Ease ALM With the Proper Tools (Continued)

Packaging
InstallShield DevStudio 9 (InstallShield)
InstallShield DevStudio is a complete Windows installation-authoring solution, enabling developers to create customized Windows Installer (MSI), InstallScript, and smart-device installations with the same easy-to-use development environment. DevStudio 9 brings together all the functionality of InstallShield Developer and InstallShield Professional. DevStudio offers many customization options, as well as wizards, task-based views, and a Direct Table Editor for full control over MSI installations.

Wise Package Studio (Wise Solutions Inc.)
Wise Package Studio is an application-deployment management solution that helps system administrators migrate applications to the Windows Installer (.MSI) standard. It supports every phase of the enterprise software packaging process, including repackaging, customization, validation, conflict resolution, and testing. Wise Package Studio helps create high-quality deployments in a shorter amount of time. It's available in three editions: Enterprise, Professional, and Standard. Wise also makes Wise for Visual Studio .NET, Wise for Windows Installer, and Wise Installation System.

Deployment
Borland Enterprise Server (Borland Software Corp.)
Borland Enterprise Server is a unified platform for deploying and managing e-business applications and Web services. It comes in four editions: AppServer Edition, VisiBroker Edition, Web Edition, and Team Edition.

Microsoft Systems Management Server (Microsoft Corp.)
Systems Management Server (SMS) delivers cost-effective, scalable change and configuration management for Windows-based systems. Built on industry-standard management protocols, SMS is compatible with complementary management tools from Microsoft and other companies. SMS fully integrates with Microsoft SQL Server and the Windows NT and Windows 2000 Server operating systems—making it easy to install, configure, and maintain in any network.

Deployment Solution (Altiris)
Deployment Solution (DS) is a component of both the Client Management Suite and the Server Provisioning Suite, two comprehensive suites produced by Altiris. Deployment Solution integrates with Active Directory to let you target distributions in the same way you structure the management of your objects. DS also supports several other collection methods, letting you precisely target the systems that require the software you are distributing. In addition, DS provides a simple-to-use interface that lets you manage multiple sites at once, and target any device including servers, desktops, notebooks, and handhelds. DS supports deployments to Linux as well as Windows. Altiris products are well-known for their low learning curve, letting users get up to speed quickly.

LANDesk Management Suite (LANDesk Software Inc.)
LANDesk Management Suite (LMS) is a comprehensive set of tools for the management of a machine's entire lifecycle. Its software distribution component includes a unique multicasting targeting feature that automatically designates a targeted client as the multicasting distribution point for a specific network segment. This provides comprehensive control over network bandwidth during distribution. In addition, LMS supports all versions of Windows, Macintosh systems 8 through 10, Linux, IBM AIX, Solaris, HP-UX, and Novell Netware, making it a good tool for managing heterogeneous networks.

PC-Duo Enterprise (Vector Networks Ltd.)
PC-Duo Enterprise is a modular desktop management suite that includes inventory management, software metering, software distribution, diagnostics, remote control and Web-based helpdesk issue tracking modules. What's interesting about PC-Duo is that it does not come in one monolithic edition. IT organizations can pick and choose from each of its major modules, purchasing and implementing only what they need, when they need it. In fact, there are 39 different combinations of modular architecture available. For example, if you need only to support software distribution, you can simply acquire the inventory and distribution modules. If you appreciate the way these tools work for you, you can then select additional components and implement them at a later date. This modular approach is interesting, especially in times when IT budgets are constantly shrinking.

Unicenter Software Delivery (Computer Associates)
Unicenter Software Delivery (USD) is one part of a comprehensive management suite, but its strength lies in the number of different platforms it supports. USD can target machines running Linux, Unix, all versions of Windows, DOS, OS/2, Open VMS, and VAX/Alpha, making it the ideal delivery solution for completely heterogeneous environments. Add Unicenter Software Delivery to the AllFusion suite to complete your lifecycle management toolkit.

About the Authors
Danielle Ruest and Nelson Ruest (MCSE, MCT) just released their third book, Windows Server 2003 Pocket Administrator (Osborne McGraw-Hill, 2003), an everyday administration reference. Their second book, Windows Server 2003, Best Practices for Enterprise Deployments (Osborne McGraw-Hill, 2003), is a step-by-step guide for designing enterprise networks with this new operating system. They are also authors of Preparing for .NET Enterprise Technologies (Addison-Wesley, 2001), a book on mastering change in the enterprise. Both work for Resolutions Enterprises, a small Canadian consulting firm that provides services in the information architecture and change management fields. Both can be reached at infos@reso-net.com.