Deploy Application that requires other apps to be closed.

I have done traditional SCCM deployments.  I'm now experimenting with SCCM 2012 Application Deployment.

I am trying to determine how this will work if the application you want to deploy depends on another application to be closed?  For instance, I am deploying an application that requires Outlook to be closed.

Since Outlook is open during the majority of a person working session, then there needs to be some way to meet this requirement.  How is this achieved?

June 28th, 2013 5:03pm

Check out this requirement rule this may be what your looking for: http://www.kraftkennedy.com/blog/bid/281012/Creating-Global-Conditions-in-Configuration-Manager-2012

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June 28th, 2013 5:28pm

Depends do you want the application to auto close outlook or do you want the install to stop because outlook it open?
June 28th, 2013 5:32pm

I do not want the installation to inconvenience a user, so it must not continue when outlook is open.

I can meet this requirement with a scripting requirement, but the application will never be installed because outlook is almost always running.

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June 28th, 2013 7:39pm

What's your expectation? Do want it to close or not? You've created a catch-22 for yourself by saying don't want to interrupt the user but Outlook must be closed for it to get upgraded. You need to choose.
June 28th, 2013 10:32pm

I didn't create a catch-22.  I am demonstrating reality.   My users keep outlook open all day.

Forcing an application closed is not something I am willing to do without notice.

The new software will most likely not get applied because of this dependency!

My expectation is that MS has considered this scenario and has provided me with a solution. I am looking for that solution!

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June 28th, 2013 11:01pm

But what is your expectation for the behavior?

You have to interrupt the user at some point -- if you are unwilling to accept this, there's nothing you can do. Kind of like installing software updates: if you don't reboot the system, most updates will never be actually installed. That is the reality. There is no magic solution.

June 28th, 2013 11:09pm

Hi, 

I can offer you 2 ways.

1. Distribute vbs script that check if outlook if opened or not. If it is opened - show a message box that says:
"Outlook is open. Please close outlook before installation will continue and press Ok button. 
If outlook still open and he will press ok button, the message will stay
If outlook will be closed, he will press ok and installation will continue. 

Don't forget to set the msgbox as ontop in the vbscript. 

2. Set the advertisement time "at logon". I pretty sure outlook it is not opened while the user is making a login. 

GoodLuck

Amir 

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June 28th, 2013 11:12pm

Can application deployment be installed like software updates?  I don't mind them having to reboot to have the software installed.  That is a common and acceptable practice.  My understanding is that Application  Deployment doesn't do that, though.



June 28th, 2013 11:12pm

Amir,

 I can do that with traditional SCCM deployments. I don't believe interactive prompting is possible with Application Deployment methods. Application Deployment doesn't support either method.

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June 28th, 2013 11:21pm

You can choose when deployming your application that no User has to be logged on.

With this Setting, when the Deadline is reached, the User get's notified that hes should logout. The application will then get's installed, and the User can Login again.

July 1st, 2013 10:57am

There seems to be a flaw in this process.  The user does not have to log off (and they are not forced).

The software (which is "required") will never get installed.  Rebooting the PC does not allow the software to install either. So, this leaves the required installation up to a mobile user to "log off". -- who does that?


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July 2nd, 2013 1:27pm

A PC reboot will fulfill the condition (if the user stays logged off).

However, as pointed out, it's a catch-22. You keep looking for a technical solution to a non-technical issue. You must be able influence your users and their habits to be successful.  Whether you write a "wrapper" that notifies them, logs them out, and then runs the install, or simply ends the task (or something similar) is up to you, but at the end of the day, you must effect the end user to upgrade applications that cannot be running.

July 2nd, 2013 1:58pm

I don't understand why SCCM cannot just deploy software as next boot, similar to a GPO install.

It has the content, it can have the rules.  Perhaps the client is not running at that point, but Windows update sure can do it.

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July 2nd, 2013 2:08pm

Exactly as you've said, the ConfigMgr agent is not running at that time.

Windows Update is part of the OS though.

And, yes I agree this could be beneficial for them to add, I'm  not sure if its in the current plan or not. You should file a change request on Connect to get your voice heard.

July 2nd, 2013 2:34pm

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