InstallShield 2012 Spring

New Features

What's new in InstallShield 2012 Spring

SQL Azure database scripting capabilities (not available in Express)

With new SQL Azure database scripting capabilities it's possible to support hybrid cloud SQL deployments. It allows for configuration of both on-premise and hybrid cloud database servers.

Support for the latest technologies

• Pre-release Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 support - introduces support for Microsoft Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012. Specify that an installation requires Windows 8/Windows Server 2012 and build feature and component conditions for these operating systems.
• Visual Studio 11 support - integrates with Visual Studio 11. Create installations directly from within the Visual Studio IDE or use the intuitive InstallShield IDE.
• System Center 2012 Configuration Manager support - optionally include accurate deployment metadata for the new App Model in System Center Configuration Manager 2012 (not available in Express).

New wizard page editor plus new redesigned wizard pages (not available in Express)

Features a new end-user interface with redesigned wizard pages and a new wizard page editor. Create a better run-time experience with full control over user interface layout, text strings and dialog behaviour.

Automatic check for installer updates and patches (not available in Express)

InstallShield 2012 Spring automatically checks for the latest updates and patches at installer run-time. If updates are found, they are automatically downloaded and run in place of the old installer ensuring that the latest version of the application is always installed.

Suite installation enhancements (available in Premier Edition only)

New features for Suite installations include the ability to import and reference PRQ files as Suite packages, advanced reporting and logging on Suite packages, dynamic file links for Suite packages and a new UI for custom conditions.

PowerShell support (not available in Express)

InstallShield 2012 Spring includes support for custom actions that can run PowerShell scripts. PowerShell is a modern scripting language in which nearly all Microsoft products can be managed.

Features

Complete Windows Support

The InstallShield name has been well known in installers for Windows desktops for over 20 years but InstallShield also works with servers, web applications and mobile devices:

• Easily create Windows 7 and Vista Logo Certified setups
• Get support for Microsoft’s latest products, including Visual Studio 2010, .NET Framework 4, Internet Explorer 9 and MSBuild
• Expand installations to servers and Web services, including IIS, Oracle, MySQL, SQL Server 2008 R2, and Windows Server 2008 R2
• Target mobile devices with support for Windows Mobile 6.x, Windows Embedded CE 6.x, SQL Server Compact Edition 3.5 SP1, and PalmOS 3.5 and later

Easy to learn

Easily create professional installers for simple or complex products:

• Tailor the look and feel of installation dialogs with the Visual Dialog Editor
• Includes InstallScript, an easy to use programming language that gives you maximum flexibility in your installations
• Maintain a clean build system with the Standalone Build licensing model
• Simple to use patch and upgrade creation, debugging, and build report tools to substantially increase installation quality
• Use the Suite installation development capabilities for bundling multiple products into one installer (Premier edition)
• Use Installation Streaming technology to quickly begin installations and download additional files as required (Premier edition)

Quick to use

InstallShield is a simple, easy-to-use solution to help ensure you meet your deadlines:

• Powerful IDE with dynamic searching, auto completion, wizards, templates and pre-built objects
• Project Assistant walks you through the installation creation process
• InstallShield Best Practices Validation Suite (Premier edition) helps to ensure you avoid potential installation issues
• Collaborate on installation projects across decentralised, distributed teams with InstallShield Collaboration (Premier edition)

App-V Support

InstallShield supports the creation of Microsoft App-V virtual packages for deployment of virtual applications (note: App-V support requires the Virtualization Pack):

• Create conflict-free product evaluations and adopt application virtualisation in your own environment
• InstallShield can simultaneously build an MSI file and an App-V virtual package
• Convert your legacy MSIs to App-V packages in minutes.
• Supports 32-bit and 64-bit App-V packages

And much more...

Editions

InstallShield Express

InstallShield Express is a low cost solution for easily creating Windows MSI installations. The Express edition comes with an easy-to-use Project Assistant to guide you through the MSI creation process which allows anyone to get started straight away. InstallShield Express support Windows 7, IIS 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and more.

InstallShield Professional

InstallShield Professional builds on the simplicity of InstallShield Express with greater support for the latest technologies and advanced features. It represents significant value for money with an expansive feature set.

• More options to customise your installations – including modifying of dialogs, support for managing multiple versions and customising feature sets
• InstallScript support - a simple, but powerful programming language designed purely for creating installations
• A separate, standalone build engine means the build machine can be kept clean of the other InstallShield tools
• Includes 1 standalone build licence.

InstallShield Premier

InstallShield Premier is the most advanced edition of InstallShield. InstallShield Premier comes with all the functionality of the Professional edition along with:

• Installation Suite capabilities - bundle multiple products into one installer, take advantage of an enhanced end user interface, provide Installation Streaming functionality and combine 32-bit and 64-bit applications into a single installation file
• InstallShield Best Practices Validation Suite – if the created installation does not follow best practices, this tool informs of all the errors
• Includes a re-packager that can convert legacy installers into MSI packages
• Includes support for 35 languages
• Try + Die technology allows for creation of trial versions of your product
• MSI tools – MSI Diff, MSI Query, MSI Grep and MSI Sleuth allow to query, check and search the MSI database
• Comprehensive support for IIS - create and manage Web sites, Web apps, virtual directories, Web Service extensions and more
• Includes 5 standalone build licences
• Includes 5 Collaboration DIM Editor licences.

Subscriptions

Maintenance Plans

Silver Maintenance

• Unlimited telephone support requests
• Automatic notification of and access to all product updates (free) and upgrades (chargable for non-maintenance-plan-holders) for maintenance period
• 24x7 access to knowledge base
• 24x7 access to product web communities
• Sample code, sample projects and white papers
• Technical webinars / online product demonstrations
• Unlimited Web-based requests using eService
• A maintenance plan card detailing all benefits and plan specifics.

Gold Maintenance (Not available for InstallShield Express)

In addition to the above, gold maintenance also includes:

• Access to priority support channels for quickest service
• Priority involvement in beta programmes.