(Scott Leslie, SOFTTAILOR GmbH, Senior Consultant MSI/WISE Paketierung)

“ESP is probably the most overlooked process in IT. In fact, some project managers have been known to completely forget it whilst budgeting for their desktop rollout! Yet it is widely accepted that large savings can be made in terms of reduced IT efforts and increased user productivity through the automation of software distribution.

Since the release of Microsoft Windows 2000, MSI has provided a set of tools and standards which helps organisations to implement a consistent approach to software repackaging. Unfortunately, many organisations have fallen into the “MSI Trap”: this is the belief that everything is going well just because their software packages are created in MSI format. Nothing could be further from the truth; improper use of MSI technology can do just as much damage as any other packaging system.

Software repackaging has traditionally been too complicated for desktop engineers and too boring for developers. In reality, software repackaging is a very specialised activity, and it take years of practice and several desktop rollout projects to learn the skills necessary to create a well designed MSI package. Using the right tools, anybody can create an MSI file; the question is whether that MSI will decrease or increase desktop management and support costs. Unfortunately, recent adverse market conditions, and poor recruiting practices have led to many unemployed “System Administrators” reinventing themselves as “MSI experts”. A large proportion of MSI packages being installed on corporate networks today are of a very poor standard. Packaging “sweat-shops” (many offshore) have also greatly contributed to this.

It is also very unfortunate that most organisations rush into repackaging in MSI format without any forethought or preparation. It is crucial that proper standards and processes are in place before packaging starts, and these preparations should be overseen by a suitably experienced professional. All too often, I find myself having to “retrofit” solutions to a problem when it’s essentially too late.

Organisations also tend to underestimate the effort required to repackage applications. Although ESP should lead to long term “post-deployment” savings, “pre-deployment” costs are high. This should be properly recognised, and adequate resources should be invested in the ESP process.“

Scott Leslie, Softtailor GmbH