Packages Tab

The Packages tab allows you to manage packages of applications, scripts and files for distribution to your devices using Profiles.

In MobiControl, on the Windows Mobile/CE, Windows Modern (desktop only), Android Plus, and Printer platforms, an application cannot be pushed directly to devices. First, you must "package" the software using Package Studio, available for free download through MobiControl on the Packages tab. Package Studio creates a file that contains the application(s) you want to install as well as installation instructions that are compressed into a single file. Compressed packages allow for faster transmission of software and data over low-speed network connections.

Go to MobiControl Package Studio for more information on creating packages.

Packages deployment is available on Windows Mobile/CE, Android Plus, Printer and Windows Modern devices. However, on the Windows Modern platform, this feature only supported on desktop devices running non-Home editions.

Note

The deployment process for packages was redesigned in MobiControl v13.0. If you are upgrading from a previous version of MobiControl, your existing package deployment rules are automatically migrated to profiles. Refer to Package Rules to Profile Migration Guide if you encounter any issues.

The Packages Tab is divided into two sections:

The main Package List panel in the center, lists all the packages available in MobiControl. Multiple versions of the same file are grouped together and differentiated by version number.

The Information panel on the right is further divided into four sections. Selecting a package group provides general information on all the packages contained in that group. You can also select a specific version of the package for more detailed information.

Information: provides an overview of the package selected in the Package List panel.
Profiles: describes with which profile the package is currently associated.
Execution Chart: displays the status of the package deployment, that is, if the install was successful, is pending or has failed.
Logs: lists any events associated with the package. Use the date fields to filter the necessary information.

Adding Packages to MobiControl

After you have created your package in Package Studio (see Creating Packages for more information), bring the package into MobiControl so you can begin deploying it to your devices. You can upload multiple versions of the same package to Package Studio and MobiControl. They are grouped together under their package name and then subdivided by version number (the order in which they were created in Package Studio).

As always, make sure you are on the correct Platform tab before starting.

In the Packages tab, click the Add button underneath the Platform tabs.
Browse to the package you created in Package Studio.
Click OK.

Deploying Packages to Devices

After you upload your packages to MobiControl, you can deploy them to your devices by adding them to a Profile. A Profile is a combination of device configurations and packages that target devices based on your chosen criteria. Using a Profile you can create package dependencies, forcing a package to wait to install until after another package has installed.

Go to Creating a Profile for more information on adding packages to Profiles and deploying them to devices.

Deleting Packages from MobiControl

When you are finished with a package, you can delete it from MobiControl. You can delete a single version of a package or every single instance of a package at once. You cannot delete a package that is being used in profile.

In the Packages tab, select a package or package version from the Package List panel.
Click the Action button underneath the Platform tabs.
Click Yes.

Note

These steps refer only to removing packages from MobiControl. Packages in Package Studio are unaffected.