You just read my mind



Yes, I see the need for such a product and I would rather stay with a single vendor source instead of having to make it all work with different vendors. For example I have a CRM for my own customers, but I cannot synch this with Protection Plus database, so I have to make double entry for the customer information in order to enforce the copy protection.



What I do like about AppLife Update is that it is .NET and I can make all form's based on SF controls to keep the same look and feel as well or create my own extensions in .NET if it is not cover by them.



I really wish SF could really consider this kind of product for the SF community.

Edhy Rijo

Sounds like a a potential great new product idea for Strataframe!

They already do these types of things with Strataframe and Practice Studio, etc.  I think it would be a nice addition to combine something like what AppLife Update does for updates and what Shareit does for Licensing and Registration.

Just think how amazingly convenient that would be for anyone who already uses Strataframe?

Stratraframe Updates and Licensing.  Has a nice sound to it, don't you think?

Russ Brown (Using C#2010/SQL Server 2008)

Thanks for the info Russell.



In my case I need to handle licensing since this project will use the subscription model for support and updates (pretty much like SF) and I must control which license is allow to be updated based on the subscription status. So every year or so there will be a new license release and only those with current subscription will be allowed to update their systems.

Edhy Rijo

I use InstallShield for the install only because I've already invested so much time and money into it, otherwise I would probably switch to InstallAWare, and am looking at using Shareit for licensing.  They have reasonable rates and would take the hassle out of licenses, registration, etc. 

http://www.shareit.com/publisher.html?pid=feature&sessionid=1386280708&random=69bf087273bc021ad74514b104929ef9#sell

I notice that a lot of software companies used Shareit.

Russ Brown (Using C#2010/SQL Server 2008)

Hi Greg,



Well, I use InstallAware (IA) for the initial install, and right now I am also using the IA update feature which works fine, but there is not control from a License Manager perspective, so it is either update everybody or nobody with IA.



I am looking for a complete License Manager and update product, but unfortunately I have not found anything complete.



In my VFP applications I use Protection Plus and it is pretty good but then they do not have full support for .NET just yet and also they do not handle the updates.

Edhy Rijo

I was hoping this would be a very nice replacement for ClickOnce(more). However, it only does updates. You have to do the initial installation via some other method. If anyone has any brilliant ideas related to the initial install, please share!

AppLife is definitely better.

You can do a lot with the free Limited license too.

http://www.kineticjump.com/update/nethelp/default.htm

Russ Brown (Using C#2010/SQL Server 2008)

Hi Russell,



Thanks for the link on "True Update", I looked at their web and its price is very affordable even though it is not a .NET based product which I like about AppLife Update giving us more flexibility and control from our .Net applications, but the price is higher around US$800.00

Edhy Rijo

Looks very interesting.  I'm going to check it out too.  Thanks.

I've also heard of True Update but have never used it:

http://www.indigorose.com/trueupdate/overview-true-update/

Russ Brown (Using C#2010/SQL Server 2008)

I've not used it, but it looks pretty cool.