Packing List App Software Deployment Easier

Packaging is a generally simple process that will make software deployment easier.

ARD (Apple Remote Desktop) and LANDesk require software be in be in the.pkg format so it uses the Apple Installer.app (or command line version).

This makes it simple to push new software or updates to many Macs remotely.

Packing List App License For The

If you are using volume licensing, you can also usually include the license for the packaged software in your package so you dont have to visit each machine to enter a serial number.

Also, in my area (Chemistry dept.), we have some X11 apps that require extensive setup such as command line install, updates, PATH setup and I bundle in GUI icons to launch those apps using XDroplets (described below).

This post is does not aim to be a how-to, but rather a list and description of different applications used for packaging and tools used in conjunction with packaging.

You would use this for a single software package or common set of files (payload).

This can also be used for a payload-less package which basically means no files are actually included with the package; the package can be used as a vehicle to run shell script(s) in the pre or post installupgradeflight scripts.

Instead of making a super single package that includes everything you want to distribute, you can just take existing packages you already created or licensed and bundle them together to deploy a bunch of software with less steps.

Metapackages are also used to allow the user to customize what gets installed.

Distribution Projects are only compatible with Tiger or later.

This is included with the Developer Tools (Xcode) and Apple Remote Desktop 3.

Xcode can be downloaded from and is also included with OS X on the discs but is not installed by default.

Package Maker can be used to create Single Packages, Metapackages and Distribution packages.

With this tool, you basically create a package directory that contains the folder structure and payload (filesfolders) that you want to install.

IceBerg Iceberg is probably the most popular alternative to PackageMaker for creating packages and metapackages.

Iceberg has the advantage of being able to create an installer without creating a dummy folder structure.

You can select any file(s) or folder(s) on your HD and they will be installed in the same hierarchy as the source.

Composer takes a snapshot of your filesystem, you install your software and make any necessary changes then Composer takes another snapshot and compares the difference.

You are then shown the files that have changed or have been added and given the opportunity to tweak what will be included with the package before it is built.

I havent heard of this until researching for this article but it appears to be a snapshot type builder similar to Composer.

With this nifty little app, you can drag a well-behaved.app or.prefpane into its window and click on button and it will create a package of it and contain it within a disk image.

This will not work as a general packaging utility, only for application bundles or Preference Panes.

Useful if you want something small packaged for use with ARD or as part of a metapackage.

Packing List App For Mac