At Pckgr, we’re excited to introduce a powerful new feature designed to give users enhanced control over application deployments: Custom Applications. This functionality is now available to all customers on the Business plan, adding new levels of flexibility by allowing users to upload their own applications, automate packaging, and deploy them across tenants. Here’s an in-depth look at how this feature works and how it can streamline your workflow.

What is the Custom Application Feature?

The Custom Application feature in Pckgr is a drag-and-drop tool that enables users to upload .exe or .msi files, automatically package them, and prepare them for deployment via Microsoft Intune. The goal is to reduce the time and complexity involved in manual application deployment, from detection to deployment validation. This feature opens up new possibilities for managed service providers and large organizations that require a tailored approach to application management.

Key Benefits of Custom Applications

1. Seamless Intune Integration: Once your application is packaged, it integrates seamlessly with Intune, making it easy to deploy across multiple tenants.
2. Automated Packaging and Testing: Pckgr handles everything from install and detection testing to malware scanning, so you can confidently deploy applications knowing they meet security standards.
3. Customizable Metadata: After a successful upload, you can modify metadata, such as application name, publisher details, version number, and even add a custom logo to personalize your deployments.

How It Works: A Step-by-Step Guide

1. Upload Your Application:
   • Start by selecting the Custom Application option in the Pckgr dashboard.
   • Drag and drop or browse to upload an .exe or .msi file.
2. Configure and Verify:
   • Enter the necessary information, like application name (especially important for .exe files as it is used for detection) and install commands. You can choose to let Pckgr automatically detect these commands if desired.
   • Once configured, click “Verify” to initiate the validation process. This starts with malware scanning, then progresses through installation and detection verification.
3. Test and Review:
   • Pckgr tests the installation process and checks registry entries to automatically create detection scripts. If successful, the application package will save in your library, ready to be deployed in Intune.
4. Deployment Options:
   • Select your configured application from the library, choose your deployment settings, and begin the process. You can modify install/uninstall commands if needed to tailor the setup for multiple tenants or user scenarios.

Limitations and Future Enhancements

As a beta feature, Custom Applications is still evolving. Currently, the detection of applications might sometimes require manual troubleshooting if errors occur. However, Pckgr sends notifications to flag errors, allowing you to correct any issues promptly.

What it’s currently good at?

• Deploying simple MSI and EXE files quickly
• Creating the detection scripts automatically
• Allowing users to easily package a specific version of software
• Deploying an application to multiple tenants with just a few clicks

What it’s not good at…yet.

• Handling large or complex applications
• Applications using ZIP folders or Script based applications
• Applications that involve multiple steps for installing

Who Can Access Custom Applications?

The Custom Application feature is available exclusively on the Pckgr Business plan, which also includes other advanced tools, such as Private Hosted Applications, offering users a more reliable and secure deployment experience​​.

Getting Started with Pckgr

If you’re ready to take control of your application deployments and save time on Intune packaging, sign up for our Business plan and start using Custom Applications today. For any questions or troubleshooting, please reach out to our support team or keep an eye out for our next video tutorial on the Private Application Repository.