Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) is a network administration tool that helps you deploy and maintain Microsoft Office XP and Office Multilingual User Interface Packs (MUI Packs) on client computers. SMS is particularly useful in large or complex organizations where administrators need precise control over the deployment process. For example, by using SMS you can query client computers for software requirements before you install Office, and you can target the installation only to computers that meet your criteria.

Using Systems Management Server can provide administrators with the following benefits:

• Tools to deploy to a large number of clients or across multiple sites
• Ability to push or force installation of Office XP on client computers
• Means to deploy Office XP to a mixture of Windows clients
• Means to deploy to users who do not have administrative rights on the local computer
• Greater control over the timing of the installation
• Advanced reporting and troubleshooting tools

 Note    You must have Systems Management Server 2.0 with Service Pack 2 to deploy Office XP.

If your organization has deployed Systems Management Server 2.0 with Service Pack 2 and you plan to use it to install Office XP, the following Office Resource Kit resources provide additional information and support:

• Package definition files (PDF files)

  PDF files contain the information required for Systems Management Server to create a software distribution package. The PDF files for Office XP have been consolidated into two files: Off2002.sms (for all product suites) and Lpk2002.sms (for Office MUI Packs).

Toolbox   The Office XP PDF files are available in the Office Resource Kit Toolbox. To download the PDF files, see Package Definition Files. You can find this downloadable file on the Office XP Resource Kit Downloads page.

Related links

For more information about using Systems Management Server to deploy Office XP, see Using SMS 2.0 to Deploy Microsoft Office XP on the TechNet Web site.

For more information about Systems Management Server 2.0, including information about upgrading to the latest version, see the Systems Management Server Web site.

For a comparison of software deployment features in Systems Management Server 2.0 and Windows 2000, see Software Deployment Using Windows 2000 and Systems Management Server 2.0 on the Windows 2000 Web site.

For more information about installing Office XP, see Planning an Office XP Deployment.