Centrally Managed Apps/Home Folders on Mac OS X Lion Server
Well... You will need to run Open Directory, and set up network home folders within there.

Then, when yous OD clients log into yous Macs, they will be given access to their home folder from the server.

For mobile users, you will want to set up a Mobile Home Folder, perhaps with HomeSync.

Check out these documents from Apple:
https://help.apple.com/advancedserveradmin/mac/10.7/



For your installing of software and configs, you will probably want to use Apple Remote Desktop