Configuration Manager is the grandfather of the System Center Suite. Widely deployed since Systems Management Server 1.2 was released in 1996, it provides a variety of capabilities to enhance the management of the devices distributed across the network.

We think of Configuration Manager as a Lifecycle Management Product; it is the tool we use to create an OS image that we will deploy to our workstations and servers, it is the tool we use to deploy software applications and updates. Configuration Manager provides detailed hardware and software inventory reporting. Configuration Manager is integrated with System Center Endpoint Protection for anti-malware, and Settings Management provides configuration profile monitoring and enforcement.

Configuration Manager's OS deployment capabilities enable device-independent imaging through the Configuration Manager driver catalogue. Advanced OS deployment scenarios are available to provide automated user state migration, remote zero-touch OS refresh, OEM, offline and automated computer replacement. Configuration Manager can backup an image of an old machine and scrub the hard disk ready for disposal. The OS image and related applications and components can be deployed via PXE, USB, DVD, software distribution or carrier pigeon.

The Application model function of Configuration Manager allows the administrator to automate all scenarios of application delivery including multiple dependency modelling, supersedence, existing installation detection, automated removal and user-device affinity.

Complex application deployments are modelled in the console, and the applicable installation path is determined automatically at deploy time. Architecture, location, model, group membership or hardware profiles can be used to determine how an application should be provisioned. A user may receive the full MSI installation of an application at their own machine, but receive an App-V version of the app when roaming, for example.

The act of delivering the application to a user may have significant complexity, but the application model, with the use of Global Settings in Configuration Manager makes this a trivial task. The installation engine knows the architecture and platform under which it is running. It also knows the context. Using these parameters the program can negotiate the application model and deliver the app to the user in real-time.