Company Software Deployment with MSIX

Microsoft's MSIX provides a package format for Windows apps. This combines the best features from MSIX and other installation and start techniques for applications to enable a modern and reliable package creation for preparing software within a company.

MSIX Core Concepts

What is MSIX?

MSIX (https://docs.microsoft.com/windows/msix/) is a new installation format from Microsoft, optimized to provide software within a company.

MSIX is available for installation on the following Windows versions and for Windows virtual desktop. You can install in compatibility mode for Windows 8.

  • Windows 10 "Version 2004" and higher

  • Windows server "Version 2004" and higher

MSIX has many advantages over other types of installation.

Security and Integrity Thanks to Seamless Signature Chain

All MSIX packages must be signed using a certificate valid within the company. This may be a manufacturer's certificate (as provided by MID within the scope of delivery) trusted by a global root certificate authority. A company can also (re)sign packages using certificates provided by their own internal CA. MSIX packages without a valid certificate cannot be installed.

Reliability and No Side Effects Using Virtualization

Unlike with other installation programs, installation on client computers is not implemented by MSIX using a flow which can be replicated repeatedly. The MSIX package already contains the end state of the file system and registration for the application and is then merely connected to the client computer in a virtual container. This significantly improves the quality and reliability of the installation.

Protection of Data Carriers and Network Resources Thanks to Block Optimized Transfer

Network installation and installation on a local data carrier are both managed by the operating system and are carried out in (data) block levels. This enables e.g. only precisely the amount of data required that has actually changed between the two versions to be deployed via the network when updating the application. This is particularly advantageous when you have a large number of client computers and can save unnecessary network traffic.

Customizability and Extendability Using Modification Packages

MSIX enables companies maximum control over which content is installed on their client computers. This means that every application package can be modified using modification packages. Modification packages can be created by a software provider or also by the customer themselves. This enables a customer to easily customize installation of software.

Planning Installation

MSIX installation packages provided by Innovator only contain the application programs, as only these need to be deployed on a large number of client computers. You should use the EXE or MSI installation program to install the server components.

You should first set your required installation options and customer-specific environment settings. Also download "Client Programs for Windows 10 (MSIX)" from the customer area and unzip it in a local directory.

  • Main Package

    The MID.Innovator_16.0.nnnnn.0_x64.msix application package contains the Innovator application programs.

  • Plug-In Modification Packages

    Packages called MID.Innovator.Plugins.<plugin name>_16.0.nnnnn.0_x64.msix contain the various plug-ins included within scope of delivery. Our support would be happy to provide you with MSIX packages for any other on-demand or customer-specific plug-ins which you previously obtained from MID.

  • Offline Help Modification Package

    The MID.Innovator.Help_16.0.nnnnn.0.msix package installs the offline help.

  • Modification Packages for Environment Settings

    The MID.Innovator.inoenv and MID.Innovator.Settings.msix modification packages contain templates for customer-specific environment settings (e.g. INOHOST). You need to change the settings before installation.

Select the packages relevant to your environment.

Making Customer-Specific Settings

You must set at least one basic environment variable on the client computers so that the Innovator application program can contact the servers.

There are two options for this.

  1. Traditional deployment of registration keys required (e.g. Desktop management, active directory group policies)

    A program installed using MSIX can access all registration entries available to the user on the computer. This means that Innovator is able to access the Innovator environment variables even if they are deployed on client computers separate to the MSIX package.

    Use this option if you already have an established process for this and do not wish to carry out further customer-specific customizations.

  2. Packing Settings in a Customer-Specific Modification Package

    If you wish to install the Innovator environment fully using MSIX or wish to deploy additional files for Innovator onto client computers (e.g. Your own engineering actions, icons, documentation templates etc.), then we recommend that you create your own modification package.

MID would be happy to tailor MSIX installation packages to suit your plug-ins. Please contact our support for this.

Note

It is not currently possible to control installation of single applications within an MSIX package. This is why the model editor, configuration editor and administration program are all installed via MSIX and can be accessed via the model editor.

You can prevent this by adding an entry in the msix.ini file via a modification package.

Add the following content to msxi.ini if you wish to prevent the administration program and configuration editor from starting:

[Allow]
  ​Administration Program = 0
  Configuration Editor = 0

Application Deployment

Installation on the client computer does not require administration rights thanks to the digitally signed MSIX packages managed by the operating system. Each software package is individually installed in the user context for each user. Multiple users on a client computer only need install the application once.

There are two options for deployment of the application to client computers.

  1. Software Deployment Using Client Management System

    MSIX packages can be deployed by all client management systems, such as SCCM. Use this option if you already have established structures and processes within your company. You and your client management team will profit from the low test outlay, use of few resources and quicker runtimes.

    SeeMSIX App Distribution for more information.

  2. Individual Software Distribution Using the App Installer

    You can make Innovator available via the App Installer if you do not use a client management system or are able to use a degree of freedom within your company when installing Innovator.

    See App Installer File Overview for more information.

    This method enables individual management using both application owners and centralized deployment, including automatic updates.

    An App Installer file provided individually for the customer defines the scope of installation (main and modification packages) for Innovator, including the central storage location of the MSIX files in the network. The defined packages are installed upon installation of the App Installer file on the client computer. It is easy to update the updated MSIX packages to a central location when updates are available for Innovator or individual plug-ins. The client computer can then automatically install the updates (few resources used thanks to block-optimized transfer).

This chapter contains the topics: