Ghost Solution Suite

I have been using AutoInstall and it has become inconsistent in Windows XP & totally non functional in Windows 7.  Since Symantec seems to not be developing or upgrading the GSS product, what software packaging programs have my fellow IT Pros been using? A program that allows me to install the software, change settings, save it as a file, and allow me to install from that file on my lab pcs with the same OS.  In Advance, thanks for your advice and help. Much appreciated!

The only application packaging product in the Symantec stable is Wise Package Studio V8. This is an enterprise level tool and not cheap to buy, but is also suffering from development lag.

On the open market, the most commonly used enterprise packaging toolset is now Installshield Adminstudio. This is maintained pretty regularly and is Windows 7 compatible, and now includes a capture engine for true 64 bit operation. Again, this tool is not cheap, but does provide an end to end solution.

There are other MSI packaging solutions around, at various prices, and of course there is the free version of WinInstall LE that came on the Windows 2000 CD.  Just enter MSI PACKAGING TOOLS into google, and go from there.

I use EMCO MSI Package Builder. I used it with XP when I had something quick to change and AI for larger installs. EMCO does work with x64 Win 7 as well. Check it out, I love this tool and it's cheap compared to some others. I'm pretty sure you pay per admin client not per machine. Good Luck.