App Distribution

Applications, or application components, can be distributed in many ways. One technique involves creating a managed or unmanaged package, the former for one-time distribution, the latter for managed distribution to clients. You can also use the metadata API, as well as the change set functionality (beta).

Overview

An Introduction to Packaging - This article provides an introduction to packaging and distribution on the Force.com platform

Resources

Introduction to Developing Commercial Apps on Force.com - The process of building and distributing commercial applications for ISVs.
An Introduction to Metadata and Development as a Service - Note how the Metadata API and Force.com Migration Tool can be used.
How to Create and Register a Package - Walks you through the process of creating, uploading and registering a package
Creating an AppExchange Listing - With the new AppExchange, you can start creating your listing while your developer builds the app. You can then associate the listing with the app when ready, or follow the steps here to upload a package and list it. The new listing wizard in the AppExchange offers contextual help to guide you through the listing process.
Publisher's Toolkit - The latest resources that will help you market your app on the AppExchange are available in the Partner Portal
LMA 2.0 Overview - Overview of License Management App 2.0, includes a great demo of associating the License Management Org (LMO) and managing customer licenses (Recorded Webinar)