Creating an admin install tool

Hey this may be a dumb question but I am trying to create a tool that I can use at work to install several applications automatically using something like a list or check boxes. So basically in short it is going to be a glorified installation script that will allow me to modify the list of apps to install when I run it (office, adobe reader, etc..).

The only thing I really seem to be missing here is how to call another program from within mine and (if it is possible) how to sense the exit of one program so that I can call all the installers one at a time.

Hope this makes sense to someone. Any Ideas would be helpful.

Thanks