How do you ensure that thousands of engineers in hundreds of locations are using the same tools for product design and development? Application packaging and deployment covers the services associated with packaging, configuration and installation of applications used in support of CAE/CAD/CAM activities within the world wide Engineering community.
We provide multiple technology platform system level administration support for all supported Engineering applications for a major original equipment manufacturer in two separate industries. This covers over 10,000 engineers and more than 130 applications and multiple versions of some applications. Support includes packaging, configuration, installation, global distribution and deployment of both third party as well as in-house developed applications used on Technical Engineering Workstations. Support includes activities related to end user issue resolution.
We provide services to implement current standard methodologies and best practices for deployment & effective use of supported Analysis Applications (eg. setup of V: drive, deployment mechanisms and environment update utilities etc.)
Packaging and deployment efforts occur whenever new applications are developed or procured or existing applications go through the revision / update process. All applications are also checked each time there is a major change in the operating environment (migration to Windows 10).
The initial steps include receiving the service request and the corresponding media from either the custodian or vendor. The software is installed in a controlled Lab environment. Access accounts and permissions are provided to designated testers. The testing process is facilitated and issues are resolved with the vendor. Customizations are created to enable the application to function within the specific engineering organization. This includes the creation of application initialization scrips, cross application integration, creation of required links, directory permissions and workgroup maps.
Once testing is completed and code is frozen, the application is packaged. The application is moved to a pre-production (staging) server for sanity check. The deployment schedule is developed and the application deployed. Training and training materials are prepared and released to the user community. The application distribution to specific sites is determined and the information provided back to the application repository concerning the installed product configuration data.
The initial steps include receiving the service request and the corresponding media from either the custodian or vendor. The software is installed in a controlled Lab environment. Access accounts and permissions are provided to designated testers. The testing process is facilitated and issues are resolved with the vendor. Customizations are created to enable the application to function within the specific engineering organization. This includes the creation of application initialization scrips, cross application integration, creation of required links, directory permissions and workgroup maps.
Once testing is completed and code is frozen, the application is packaged. The application is moved to a pre-production (staging) server for sanity check. The deployment schedule is developed and the application deployed. Training and training materials are prepared and released to the user community. The application distribution to specific sites is determined and the information provided back to the application repository concerning the installed product configuration data.
Results from the application packaging and deployment efforts have included better control of the applications being used by the end users. This has resulted in a decrease in the number of failures at the application release level. This has also resulted in a decrease in the amount of man hours lost due to application unavailability.