software deployment without group policy

you can create a folder and share it on the network. Place your package in the share folder. users then access the share for the software you wish to deploy. you can create self installers when the package is opened by a user or you can create a package with Instalshield [and instalshield wizard] and allow users to setup the installation. [I sometimes use Clickteam www.clickteam.com]

the same way a package is advertised on the user's desktop when assigned using group policy.

it could be a startup script or a service that runs automatically

well, you changed your question by adding more info

and you already answered the question yourself. by scripting....

well i guess what i am looking for then is the script in the form of an example.

I ran across this while reading scripting guide.You will write the following scripts in VB.If you are familiar with WMI ok but just analyseing will make a lot of sense
1)On local Computer
'const variable installs for all users
Const ALL_USERS = True
Set objservice = getObject("winmgmts")
'connect to instant of product class
Set Objsoftware = objService.Get("Win32_Product")
errReturn =ObjSoftware.Install("PATH TO MSI", ,_ ALL_USERS)
2)on Remote Computer
strComputer = array_("PCNETBIOSNAME","PCNETBIOSNAME"etc)
Set ObjWMIService = GetObject("Winmgmts:"_ & "{Impersonationlevel =impersonate}!\\" &_ StrStrcomputer & "\root\cimv2")
Set Objsoftware =ObjWMIService.Get_("Win32_Product")
errReturn =Objsoftware.Install("PATH TO MSI" , ,_ True)
Wscript.Echo errReturn
You are all done.I have not implemented this.All my installations are through Group policy)
I will test this and repost
Hope this helps
You could also Upgrade with this routine.

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