I made a service request on this and got an answer. Thank you for the fast and accurate response.
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There is a bug in the way MATLAB opens the DEPLOYTOOL GUI.
One possible cause is that there is no available license for the MATLAB Compiler. Instead of showing a licensing error, the DEPLOYTOOL is crashing with some java exception due to a bug in R2012b which has been resolved in R2013a.
Please ensure that both (a) the MATLAB Compiler is included on your license, and (b) there is an available license for the MATLAB Compiler - i.e., that you are able to check out a license for the MATLAB Compiler.
If all this does not work, you should reinstall the MATLAB Compiler toolbox. You can easily follow the steps on this link: http://www.mathworks.co.uk/matlabcentral/answers/101885
I hope this soves the problem. In case it does not, please come back to me, I will be glad to help you further.
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Sincerely,
MathWorks Technical Support Department