Abstract: The present invention provides a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for managing a software installation. A graphical user interface is displayed for receiving user input to manage a software installation having multiple software installation tasks. A particular software installation task is initiated in response to the particular software installation task being selected from the multiple software installation tasks. The performance of the particular task is customized based on the selection of the option in response to a selection of an option during execution of the particular software installation task is received. At least one of the multiple software installation tasks may be scheduled and initiated independently from others of the multiple software installation tasks.

Abstract: A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer-usable program product for process configuration are provided in the illustrative embodiments. A process that is to be configured is identified. A list of tasks associated with the identified process is displayed. A set of the tasks displayed in the task list are selected. The selected tasks are configured according to one or more task parameters. If the process that is being configured is already running, the process is suspended before the selected tasks are configured. If the process is suspended, the process is resumed after the selected tasks have been configured. The process is identified, the list of task is displayed, and the one or more tasks are selected and configured using a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions are provided for enhancing software catalog manageability, providing abstract software configuration, and desired state management. A first mechanism is provided for enhancing software catalog manageability. The first mechanism includes a software model that separates metadata of software from actual binaries of the software. A second mechanism is provided for abstracting software configuration for automation. The second mechanism includes a hierarchical software resource template structure that specifies parameters, dependencies between parameters, features, options, and parameters that cannot be predefined. The template is consumed by user defined workflows to create actual software resources during deployment. A third mechanism is provided for desired state management and patch compliance assessments.