Easier way of updating software?

[BrentHedden]

My company's flagship product needs constant client updating. In better words, there are 7 core database files (that rarely change), and several hundred "modual" files (these modual depend on the core files). Each client has all of the core files, but a different amount of the modual files, depending on thier needs. I get at least one request a day "this client need this modual", or we've completed a new modual, and now needs to be distributed to the client(s) that ordered it.

How we're sending out these updates/orders currently is this - I'll modify a "Main Menu" file (copied from the Client's last update) to include a script-run button to open the new modual (file), and then ZIP up the modual and the Main Menu. I will then FTP the ZIP file to our website and send out an email to the client that the update is ready. Client then stops the software, downloads the ZIP file, and then extracts the files to their installation directory, then starts the software again. Most of the updates are done this way, with very few exceptions. One problem is that I have no idea of knowing what directory the software is installed in, although the initial installation uses a default directory, a client may want to move it then or at a later time.

This ZIP concept works, but I'm sure there is a much better and automatic way (for the client) of doing this. I like the way Microsoft handles their Windows updates from their website, and thought of doing something to that effect. ANY different way has GOT to be better then how I'm doing it now.

If you've got any suggestions for me on how to handle these updates in a more automatic way, I'm all ears. Currently, our software is built in FM6. I'm re-writing it in FM7, but it'll probably be a year before it's released. Even if you can suggest a book or resource or two, it'll certainly be in the right direction.

[transpower]

Purchase WinZip Self-Extractor. Use this to create an executable file (.exe) of your zipped files, which your clients can then run, without unzipping.