OS and registry files do not captured when creating packages
• MSI 5.0 - AdminStudio 9.5 produces MSI installers compatible with MSI 5.0

Enhanced support for creating virtual applications (Requires Virtualisation Pack)

• Improved conversion of complex MSI installers to App-V packages with a greater number of Windows Installer configurations included in the Batch Conversion tool (Requires AdminStudio Enterprise)
• Supports the creation of external shortcuts for Microsoft App-V packages
• Create a MSI 'wrapper' installer for App-V packages which is more easily portable
• Supports Microsoft App-V 4.6 and VMware ThinApp 4.0.3

Uses InstallShield 2010

• AdminStudio 9.5 Editor is now powered by InstallShield 2010 SP1, supporting Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2, MSI 5 and creation of App-V packages

Other Improvements

• Matching the realignment of user data folders in Windows 7, the AdminStudio Repackager now improves the handling of user data
• Private and shared side-by-side assemblies are improved with streamlined functionality.

New in 9.01

Microsoft App-V Support (Requires Virtualisation Pack)

AdminStudio accelerates virtual deployments by reformatting applications into the App-V format natively, without the use of the multi-step App-V Sequencer tool.

MSI to App-V direct conversion (Requires Virtualisation Pack)

AdminStudio includes conversion support for Microsoft App-V 4.5, an update to the current Windows Installer converter capability that already supports flat conversions of MSI packages into VMware ThinApp 4 and Citrix XenApp 4.5.1.

Editing and Customisation of app-V packages - UI Refresh (Requires Virtualisation Pack)

The AdminStudio Editor, based on InstallShield, is updated to include editing and customization features to support Microsoft App-V 4.5. This is in addition to the current capabilities around virtual application editing and customization for VMware ThinApp and Citrix XenApp.

'Pre-Conversion' Scan (Requires Virtualisation Pack)

AdminStudio expands the ability to intelligently scan a pre-existing MSI package or application file share directory containing an organization’s existing MSI packages and determine if it is a good candidate for virtualization for Microsoft App-V. This feature is based on Application Virtualization best practices.

Virtual Application Management (Requires Virtualisation Pack)

The AdminStudio Software Repository is updated to house Microsoft App-V applications. This allows enterprises to manage virtual applications in the same location that they manage their existing MSI packages. An existing feature from AdminStudio 9.0, this is now enhanced to include support for Microsoft App-V packages.

Support for Inherent Dynamic Suite Composition (Requires Virtualisation Pack)

AdminStudio now includes support for Microsoft App-V 4.5 Dynamic Suite composition functionality.

To see the new features contained in older versions please view the 'New Features' PDF in the Documents and Downloads section.

Features

Package Applications Quickly and Correctly

AdminStudio's automated tools can create reliable software packages (MSI's) in less time than other techniques. The tools can identify potential issues and suggest the best ways to rectify them.

Customise Virtual Packages and MSIs

AdminStudio has the ability to customise package files already created. This includes the option of adding or modifying files and registry keys, adding merge modules and web services and modifying parts of the installation UI.

It is possible to modify registry keys or isolation options for App-V, ThinApp and XenApp virtual packages too (requires the Virtualisation pack).

As the AdminStudio package editing tools are built off InstallShield 2010, you can be sure of comprehensive package editing support and functionality.

Hand Off Packages to Any Deployment Solution

Release created software packages to Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager, Novell ZENworks, LANDesk, BMC Configuration Maangement, Citrix, Tivoli and ManageSoft.

To deploy, all that is required is to tell AdminStudio the deployment solution you are using, and AdminStudio creates the specific files required to deploy your packages.

It is also possible to deploy to FTP servers or network destinations.

Windows 7 Migration Support

Migrate your legacy applications to Windows 7 and have confidence they will install as expected. AdminStudio can create 100% compliant MSI packages and will also test MSI's to check they deploy correctly on Windows 7.

Support for Multiple Virtualisation Formats - Requires Virtualisation Pack

Supporting App-V, ThinApp and XenApp, AdminStudio is unique in the market place in that it is the only solution to support packaging to multiple virtualisation formats.

With pre-virtualisation scanning support, you can confirm those packages that would be good candidates to virtualise and those which are not. Once confirmed, they can be automatically converted from MSIs into virtual packages.

