Software deployment is the process of making certain software applications or updates available to a client’s users, such as updating a server or device. Deployment meaning in software can also refer to application deployment.

Several tasks are involved when deploying software, and often rely on a combination of manual and automated processes and protocols. Software deployment process steps can include:

• Installation of new or updated software, applications, and patches.
• Configuration of details like network and security settings and hardware resources to ensure consistency across your client’s IT environment.  
• Testing that system before and after deployment to check factors like response time, load capacity, security, and usability. 
• Implementing the software in the target environment.
• Monitoring the ongoing performance of the software or application.

Deploying software can look different depending on the software development methodology and the type of software being deployed. For example, deploying a web application may involve configuring web servers and databases. Deploying a desktop application may involve creating installation packages and distributing them to end users.

Effective software deployment is important for your clients because it ensures software updates and new features are delivered to their users quickly and efficiently with minimal disruption, which can be costly. The deployment also plays a critical role in maintaining the stability and security of the software system and IT environment, which can support clients who need to meet certain regulatory guidelines, like those in payment card industries. Some companies may need to comply with standards like the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), which helps protect customer credit card data against fraud.

You play a crucial role in helping your clients get the comprehensive IT services and support they need so they can focus on core business activities. You partner with clients and get to know their needs and objectives so you can tailor IT solutions like software deployment, endpoint detection and response, and network monitoring to their business. IT automation solutions combined with great software deployment are important to helping you and your clients scale and grow.

Software deployment vs. software release

The terms software deployment and software release are often used interchangeably but refer to different aspects of the software development process or life cycle. 

A software release is making a new version of the software available to end users. This can involve making a package of the software available for download or physically distributing it across various channels. A software release can include new features, bug fixes, security updates, and other improvements.

Software deployment refers to the process of installing the software in your client’s target environment. This can involve several steps like configuring the software, setting up servers or databases, and making sure that the software seamlessly integrates with other systems on your client’s network.

Software deployment strategies

There are several software deployment strategies you can use depending on the specific needs of your client and their business, and the software being deployed. At the most basic level, you can update all target environments at once without using a specific strategy. However, this can leave you more vulnerable if there are outages or a need to reverse the deployment process. Therefore, the following software deployment strategies may be useful:

• Rolling deployment involves deploying the new version of the software in small batches and then gradually increasing the size of each batch until your client’s entire system has been updated. This gives you more control over the software deployment process because you can detect and fix issues as they come up. If there is an issue, it only affects a limited number of users instead of the whole system.
• Continuous deployment involves automatically deploying changes to production as soon as they are made without manual intervention. This requires more sophisticated automation and testing to ensure that changes do not introduce bugs or other issues.
• Blue-green deployment involves creating two identical production environments with only one live at a time. One is the “blue” environment, which is currently being used and the other is the “green” environment, which is idle. The new version of the software is deployed to the idle “green” environment. After the new version is tested and validated, traffic is switched from the “blue” to the “green” environment. This strategy makes it easier to roll back the software if needed.
• Canary deployment involves deploying the new version of the software to a small group of users or servers first, and then gradually increasing the percentage of users or servers until the new version is deployed to the entire system. This allows for early detection of any issues or bugs, with only a small group of users being affected in the early stages. This strategy carries the least risk and lets you test the software deployment in a real production environment rather than in staging.  
• A/B testing involves deploying software in two versions concurrently, with a certain group of users or traffic being routed to each version. This allows you to test and compare the two versions so you can determine which performs better or is preferred by your client and their users. This strategy has similarities to the canary deployment but can be more complex to set up and monitor.