Abstract: A method and apparatus for automating the conversion of disparate software package delivery formats into a structured and universally acceptable software package format that uses metadata to describe its structure, contents, and related control information. The present invention facilitates the ability to support the direct input of software packages, including but not limited to BIOS, firmware, utility partitions, drivers and applications, for the integration and deployment of information handling systems. The method and apparatus of the present invention is extensible, enabling the support of multi-level license compliance and customized software installations. The extensibility provided by the present invention also enables a variety of other capabilities, including but not limited to, flexible support for fee-based distribution of software, expiration controls from internal and/or external control points, product lifecycle management, and product end-of-life controls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automating the installation of a plurality of operating system and device management software combinations, with their respective and related configuration data, onto a plurality of information management system platform hardware. The present invention also provides for the automated and systemic validation of proper interoperability between all installed software components. All related details of the integration, installation and validation processes are automatically recorded and stored in a manner conducive to future retrieval, review, analysis, modification, and possible re-use. The method and apparatus of the present invention uses a chained integration process (CIP), which treats a combination of information handling system hardware and a software delivery stack, including BIOS, device drivers, firmware, and other software components, as input.