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sccmchocolatey

Use case for integrating Chocolatey with SCCM

System Center Configuration Manager seems to have the features for publishing packaged applications so that employees of an enterprise can install applications from a central repository using the Software Center application installed on Windows. I see articles on the internet that state that Chocolatey has an integration with SCCM but do not explicitly state the precise use case wherein this integration is required. Can anyone suggest why one might need Chocolatey to work with SCCM?

Solution

  • NOTE

    I'm not sure if this is the best place to ask. In fact, I'm pretty sure this will be closed as not a developer-type of question. Server Fault feels like a better place for questions like this.

    Integrating Chocolatey into SCCM

    So the integration is in SCCM using Chocolatey behind the scenes and there are a few reasons why this is good:

    1. Source Control Benefits - Chocolatey packaging can be put into source control, so you can see what changed as you deploy new versions of packages.
    2. Testing - Chocolatey packages are essentially deployments of applications (install/upgrade). That means you can independently test those deployments in different automated ways before you go to put it into SCCM.
    3. Package Anything - Chocolatey packages can just be files, configuration, zip apps, etc. You can even just run a PowerShell script. That means when it is put with SCCM, it can allow SCCM to track more things and not mostly just apps that come with installers. Even your own LOB apps.
    4. Report All Software - C4B adds the ability to track non-installers in Programs and Features, so you can easily track all software placed on a computer and not just installers.
    5. Chocolatey Packages Are Independent - Chocolatey packages are independent building blocks, so they can be deployed with or without SCCM. Which is good when you have some areas like servers where you may be using a configuration manager (like Ansible or PowerShell DSC) - you get the benefit of a build once, use every type of packaging.

    There are other benefits, but these are just a few reasons. If you bring your question to Server Fault, that would be a better place to ask. And we could get into the specifics of what that actually looks like.