1 What it is for
The Robopack page lists the applications in the Robopack catalogue and the applications you have uploaded to Robopack yourself. Instead of packaging software by hand, you pick a title and SoftwareCentral downloads it and imports it to Configuration Manager and/or Intune with your templates. Robopack keeps the catalogue versions current, so it is also the basis for automated patch flows.
2 The page at a glance
The applications are shown as tiles (the default) or as a list. Above them is the search box, the Filters button and the Tiles and List buttons. The Downloads button at the top right opens your downloaded apps.
| Element | What it does |
|---|---|
| Downloads | Opens the Downloaded apps view, with the applications you have already downloaded and imported. |
| Search | Type part of an application name to narrow the catalogue. |
| Filters | Opens the filter panel. On this page it holds one filter: Custom apps only (see below). |
| List / Tiles | Switches between the list and the tile view. |
| Application tile | Click it to open the import window for that application. See Import an application. |
3 Filters and Custom apps only
Click Filters to open the panel. The Robopack page has one filter: Custom apps only. Switch it on to see only the applications that you uploaded to Robopack, and not the catalogue applications.
- When Custom apps only is on, the list is complete at once. There is no load more step, because only your own applications are shown.
- Switch it off again to see the whole catalogue. The applications load in parts as you scroll.
- The panel closes when you click Filters again.
4 Import an application
Click a tile to open the Import window for that application. Its title shows the application and version, for example Import 7-Zip 26.05. Nothing is downloaded or imported until you click Import in that window.
- The Overview tab says what will happen: download, import, phased deployment, the previous version and new versions.
- The Settings tab holds the same choices in three parts: where the application is imported, who gets it, and what happens to new versions.
- The Use the settings from list at the top chooses the Robopack template that fills in the settings. Change any part under Settings before you import.
- Click Import to start, Save as template to keep the settings for later, or Cancel to leave without changing anything.
Every part of the window is described in Import window. To follow the import, open Downloaded apps.
5 Downloads button
Downloads (top right) opens the Downloaded Apps view: one tile or list entry for every application you have downloaded from Robopack. Return goes back to the catalogue.
The downloaded apps, their install status, the phases, Rerun Job and Delete data are described in Downloaded apps.
AppMan_ManagePatchFlow. See Who can do what.
6 Robopack Templates
A Robopack template holds the settings the import window uses: the application template for Configuration Manager and/or Intune, the phased deployments and the replace settings. Robopack Templates is a page of its own, in the menu under Templates › Robopack Templates.
Create, edit and delete templates there. The page and its wizard are described in Robopack Templates.
7 Who can do what
The Robopack module needs a licence. The buttons you see also depend on the rights of your security role. A button that needs a right you do not have is not shown.
| Right in the security role | What it unlocks |
|---|---|
AppMan_ManagePatchFlow | The Downloads button on the Robopack page. |
AppMan_DeletePatchFlowData | The Delete data tab on Downloaded apps. |
AppMan_AppDetection | The Radar view. |
8 Best practices
| Topic | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Start with your own apps or a few catalogue apps | Use Custom apps only to review what you have uploaded to Robopack. Import a few catalogue applications first, such as a browser or a PDF reader, and check them in Downloaded apps. |
| Set a default template | Make one Robopack template the default, so the most common settings are already chosen when you import. |
| Test before you widen | Import first to an application template and a phased deployment that reach a small test group. Widen the audience in the later phases. |
| Check the settings in the window | The Overview says what will happen. Read it before you click Import, and use Change on any line you do not want. |
| Keep a Patch Flow for apps you update often | Switch on the Patch Flow under New versions in the import window, so new versions are imported automatically. See Automated patch flows. |
9 Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| The Robopack page does not open or shows an access error | The Robopack module is not licensed or not enabled for this installation, or your security role has no access. | Check the licence and Robopack settings. Ask an administrator to check your role. |
| The catalogue is empty, or the import window shows the message The Robopack API key is not configured (in the log) | The Robopack API URL or API key is missing or wrong. | Enter both in Robopack settings. No restart is needed; the next check uses them. |
| An application you expect is missing | Custom apps only is switched on, so only your own applications are shown. | Open Filters and switch Custom apps only off. |
| The Downloads button is missing | The security role has no AppMan_ManagePatchFlow right. | Ask an administrator to add the right to your role. |
| The Robopack Templates page is not in the menu, or does not open | The Robopack module is not enabled. | See the first row of this table. |