Software Deployment Software

[sgoetz]

Hey JAMFers,

My company wants us to research to see if there are other ways to do software deployment to users other than SCCM and Self Service. IT would be solution that allows our users to request software on there own without the need of IT support. Preferably one solution for both WIndows and Mac. Just curious what people are using these days.

[hkabik]

Munki has an "Optional Installs" component for end-users to self install packages but there is absolutely no benefit in using it over Self Service if you have the Casper Suite available. I'm not aware of any cross-platform Self Service solution, however.

[calumhunter]

Theres actually quite a lot of benefit in using Munki over self service.
Munki handles patch management a hell of a lot better than casper, because well thats what it was designed to do from the get go.

Casper is a better solution overall, but if its purely software deployment and patch management that you need, then Munki wins hands down.

[davidacland]

Looking specifically at the self service capabilities, there are alternatives to the tools you are using. Options like Filewave also have self service tools now which are cross platform but are noticeably weaker than Casper in most areas.

I agree with Calum that Munki is better at the automated patching element. That being said, the Munki self service portal isn't sufficiently different / better than Casper to warrant spending the time switching (IMHO).