Client software distribution ordering process
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Summary of Client Software Distribution Ordering Process
The Client Software Distribution (CSD) 2.0 system allows individual users or approved delegates to order software through the service catalog. The ordering process supports configurable options for lease durations and user access types to accommodate different deployment scenarios.
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Ordering Options and Lease Dates
- Users must specify a lease start date for all software orders.
- If software is configured for revocation (uninstall), users can optionally specify a lease end date to define when the software should be removed.
- The system enforces validation to ensure lease dates are set in the future.
- Lease end dates can be left blank to allow indefinite software use.
Access Types and User Roles
- Restricted Access Type: Software is available only to the logged-in user. The order form excludes the User field and allows selection only from devices assigned to that user.
- Delegated Access Type: Enables ordering software on behalf of other users. The form includes a User field to select any user, and device options filter to that user's assigned devices.
- When ordering on behalf of others, approvals are automatically requested from the recipient user’s manager unless the requester is the manager themselves.
Practical Application Examples
- A user ordering software for themselves selects their assigned device and lease start date.
- A manager ordering software for a contractor selects the contractor from the User field, chooses a device assigned to the contractor, and can set a lease end date aligned with the contract duration.
Integration and Configuration Notes
- Software revocation is supported through integration with Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, which automatically uninstalls software at lease end.
- For devices managed by Jamf, the device’s serial number must be recorded in the device table; for Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, the device name must be populated.
Software deployed by CSD 2.0 can be ordered from the service catalog by individual users or by approved users on behalf of others.
CSD 2.0 catalog items have different options, depending on how ordering is configured.
Lease start and end dates
All software deployed by CSD 2.0 requires users to specify the beginning date for the lease.
If the catalog item is configured for revocation (uninstall), the form displays the Lease end field, which allows the requester to define an end date and time for the lease. The system validates user input in these fields to ensure that the dates selected define a future window. The Lease end field is not mandatory and can be left blank to order software with no end date.
Software offered only to the logged in user
If the software catalog item is configured with Access Type as Restricted, the User field does not appear on the order form. The logged in user selects the device on which to deploy the software from the Device to install this software on field. Only those devices assigned to the logged in user appear in the list.
In this example, a user has logged into the service catalog to order Google Chrome for the assigned computer. User selects the machine from a list of devices and selects the date and time the lease should begin.
Software ordered on behalf of another user
If the software catalog item is configured with Access Type as Delegated, the User field appears on the form. The logged in user can select any user from this field. The Device to install this software on field only lists the devices assigned to the user selected in the User field. If an approval is required for software ordered on behalf of another user, the system automatically sends an approval request to the manager of the user receiving the software. The approval is skipped if the requester is the named user's manager.
In this example, a manager is ordering Google Chrome for a contractor. The manager selects the contractor from the User field and then chooses a computer from the list of devices assigned to the contractor. This software has a Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager uninstall collection configured, which enables the manager to select an end date for the lease that coincides with the end of the user's contract. When the lease expires, Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager automatically uninstalls the software from the device.
- For Jamf, the device must have its serial number populated in the device table.
- For Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager, the name must be populated.