AdminStudio

New Features

New in AdminStudio 11

AdminStudio 11 contains a range of new features including:

Integration with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2012 (available in Professional/Enterprise editions)

AdminStudio 11 features advanced integration with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2012:

• Enhanced import functionality helps speed migration to Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2012 from a previously package-based model to its new application-based model.
• Take advantage of Bulk Import to remove the laborious task of adding applications manually.
• Import accurate deployment metadata by mining package elements such as dependencies. Plus import product level data such as product icon, manufacturer etc.
• Identify the best candidates for migration automatically.
• Publish applications to Configuration Manager 2007 as deployment types, as Configuration Manager 2012 applications, or to bring information over from either versions 2007 or 2012 into the new application model.

App-V Application Suitability Testing (requires Virtualization Pack)

AdminStudio 11 performs automatic suitability testing of packages for Microsoft's App-V virtualisation technology. By identifying conversion issues in advance, you can avoid compatibility problems and identify those applications that may be more difficult to convert.

Software Tagging Support

Support for ISO 19770-2 tagging helps with software asset management. The generated ISO tag file contains information on the application including publisher, name, version etc. You can then use enterprise software asset management tools to collect the tags to provide accurate application identification for installed software.

InstallShield Suiting/Wrapping

AdminStudio 11 Enterprise includes InstallShield 2012 Premier for streamlining the bundling of applications into suites. It helps handle application dependencies, post-install updates and other issues to minimise the risk of rolling out incomplete/out-of-date packages.

Platform API (AdminStudio Enterprise only)

The inclusion of an API enables users to sequence and orchestrate individual AdminStudio tasks to perform advanced processes such as importing packages, checking for virtualisation readiness, converting to virtualised packages, testing packages and then distributing them to Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager. The API supports .NET, PowerShell, scripting languages such as VB Script and more.

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 - Enterprise Edition and requires Virtualisation Pack

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, 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 - Application Compatibility Pack

The Application Compatibility Pack helps migration to Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Internet Explorer 8 by automatically assessing and fixing application compatibility issues. It features over 10,000 automated checks to ensure application compatibility for Windows 7 migration and features auto-resolution of up to 98% of installation-related issues.

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

• 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, every time.
• 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.
• 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 departments a key oversight into application management and deployment.

Editions

Standard Edition

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

Professional Edition

• All of the above plus 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 it.

Professional Complete Edition

• All of the above plus includes the Virtualisation Pack and the Application Compatibility Pack.

Enterprise Edition

• The features of the Enterprise Edition plus 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.

Enterprise Complete Edition

• All of the above plus includes the Virtualisation Pack and the Application Compatibility Pack.

Optional: 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.

Optional: Application Compatibility Pack

• Helps migration to Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Internet Explorer 8 by automatically assessing and fixing application compatibility issues.

Subscriptions

Maintenance Plans

Bronze:

• Automatic notification of, and access to, all product updates (free) and upgrades 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.