Administrators: Do you prefer MSI based installs for software you purchase or will an .exe based installer do?
I am just trying to gauge how likely to be influenced in your purchasing choice you are by software that has a good clean MSI over a .exe based one.
Do you even get consulted on this or just dumped with software that someone else has chosen?
Do you even get consulted on this or just dumped with software that someone else has chosen?
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Posted by:
dunnpy
12 years ago
Unfortunately we tend to get 'dumped with the software' after someone else has decided the software is fit for their purpose and it has been evaluated sufficiently in the target environment.
All you can really do is badger the vendor for an MSI installer, I'm sure that some vendors do listen to their customers.
Some vendors may also have the facility to provide an MSI if requested, but if you don't ask, you don't get.
Hope that helps,
Dunnpy
All you can really do is badger the vendor for an MSI installer, I'm sure that some vendors do listen to their customers.
Some vendors may also have the facility to provide an MSI if requested, but if you don't ask, you don't get.
Hope that helps,
Dunnpy
Posted by:
gYmpi
12 years ago
imho a good scripted MSI is the best you can get. if the vendor doesn't provide a MSI setup - well, an exe with parameters is still better than nothing.
so MY order of preferences is:
1) msi (if available)
2) exe with parameters
3) spied installation
4) exe run as admin, user has to install software by himself (absolutely NOT recommended)
best regards,
gYmpi
so MY order of preferences is:
1) msi (if available)
2) exe with parameters
3) spied installation
4) exe run as admin, user has to install software by himself (absolutely NOT recommended)
best regards,
gYmpi
Posted by:
pjgeutjens
12 years ago
Posted by:
dandirk
12 years ago
My experiences have been that we are "dumped" mostly with specialty software.
We generally have had more input (even to the point of selection of candidates) on more general purpose software, like pdf converters, media applications, etc.
As states a "proper" MSI is preferred in all cases, followed by exe with some sort of config file (ini etc) for customization.
The reason MSI is preferred is due to the robustness of installation checks, custom config and virtually ALL deployment tools has decent reporting on msi. EXE tend to not have very good reporting or error control in most deployment systems (without custom script wrappers etc).
We generally have had more input (even to the point of selection of candidates) on more general purpose software, like pdf converters, media applications, etc.
As states a "proper" MSI is preferred in all cases, followed by exe with some sort of config file (ini etc) for customization.
The reason MSI is preferred is due to the robustness of installation checks, custom config and virtually ALL deployment tools has decent reporting on msi. EXE tend to not have very good reporting or error control in most deployment systems (without custom script wrappers etc).
Posted by:
Moedius
12 years ago
None of the companies I've worked for have ever used whether the app was MSI or EXE as a determining factor; the business needs always come first and then it's up to us to make it work with the environment. That said, if we do have an option, it's always going to be MSI, if for no other reason than standardization.
Posted by:
Trinity
12 years ago
Posted by:
RandomITPro
12 years ago
I've been broken at this point and almost don't care, just please for the love of god let me automate it somehow. I'm in the same boat of most of the people here; I get software dumped into my lap that needs installing. I do prefer a good MSI, or at least on package in an exe i can extract, but for simple little things like flash, reader, firefox, the exes are fine.
Posted by:
lan.pham
12 years ago
Posted by:
ohiosoundguy
12 years ago
I prefer MSI based. If I have an EXE I will just repackage it as an MSI with advanced installer.
Comments:
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It also comes down to how you are deploying software. With group policy you need an MSI where a system like Kace you can use either. - ohiosoundguy 12 years ago
Posted by:
shigbee
12 years ago