StrataFrame Forum » StrataFrame Application Framework - V1 » WinForms (How do I?) » Deploying Software

RE: Deploying Software

Ben Kim — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 07:37:16 GMT

Seems to me there are a lot of current and ex-Clarion developers around these forms :D

Deploying Software

Chris Crabtree — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 07:37:16 GMT

Just wondering if there is a write-up of best practices for deploying software written with StrataFrame? Or a favorite installation-building tool (e.g. Wise, InstallShield, etc.)?

As usual, looking for the most reliable and quickest to use way of doing this...

thanks!

RE: Deploying Software

StrataFrame Team — Mon, 26 Feb 2007 09:21:28 GMT

It looks like it's InstallAware Studio v6.24... if that helps.

RE: Deploying Software

Chan — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 08:51:26 GMT

Hi,

May I know which Installaware edition are you using?

Thank you

RE: Deploying Software

Michael Reese — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 13:46:21 GMT

Hmmm, I guess I am in trouble. I just renewed my subscription for and have invested in Installsheild for years. I used to use setupbuilder with an IDE called Clarion. I was indeed a pretty solid product.

Michael

RE: Deploying Software

Chris Crabtree — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 13:03:04 GMT

Thanks for the tip!

I've been using the eval of InstallAware and after a bit of fumbling, it is working well. However, I still have no idea which of their products I actually need to build .NET 2.0 setups! The Express version doesn't seem to know about .NET 2.0, and I'm trying to avoid buying the expensive Studio version if I can...

SetupBuilder's pricing is certainly more developer-friendly, so I will definitely give them a try.

Thanks!

RE: Deploying Software

Robert Carl Johnson — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 12:45:16 GMT

Trent, there is another installer program you might want to look at www.setupbuilder.com They have an excellent product and it's Vista ready. I have used it for years and it can deal with any style installation required.

Best Regards,

Robert

RE: Deploying Software

Trent L. Taylor — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 14:46:56 GMT

One other thing....I just though I would share. We had a POC when testing these tools. Below is a time table it took with each tool:

InstallShield: 2 Weeks (actually never...we could not get our POC created)
Wise: 3 Days
NullSoft: Never...wasn't worth the energy
InstallAware: 2 Days

RE: Deploying Software

Trent L. Taylor — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 14:44:36 GMT

[quote]Just wondering if there is a write-up of best practices for deploying software written with StrataFrame? Or a favorite installation-building tool (e.g. Wise, InstallShield, etc.)?[/quote]

Hehe....we have just finished going through this process ourselves. I could give you an entire write-up of what NOT to do :D To save you some time, I will tell you the best like of action in deployment.

We ran into major issues with the latest version of InstallShield (FlexNext InstallShield Pro Edition Version 12). I can give you line by line, but I will save you the grief. We got our money back and started looking around.

We tested Wise, NullSoft, and ultimately landed on InstallAware. Bottom line is that you are going to want to use an MSI installer package. This will resolve a lot of deployment issues down the road. Also, one major consideration will be whether you will be deploying via the web or a fixed CD....or both.

After we tested everything, we chose InstallAware. Overall it has been a positive experience and I would still recommend them over the competition. The truth is that there is no perfect install software....so it comes down to which one is the least painful.

InstallAware has some nice web deployment features as well as CD functionality. Their editor is very good and they definitely get the highest marks of the ease of creating and implementing custom dialogs.

Also, we had an issue at one point with the GAC features and they had a fix within hours resolving the problem. They are also very responsive on their forum and have been easy to work with.

So if you were asking me to choose just one....go with InstallAware. We have just finished creating a very complicated installation for our medical system using this product and it works well.

(www.installaware.com)