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: In a computing environment, a display shows the progress of the execution of a user or system initiated task. The display includes the current completion status of the task, and the completion results of the task. The completion results indicate the amount of the task that has been completed and indicates the results of the completion. This displays differs from conventional task status displays in that this display gives information about the progress of the task execution and the activities that occurred during the task execution.

Abstract: There is provided a method, apparatus and program product for managing shared or reusable storage volumes in a data processing system. A storage allocation pool having a plurality of storage volumes to be shared or reused by a plurality of authorized machines is created. Access to the plurality of storage volumes in the storage allocation pool by a machine of the plurality of authorized machines is enabled during a storage provisioning period and is disabled following storage de-provisioning. By providing the storage volumes in a storage allocation pool, all storage volumes in the pool can be used by a plurality of machines, and data on the storage volumes will persist even if no machine is accessing the storage volumes.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable code for deploying software in a data center and desktop computers. A set of software distribution applications within the data center or IT infrastructure are identified. In response to receiving a request to install software, installation parameters associated with the software to be installed are compared to characteristics for the set of software distribution applications. A software distribution application is selected from the set of software distribution applications based on comparing the installation parameters associated with the software to the characteristics for the set of software distribution applications. The selected software distribution application is used to install the software.