SparkleFlow for AdminStudio

On this page, we will mainly highlight the differences between the various versions of SparkleFlow. For a description of the main functions of SparkleFlow please check out the Learn More section of this website or download the User Guide.

If you have ever set up a Workflow within AdminStudio, you know that it takes a lot of time and efforts. With SparkleFlow you get a ready-to-use workbench, and more. The implementation of a workflow within AdminStudio is merely a fraction of the set of functionalities of SparkleFlow.

With Discovery, Package, Test and Deploy as phases of the software-packaging project, the major differences in each of the individual SparkleFlow products can be found in the Package phase. This is the part of SparkleFlow where most interaction with the packaging applications takes place. As with all other software packaging applications, SparkleFlow offers a seamless integration with AdminStudio. With AdminStudio, SparkleFlow acts as a full workflow replacement. It can do all things a workflow can do, but SparkleFlow does it much better. Packaging steps are pre-programmed: with just a simple click, AdminStudio is started with all necessary parameters to do the job it is required to do. Whether you want to make a snapshot, a new ISM, a transform file, edit a ISM or MST project, change the command line, validate your project or check your conflict management, it's all just a click away. You want to reject the project and have it re-discovered? Would you like to add comments and a screenshot illustrating why a certain decision is made? It’s all just a click away. 

Let's take a closer look at the options that SparkleFlow offers when packaging with AdminStudio:

	Create a snapshot SparkleFlow starts the repackager of AdminStudio. As a target, SparkleFlow automatically selects the projectname given to this application in SparkleFlow. The source is selected from the media directory where the source has been copied to during the Discovery of this project. On completion of the snapshot a copy of the ISM is made for fallback scenarios. The user returns to SparkleFlow. SparkleFlow also tells AdminStudio to place a copy of all files in the package relative to the projectfile (ISM) in the SparkleFlow folder structure. This way you can always compile a new package without installing the application.
	Create a Transform file After checking if this project already exists, SparkleFlow starts the AdminStudio Editor. As a target, SparkleFlow automatically selects the project name and directory structure given to this application in SparkleFlow.
	Create a new ISM After checking if this project already exists, SparkleFlow starts the AdminStudio Editor. As a target, SparkleFlow automatically selects the project name and directory structure given to this application in SparkleFlow. If after creation the ISM is compiled, SparkleFlow will move the MSI to its appropriate directory.
	Edit an existing ISM or MST According to selections made in SparkleFlow, either an existing ISM or MST is edited. The Wise Installer Editor opens with the selected ISM or MST and changes are saved in the appropriate directory. Naturally, SparkleFlow checks if the project exists, moves compiled MSIs to the correct directory and checks if the originally captured ISM or created MST has its backup copy.
	Edit the command line Every now and then the installation command line of a package needs to be modified, for instance when using properties which you want to send to the MSI packages at run-time. SparkleFlow offers you the option to do this from within the application using a CMD file. Testing and Deployment will use the same command line preventing missing properties or other command line arguments.
	Conflict management SparkleFlow can start the conflict solver of AdminStudio to perform conflict management. You can upload all your MSI packages in one action from the application manager. This way all actions are recorded and accessible from SparkleFlow.

Would you like to learn more? Go to the Support section and download the manual. Why not get the free 100 days evaluation version as well and see for yourself how powerful this software really is! If you need additional information, we are happy to answer all your questions. Feel free to contact us.