What Is and How To Use a Network Software Deployment?

What Is Network Software Deployment?

When we talk about network software deployment, we think about a centralized system that allows you to install, update, or configure applications on multiple computers without physically needing access to each device.

Instead of manually running installers, administrators set up deployment packages on a server, which client machines receive and install automatically or on demand.

As a general rule, each software that we discuss has a "server," or a central repository that keeps all your software packages, and the “clients” are the user computers in your organization's network that those packages must target.

Why Should You Use Network Deployment?

I believe it is obvious why network software deployment has become an industry standard, but it was originally developed to eliminate repetitive manual installation work and allow simultaneous deployments to dozens or thousands of devices.

Of course, as time passed, more features were added to the deployment tools, which now act as a centralized control system. These now ensure consistent versions and configurations, allow administrators to enforce security and compliance policies, reduce errors through automated processes, and ensure that each device receives the adequate software package.

Of course, there are other benefits to consider, such as scalability and overall improved security, but apart from these, centralized control systems can now generate reports, show deployment status, automatically download and prepare the updates, and so on.

Simply speaking, the industry followed its natural course and evolved from the basic solution of just deploying software to full-fledged deployment tools that provide more functionality, and as time passes, each system becomes more complex.

Popular Network Deployment Software Options

There are many options available for network software deployment tools, ranging from free to more expensive, depending on your needs, infrastructure scale, installer types, and so on.

Before we get into third-party tools, I want us to understand the basics of network deployments.

In general, to manage your infrastructure on multiple levels (not only software), you need to have a centralized management system that monitors your users and devices across your network.

Active Directory is the most widely used tool in this area, as well as many third-party tools (which again, cover more than just software deployment).

Simply put, Active Directory is a system that allows you to manage your users and devices, place them in groups, apply permissions, and so on.

Active Directory is the foundation of every infrastructure that exists, and there are two options:

1. On-premises classical Active Directory
2. Azure Active Directory, now known as Entra ID

Now that we understand the basis of infrastructures, the next step is to recognize that each tool that we will present is dependent on Active Directory, and deployments will be targeted at either network devices or users.

The difference between the targeting options is that when you target a device, only that device will receive the installer. However, if a user has multiple devices, not all of them will receive the installation, so it is safe to say that, as a general rule, software deployments should be targeted at the users.

The oldest and most popular network software deployment tool is Group Policy Objects, or GPO for short.

We already have a user guide on how to deploy software using GPO, but for the purpose of this article, we will mention that GPOs:

1. Only accepts MSI deployments. GPO does not support any other types of deployments, including EXE, MSIX, APPX, or Wrappers (VBscript, PowerShell)
2. Will not produce detailed reports compared to other tools out there
3. Are seen as NOT suitable for complex or cross-platform deployment tools
4. Can be considered among the free range of tools

If you need more flexibility than GPO provides, it’s time we talk about other deployment tools. First, I want to focus on the free or open-source tools that are available:

1. PDQ Deploy (Free edition): This is an easy-to-use tool that supports MSI, EXE, and script deployments. The free version is limited, but it is still effective for small environments
2. WPKG: This is a fully open-source project that uses XML-based configurations. This works well for budget-conscious Windows environments, but unlike other tools, there is no GUI for preparing deployments, which must be done manually in the XML, adding complexity.
3. Chocolatey: This is another open-source project that serves as a package manager for Windows and installs software with simple commands. This is usually useful for automation and scripting
4. Ansible: Another open-source automation tool, but it only supports Windows, Linux, and macOS if you’re running a multi-platform environment. It is ideal for script-based deployments and configuration management in general.
5. Opsi: This is an open-source solution that is popular in the education and public institutions. It supports both Windows and Linux

Now that we covered the free and open-source options, let’s look at the commercial options, which are meant for organizations that need enterprise-grade features, reporting, and support, as well as advanced capabilities:

1. Microsoft Configuration Manager: Mostly known as SCCM, we have many articles on this topic, this was the most popular infrastructure management tool available until the Cloud era arrived. This is an industry standard for large enterprises, as it handles deployment, pathing, inventory, and compliance while remaining highly scalable and feature-rich.
2. Intune: In the Cloud era, Intune has emerged as the “replacement” or “new” infrastructure management tool for large enterprises. It not only provides the same functionality as SCCM, but it adds more to it. Not to mention that if you go the Cloud route for infrastructure management, Intune is highly integrated into the Azure ecosystem, which provides a lot of features to your infrastructure.
3. PDQ Deploy + PDQ Inventory: This is a very fast and easy way to manage your infrastructure. These provide out-of-the-box installer updates that reduce your workloads for your packaging department, making this solution excellent for small and medium-sized businesses.
4. ManageEngine Endpoint Central: Like PDQ, this is an all-in-one endpoint management tool that includes deployment, patching, remote control, and asset tracking.
5. Ivanti Endpoint Manager: This provides an enterprise-level automation and control over your infrastructure, making it ideal for large and complex environments.

