JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO - RANDOLPH AFB, Tex. -- The Business and Enterprise Systems Directorate’s Human Resources Systems Division (GBH), Technical Plans team released a significant update to an in-house software deployment tool, “PowerLoader."
The tool was created by using automated PowerShell, a cross-platform task automation and configuration management framework from Microsoft.
PowerLoader, in its original form, hindered the organization’s Client Support Technicians (CSTs) from effectively responding to evolving operational needs and maintaining a secure environment. The team spearheaded the project to automate software installation across multiple Government- Furnished Equipment (GFE) simultaneously.
This development included creating standardized, silent installation packages for each software application to ensure consistent deployment and eliminate user interaction requirements. Then, a secure and accessible centralized software repository was established to host the installation packages. Robust scripts were then written that dynamically identify GFE based on system names, verify network connectivity to target devices, ensure version control, silently execute the installation, and log all installation activities for auditing and troubleshooting.
In addition, this solution provides a dedicated function for standard desktop installation and an option to select additional software through a user-friendly user interface that CSTs have come to know as PowerLoader v2.02.
This goes beyond its predecessor by standardizing configuration across all devices, minimizing human error, reducing user downtime by performing installations in the background without interruption to the customer. In addition, it enhances cybersecurity posture by enabling rapid deployment.
By streamlining the development process with an automated solution, PowerLoader v2.02 enables GBH CSTs to install software on 10 machines in just 20 minutes, saving 180 minutes compared to the previous serial deployment method. This represents a tenfold increase in throughput.
This effort has led to improved mission readiness, faster equipment provisioning, and increased end-user satisfaction.