This post provides an in-depth look at Plentics Smart Packages, a vital component of our comprehensive device/endpoint management solution. At Plentics, we pride ourselves on delivering innovative solutions that enable Automation, Cybersecurity, and Digital Employee Experience, with Smart Packages playing a crucial role in fulfilling these value propositions. If you are unfamiliar with the Plentics Solution concept, please check out the introduction.

So, what are Smart Packages exactly, and how do they contribute to our overall solution? We will answer these questions and more, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the benefits and functionalities of our Smart Packages.

In contrast to the Plentics Solution, which can be visualized as a gable-roofed house, Smart Packages can be likened to a flat-roofed structure. At the core of this foundation lies the Smart Packages engine, which enables the use of three distinct package types: Application, Configuration, and Custom packages. The final section of the Smart Packages architecture is the execution layer, which includes Automatic Installations or the Company Portal as deployment methods. These functionalities work together to facilitate seamless integration and delivery of our solutions, ensuring optimal results for our partners and clients.

At the heart of the Smart Packages architecture is our proprietary engine, meticulously developed over the years to mastermind our entire package system. This engine is programmatically instructed by XML parameters of packages, which define specific tasks and actions. These parameters can be customized to suit the unique needs of individual companies, enabling them to define installation intervals and specific features of packages, such as soft installations, hard installations, or a combination of both. With this level of flexibility and control, our partners and direct customers can ensure that Plentics is optimized for their workflows and processes, providing them with a competitive edge in their respective industries.

The Smart Packages framework comprises three distinct package types, each serving a unique purpose. The Application packages facilitate the installation of various software programs. What sets our application packages apart is the ability to customize and configure the software during installation, such as including certificates or defining specific parameters and settings. While distributing and updating software packages is not new, our Smart Package engine streamlines the process, enabling efficient distribution and installation.

Another package type within the Smart Packages framework is the Configuration package. These packages can be conceptualized as ‘cloud-based group policies,’ primarily used for configuring systems and software applications. What sets our Configuration packages apart is the comprehensive range of deployment-ready configurations, providing clients with a vast array of options, such as cybersecurity settings and configurations that enhance the digital user experience. Like Application packages, Configuration packages can be fine-tuned to meet the unique needs of each customer environment, such as distributing support software and necessary licensing keys to workstations.

The final package type within our Smart Packages framework is the Custom package. As the name suggests, these packages are fully customized to meet the unique needs of our clients. This level of customization is highly valued by our direct customers and their Managed Service Providers (MSP), as their requirements can vary significantly. With countless software programs available, Custom packages offer clients ultimate flexibility and control over their software configurations, allowing them to optimize systems for specific workflows.

The distribution of our Smart Packages is fully automated, enabling quick and efficient installation on workstations or availability in the Intune Company Portal. Clients can choose deployment methods according to their preferences and needs.

Since its establishment in 2016, Plentics has relied on Microsoft Software Installer (MSI) packages. Intune did not offer any other viable packaging options at the time, so we used MSI packages until the broad market acceptance and Intune support for Win32 apps. Recognizing the potential of this new technology, we transitioned from MSI-based packages to Win32 app-based ones in the summer of 2022. The result is a more technologically advanced solution with new features that enhance the intelligent aspects of our packages.

In summary, the Plentics Smart Package concept is powered by cutting-edge technology and can be customized to meet specific customer requirements, including software, configurations, and distribution methods. We are committed to our value propositions of Automation, Cybersecurity, and Digital Employee Experience, and Smart Packages play an essential role in realizing these goals.

In our next blog post, we will delve into how we update our Smart Packages, offering insights into the weekly processes that ensure our clients are always up to date with the latest software and configurations. Stay tuned for more on this critical aspect of our Smart Packages framework.