Microsoft Configuration Manager (ConfigMgr) is also known as:

- Microsoft's System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM)
- Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM)

I will use the acronym "SCCM" to refer to it in this article because it is the most widely used term in the deployment and packaging industry, both by me and by many others.

Choosing the Right Deployment Method for You

I understand that this is a long list of potential tools, but deciding which one is best for your needs can be difficult.

In general, the final decision on the tool is up to you and must be tailored to your specific needs, but in this chapter, I want us to have a basic understanding of how to evaluate these tools based on broad criteria.

The first thing we need to do is assess your environment:

• Less than 50 devices: I recommend starting with small and free tools such as GPO, PDQ Free Plan, and Chocolatey.
• Between 50 and 500 devices: we should consider a paid solution such as PDQ Paid Plan, ManageEngine, or Ansible.
• More than 500 devices: I recommend looking into enterprise-grade solutions such as SCCM or Ivanti.

Apart from the environment, we must also understand the type of applications you intend to deploy:

• Only MSI installers: feel free to use the GPO
• EXE or script-based installers: you can try PDQ, Ansible, or ManageEngine.
• Mixed OS environments: the only solutions you have are Ansible, Opsi, or enterprise tools

Next, we also should consider the budget:

• No budget and you're just starting your company: you should consider tools such as GPO, WPKG, Chocolatey, and Ansible.
• If you want to allocate a small budget, use PDQ solutions or ManageEngine.
• Enterprise budget: consider enterprise solutions from the start.

While reporting and automation needs may appear to be unnecessary requirements, I would argue that as an environment becomes more complex, these requirements will also need to be met.

Automation is important for reducing your workloads and saving costs in many areas.

If you feel you don’t need this, consider using one of the many free tools available. This will provide an intermediate level of automation and reporting. Enterprise solutions are your best choice for advanced automation and reporting.

Final Takeaways

This article explains what a network software deployment is, why we'd use it, and what tools are available to help you manage various types of environments.

Network software deployment: Instead of manually running installers, administrators create deployment packages on a server, which client machines receive and install automatically or on demand

Benefits of using network deployment:

• Enable administrators to enforce security and compliance policies, reduce errors through automated processes, and ensure that each device receives the appropriate software package
• Scalability
• Being able to generate reports and show deployment status
• Automatically download and prepare updates

Popular network deployment software options:

• Free or open source: classic Active Directory, Azure Active Directory, GPO, PDQ Deploy, WPKG, Chocolatey, Ansible, Opsi
• Paid: Azure Active Directory, Microsoft Configuration Manager, Intune, PDQ Deploy + PDQ Inventory, ManageEngine Endpoint Central, Ivanti Endpoint Manager

Choosing the right deployment method for you:

• If there are fewer than 50 devices, I recommend beginning with simple, free tools such as GPO, PDQ Free, and Chocolatey
  
• If you have between 50 and 500 devices, we recommend using a paid solution like PDQ Deploy, ManageEngine, or Ansible
  
• For more than 500 devices, I recommend enterprise-grade solutions such as SCCM or Ivanti
  
• For MSI installers, feel free to use the GPO. If you're looking for EXE or script-based installers, consider PDQ, Ansible, or ManageEngine. The only options for mixed OS environments are Ansible, Opsi, and enterprise tools
• If you have no budget for this area and are just starting out, think about using tools like GPO, WPKG, Chocolatey, or Ansible
  
• If you have a limited budget, simply use PDQ solutions or ManageEngine. If we are discussing an enterprise budget, include enterprise solutions from the start

Conclusion

Network software deployment automates a traditionally manual, time‑consuming task, improving consistency, security, and efficiency within an organization.

With options ranging from built‑in Windows tools to advanced enterprise platforms, every environment can find a deployment method that fits its needs.

By choosing the right approach, IT teams can save time, reduce errors, and maintain a healthier, more secure infrastructure.