Deploying apps across a network

[Michael Kizer]

I'd just like to poll the group here to see what types of strategies and tools you use to deploy your apps (not necessarily just VB apps) across a network. I am mainly interested in any tools you have found that help handle version checking of the desktop apps compared to a master copy in a central location.

The job I just started has an in house written app that you setup on each desktop PC. The user runs this app (a shortcut to this app has a parameter that contains the name of the "real" application they wish to run). The app then compares the version of the "real" app on the desktop to that of a master copy on a server. If the server copy is newer, it is downloaded to the user's PC and then executed, otherwise it just executes the existing app on teh user's PC.

The problem with this in house application launcher program is that it is flakey and not very well written. Before I dive in and try to fix this thing (re-write), I figured I'd do some searching for a commercial app, since I am sure this has been done before. I thought maybe Novell had some of this functionality built in to their NAL product, but I wasn't too sure (also, we may have some non-Novell lans out there to support).

Any pointers would be appreciated.

[Michael Kizer]

OK, I found a couple of tools that you can build into your application to perform a check against a websever for the latest version, and I suppose that one of these might be able to work. Has anyone used any of these?

InstallShield WebUpdate
Bit-Arts Webupdate
Nantronix InternetUpdateControl