Deployment Solution

Ok I am a bit new to Altiris but understand it is supposed to be extremely powerful .  We recently installed DS 6.9 and SMS/CMS (7.x) and would be rolling out Office 2010 to about 800 users?  I am sure someone has done this and was wondering if there has been a write and/or how-to for doing a Office 2010 rollout while still keeping Office 2003 as a side-by-side? 

thanks.

Idea #1: Virtualize Office 2003
I recommend creating an Office 2003 package.  Because Office 2010 is your default application, upgrade the physical installs of Office 2003 to Office 2010, then (for those who need it) deploy Office 2003 in a virtual layer.  Provided the agent you target has the Software Virtualization plug-in installed, Office 2003 will install in a virtual layer.  However, if the SVS plug-in is not installed, the application will install in the physical layer and you'll have some weird behavior.

Idea #2: Keep all previous versions
Alternatively, when you're in the GUI for the Office 2010 setup, you can choose Customize and then select 'Keep all previous versions.'  You can create a package for distribution using the Office Customization Tool.  Here's an updated link for 2010:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc179097.aspx

Just run setup.exe /admin to start the OCT, after which you'll have an .msp with all of your customizations included.  Please this in the Updates folder and then run setup.exe /adminfile when you install to take advantage of the .msp.

It appears that you can still Keep all previous versions when running the OCT:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc179097.aspx#Remove_previous_installations

Does this help?

It will take more time to virtualize initially, but it will win you (big) time in the management part of Software.  If you've a history on how many times you have to reinstall Office in the past (due to what ever reason, updates, end-user and what have you) or had to investigate issues in the package...

The reinstall of a physical Office installation can take some time.  At least some visits to the coffee machine for the end-user.  Using virtualization it can be done in 5 seconds...  There basicly is no need anymore to investigate any problem with Office (unless all your users have the samen kind of issue off course), you do a reset of the Office layer and winthin 5 secs the Office installation is back to "out-off-the-box".

Also you can set a point in time to your organiszation the former version is not installed anymore.  The only thing you need to do is "deactivate" which takes just a few seconds.  Your end-users do not even notice the action it self.  The do not have the application visible.  When needed, you can activate it in those same number of seconds (CEO's secretary for example).

I know Office is hard to virtualize.  If possible try to find a Supplier in your environment known to software virtualization.  They should have a "out-of-the-box" Offiec layer for your that you can use and adjust.  Ask your Symantec representative if you do not know any "scripting"-partner.

SVS is a great product.  One of the best kept secrets with-in as outside Symantec!!!

Have great fun!

The virtualization has me interested is there a write up somewhere or how to on this.  This could be a great option.

Best practices for Office 2007 and 2010 packaging and virtualization:
http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=DOC3277

Tips on virtualizing Office (parts may be out of date but the discussion has remained somewhat active for 2-3 years):
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/articles/virtualizing-microsoft-office-handy-collection-tips

Isolating layers to avoid Office MSI repairs:
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/blogs/using-swvs-isolation-rules-get-around-office-2003-2007-msi-repairs

Sounds like the infamous Jordan weighs in on the Office virtualization topic often:
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/forums/adding-workstation-domain-0#comment-5276091#comment-5276091#comment-5276091#comment-5276091#comment-5276091

It's possible that the current version includes templates (I think Symantec calls these Layer Definition Files) for installing Office in a virtual layer.  You provide installation media/files ("binaries") and the license key, and it builds the virtual layer for you.

For more info, rather than searching forums, search Articles or Videos or Downloads.  And there's always kb.altiris.com (yes, I know it redirects to Symantec's KB).

Sorry it has been a few weeks but I have been swamped working on a vmware migration...

Do yo have some good links for getting Office 2010 virtualized?  I don't see much via Symantec on doing this.  If we can't find a way with Symantec then we'll have to use Xen or vmware.  Since we paid our hefty price for the Symantec products we'd sure like to see how it goes using theirs. Thanks!

The below threads don't help that I offered in March?