New Boundary Support Forum / Prism Deploy & Prism Pack / Feature Requests

Add Sequence/Sort to Package Installations

Andy Rampton — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 11:52:00 GMT

It would be really good if Prism Deploy can force clients to install assigned tasks in Task Name order as shown in the Console (when listing tasks in Task Name ascending order)

Users could then sequence Tasks by giving each Tasks a unique Numeric/Alphabetical name that sorts into the sequence the users wishes packages installed

Using inter linked Configuration Groupings to force installs to start depending on what previous packages are installed is very difficult and time consuming to manage with many packages and seems to give unpredictable results

Longer term a proper dependancy/priority/sequence assigned to each task would be great

Assigning computers to as task

Mike W. — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 11:58:05 GMT

I have a task group setup of with a few of our often installed or re-installed tasks. When I right click and select Assign Task... I get a table with all my computers and configuration groups. Our computers are named using the users login name. It would be nice to have this table allow for typed response. Meaning when I'm in the table and I start to type M W E L it will take me to the computer MWELCH. It would also be nice in this view to have some kind of check box column between the Icon and Name column. This way I can if I have a multiple PC to assign to the task I can type M W E L put a check in the box and then type my next pc, put a check in the box, then click next to go on to the Schedule Task screen. Right now I have to scroll and hold down the CTRL key, this can be very error prone.

Also... might as well keep going right?

When I'm in Scheduled Task and assigning to multiple PCs it is nice to have the computers listed that are getting the package as a confirmation (similar to Prism Patch Manager). It is nice to have the count you are sending to but having more info on who you selected would be great.

Sorry for the laundry list, its just I had time to write this out and had some thoughts on the subject.

-Mike Welch

Share name as criteria for User-Defined Configuration Group

martyy — Wed, 17 Jan 2007 19:00:10 GMT

I think it would be fairly easy and valuable to add the ability to check for a share name on a client and make a user-defined config group out of it.

Configuration tab --> multi-level

pizza — Tue, 18 Jul 2006 01:59:30 GMT

(1.) At this point we create a lot of configuration groups based on edited "predefined" groups. Especially file versions (which we use to deploy patches to). Al these are located in root. Custom groups are created in a subfolder. The screen gets cluttered with different kind of groups and gets somewhat incomprehencible (I try to use some prefixes like zzz_Office_2000_ update_Powerpoint).I would like to build a hierarchical layout with multiple levels. Something like this:
+ Standard software (manual)
+ Office 2000 (manual)
- Standard implementation (manual)
+ Updates 2006-6 (manual)
+ "C:\Program Files\...\powerpnt.exe" (predefined)
- ""
- "C:\Program Files\...\powerpnt.exe" = "9.0.0.6620"
- "C:\Program Files\...\powerpnt.exe" = "9.0.0.8942"
- Updates 2006-7 (manual)
+ Adobe reader (manual)
- Version of acrord32 (predefined)
- ""
- 7.0.0
+ 7.0.8
- machine1
- machine2
+ Special Software (manual)
+ Version of Package XYZ (predefined)
- Version 1.1
- Version 1.2

(2.) I would like a differerent Icon for config groups WITH a task assigned and config groups WITHOUT a task assigned. Suggestion: something like an arrow

(3.) Active Directory. When a workstation is moved within AD, we have to delete Workstation and reinstall from network window. I would like to have client report or move itself accordingly

Different way of displaying task messages

Eric Hofland — Tue, 31 Jan 2006 16:16:00 GMT

maybe a crazy idea.. instead of each Prism job displaying a bmp/jpg file why not display a single window when the client starts processing tasks.
This window shows the name and status (running/ finished) of all jobs to be performed and (if enabeled) the message for every job at the bottom of the window.
The advantage is the the user sees what tasks will be installed

Update XML-Files like INI-Files

Sven Kammradt — Fri, 04 Nov 2005 17:38:00 GMT

We have Programs with XML-Files for configuration. It would be nice to be able to change only Parts of the XML-Files, like INI-Files.

