Chapter 3, "Understanding SMS Features," in the Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003 Concepts, Planning, and Deployment Guide introduced the concepts behind Microsoft® Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 software distribution, including:

• The general benefits of automating software distribution using SMS.

• The major components involved in SMS software distribution.

• The issues that software distribution can face, and that a proper deployment of SMS can minimize.

Software distribution consists of a series of specific but flexible tasks. This chapter describes those tasks, the preparations you must make to perform the tasks, and the procedures to distribute software.

In This Chapter

• Preparing to Distribute Packages

• Managing Packages

• Managing Advertisements

• Monitoring Software Distributions

• Using Software Distribution Tools and Wizards

• Running Advertised Programs on SMS Clients

• Software Distribution Common Practices

• Software Distribution Best Practices

For More Information

Did you find this information useful? Please send your suggestions and comments about the documentation to smsdocs@microsoft.com.