Application Supersedence not working as I want and expect!

Question

Hello,
I need help to find out how to properly deploy an upgraded application using the SCCM 2012 Application supersedence.
What I have
One application in production with version 1.0. Let us call it APPL-BLUE1.0
New application of the same product with version 2.0. Let us call it APPL-RED2.0
What I want to achieve (the goal)
Users should be notified via the Software Center that a new update is available. The new update should not be installed until the user is ready and manually triggers the installation via the Software Center.
My configuration settings
On application APPL-RED2.0 I have gone to Properties -> Supsersedence and added the APPL-BLUE1.0 to the Supsersdence list. Replacement Deployment Type is configured (set to the Deployment type for the APPL-RED2.0) and
the Uninstall checkbox is checked (to uninstall the APPL-BLUE1.0 deployment type first).
Install behaviour for APPL-RED2.0 is "Install for system" and "Whether or not a user is logged on" with Normal visibility.
Then I create the Deployment which I have tried three different ways.
Action: Install, Purpose: Available, "Automatically upgrade any superseded versions of this application"
unchecked.
Action: Install, Purpose: Available, "Automatically upgrade any superseded versions of this application" checked.
Action: Install, Purpose: Required, "Automatically upgrade any superseded versions of this application" checked (forced, greyed out).
What happens
The application is not automatically made available in the users Software Center at all. No notification is presented and the user has to access the installation by looking in the Application Catalogue
first. Once found in the Application Catalogue the installation runs without problems but this means that the user must somehow know there is a new version available through other means.
The application is automatically installed (without regard to whether or not the application is in use) on the client and a notification is presented on the users machine (Software Center).
Exactly the same result as for #2.
This conflicts with what I want to achieve. I want a notification and that the application is automatically made available for installation in the Software Center but I do not want it to automatically upgrade but rather let the user initiate the installation
whe he or she is ready (i.e. when the application is not in use).
Please point me in the right direction in order to accomplish this.
Thank you.
Sindre

Answer 1

Have you tried changing the application deployment evaluation cycle to increase the speed the update is detected?
also with the notification issue, I have a similar problem and have a script in place. Our business rules are to install the application asap giving the user 6 mins to close it. but this script could easily be changed to allow it to wait non stop.
Or maybe you could set a requirement for the deployment type, a custom script that checks if the application is running, but I am not sure on what cycle the application will evaluate this. or if it will evaluate it then download the application (leaving
a window for the application to be run)
Also in case it is not obvious I have removed functions and keywords. but this should give you an idea of how to achieve your desired results
'Check if current version
if CheckMSIVersion("{removed}","removed") = 1 then
wscript.quit(0)
end if
'sets path of script
strScriptDir = getParentDirectory
intACProcesses = CountACProcesses
'Check if running
if intACProcesses >= 1 then
'runs warning HTA
wshShell.Run ("""" & strScriptDir & "\BeforeInstallAlert.hta """),3,False
'Untill app is closed keep activating alert and checking to see if it is running
const timeout = 360000
const timepoll = 15000
do while intACProcesses >= 1 and i < timeout
intACProcesses = CountACProcesses
if intACProcesses >= 1 Then
wscript.sleep timepoll
end if
i=i+timepoll
wshshell.AppActivate "Appname Upgrade Alert"
Loop
end if
'Kill AC
killProcesses("appname%")
'Kill HTA processes
killProcesses("mshta.exe")
'Install new and record exit code
intExitCode = WshShell.Run("msiexec /i """ & strScriptDir & "\removed.msi"" /qn",0, true)
'if install fails exit with exitcode
if intExitCode <> 0 then
wscript.quit(intExitCode)
end if
'Run New client
WshShell.Run("""" & findACProgramDir & "removed.exe"""),1,false
'Run finished HTA
wshShell.Run ("""" & strScriptDir & "\AfterInstallAlert.hta"""),3,False
'Exit with code
wscript.quit(intExitCode)
Quote by andhey "hmm ill try it later, i accidentally deleted all my tv shows when trying to delete a word document lmao"