BDD Scenarios: Automating Application Deployment

In scenario 6, services were described to allow users to add and remove application packages from the list to be installed on an existing computer during the Zero Touch Installation deployment process. These services can be combined with the process described in scenario 5 to create a process that is initially based on the SMS inventory for the existing computer, but allows for the user to make adjustments to the list, removing applications that are no longer required and adding new applications that are not on the current computer.

In this scenario, the SMS inventory would be used to insert records into the ComputerPackages table based on the current SMS inventory and contents of the PackageMapping table. This would be a one-time process. Once the records are inserted into ComputerPackages, the Zero Touch Provisioning services described in scenario 6 can be used to allow the user to make the needed modifications (subject to the same approvals described).

It would also be useful to combine this with automated e-mails that notify users of the packages that will be installed on their computers if they do not take any action, along with a link to the Zero Touch Provisioning Web site that allows them to make changes. This ensures that the users are aware of which applications they can expect to be on the new operating system after it is deployed.

The actual implementation of these services and processes is beyond the scope of this document.

Top of page

20 of 20