Default Bitmap for all tasks

Eric Hofland — Thu, 27 Oct 2005 08:22:00 GMT

It would be nice to be able to setup a default bmp/jpg file and standard text to be displayed for all tasks unless it is overruled in the task message properties
(e.g allways display the During Sample 2.jpg per default with (or without) a standard text message)

Also not only messages but also all default settings for a task (requirements, reboot, replace etc)

Autoupgrade client

Eric Hofland — Mon, 24 Oct 2005 11:24:00 GMT

It would be nice to have the client software upgraded automatically as soon as the client contacts the server after the server is upgraded to a new PD version.

License Enforcement Suggestion

csdurbin — Mon, 17 Oct 2005 12:12:00 GMT

A feature that I would love to see is software license enforcement.

For example I have 10 concurrent licenses of an application. Ten users have it running, when user number eleven tries to run it, the Prism client doesn't allow it.

I don't know if this would be possible, but it would be a very handy feature to have.

Thanks,

Carey Durbin

Bridgestone APM Co.

Push from the server

mdh — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 16:29:00 GMT

Hello

Is it possible to have an option in the prism console to roll out any package/script/command on a request of the server instead of the client. Will try to explain why ....

Most package/script/commands are really not time critical. If they are done within an hour or 2 hours in principle we do not care. So the polling time of the client can be high. But also you have situations where the package/script/command should be executed immediately. To overcome this situations í've set my polling time to 3 minutes now (Since i saw problems with a pollingtime smaller then 3 minutes).

I think adding this feature will not only help me ( and my organization) but also think its a really good feature a lot of other companies will benefit from and will make prism the ultimate tool !

marcel

Resizable Windows XP Open and Save Dialogs

Andy Rampton — Tue, 13 Sep 2005 11:43:00 GMT

Please can Prism Console and Pictaker (and V7) use the new Resizable Windows XP style Open and Save Dialogs when opening and saving files

When using systems with many captured packages the old NT dialogs severely limits the number of files one can choose from without having to scroll through their lists

This should be easy to implement and will save time when using Prism Delpoy

Moving Columns

Paul — Wed, 13 Jul 2005 11:13:00 GMT

I want to be able to move columns. Right now there are the following categories; Name, Type, Status, Polling Interval, Last Poll, Description, Client

I want to move the Description column to be beside the Name column. It almost seems that they are locked. I can resize but not move.

Thanks

Active Update wanted feature....

The Spike — Fri, 30 Jan 2004 14:55:00 GMT

It would be stunnig if we could add plugins (e.g. regedit) to the Prism Deploy Console.

So you can immediatly right click a computer and connect to it's registry or drive's etc.

Also i would like to hav a 'IS ALIVE?' right click option to see if the selected computer is currently available on the network.

Regards,

Mike

Adding multiple computers to new "Organizational group"

Paul — Mon, 11 Jul 2005 14:24:00 GMT

It would be nice if you could select multiple computers to a group that you create. I noticed that you can't hit the select button to select more than one computer from the "Computers" section to drag to your new "Organizational group".

Install Prism packages based on computer group membership

Danny — Fri, 15 Apr 2005 09:13:00 GMT

It would be nice to be able to use the group membership of computers to deploy packages. For instance the deployment of burn software is solely needed for computers with cd/dvd-burners. It would be nice to be able to group these computers into a single group.

We use the group membership of users to be able to reimage these machines without having to push packages again. This happens automatically.

Import .txt files into organizational group and add computers screen

SSFFL — Fri, 20 May 2005 10:16:00 GMT

I have about 150 computers that need a particular package.There are no differences in them and the other 1100 computers on my network that would allow me to make a config group. I just have a text file from someone that wants the package on these particular computers.

I wish I could import this group of computer names into an organizational group and then deploy the package to that group. The way the program is right now, I would have to browse and manually add these 150 computers to the group. This is cumbersome.

Also would like to be able to import a list of computer names to install the Prism Client. Again, I have to browse my AD to pick the ones I want to install. I have a list of computers that do not have the client and wish I could import it into the install client screen.

Multiple schedules

nkange — Thu, 12 May 2005 12:22:00 GMT

Hi,

I would like to be able to have multiple schedules for one task in one group, i.e to run a task hourly and at system startup. To do this now, I need multiple tasks that do the same thing.

