Your new release is here and you want your users to access it without
expensive marketing notification efforts. You want a solution that can
determine when your update is available automatically and let your
customers know.
You got it.
WebUpdate allows software developers and vendors to ensure that
new versions of their applications will be readily available and easily
accessible to their customers. It provides an automated method for
distributing software updates, data, or notices of paid upgrades to end
users.
WebUpdate dramatically simplifies the customer experience. End users
can reduce the need to search for the correct Web site to find the
correct update, copy download and install instructions, remember where
the download or installation is stored, and finally determine and enter
installation parameters during the setup process.
You can dramatically ease your users' experience and be sure they're on
the correct, current version. You'll reduce update-related support calls
and simplify the upgrade distribution process.
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Feature
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Description
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Multiple update process launch options
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Use one of several options for launching the check for the update process.
- User-initiated using a menu option within the application
- User-initiated by launching WebUpdate from the Start menu under programs
- User-initiated by launching WebUpdate from the System Tray
- Future option - auto-launch at boot up (will be available in the next
maintenance release)
- Custom developed options from InstallShield Consulting - scheduler,
upon application launch, upon browser launch
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Multiple application update options
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WebUpdate can activate three different update options:
- IFTW-based
- Self-extracting EXEs
- Launch web page
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Multiple install process options
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Use nearly
any type of install process including:
- InstallFromTheWeb installations
- PackageForTheWeb installation
- Driver updates or .inf file swaps (via self-extracting .exe)
- Traditional InstallShield installations or any other types of installations
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Optional Silent mode
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Run silently and do not require user input
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Instant check for updates
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WebUpdate's control script is only 2 KB in size, which can be downloaded
in under a second.
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Wizard generated control of update process
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WebUpdate Control Script Wizard enables the developer to enter key update
parameters into a simple panel and then generates the control script.
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Customized messages and notes
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WebUpdate allows ISVs to insert their own messages during the check for
update process or the update process itself.
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Shareable by multiple applications
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WebUpdate can be used by multiple applications and ISVs with only one
copy installed on the end user's machine.
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Self-Updating
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WebUpdate can update itself. This is an option the ISV can set when installing
WebUpdate.
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Multiple web and network protocols
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WebUpdate supports three protocols for download processes:
- HTTP
- FTP
- Network installations
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Auto launch of internet connection
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WebUpdate can launch the ISP connection process on the end-user machine
by dialing up end user's ISP. This requires that DUN be previously installed.
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Proxy support
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WebUpdate can work with proxies.
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SDK
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Sample control scripts
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The WebUpdate development kit includes a sample control script, making
it easier for developers to learn how to extend WebUpdate beyond capabilities
provided in the Wizard.
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Pre-written WebUpdate engine installation script
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The WebUpdate development kit includes pre-written InstallShield Professional - Standard Edition
scripts for installing the WebUpdate engine.
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Technical
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Scripting in commercially available languages
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The control script can be written in Visual Basic or Java because the
WebUpdate engine is command-line driven.
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Registry-based application information
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WebUpdate
stores critical application update information such as current version
number and distribution Web-site location in the registry rather than
a separate file. |
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WinInet-based download of control script
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WebUpdate uses WinInet calls to download the control script from the
Web server.
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C++ based
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WebUpdate was written in Visual C++
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