Advanced Installer and Patch My PC: A Partnership Built on Excellence
Integrate Third-Party Patch Management in Microsoft ConfigMgr and Intune.
Patch My PC, a leader in patch management solutions, embarked on a journey to find an efficient and user-friendly installer for its Callisto product (now known as Advanced Insights) back in 2017. The original build process utilized a Wix pipeline, which proved to be complex and restrictive, especially in creating a GUI that matched the quality and ease of use of their product.
This case study outlines how Patch My PC transitioned to Advanced Installer, significantly enhancing their product deployment and user experience.
I met a few of your team members at AppManagEvent in Utrecht last year and was chatting with them about our excellent experience with Advanced Installer over the years.
John Quirk
Director of Engineering, Patch My PC
Challenges
Patch My PC's main challenges with their initial setup included:
A cumbersome process with Wix that made creating a user-friendly GUI almost impossible.
Limited features in MasterPackager's free version, which fell short for building web applications.
Complex requirements for SQL database handling and IIS configuration that needed a more robust solution.
The Solution
After evaluating several options, Patch My PC chose Advanced Installer for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive feature set. Advanced Installer provided:
- An intuitive platform that drastically simplified the installer creation process.
- Out-of-the-box solutions for SQL database handling and IIS configurations, covering most of Patch My PC’s complex requirements.
- The capability to create attractive and functional installer experiences, crucial for a tool focused on data presentation and ease of use.
We adopted Advanced Installer after evaluating the usual suspects and have been delighted by it on a few fronts. Firstly, there's a lot of power right there in the interface.
We do a lot of IIS and SQL work in our install, and we can configure 90% of what we want right there in the Advanced Installer front end.
John Quirk
Director of Engineering at Patch My PC, https://patchmypc.com
Implementation
Patch My PC developed custom actions in C# for specific needs, such as certificate selection and validation, to address customer challenges. They built installers for a suite of products using Advanced Installer, ranging from headless, silent installs for client deployment to sophisticated server-based installations with complex prerequisites.
Support and Community
A stand-out feature of the Advanced Installer license is the excellent support via forums and email. We've had multiple calls over the years, including sending in our project files for review or repair.
The service has always been stellar and we appreciate the contribution the Advanced Installer team makes to the community too.
John Quirk
Director of Engineering at Patch My PC
Seeing the practical application of our software in Patch My PC’s development pipeline, especially for complex SQL and IIS configurations, highlights the effectiveness of our product in real-world scenarios.
It motivates us to maintain the high standard of our offering and to keep innovating to meet the evolving needs of software developers and engineers around the globe.
Danut Ghiorghita
Customer Support Lead, Advanced Installer
This access allowed for detailed project file reviews and troubleshooting, ensuring the best possible outcomes for their install routines.
Outcomes
- Enhanced installer appearance and functionality received positive feedback from end-users.
- Streamlined processes and ease of use facilitated a smooth handover of installation routine responsibilities within the team.
- Integration into Patch My PC’s dev pipeline for frequent updates, ensures robust install routines for their auto-update feature.
- Centralization around a new Team License, preparing for expanded use as Patch My PC’s application portfolio grows.
I began my journey with Advanced Installer, creating the original versions of our product installation routine.
I've now handed this off to other people in the team and have found that the intuitive interface makes it much easier to hand over than anything we'd used before.
The wider Patch My PC Team uses Advanced Installer to build our core product, which is automated in our dev pipeline for the very frequent updates we make to that product. The vast majority of our customers choose to auto-update that on release, so the install routine must be robust.
John Quirk
Director of Engineering, Patch My PC
We're cementing our Advanced Installer licensing in the company as we centralize licensing around a new Team License and expect to make even greater use of the product as our portfolio of applications grows.
John Quirk
Director of Engineering, Patch My PC
Future Directions
Patch My PC looks forward to deepening its use of Advanced Installer as it continues to evolve and expand its offerings. The partnership with Advanced Installer is seen as a crucial component in maintaining high-quality, user-friendly installation processes for all Patch My PC products.
Advanced Installer transformed our approach to product deployment, making it simpler, more efficient, and visually appealing. project files for review or repair.
The first interaction our customers have with our products is through the installer, and Advanced Installer ensures it’s a positive one.
Their support has been indispensable, reflecting a deep commitment to their customers and the broader software community.
John Quirk
Director of Engineering at Patch My PC
It's been incredibly rewarding to see how Patch My PC leveraged Advanced Installer to transform their installation processes. of our product in real-world scenarios.
It motivates us to maintain the high standard of our offering and to keep innovating to meet the evolving needs of software developers and engineers around the globe.
It reinforces our commitment to making software deployment as straightforward as possible, regardless of the underlying complexities.
Bogdan Mitrache
VP of Product, Advanced Installer
Conclusion
Patch My PC’s experience with Advanced Installer underscores the importance of choosing the right tools for software deployment. By focusing on ease of use, comprehensive features, and exceptional support, Advanced Installer has helped Patch My PC improve its product offerings and user experience, setting a strong foundation for future growth and innovation.