BigFix Software Distribution on the BigFix UI — Overview

BigFix Software Distribution (SWD) on the BigFix UI (BFUI) is a centralized, enterprise-grade solution for deploying and managing software across all endpoints in your network — providing full control and end-user self-service through a modernized web interface.

Note:

The Software page will be visible only if the Software Distribution site is licensed and enabled.

BigFix Software Distribution is part of the Lifecycle Management suite. It provides a consolidated, comprehensive solution to quickly deploy software throughout a network from a single, centralized location, delivering cost-effective operational control and visibility into the software delivery and installation process.

The BigFix UI (BFUI) introduces a modernized approach to software distribution, replacing the legacy Software Distribution Dashboard available in the BigFix Console and the legacy BigFix WebUI. It introduces new first-class entities — Package and Software — that provide a cleaner, more scalable model for organizing and deploying software across the enterprise.

Key Capabilities

Deploy software to endpoints across your network from a single, centralized location.
Maintain full control into software delivery and installation status.
Organize software into Packages (minimal deployable units) and group them under logical Software entities that span versions, platforms, and architectures.
Allow device owners to request and self-manage software through the Self Service Application (SSA), reducing IT workload.
Leverage pre-built Fixlets from the Software Installer Library for Windows and macOS to accelerate common deployments.
Configure the Self Service Application directly from the BFUI Administration section without leaving the browser.

Where Software Distribution Lives in BigFix UI

Software Distribution on BFUI is accessed via Explore > Software in the BigFix UI left navigation panel. The Software Explorer page is the central hub for all software management tasks. Access to packages and tasks is governed by the BFUI access control model, tied to BigFix Custom Site permissions.

What Is New in BigFix UI Compared to Legacy Tools

The BigFix UI introduces two new concepts that replace the flat task-based model of the legacy Console and WebUI:

Package: The minimal unit describing a software application. Contains all the installer files and BigFix Tasks required to install or uninstall the software. Equivalent in structure to a legacy SWD package, but managed entirely within the new BFUI.
Software: A logical grouping of one or more Packages representing different versions, flavors, architectures, or operating systems of the same application. A new concept with no direct legacy equivalent.

Important:

Packages created in the legacy SWD Dashboard (Console or WebUI) are not visible in the new BFUI, and vice versa. Reusing legacy packages requires an explicit export-and-import migration. See Limitations for details.