How to install software based on a list of devices?

Modified on Wed, 10 May 2023 at 01:29 PM

Target is to deploy and to install software to a group of devices that are provided in a device list (i.e. CSV) only.

Many devices need to get (new) software.
Instead of manually copying and pasting each and every devices from a list of devices into five(9)s Console, there is a much more convenient way to achieve goals.

Prereq: Client's names only have to be listed in an email or a spreadsheet (i.e. Excel) or CSV-files i.e.

Example: Here's an example of a list of Device Names and a set of software to be installed on those clients.

First: Select all Devices from the email and copy to clipboard

Second: In five(9)s Console click SWD in the five(9)s Console Menu

Third: Click the "Search for computer by list" Button

Fourth: Paste the list into the opened dialog and click "Search for computer":

Fifth: As you can see, five(9)s Console checks whether there are unknown or duplicate Devices in the list imported. Please check the results.
Here, we find a typo in Bob's email. Client "BEJ-MINSA" doesn´t exist in the EPM-environment. Please delete the device from the list or check with Bob for further investigations.

Then click "Use Computers and close"

Sixth: Now you have filtered the Computers on the left hand side. Please move these Devices to the target List and assign the requested software.

Seventh: Click "Deploy Now" (or schedule the distribution)

The requested desired state will be assigned now and the software package(s) will be installed on the assigned devices.

Finally: You will receive an email with the successful software assignment(s).

You can forward this email to Bob as a confirmation that your JOB IS DONE

Without typos (except Bob´s)
Identify the wrong/missing Devices
Get an Status email
Can be used for hundreds/thousands of clients
Deploy exactly what you want to deploy, and where you want it to be deployed to.

You can use the same procedure with an list of Users (UID) as well
Or preselected Devices based on an existing custom inventory parameter

Not only for software distribution…
Can be used in the same way in operating system deployments,
or "mass actions" to change custom inventory entries.

Disclaimer

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