Workflow Soluiton

All, I have been head scratching for some time in attempt to show real-time or granular updates for software delivery. I was able to successfully create a workflow using ExecuteTask (Quick Delivery task) web service with status, however I am in need of a solution to fill in the empty space between "requested" and "install complete."  

I am able to prompt the user of a new software package via Managed Software Delivery, but unfortunately unsure how/if it is possible to invoke via Workflow as I did for Quick Delivery/ExecuteTask web service. Any light in calling Managed Software Delivery in Workflow?

My thoughts were to reverse engineer the Download Software Update Package popup (below), using this method to produce a like status page to the end user. Using GetTaskStatus, I am able to pull some info on the task. However, the business is asking for more (progress bar, download ETA etc).

Lastly, is it at all possible to enable prompting the end user that a package is available to download via Quick Delivery? Screencaps are generated from Managed Software Delivery method. The reason I ask if possible for QD is because I have a complete workflow solution using QD. It would be easiest to implement this feature in an existing model than build a new one around MSD or reverse engineering the Patch Management status popup.

If you have some light on this, a round of drinks on me!

Much appreciation in advance!

All, I've confirmed with Symantec engineers that manipulating the Altiris agent via Workflow isn't possible. Thus I'd like to rewrite my question to read:

Is is possible to engage Managed Software Delivery service in the same fashion I was able to engage Quick Delivery service?

Hi,

It is possible to to use workflow with Managed Software Delivery. That is the way we use it in our software delivery portal. If you see the problem in the agent getting the task "immidiately" as you get it with a quick delivery you can always send a "Update Configuration" task from workflow to get the agent to check in. Is there a Managed Software Delivery policy ready for the client the client will pick it up. From that point on it is possible to bring up the pop up that shows the user that some software is to be installed.

I know there is a challenge with Managed Software Delivery which you probably use in connection with a filter. The challenge is to update the filter and target before sending the "Update Configuration" to the agent. That is true there is no inbuilt function to update the target. This is something which would be nice to have within the ASDK. I don't know if this is planned. Anyhow it is possible with creating some custom store procedure to get around it. That is what we did.

Is this the problem you have with using Managed Software Delivery from workflow?

Stefan

stefan, thanks for your reply. apologies on the delay, i was pulled into two other projects in which this one took the back seat. i follow what you're saying, i have no issue with quickdelivery, it actually works quite nice. the issue is one of the requirements is a form of status which quickdelivery does not provide as found with managed software delivery. the design today, is it grabs the machine name prior to hitting the workflow form, user selects software, that software is tied to a guid with i then process into QD. within moments the software begins to download and install. the issue is no true status indicator. since we have some packages over 1gb in size, the requirement was a gui that displayed this information to the end user (without diving too deep into c# or the like). managed software delivery would be absolutely perfect.

how do you send the update configuration request via workflow?

The update configuration is a task on NS and that can easily be called from WF. You should have the component already generated and ready to be used.

Here you find a good example:

http://www.symantec.com/connect/articles/creatingimportingexecuting-ns-tasks-workflow