When you design your application, you must decide on the installer technology you want to use. You can deliver your application on a flash drive, over the Internet, or over a company intranet.

OpenEdge offers great flexibility for installing your application. You can use:

• The WebClient IntelliStream technology to install front-end components for your application and perform optional system tasks to satisfy basic installation requirements. This can include an ABL procedure to complete installation tasks that IntelliStream could not complete.
• An external installer, such as InstallShield Professional, or technology to create a flash drive for your application installation.

Progress recommends that you provide a Web-based installation, as the typical approach. For users without access to high-speed Internet connections, you can provide a flash drive installation. You should provide all updates over the Web.

When designing your WebClient application delivery method, consider the following recommendations:

• Use IntelliStream technology to install your application over the Internet or an intranet when you want to take advantage of the benefits that it offers. IntelliStream technology can:
  • Initially install only the required front-end components of your application, and then install other components only when a user needs the functionality
  • Optionally install your application from an application server with integrated security
  • Automatically start the application after installation
• Use an external install product to install the application from a Web page when IntelliStream does not support functionality you need to install the application.
• Use an external install product, such as InstallShield, when you want your end users to install the entire application from a flash drive.
• If you need to provide both a flash drive and Web installation for different customers, you can:
  • Use an external install product, such as InstallShield, for flash drive installations, and use IntelliStream for installations over the Internet or an intranet. This design provides the benefits of IntelliStream features to those end users who have fast Internet access.
  • Use an external install product, such as InstallShield, for flash drive installations.