System and method using token processing to control software distribution and desktop management in a computer network environment

A system for controlling the distribution of software in a customized configuration to a plurality of computers in a network environment, comprising console means for creating distribution control information which is both associated with the software and related to said customized configuration, server means responsive to the console means for storing the software and the distribution control information; agent means resident on each computer for downloading the software in accordance with the distribution control information and a token authorization signal from a token server means, and token server means for controlling the number of users simultaneously distributing the software, the token server means responsive to a token request signal from the agent means to provide a token authorization signal to the agent means authorizing the agent means to download the software onto the corresponding computer.