1. Flexible, high-performance Windows Installer authoring

InstallAnywhere.NET provides a task-based integrated development environment (IDE) that leverages the full power of Windows Installer (MSI). In addition to all of the functionality you expect from a Windows Installer authoring tool, only InstallAnywhere.NET allows developers to analyze installation logs and troubleshoot problems during MSI package authoring, and provides an early problem-detection system that catches errors before installation packages are deployed. And InstallAnywhere.NET is the ideal choice for installing Window server applications, too.

2. Powerful, task-based integrated development environment (IDE)

InstallAnywhere.NET's task-oriented graphical user interface is:

• Adaptive: Collapse, hide, or rearrange tool windows
• Multi-tasking: Work in several areas at once with a multi-document interface
• Intuitive: Advanced functionality without being intrusive
• Versatile: Includes a visual dialog editoro Helpful: Context-sensitive help for InstallAnywhere.NET and Windows Installer
• Time-saving: Import VB6, C#, C++, VB.NET, and other projects to jump-start the installer build process

3. Optimized for IT and enterprise deployment

Optimized for enterprise software deployment, InstallAnywhere.NET always produces 100 pure Windows Installer setups without using any proprietary scripts or add-ons. So whether you're using Microsoft SMS or a deployment solution from vendors such as Tivoli, Altiris, HP, or Novell, InstallAnywhere.NET installer packages are perfectly compatible without repackaging.

4. Superior support for advanced Windows and .NET applications

InstallAnywhere.NET is optimized for advanced Windows and .NET applications. It allows the .NET Framework to be downloaded and installed on demand if required, registers .NET assemblies in the Global Assembly Cache (GAC), installs web services directly into IIS, performs XSL transformations on .NET configuration files, runs an assembly's embedded installation class, and optimizes .NET assemblies by running the Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler at install time. Only InstallAnywhere.NET has the functionality to handle all of these .NET application deployment requirements.

5. Ideal for installing enterprise client and server applications

InstallAnywhere.NET was specifically designed to build, configure and deploy enterprise-class Windows and .NET applications. InstallAnywhere.NET provides full access to configuration of Microsoft Internet Information Services, Microsoft SQL Server, and virtually any other server configuration including those that use XML configuration files. Whether you are deploying rich client applications, or complex server configurations with multiple software components, InstallAnywhere.NET is the ideal tool for the task.

6. Customizable, extensible build environment and automation

For enterprise software teams with automated production and build environments, InstallAnywhere.NET can be integrated directly into a build process using an extensive COM-based automation interface and command-line build options. InstallAnywhere.NET is the only installer tool to integrate with Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), giving developers unprecedented ability to customize their MSI authoring workflow from inside the IDE.

7. Real-time problem determination and issue resolution

InstallAnywhere.NET utilizes a proactive, real-time validation engine that instantly identifies potential issues and problems during authoring rather than waiting until deployment. The validation engine provides alerts based upon Windows Installer best practices, saving time throughout the installer authoring, quality assurance, and deployment process. InstallAnywhere.NET helps developers troubleshoot installation problems by reading and analyzing the Windows Installer log, reporting summary and detail information, identifying errors and problems, and suggesting recommended resolutions. Really tough issues can be tracked down using the Windows Installer debugger, which allows you to step through an installer and view installer properties and tables as they change throughout the installation process.

8. Built-in localization for 28 languages

With InstallAnywhere.NET, you don't have to purchase additional language packs to build localized installers. InstallAnywhere.NET includes complete installer dialog localization for 28 Western and Eastern languages: Basque, Brazilian Portuguese, Catalan, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Quebecois, Russian, Slovak, Slovenian, Spanish, Swedish, Thai, and Turkish.

9. Built-in and Custom actions

InstallAnywhere.NET lets developers extend installer functionality beyond the capabilities of Windows Installer with the addition of built-in and custom actions. These actions can be inserted into an installer to execute DLLs, launch sub-installers, or run third-party applications or scripts. InstallAnywhere.NET comes with additional built-in actions to execute SQL statements on Microsoft SQL Server databases, post data to a web server, execute .NET installer class, make modifications to text files, and perform XSL transformation on .NET configuration files. Developers can add their own custom actions, or even enter some VBScript or JavaScript directly through the IDE.

10. GUI-based custom dialog editor

Developers can easily create and configure the dialogs displayed to end-users during installation. A suite of tools allows developers to customize existing panels or even create new ones from scratch. In addition, InstallAnywhere.NET allows you to drag-and-drop GUI controls directly onto panels, quickly creating a high quality end-user experience.

11. Fast and flexible options from creation to deployment

Useful for companies with multiple software products, InstallAnywhere.NET provides flexible options for creating and deploying your installers. Developers can use Templates to provide a consistent starting point for installer projects contain everything a regular project includes, such as license agreements, custom graphics and billboards, and even files. InstallAnywhere.NET also provides flexible options for deploying your installer as well, including building standard MSI files, Setup.exe installers, or even setups that stream files from the Internet. InstallAnywhere.NET can also create installers that download and install the MSI runtime and .NET Framework if required.

12. A unique suite of additional tools and utilities

InstallAnywhere.NET comes with additional tools and utilities that save time to help produce perfect Windows Installer packages:

• Visual TargetView editing: a unique TargetView perspective eases the process of installer creation by showing you exactly how your files will appear on the end-user's system.
• MSIEXEC Command Generator: This utility gives you access to every feature and option that the MSI service offers, and produces an MSIEXEC command ready for you to use.
• Table Editor. If you need to customize the MSI databases directly, or you need access to some custom functionality in MSI, the Table Editor lets you open and view every table in a Windows Installer package.
• Debugger. Step through a Windows Installer package and view the tables, temporary tables, and properties as your installer runs.
• Log Analyzer. Turn the complex Windows Installer log files into easy to read HTML with summary information.
• Static Analyzer. Automatically determine the dependencies of your application's EXEs and DLLs, ensuring that you have all the files you need in your installer.
• Visual SourceSafe integration. Automatically check in and check out files and projects directly from Microsoft's Visual SourceSafe.