If you are running active directory, you can assign it via a group policy (under the computer settings) attached to an object unit that contains the machine account(s) in question.
I have only published* the client via AD, but that has worked fine.
In MS AD speak, publish means make available to end users for install, via the add/remove icon in control panel, whereas assign means the software will get installed by policy. Assigned software gets installed before end users get the chance the log into a freshly turned on machine.
