Building the Installation File
After the configuration process, you need to build the installation file. Before you compile it, you might want to click Test in the SMS Installer dialog box to review the file with all the options set. To obtain accurate results, uninstall the software package from the reference system before you perform this test.
To start building the installation file, click Compile in the SMS Installer dialog box. The file will be large because it contains all the differences between your before and after snapshots, including the .exe files, .dlls, runtime support, and Registry changes. SMS Installer compresses the file, but .exe files typically don't compress much.
Testing the file after you compile it is a good idea. To test the file, you can reinstall the software on the reference system. A better alternative is to uninstall the software from the reference system and reinstall it using the Run option in SMS Installer. Then, use the .exe installation file to install the software on a clean reference system.
Distributing Applications
After you build the installation file, you need to determine which systems to include on the distribution list (DL). Then, build a job to run the .exe file on these target systems. You need an SMS client license for each system on which the SMS Installer-generated .exe file runs. Other ways to distribute the software include writing the .exe file to a CD-ROM that you give to users, sharing the file on the network and letting users connect to the share from their computers, and providing a link to the share location from your corporate intranet or other Web page. Regardless of the distribution method you choose, SMS Installer installs the software on users' systems exactly as you installed it on the reference system.
Helpful Tips
When you use SMS Installer to distribute packages, keep two important points in mind. First, log on as a regular user rather than an administrator when you install the software on the reference system. If you log on as an administrator, only administrators will be able to install the package. Second, make sure the .exe file is in a separate directory when you build the distribution package. SMS Installer builds a package that contains every file in the directory, so the package might become larger than you expect if the source directory contains multiple files.
Streamlining Your Job
Disk-image applications such as Drive Image and Norton Ghost are useful for rolling out new systems. But when you need to distribute applications to existing systems with varied hardware, the difference approach is best. SMS Installer simplifies large-scale installations and gives you the level of control you need to avoid the problems associated with today's multiple-option, multiple-component software.