CMS7: Step 1 = Software catalog ! Step 2 = Virtual Package catalog ?
Hello. I use the new Software Catalog (Software components), available from CMS7, with a new huge listing available from SP1 (near 80'000 software components).
It is a very great value-add from Symantec, all the same we we would like also more included information regarding "dependent rules", "inventory rules", etc...
Now, also SVS 2.1 is included with CMS7, so it is easy to activate the check box "run in a virtual layer" to redirect the package installation. If it works as-is.
It is not the case for Office2007, or Adobe Acrobat PRO 9, that is required extra config/corrections to make the virtual package "VSA) working correctly.
This will be more & more true a customized MSI will be more easy to build a VSA. This could be a blocker for "Software virtualization".
Why not sharing & providing down-loadable "Virtual packages", we could activate on-demand, like we do with Patches.
Associate them with a "parameters table" for the basic standard customized data (like customer serial & name, install path, etc...).
See also my proposal in there:
https://www-secure.symantec.com/connect/blogs/why-do-not-sharing-your-packages-please-connect-me-if-you-got-ready-go-packages-listing
Best regards all.