Systems

Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM)
Munki Mac Endpoint Management

Affected Customers

University of Illinois IT Pros leveraging Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) and/or Munki Mac Endpoint Management systems, hosted by Technology Services' Endpoint Services team.

Actions

• General Information
• Acrobat Pro
• EPS Packages
• Installation with Previous Versions
• Getting Help

General Information

In Fall 2023, Adobe released Creative Cloud 2024, which continues support for the Named User and Shared Device license models.

• The EPS MECM service offers both Named User and Shared Device versions of Creative Cloud 2024 titles.
  
  
• The EPS MECM service also offers the 'Creative Cloud Desktop NU Self-Service - Latest' application. This allows non-admins to download, install, and update their Adobe Creative Cloud programs via the Creative Cloud Desktop application. Please note that other MECM deployments of Adobe CC applications must be removed in order to use the NU Self-Service application.
  
  • 'Creative Cloud Desktop NU Self-Service - Latest' can be found in the console at \Software Library\Overview\Application Management\Applications\MANAGED APPLICATIONS\Adobe\Creative Cloud Desktop\Named User Licensing\Self-Service
    
    
• The EPS Munki service offers Named User versions of Creative Cloud 2024 titles, along with a separate Shared Device License package.

Notes

• Adobe CC 2024 application installers enforce hardware requirements
  
  
• Adobe Lightroom CC is not available under the Shared Device license, although Adobe Lightroom Classic is.
  
  
• Some Adobe apps do not have 2024 releases but are still updated (e.g. Dreamweaver)

This article relates specifically to EPS packages and deployment. For the most current details about Creative Cloud Named User and Shared Device licensing and activation, please read the UofI Webstore's KB article. 

Acrobat Pro DC

Acrobat Pro DC also uses the new licensing model, and Adobe has recently updated Acrobat DC's Named User licensing. Please read this article for more information.

• For MECM stakeholders, future releases will be under “\Software Library\Overview\Application Management\Applications\MANAGED APPLICATIONS\Adobe\Acrobat DC\*”.
  
  
• Munki stakeholders should use either adobe_acrobat_dc_nul or adobe_acrobat_dc_sdl.

EPS Packages

Due to the login requirements, all MECM and Munki-provided Creative Cloud packages include the Creative Cloud Desktop Application. In addition, all MECM and Munki-provided versions have updates disabled.

• For MECM stakeholders, please continue to use the Adobe Remote Update Manager package, under “\Software Library\Overview\Application Management\Packages”, to manage updates.
  
  
• For Munki stakeholders, we encourage the use of Adobe Remote Update Manager packages in the MTM service to manage Create Cloud updates.
  
  
• For convenience, the EPS Munki team creates and maintains the following UofI-level manifests that can be incorporated into your unit's manifest structure, or you may choose to create your own. If you are unsure about how to use these manifests, please contact the EPS team.
  • UofI_licensed_adobe_2024_nul_managed_installs
  • UofI_licensed_adobe_2024_nul_optional_installs
  • UofI_licensed_adobe_2024_sdl_managed_installs
  • UofI_licensed_adobe_2024_sdl_optional_installs
  • UofI_licensed_adobe_2023_nul_managed_installs
  • UofI_licensed_adobe_2023_nul_optional_installs
  • UofI_licensed_adobe_2023_sdl_managed_installs
  • UofI_licensed_adobe_2023_sdl_optional_installs
  • UofI_licensed_adobe_2022_nul_managed_installs
  • UofI_licensed_adobe_2022_nul_optional_installs
  • UofI_licensed_adobe_2022_sdl_managed_installs
  • UofI_licensed_adobe_2022_sdl_optional_installs

Installation with Previous Versions

Installation of EPS-provided Creative Cloud packages will generally behave as expected in terms of interactions with previous versions, with a handful of exceptions for the Munki service.

• MECM-provided packages will continue to replace previous versions as in the past.
  
  
• Munki-provided packages will allow side-by-side installations with previous versions with the exception of the following titles that do not adhere to an annual release cadence: Acrobat DC, Dimension, Lightroom, Lightroom Classic, Premiere Rush, Substance 3D Designer/Painter/Sampler/Stager, and XD. These will all overwrite previous versions.

Getting Help

For MECM or Munki-related questions, contact the EPS team; for questions about the Adobe changes, email webstore@illinois.edu.

Contact the EPS team