Software Center Archives - Stephan WibierStephan Wibier

Hi,

in the last post (here) we set up the Application Catalog Website. But it is still empty.

As stated before we can now provide software to users, and be able to approve requests.

Let’s deploy some applications.
– XML Notepad, free to use for users;
– Google Chrome, needs approval from a manager.

I have setup the 2 applications.

Application Catalog in SCCM2012

Now we need to deploy them.

Application Deployment - Request needed

That’s one:

Application Deployment - Request needed

Now the other. No need for administrator approval!

Application Deployment - No Request needed

That’s two 😉

Application Deployment - No Request needed

Oke so the Applications have been added, how does this look like from a user perspective?

The user goes to the Software Center.

SCCM2012 client start menu

Software Center

All empty?! But wait there is an option ‘Track my application requests’ or ‘Find additional applications from the Application Catalog’.

Application Catalog Website

Now i can request Google Chrome or install XML Notepad. Nice 🙂

Hi,

Well oke, the RAP (Run Advertised Program) is gone in ConfigMgr 2012, and we got the Software Center in return. Nice but now what?

For Advertised Programs we now have the: Application Catalog!

The Application Catalog is a web-site where a user can find his/her software. For an administrator it is also possible to authorize software, the user asks if the software can be deployed to his/her workstation. This might come in handy when licensing is an issue, or when a manager wants to be able to monitor application installations.

Oke nice, but how do we set this up.

Because ConfigMgr 2012 relies on .NET and uses WCF (Windows Communication Foundation) we need to install the HTTP Activation feature from the WCF Activation:

HTTP Activation feature

If this is not done it will result in following error:

There is a problem connecting with the server.
The Web site cannot communicate with the server. This may be a temporary problem. Click retry action to submit your request again. If this problem continues, try again later.