Endpoint Services, MECM, Managed Applications Overview
Overview
This article describes the lifecycle of MECM managed applications offered by Endpoint Services.
Systems
Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM)
Intended Audience
University of Illinois IT Pros leveraging MECM, hosted by Technology Services' Endpoint Services team
General Information
Endpoint Services provides a number of managed applications that have been packaged and tested, and are available for consumption by the community. IT Pros may distribute and deploy these applications at will. Creating an application deployment for a dedicated collection (e.g. UIUC-YourUnit-Deploy 7-Zip) is the recommended method. While application steps in a task sequence are an option, it should not be the primary method of deploying applications. In the event of an application installation error, an application deployment is designed to repeatedly check for the application's presence and will eventually resolve itself once Endpoint Services addresses the error.
In order to provide flexibility for IT Pros and minimize disruption to deployments, new updates are packaged either as unique, iterative applications, or persistent "(Application) - Latest" package that changes with each release. Whenever possible, Endpoint Services strongly recommends the use of -Latest apps, as well as the latest version of major suites (Adobe, Ansys, Autodesk, Matlab, Solidworks, etc). This greatly simplifies audit-related responsibilities for your unit when older applications are retired.
To mitigate the clutter that results from hosting so many unique applications, Endpoint Services recommends auditing your deployments on a recurring basis to avoid deployment issues; see this guide for more information: Endpoint Services, MECM, Audit application deployments and references. To assist in this process, Endpoint Services will periodically contact units with a list of outdated applications that are still being leveraged by that unit.
Endpoint Services notifies the MECM listserv when new applications either become available or are retired.
Before requesting a new licensed campus-wide application (e.g. not free software) to be packaged in MECM, ensure there is an existing WebStore offer. If the offer does not exist, contact WebStore (webstore@illinois.edu) to create an offer.