Automation software

I did all the searching I was willing to do. Either its not easy to find or I am stupid. Not sure which one is true...

I need a peice of software that will allow me to automate the running of a couple other peices of software (sort of like hitman pro does for anyone who knows that software.)

I want to automate the installation of a few applications and the basic configuration I do as well. I could custom program something but I figure the software has to exist out there. I could also use a macro program but that would require me installing it on the system in the first place. I would rather just run an exe off the cd and have it launch and run through the installers and then load the software and configure it for me.

Anything like this exist out there?