Questions about app distribution and updates

[StormbringerX]

Hi all.

We are almost ready to begin deployment of our VB6 application to a beta site and one of the final hurdles is this:

All of our clients are offsite. We are trying to determine the best way to handle our program updates/fixes. Currently, each client PC at the site will have a copy of our software installed. (The beta site consists of approximately 40 networked PCs and a single server)

It seems our two options are this: Store the app on the server and let each user load its own version into memory. In this way we only have to update the server machine and all PC's would reflect the change fairly quickly. I don't particularly like this method since any corruption to the app would take all the client PC's down with it.

Our other option would be to have the software on the client PC check the server for an updated version of the software and, once found, it would install the newer version to the client PC. I tend to like this method better, BUT I'm having trouble locating software that handles this.

Any input on this would be greatly appreciated. I am very curious as to how others are handling the issue of updating app software on client PCs.

Thanks so much
Dave

 

[paulbent]

Have a look at True Update by Indigo Rose. Haven't used it myself (no need) but I use their packaging tool, Setup Factory and it's very good.

http://www.indigorose.com

Paul Bent
Northwind IT Systems

http://www.northwindit.co.uk

 

[StormbringerX]

Thanks Paul, I'll check it out....

Dave