Scense 5 with Adaptive Installer

Released in June 2008.

The main focus of this release is on eliminating the need for MSI packaging by offering a new, patented technique for managing and delivering MSI's: Scense Adaptive Installer. Adaptive Installer will simplify the delivery of vendor applications packaged with Windows Installer (MSI-Files) resulting in shorter delivery cycles and less distribution costs.

Main New Feature: Real Time Conflict elimination

Adaptive Installer will eliminate all possible conflicts on the desktop real time during installation. Adaptive Installer does not need expensive conflict databases and rogue applications will not harm your business application anymore.

Main New Feature: Automated Pre Configuration

Adaptive Installer captures all settings and features the MSI offers automatically and will use these unattended during deployment. The MSI will be installed on demand by the end user with the features and choices selected by the IT department or application management.

Other New Windows Installer Features

We added a lot of powerfull features to this release to help the administrator with managing and delivering MSI installer in a fast, efficient, safe and user friendly way.

  • A windows Installer Scriptable object. Manage Installers by using your own favorite scripting language (Java and VB-script supported)
  • Support for modifying "Private Properties (MSI).
  • A choice for not installing shortcuts (MSI).
  • A new Scense variable: RebootRequired (MSI).
  • A new Scense condition: Is Product Installed (MSI).

Other New and Improved Scense Functionality

Part of our development time is dedicated to improving the product based on feedback from customers and partners. We implemented a list of new features and changed functionality based on this feedback:

  • A new Scense condition: UserQuestion. Manage your desktop based on real time feedback from the end-user
  • OnDemand script now supports computer groupmembership.
  • Virtual Layer activate now supports the option to run ‘startup tasks’ (SVS).
  • Scripting Action property page does no longer maximize on doubleclick in the code window.
  • Scripting Action property page will ask for confirmation if the user cancels the dialog while the scriptcode has been changed.
  • Several minor GUI enhancements.
  • Nested Group support within Scense Explorer property pages.
  • New defaults: ‘ALLUSERS=1’ and ‘No shortcuts’ (MSI).
  • Printing action now supports variables.

Upgrade Notes

When planning for an upgrade to this release of Scense, please read the notes below. They might have an impact on your project.

  • Scense 5 is backward compatible with Scense 4. This means Scense 4 clients can communicate with the Scense 5 server components.
  • Upgrading from a previous Scense 5 version will require the client software to temporarily run from local cache. Scense advises to keep this period as short as possible.
  • Upgrading will require database modifications, so Scense advises to backup the database before upgrading.
  • The new Adaptive Installer feature requires a new licensed feature in the master license.