To install an application on a system, your physical presence is required as you’ll need to go through certain wizard based steps and complete necessary installation steps before using that application. However, there are tools which allow IT administrators and managers to remotely install applications on PCs connected over the network.

All you need is a set of PCs where you want to install the application. Just make sure that all the selected PCs are connected through a network and are in healthy state. After that, you’ll need to download installation repackaging tools which can automatically create/convert traditional setup files (.EXE) into Microsoft Installer packages (.MSI).

The best thing is, you won’t need user or any physical access to the targeted/client PCs. MSI Package builder tool will begin silent installation of applications as soon as the MSI package is created. EMCO MSI Package Builder is one such tool which carries all the capability and powerful features you’ll need for successful application deployment. This tool is already tested on various environments and it ensures healthy installation of applications by thoroughly checking the file system and registry consistency of targeted computer.

Get the App

The tool is developed by EMCO Software and is available to download from its official website (http://emcosoftware.com/msi-package-builder). You can choose any of the available versions of this software i.e. Professional or Enterprise edition, depending upon your needs. Both can be used to create MSI packages for typical setup files and both support all the latest Windows OS including Windows 8, Win 7, Vista & XP.

As per the minimum system requirements stated on the software installation manual, you’ll need the basic system resources to run this program, such as 512 MB of RAM, 1 GB of Hard Disk Space, P4 or higher category processor.

The Interface

This tool offers intuitive wizard based MSI package creation method. It also offers manual way for creating customized MSI packages for advanced users.  An easy to understand and self-explanatory wizard will let you create, maintain and distribute packages over many PCs in any small or large enterprise. 

Working Overview

EMCO MSI Package Builder is packed with many hidden features that most users are not even aware of. For example, you can edit or modify an existing installation for repackaging and later perform installations on different PCs without requiring the original setup files.

Visual MSI editor is also available to manually create MSI packages by filling various parameters. However, this method is only recommended to professionals to avoid any system malfunction.

Features

EMCO software recently released V5.0 of MSI Package Buildertool which offers even more capability and some advanced features were added too. However, I have to mention a few features that I like most about this software, such as:

• Modernized Interface: The software has been overhauled as compared to its previous version and offers very pleasant look & feel. The options and file menus are clearly visible and the main screen includes all the primary functions you may need.
• Live Monitoring Tools gets rephrased: Live monitoring tool which is used to check the file system and registry changes consistency now carries even higher success rate and increases the overall chances of successful remote application deployment.
• Intellectual assistant is also inbuilt into this tool to check and report errors and it provides a handful steps to resolve them instantly.
• Support for Multiple Application Deployment at one Go: You can now silently deploy application(s) ranging from one to many setup(s) using wrapping technology. Add one or more applications while creating packages and silently install them onto targeted PCs one by one.

P.S. The original setup files for intended application need to support silent installations.

More information about the application features is available online: learn how to build and MSI package and how to convert an EXE to an MSI. On EMCO’s website you can find detailed tutorials and videos that explain how to use the tool.

The Positive Side

Unmatched speed and unique sets of features make this software a winner over the competitors. Newly built features like wrapping, charming interface and easy accessibility to all the main functions in one place will never let you feel confused.

As before, you can still explore and test it out on your PC completely for free (30 days free trial offered). Later you can choose a plan that suits your needs.

The Dark Side

As far as my knowledge is concerned and testing results produced by the software, I’m not comfortable to tell of any drawbacks at this point, but may be in future. However, one thing everyone should know is that manually creating MSI packages and filling the required parameters results in no more success or any special capability. Instead, it just leaves you with so much pressure on your mind.

Rating: 4.8 out of 5

Remote deployment would be very difficult if no such tools existed in the market, especially where applications need to be installed on a large number of PCs, say hundreds or thousands. Various free and paid tools are also available which may address your specific remote deployment needs. Though EMCO MSI Package Builder contains many improved features and beats competitors in every aspect ranging from ease of use to feature enhancements.