Microsoft was represented by John Vintzel from the USA. John as Lead Program Manager is part of the Developer Platform Team in the Windows and Devices Group. His responsibilities include MSIX, Universal Windows App Deployment, App and User State Management, App Management for Enterprise and Education, as well as packaging and tooling for Universal Windows Apps.
The new MSIX format offers several advantages to software developers, service providers and end customers alike: fast and clean installation and deinstallation, simplified update procedure and security. The goal for this workshop day was to share the intensive cooperation between Raynet and Microsoft with customers and service providers.
The technically experienced participants eagerly followed the first presentation by John Vintzel in which he explained the point of view from the manufacturer and gave an overview of Microsoft’s vision and roadmap.
Raynet then presented the MSIX integration in their products RayPack Studio (software packaging), Package Store/RayPackage (pre-configured software packages), RayFlow (workflow management system) and RayManageSofti (software distribution). Back in May 2018, the Paderborn-based software manufacturer already participated as selected Microsoft partner at the Microsoft App Packaging Tooling Summit in Redmond, Headquarters Microsoft. Only a short time after, Microsoft presented at Build 2018 its future-oriented solution, which combines old and new applications in a single installer. Further discussions in close cooperation with Microsoft, some of them in London, led to Raynet supporting the new packaging format in their software solutions since the end of 2018.
The third and last part of the workshop was to work out the next steps in the constellation Microsoft, Raynet and customer. The focus was on best practices, administrative organization options, customer requirements and scenarios as well as planning the migration to MSIX technology. The enthusiastic participation of the visitors resulted in interesting approaches and next steps in the form of Proof of Concepts, which will now to be realized.