Centralised Application Catalog - Enterprise Edition with limited support in Professional edition

The Application Catalog is a central area where information about packages, patches and related data are stored. The web interface of the Application Catalog lists all this information and allows for searching of applications and groups of packages. Multiple Application Catalogs can be synchronised which is useful for enterprises with multiple separate locations.

Eliminate Software Conflicts - Enterprise and Professional Editions

AdminStudio can prevent software conflicts through its ConflictSolver tool which tests packaging against other applications and operating systems and provide feedback on potential conflicts. Additionally the Web Based Job Manager can speed up the process of conflict testing by scheduling repetitive tasks such as package importing and testing and the Application Isolation Wizard can confirm whether the package is using only local resources.

Quality Assurance Testing - Enterprise and Professional Editions

AdminStudio's QualityMonitor is a tool that automatically tests your packages to confirm they will install correctly. It verifies that the application has the correct rights on a locked down system, that the file extensions and shortcuts are set up correctly and that the application will uninstall correctly.

Rules Wizard allows organisations to create their own rules for applications to make sure they adhere to corporate standards.

Convert Any Setup to Windows Installer - Enterprise and Professional Editions

Convert any other installer to an MSI. The repackager does all the hard work and can help to produce a successful deployment with long term reliability.

PackageExpert - Enterprise Edition only

PackageExpert validates MSI's, performs QA testing and will automatically fix any errors.

Web-Based Report Center - Enterprise Edition only

Generate reports from data stored in the Application Catalog, the Report Center produces a variety of reports including information on different files, shortcuts and registry keys used in packages. The web based interface means the reports can accessible anywhere and they can be exported to a variety of different file formats.

Benefits

Top 5 benefits of using AdminStudio

Increase ROI

AdminStudio brings a greater return on investment as it frees up the time of IT staff and increases productivity through providing reliable installs of applications.

Save Time

AdminStudio’s automated tools help to cut packaging time by up to 70% and with AdminStudio’s 99% deployment success rate you can be sure that once an application is repackaged it will install on any Windows Operating System and not require repacking for Vista.

Standardise

Because AdminStudio can produce MSI installer files from any application, your organisation can standardise on this format thus improving reliability and manageability.

Virtualise

As AdminStudio can create virtual packages for App-V, ThinApp and XenApp that can deploy without conflict, it simplifies the move to virtualisation and doesn’t require existing applications to be repackaged.

Manage

AdminStudio Enterprise and Professional include the Application Catalog which is a database containing information on all packages created in your organisation. Numerous reports can be generated from the information giving IT a key oversight into application management and deployment.

Editions

Standard Edition

• Cost-effective way to package applications and standardise on the MSI format
• Helps convert software to work on Windows Vista
• Automatically release packages to any deployment solution - including System Center Configuration Manager, ZENworks, LANDesk Management Suite and more.

Professional Edition

• All of the above and ... Additional tools to test packages verifying their integrity.
• The Application Catalogue, which is a database of all packages created by AdminStudio and tools to manage the catalogue

Enterprise Edition

• All of the above and ... Web based tools including a Web-Based Report Centre, Job Manager and Security Console
• Patch impacting testing to help discover issues with patches before they're deployed
• Package Expert - Saves time by automatically fixing errors found in MSI validation and QA tests

AdminStudio 9.01+ supports creating virtual packages with the Virtualisation Pack (sold separately) in all editions.

Subscriptions

Maintenance Plans

Bronze:

• Automatic notification of and access to all product updates (free) and upgrades (chargeable for non-Maintenance-Plan-holders) for 12 months (with at least one chargeable upgrade guaranteed)
• A Maintenance Plan Card detailing all benefits and plan specifics
• 24 x 7 access to Knowledge Base
• 24 x 7 access to product Web Communities
• Sample Code, Sample Projects, and White Papers
• Technical Webinars / Online Product Demonstrations
• Unlimited Web-based requests using eService

Silver:

In addition to all the above, silver includes:

• Unlimited telephone support requests

Gold:

In addition to all the above, gold includes:

• Access to priority support channels for quickest service
• Priority involvement in Beta Programmes