User Guide

35
Using the Enterprise Edition
! Merge modules ensure that developers always access approved versions of merge
modules by storing merge modules in a central location, or by using merge modules
that are in the Software Manager database.
! Validation modules (.CUB files) simplify the quality assurance process by ensuring
every installation passes the same validation tests.
! Reports let you share customized report menus and custom reports.
Sharing installation resources is accomplished through the share point directory, the
Software Manager database, and the Software Manager tool.
! The share point directory is typically installed on a shared network drive. Use the
share point directory to store resources, such as templates, dialogs, and themes,
used to create installations as well as the source files used in the application itself.
The share point directory can also contain information about applications that are
waiting to be imported into the Software Manager database and the source files used
by those applications. See About the Share Point Directory on page 35 and Where
are Installation Resources Stored? on page 32.
! The Software Manager database contains information about every resource used by
every application your organization develops. This lets developers see what
resources are used by other applications and select source files from the Wise
Software Repository, to ensure that they use the correct versions of file resources in
applications they develop. Geographically dispersed development teams can
maintain multiple Software Manager databases and use a publish/subscribe model to
pass information between repositories. See About the Wise Software Repository in
the Software Manager Help, and How Source Files Are Indexed on page 36.
! Software Manager lets you manage the information in the Software Manager
database. Use it to import applications into the database, subscribe to applications in
other Software Manager databases, and view information about the resources used
by applications in the database.
In addition to importing Windows Installer installations and merge modules,
Software Manager can import other installation formats such as WiseScripts, SMS
Installer files, InstallShield® Developer executables, and any other installation
format. This lets you import legacy installations without converting them to Windows
Installer format.
See Software Manager Basics in the Software Manager Help.
Also see Sharing the Software Manager Database With Wise Package Studio in the
Software Manager Help.
About the Share Point Directory
" Enterprise Edition only.
During the Wise for Windows Installer installation, you specify a share point directory.
The default directory name is Wise Share Point, however, you can change the name at
installation time.
For recommendations on where to locate the share point directory, see Choosing the
Location for the Share Point Directory in the Wise for Windows Installer Getting Started
Guide. You can change the share point directory in Wise Options. See Setting Repository
Options on page 54.
The Software Manager database is associated with a specific share point directory. When
you change the default share point directory, you also change the default database.