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.)? |
Hehe....we have just finished going through this process ourselves. I could give you an entire write-up of what NOT to do 
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)