Prism Deploy Console as a MMC

Bryan — Wed, 27 Apr 2005 14:51:00 GMT

It would be nice if Prism used MMC for the console. This function would allow me to add the Prism console to the same mangement console as the other management consoles that I use.

Bryan

Automated Descriptions

Russ — Mon, 21 Mar 2005 15:17:00 GMT

I would like to have the option of having the description field of the computers update automatically from the descriptions in my active directory. As it is right now I just add them in and it creates additional work.

Next I would like there to be a column that lists the description of the computers when a task is created. It would eliminate me having to look at a list of user names and cross referencing it with the computer names.

I think both of these enhancements would add functionality and save time.

Total machines in any group

MDE — Tue, 08 Feb 2005 11:33:00 GMT

Let me know if this already exists...

In the Console, would like to know instantly how many machines have filtered into any given group.

Multiple access right within Prism Deploy console

The Spike — Fri, 30 Jan 2004 09:28:00 GMT

I would like to see more operator levels within the

prism deploy console.

We have helpdesk users who should only be able to schedule/reinstall packages, and have administrator to do all.

And we woult like to 'see' who did what within the console.

Mike

Set NTFS Permissions within package.

The Spike — Fri, 30 Jan 2004 09:27:00 GMT

I would like the set and/or intergrate ntfs permissions in packages.

Mike

Default Installation Account

Thomas — Mon, 28 Feb 2005 10:37:00 GMT

Issue: With mutiple tasks/packages each one has a user acct and password associated with each task. When changing the password of the account on a domain and having to open every property of every package or task and updating the user account and password can be a long process.

Request: Add to Task Account Properties window the following check box selection:

[] Run as the default account

and the ability to set the "default account" name and password from within the Prism Deploy Console - Security Menu.... add to menu "Set Default Account".

Group tasks

nkange — Mon, 26 Apr 2004 08:26:00 GMT

I would like to see a way to group and categorize tasks, for example place all application in one group all hotfixes in one group and so on...

//Niklas

start a Task when logging off

mdh — Wed, 18 Aug 2004 08:41:00 GMT

Hello support,

When you schedule a task one of the options you can choose from is based on events. Is it possible to extend the events with logg off ?

Deploying very big files (~10Go)

Nourson — Fri, 31 Dec 2004 08:52:00 GMT

I have to deploy very large packages(about 3 to 10Go).
I looked for some indication on the max package size but i found nothing . So , I guess it's the max file size of the file system(4Go on FAT32).
But,is Prism dowload the entire package in client cache before installation ? In this case , with a very large package , ii will be some big troubles ...

So , if Prism could cut packages in several files ( CD or DVD media size for example) and downloads/installs files from each package one at one , it could be a very nice feature (like in installshield in fact)....

Kind regards.

Show what the prism client is installing

Danny — Mon, 29 Nov 2004 08:57:00 GMT

It would be very nice to be able to see which package is being installed, perhaps by hovering over the prism client icon or clicking on it.

Inventory management based on WMI

Mike W. — Fri, 15 Oct 2004 12:04:00 GMT

I think some type of inventory manager would be awsome. We us mvpcinfo now and its a great tool, but I would love to see something integrated into the prism deploy console.

Mike

Report to eventlog instead of pictaker.log

nkange — Wed, 02 Jun 2004 08:53:00 GMT

I would like to see the same reporting written to the eventlog as what is written to pictaker.log

This is very useful when consolidating the eventlogs on the clients.

Regards,
Niklas

WMI enabled configuration groups

nkange — Tue, 15 Jun 2004 08:36:00 GMT

I would like to see config groups that are built on wmi-querys.

//Niklas

Queue

bjcal — Thu, 29 Jul 2004 12:42:00 GMT

An installation or status queue would be nice.

Sequencing of Tasks

B. Moore — Thu, 19 Feb 2004 13:35:00 GMT

I use Prism to build PCs from scratch and to get them to a point where Windows Update sees no more updates required. I've had to program around Prism to get things to install in the right order. I'd like to have a way to force packages to run in a certain order within a group rather than just relying on the task number that I can't touch or modify.

