What is Application Packaging?

During 1990, application profiling team members used to write scripts to wrap the applications into packages. Its good to write these scripts if it is small. But in the case of large files, it becomes more and more complex.  Moreover, there might be some dependencies like platforms, pre-required software to execute those scripts. So while installing any kind of software, you need to take care of all these factors. Hence to get rid of all these factors, the operation team uses the application packaging. So,

What is Application packaging?

Application packaging is the way for enterprises and large organizations to standardize and streamline the way of software on user devices. This process involves creating an application package for each piece of software that the business requires with the predefined system and user setting that is suitable for the specific standards and the control set within the organization. This allows the IT administrators to deliver the latest version of the software with new features as well as the security updated in a consistent and timely manner to gain a competitive advantage.

 Besides it also reduces the total management cost. Here the IT team does not have to troubleshoot the individual devices but can package, test, and troubleshoot on a global level. This application packaging is the core component of the company’s software management strategy. This involves binding the set of files, registry as well as components to create a customized software installation targeted for automated deployment.

A package usually includes the additional setting and the scripts for the software to install on many devices in a single click without any interaction from the user. This package can be remotely installed with the help of deployment management systems such as SCCM, Intune, DMS Console, etc.

What are the stages of application packaging?

Every process here has a few stages as follows:

 In the initial stage, the request to start the process of packaging is raised.

The technical evaluation of a particular source is done.

In this stage, packaging involves the process of capture, editing, and testing.

In this stage, the package quality is taken into consideration and a full proof test is done

In the final stage, the user acceptance test (or) UAT is the last stage of this process.

What type of packaging formats exists?

There are many types of packing formats that exist. Some of them are MSI, MSIX, appv, cloud house, thin app.

Get practical knowledge on creating different packages by a real-time industry professional at Application packaging Online Training.

a)Microsoft Installer and MSI :

When Microsoft installer was launched in 1999, it provides the framework for the installation process. Here the installers could recognize each other and have a database of installed products and will introduce a consistency that had not existed before. Using an MSI File, you can install both .exe and the registry keys, specify the file locations, create custom actions that were not part of the standard install, etc. This MSI’s delivers greater control, efficiency, and the speed to process and deploy the packaging apps.

Through all the version of windows since windows 2000, enterprises have been creating the MSI’s for their application needs and deploy them in the same way for the past 20 years. Before creating the application package, the new application package, needs to be tested on each version of Windows that you are running and other apps as well to check the conflicts. If any issues were found during the testing then it needs to be fixed. Once this is done, it needs to be repackaged and redeployed again. If any of the testing/ packaging/ deploying takes a long time, then it's better to take another alternative.

b)Virtualization changes the Application packaging:

SoftGrid has changed the legacy set of issues and created the rise of application virtualization. The operation team realized that the use of COM isolation and the virtual file system is capable of preventing problems such as DLL and Conflict hell. This allowed applications to run in parallel on the same desktop without any issues by reducing risk and uncertainty.  In 2006,  Microsoft acquired a soft grid that gives instant access to the best application virtualization technology on the market as well as the large userbase. Microsoft has updated many of its updated features and introduced its security standards before rebranding it.

How to package an application?

Application packaging is a time-consuming process for every company. This complex task requires conformity with application versions, installation prerequisites, tools as well as the post configuration actions.

The standard application package delivery format is a zip archive with the following folder structure:

a)Package documentation (packing instructions, discovery documentation, etc)

b)Package delivery folder (i.e the set of file need for deployment MSI, Wrapper, MST, CAB, etc )

What are the benefits of application packaging?

Application packaging has many benefits. Some of them were:

  1. No installed required. Thus no more conflict between the application and OS.
  2. It supports multiple runtime environments based on the application requirement.
  3. It is capable of supporting multiple version concurrently
  4. It lowers the cost of migrations and upgrades.
  5. It accelerates application deployment through on-demand application streaming.
  6. It helps in application customization to suit the user's needs.
  7. It saves a lot of time in installation as well as the uninstallation process.
  8. Once the application has packed, the application can also be installed quickly on several laptops in different locations

Likewise, there are benefits of application packaging when you pack the application in real-time. By reaching the end of this blog, I hope you people have gained some knowledge of Application packaging. You people can acquire more real-time knowledge of application packaging from the roots at Application packaging online training. In the upcoming post of this blog, I'll be sharing the details of the working of each application package in real-time.