Case+Study

Case Study
Who uses remote software deployment packages? Large businesses and armed forces use software deployment packages also, some schools may use them as well. However, some businesses and schools alike are not willing to pay to deploy entire programs across all computers in a system. Therefore, they may like to use other remote deployment systems to update existing programs. For example, Microsoft allows administrators to update existing Microsoft programs using a product called Microsoft Windows Server Update Services. However, admins can only manage updates that are released through Microsoft Update, so not all programs on the computer would be able to be updated and thus the technology department would have to do some updates for each computer that needs the update.

One company also lists some case studies as references. I provided the link below. http://www.vector-networks.com/resources/case_studies.html (Vector 2, 2006)

Implementation at Cornwall-Lebanon School District
At Cornwall-Lebanon we do not have a remote software deployment package in use. However, we can update our Microsoft programs. Recently, the deployment of programs has not been troublesome for our technology staff because the newer programs that the district has purchased are server based. For example, we use Sapphire Gradebook and so Sapphire did not need to be loaded onto the teacher computers, rather a simple in-service on how to use the program was sufficient. Also, the high school Math and English departments use StudyIsand which works in a way similar to Sapphire.

What about new computers? New computers could pose a problem as all the non-package software could need to be added. However, there are businesses that will image many new computers and then send them to you or bring them to you and set them up. For example, Macprofessionals ( http://www.macprofessionals.com/DEPLOYMENT.php) does just this for Macintosh computers and it appears they cater to schools. Also, the computers provided with the classrooms for the future grant are imaged in one of two ways based on whether they are a Mac or a PC. This will allow schools to simply drop the computers into the classrooms without needing to install programs on each machine.