CONTENTS
- What is Application Packaging?
- Why is Application Packaging important?
- What does the Application Packaging process involve?
- Application Packaging for desktop, cloud, and servers
- How does Application Packaging support deployment?
- Application Packaging and software compatibility
- Tools used for Application Packaging
What is Application Packaging?
Application packaging is the process of preparing software for automated deployment by bundling executable files, configurations, dependencies, and scripts into a single installation unit.
It ensures that software behaves consistently across different systems, regardless of operating environments or user-specific configurations. Application packaging minimizes installation errors, improves supportability, and simplifies upgrades or patches.
By standardizing installations across cloud, desktop, and server environments, it helps organizations:
- Reduce manual configuration during software rollout
- Speed up enterprise-wide deployments
- Streamline updates and patching
- Ensure compatibility with endpoint requirements
- Maintain configuration consistency
- Enhance end-user experience
Application packaging plays a critical role in both enterprise IT and software delivery pipelines.
Why is Application Packaging important?
In large or distributed environments, inconsistent installation practices can cause system conflicts, performance issues, and end-user frustration. With application packaging, IT teams can deliver tested and validated software builds that install reliably and predictably.
What does the Application Packaging process involve?
The process typically includes:
- Gathering application files and prerequisites
- Defining installation logic
- Adding configuration and customization parameters
- Creating silent or unattended install options
- Testing across target environments
- Wrapping it all into a single deployment-ready installer
Application packaging for desktop, cloud, and servers
Whether deploying to physical desktops, virtual machines, remote servers, or cloud infrastructure, packaging enables centralized control of the install process, versioning, and rollback procedures.
How does Application Packaging support deployment?
Packaged applications can be easily integrated into endpoint management platforms, CI/CD pipelines, and automated scripts. This ensures repeatability, speeds up provisioning, and reduces human error.
Application Packaging and software compatibility
By including dependencies and handling version checks, packaging helps avoid common compatibility issues such as DLL conflicts, registry clashes, or missing runtime environments.
Tools used for Application Packaging
Packaging is commonly done using professional tools like InstallShield, which supports MSI, EXE, and virtual packages, or InstallAnywhere for multi-platform Java-based deployment.
Watch this short video to learn more about InstallShield:
Resources
Webinar
Enabling Successful Software Installs with New Digital Signing Standards
Register for the upcoming webinar and be better equipped you with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate changes to digital signing standards effectively for a seamless installation experience.
Data Sheet
InstallShield 2024
Nahtlose Builds in der Cloud mit InstallShield-Lizenzfunktionen
Data Sheet
Cloud License Server with InstallShield
Get your questions answered about how to eliminate the time and effort required to set up and manage local License Servers. Easily configure your builds from the DevOps build pipeline with InstallShield’s Cloud License Server.
Online Event
“Unpacking MSIX”: Panel Discussion
Watch this roundtable discussion to learn more about how developers can retain as much code as possible as they continue to innovate and modernize applications.
Webinar
TechTalk: InstallShield “Suite” Secrets
In this TechTalk you’ll learn about Suite, a project type within InstallShield, and how it resolves the problem of installing multiple packages, learn how Windows features in Suite works, and how secure it is to send packages via an installer.
eBook
A Developer’s Guide to MSIX
MSIX represents a new, modern runtime environment intended to protect both your application and end-user systems. This one-of-a-kind book will help you retain as much code as possible while modernizing your applications for containerized packages.
Want to learn more?
Whether you are an existing customer needing assistance, or new to Revenera's Software Installation solutions, we are happy to help out with your Installation needs.