Software Deployment

I use software from http://PackageNow.net. You can create and edit app-v MSI installations. We use a lot the document generator to create installation manuals. 

Take a look at MSI Package Bulider by EMCO

http://www.emco.is/products/msi-package-builder/features.php

I'm sorry, I should have been more specific. We are using SMS 2003. I need guidance on what software to consider and why.

Yes, Installshield 11 can create MSI files and repackage so you can use that.

What would be the advantage then to buying something like Admin Studio or Wise?

I believe it's more of a licensing issue which you want to take into account. I don't pay the bills where I work, but I'm pretty sure Wise works out cheaper per application than Installshield. Especially if you plan on packaging a whole bunch of them. However, I've used both and I personally prefer Installshield......eeeeehhh....decisions decisions.....

ORIGINAL: pjohnso2
I'm sorry, I should have been more specific. We are using SMS 2003. I need guidance on what software to consider and why.Your choice of SMS is irrelevant, as that is the deployment mechanism (amongst other things, of course). All the tools outlined can create MSIs, the package format of choice for SMS so it's a question of cost and personal preference. Both the major vendors (Wise/Altiris and InstallShield/Acresso) have trial versions which you can download and evaluate.

I agree, the best thing you could do is evaluate and try out the tools suggested. The two big players are as people have already mentioned Wise Package Studio and AdminStudio.

For new projects/business processes being designed today you really should think about expanding your toolset to include application virtualization. If you as you say have chosen to use SMS for distribution then in my opinion VMware ThinApp should be on your list of packaging tools to consider. It does not require any additional infrastructure and is likely to save you time and/or money.

ORIGINAL: pjohnso2

What would be the advantage then to buying something like Admin Studio or Wise?


Uh, you said you already own it?....

No, we own Installshield Professional 11, not Admin Studio.

AS gives you a bunch of extra tools, too numerous to mention here. I believe the Acresso site has a chart/check-list detailing what extras you get with each package.

With IS PRO v.11 you can upgrade to AdminStudio ( better price)

Let me clear it up for you: I don't know of any advanges which would make purchasing a product worth the investment of abandoning Installshield Pro 11. There may be in certain cases; you'll have to decide if these apply to you and make the case to management for a different tool if you decide you need one.

Until then......

Installshield Professional 11. Use what you've got.
Installshield Professional 11. Use what you've got.
Installshield Professional 11. Use what you've got.

Mkay? Got that? good....

Jeez, you make it pretty difficult to be helpful. In my original reply I said use Installshield 11, you then ask me what the advantage is of using Wise or Admin Studio (I never said there was an advantage). In a momentary lapse I confuse Admin Studio with Installshield Professional 11 and say that one advantage is that you already own it. Hullo? McFly? budget? Yeah, always good to show mgt. you're not a spendthrift. OTOH, if you really need the tool, $1400 per year is not much if it saves you loads of hours on the job.

ORIGINAL: pjohnso2

We are getting ready to start deploying apps. Right now we need to decide what, if any software we will use to repackage and deploy. We own Install Shield Professional 11 right now, can we use that? Should we get something else, like Admin Studio or Wise? Why or why not?


With all the other replies you got to your question, I would also like to highlight another Best Price Performance installation authoring tool called InstallAware. It has all the best features which an installation tool should have to make things work effectively. And the reason why I am suggesting InstallAware to you is because of its excellent repackaging tool called PackageAware.

PackageAware scans the state of the system before and after you run a setup. It then compares the two scans, and generates a ready-to-use InstallAware installation that encapsulates the delta between the two scans. You may then open the installation script and customize it even further .

PackageAware provides an effortless way to migrate installations developed with legacy products into InstallAware and the Windows Installer platform. Each migrated installation has full access to the benefits offered by InstallAware and Windows Installer, such as web media blocks and self healing applications.

i have installaware installed on my machine right now, its not even on the same page as Installshield or Wise. It's as buggy as hell crashes all the time im not a huge fan of it. The forms views are rubbish this product is nowhere near its competitors.

ORIGINAL: suhani
With all the other replies you got to your question, I would also like to highlight another Best Price Performance installation authoring tool called InstallAware. ...and *we* would like you to take your pathetic attempts at marketing elsewhere. Jeez, you can't even be creative enough to disguise your use of language. Please go away.

ORIGINAL: jmcfadyen

i have installaware installed on my machine right now, its not even on the same page as Installshield or Wise. It's as buggy as hell crashes all the time im not a huge fan of it. The forms views are rubbish this product is nowhere near its competitors.


InstallAware being buggy, is a kind of understatement for the product which works so well. InstallAware offers features what the other two giants are not offering and at a much low cost.

And for VBScab,

Replies in forums are independent views and suggestions, not always marketing attempt from any company. You should broaden your perspective.

ORIGINAL: suhani
InstallAware being buggy, is a kind of understatement for the product which works so well. InstallAware offers features what the other two giants are not offering and at a much low cost.

Huge DRUM ROLL!! TRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!! TA! TA! TA! TA! TA! TA! TA! TA!

And these features are:
..........................................................................................................................................

ORIGINAL: kiptek

ORIGINAL: suhani
InstallAware being buggy, is a kind of understatement for the product which works so well. InstallAware offers features what the other two giants are not offering and at a much low cost.

Huge DRUM ROLL!! TRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!! TA! TA! TA! TA! TA! TA! TA! TA!

And these features are:
..........................................................................................................................................


If you want a full feature list, visit their website and if you want to see which features InstallAware is offering which InstallShield is not, visit http://www.installaware.com/compare-with-otherinstall-tools.htm

LOL...even *I* - very much NOT an InstallShield apologist, in that I'm as scathing about it AND Wise - could produce a check-list which shows a list of stuff in IS not available in IA. Besides, it's not even truthful: they show 'Setup capture' as being not available in IS which it plainly is. A joke, it has to be. I'm not even going to bother to respond to any further comment.

aogilmor, does Installshield Pro include the Repackager? I can't remember.

Either way, you should stick with Installshield/Adminstudio in my mind. Your company already has in-house knowledge with the product and it's actually cheaper (contrary to what was posted earlier).

ORIGINAL: turbokitty

does Installshield Pro include the Repackager? I can't remember.

Either way, you should stick with Installshield/Adminstudio in my mind. Your company already has in-house knowledge with the product and it's actually cheaper (contrary to what was posted earlier).


Not sure, Turbo, but I couldn't even find a repackaging tool on their web site.
http://www.acresso.com/webdocuments/PDF/is115_prepro_releasenotes.pdf?link_id=downloads
I haven't worked with installshield for a while, and they're now owned by acresso. Certainly if it lacks a repackager/capture type of tool, the tool set he has would not be good for a corporate deployment environment, but might be great for a commercial software vendor. It looks like acresso has got all the latest tools setup like UAC for Vista etc.

InstallAware being buggy, is a kind of understatement for the product which works so well. InstallAware offers features what the other two giants are not offering and at a much low cost.

haha i love this comment :-)

Being buggy is an understatement ? lol for a minute there I thought you were trying to sell the product then I realised your were actually in agreement with me. for a minute there I thought you were a sales rep.

ORIGINAL: jmcfadyen
then I realised you were actually in agreement with me. for a minute there I thought you were a sales rep. Wrong! Sorry, John :) Read through the strangulated "English" and you'll find it's still a sales pitch. Bob has been made aware. Suhani seems to have gone away, in any event.

lol i thought you of all people would of picked up on my sarcasm :-)

Me "of all people"? What are you trying to say, John? LOL :)