Summary tab

Bjorn — Mon, 08 Mar 2004 09:28:00 GMT

Hello all,

It would be extremly useful if there were a summary tab in the package editor properties.

This tab should list a summary over all functions (always reboot, requirements, if any rules are loaded and so on) and show what functions has been changed from the default setting. Date and time for latest change would also be very useful providing a simple logging function as well.

In our (if not all) environment demands good documentation over packages because of package-dependencies and lots of other factors. This result in documentation in separate word documents which are difficult and time consuming to maintain. Alternativley you can use, as I currently do description tab in package properties to type in made changes. This works but not satisfactory since there are 200 characters limit in the description window.

With a powerful summary tab there would be an automated documentation/log on every package and its changes.

Anyone has any opinions about this suggestion, please feel free to post.

Cheers,

Björn Johansson, System Administrator

Overview of the channel

mdh — Tue, 27 Apr 2004 10:59:00 GMT

I would like to see what the prism deploy server currently is doing and also what the order of exection is for multiple scheduled tasks / package

Feature request : what is the deploy mgr busy with

mdh — Tue, 27 Apr 2004 10:59:00 GMT

Hello

It will be nice to have a view in the prism console to see what the deploy channel is busy with ( which task/package/on which pc) and also in what is scheduled ( on which pc and and which order)

Thks

Marcel

Deployment View...

sbarash — Thu, 22 Apr 2004 17:06:00 GMT

Here are some things that I think could be improved with the deployment views:

Automatically keeps window size and column adjustments. Every time I open a deployment view I have to resize the window and readjust the column widths to see everything. Gets irritating.
A simple filter setting on deployment views that would also work for printing. A toolbar with buttons that would let you select only failed or pending installations for example. This would eliminate lots of scrolling, and having to print out dozens of pages when you only want to print failed installations.
Automatic refresh - I think this has already been suggested.
Better logic - If I resend a task to failed installations, the workstation doesn't get updated from failed to pending in the deployment view, or even added at all. It seems to only update from failed to success or failed again.

Thanks,

Stephen

Description on tasks

Bjorn — Wed, 07 Apr 2004 08:48:00 GMT

Feature wanted: Possibility to add comments to tasks. Comments will have their own column next to Task Name, Task Type and File or Command columns.

Why: Today we are several admins using Prism to deploy applications. We often installs applications on demand from our users. Only I know which packages or scripts that forces a reboot for example. Now I must include this in Task name, example MDAC 2.8 (FORCED REBOOT). We had some incidents when admins install packages unaware of forced reboot when users are working, and they dont have time to save their work. But if I could add a comment things would look cleaner and nicer.

If you extend the possibilities like this through the whole system Prism Deploy would be more "self-documenting". Also same thinking in my other post

Thanks,

Björn

Automatic update of Deployment Reports

Bjorn — Wed, 07 Apr 2004 08:47:00 GMT

Request: When deploying a package or script I must manually press F5 or click Refresh in menu. The status of the task should update itself.

Why: Because I have other things to do

Thanks

Björn Johansson

Specify error on declined install

sbarash — Tue, 06 Apr 2004 11:12:00 GMT

Many of my scripts are similiar to this:

/InstallPackage \\badlandsetapps\appdistww.pwc

If not %lasterror% == "2"
/run \\badlandsetapps\appdist\NW\setupnw.exe /U:visine.txt
endif

The installpackage is only a message that notifies the user of what will happen. If they choose "yes", then the run command executes.

My problem is that tasks like these are shown as "installed" in the deployment reports, even if the user chose "No" and the run command never executed.

Of course I can setup a configuration group to show me what really happened, but I'd like a way to have the task show up as failed, or at least pending in the deployment reports if the user chooses "No". A command line parameter to manually set whether a task has indeed installed or failed would be perfect. Perhaps you can already do this by manually setting the "lasterror" variable?

Stephen Barash

Multicasting

edb@gts.dk — Mon, 22 Mar 2004 10:56:00 GMT

Hey newboundary

As far as i know the deployment is unicasts. It would be really great if it could be possible to multicast to the clients. It would save a lot of time. Maybe I am wrong?

Keep up the good work!

Kind Regards

Christian Lauritzen

E-mail: cl@gts.dk