Software Installation Policies

5 Pages 1296 Words

Who is responsible for installing and supporting software?
A software installation policy needs to address the fact that the IT group is responsible for deploying software to computers. The wording of this section should describe the general methods of installing software on client computers. This can be used to guide the IT group internally for decisions on client clone images, software strategies, and upgrade paths.

However, users could be involved in the installation procedure. An example would be a step-by-step installation procedure and software media sent out to a user in the field or to a telecommuter.

Supporting software is as important as installing it. Before any application goes onto a client computer, some amount of testing should be performed to ensure that it will adequately address the business need and cooperate with the rest of the computing environment in an ongoing manner.

What types of applications can exist on corporate machines?
Keep a list of software needs within the policy. Supplement that list with specific titles and version(s) of the titles. The policy should state who has the ultimate authority for software that is used. In many cases, that could be a team of people from more than the IT group. User input is more of a factor in some software situations than others but should be balanced with IT feedback.

Also address how the applications are to exist. This may be more of an IT-only issue, but it should be addressed in the policy. I feel that software should exist in the following ways only:
Part of a clone image or OEM image
An IT-drafted step-by-step installation procedure identifying installation options
A shortcut only
An automated installation through a deployment tool
A terminal or Citrix application
Some other controlled and documented distribution method
By requiring software to exist only in this manner, IT will have a much better idea of what is supposed to be on the client mach...