Automating Installs

Blusox69

Registered
Hi,

I've had a good look through the forums and Google in general but can't find much in the way of what I'm after. I work in and IT department for a medium sized company. Up until last year we were a PC only environment and I had created scripts and tools that allowed of one click setup of Windows images and minimum input for install packages. Since then we have begun buying large quantities of Macs which are taking us far too long to setup, meaning the TCO is now almost 3 times that of a PC. The applications we wish to install as a base are Citrix Receiver, McAfee and Office 2011. Ideally I'd like to create a GUI that gives me tick boxes next to the software, you select the soft ware and click install, the script then goes off and installs the selected programs. We have this working fine within our Windows environment but haven't got a clue where to start within OSX. Can anyone help?
 
I believe what you want is Apple Remote Desktop 3, not OS X Server (although OS X Server wouldn't hurt -- I think you can get software distribution functionality without it).

http://www.apple.com/remotedesktop/
http://www.apple.com/remotedesktop/softwaredistribution.html

Be aware that this type of software install only works with specific (but prolific) "installer packages." If the software you wish to install uses a custom-install method or non-standard package install tools, this may not work. Typically, software install packages that will work via this method end in .pkg or .mpkg.
 
All good info, thanks guys. I've got Server downloading now and I'm playing with ARD 3.5 as we speak. I see what you mean about it being picky about the installer types.
 
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