AdminStudio

In this course, you will also gain experience in creating transforms for existing third-party MSI packages and identifying and resolving conflicts between packages before deploying your applications.

Objectives
In this class you will learn:

• How to prepare your development systems, test systems and documentation for the application-migration process
• How to use AdminStudio's Repackager to convert traditional setups to Windows Installer setups
• How to enhance and customize repackaged setups and to correct validation errors
• How to use AdminStudio's ConflictSolver to identify and resolve potential conflicts between Windows Installer setups before deployment into your desktop environment
• How to use AdminStudio's Tuner to customize the installation of existing Windows Installer setups—such as third-party installations—to meet your company-specific requirements
• How to use AdminStudio's Process Workflow tool to create workflows to track and manage any pre-deployment process

Course Prerequisites
Previous AdminStudio experience is not required; however, you should be comfortable with the following:

• Using Windows Explorer and the command prompt to create and manage files and run executables
• Basic Windows terminology (e.g. DLL, Control Panel, etc.)

Course Delivery
The following course sections and topics will be covered in the class. If you have a specific area that you think might need extra attention, mention it to your instructor on the first day of class.  

Introduction and Overview

• AdminStudio Tools
• Overview of the Application Migration Process
• Windows Installer Background
• Features and Benefits of Windows Installer
• Format of a Windows Installer Installation
• Windows Installer Concepts and Terminology
• Process Assistant

 Preparing for Application Migration  

• Creating the Storage Structure
• Defining Your Standard Images
• Project Documentation
• Copying Repackager to a Network Drive
• Global Exclusion Lists

Creating Workflow Templates and Projects

Repackaging

• Repackager Best Practices
• Using the Repackager IDE
• Repackager IDE Tools Menu
• Using Installation Monitoring to Repackage an Application
• Repackager Output
• Reviewing the Repackaged Data
• Running Repackager in Snapshot Mode
• Repackaging InstallScript MSI Installations
• Working with Repackaging Projects 

Converting Windows Installer Packages to Virtual Applications 

• Types of Virtual Package Conversion
• Converting a Single Application to a Virtual Package 
• Converting a Suite of Applications into a Virtual Package
• Converting a Directory of Packages into Individual Virtual Packages
• Testing Packages for Virtualization Compatibility

Testing the Repackaged Installation  

• Running MSI Installations
• Testing Guidelines
• Commonly Performed Tests
• QualityMonitor
• Predeployment Test

InstallShield Editor  

• Overview
• Setting Editor Options
• General Information
• Working with Application Data
• Path Variables
• Shortcuts
• Registry Data
• INI Files
• Environment Variables
• Per-Application Paths
• Conditions
• Building Releases
• Validating the MSI Package
• Creating Templates
• Building a Citrix Profile
• Building a ThinApp Application

Advanced Editor Topics  

• Searching for Files
• Direct Editor
• Handling Locked-Down Environments
• COM Registration 

Custom Actions  

• Windows Installer Sequences
• Custom Action Scheduling Options
• The Custom Actions and Sequences View
• Common Custom Action Types

Creating a Windows Installer Transform 

• Introduction to Tuner
• Creating a Response Transform
• Editing the Transform Using Tuner
• Applying a Transform

Application Management

• Application Catalog
• Importing Merge Modules
• Working with Groups
• Creating and Importing OS Snapshots
• Importing Windows Installer and Virtual Packages
• Scanning Dependencies
• Validating Imported Packages
• Sharing Application Catalog Data
• Command-Line Options

Software Repository  

• Enabling the Software Repository
• Importing Packages
• Using the Software Repository

Conflict Solving 

• Steps in Conflict Solving 
• Application Consistency Evaluator (ACE) Rules
• Identifying Conflicts Using the Conflict Wizard
• Resolving Conflicts

Testing and Best Practices Application Isolation  

• Application Isolation Techniques
• Using the Application Isolation Wizard
• Building an Isolated Version of a Windows Installer Package Using Repackager

Distribution Packages  

• Distribution Types
• License Management

Upgrading Products 

• Preparing for Major Upgrades 
• Defining the Upgrade Settings
• Deploying a Major Upgrade

Additional Topics

• Analyzing the Impact of Installing Microsoft Operating System Patches
• Workflow Manager, Report Center, Job Manager 
• Using PackageExpert to Identify and Resolve Package Errors
• Creating a Customized Virtual Package: Microsoft App-V, VMware ThinApp, and Citrix