InstallBuilder

BitRock InstallBuilder is a development tool for building cross-platform installers for desktop and server software. With InstallBuilder, you can quickly create dynamic, professional installers for Linux, Windows, Mac OS X, Solaris and other platforms from a single project file and build environment. In addition to installers, InstallBuilder will generate RPM and Debian packages and multiplatform CDs/DVDs. Automatic update functionality makes it easy to deliver updates directly to users once they have your software installed.

InstallBuilder's key features are:

  • Multi-platform (cross platform) installer
  • More convenient for your customers: no external dependencies during installation (no pre-requisite!)
  • more convenient to develop and maintain software: you need one host and one project file only to build it for any supported platforms
  • Fast builds and fast runtimes
  • Low Pricing (starts at $995) and high-quality technical support. Click to get a quote

Benefits

  • Create all your installers from a single build environment
  • Reducing development costs by avoiding the need to support multiple technologies
  • Much easier than creating a RPM distribution from scratch
  • Keep users running the latest version of your software
  • Developer-friendly

Features

Bitrock InstallBuilder is a powerful but easy to use tool for building crossplatform installers with a native look and feel on all supported platforms. Unlike Java-based installers, it does not require a Java(tm) runtime, so generated installers are significantly smaller than those created with Java-based tools. InstallBuilder also offers two types of compression (zip and lzma) to further reduce the size of generated installers. In addition, InstallBuilder installers do not require a self-extraction step, so installers are faster and require less memory than those created with other tools.

Create Multiplatform Installers and Native Packages

  • Multiplatform Support: InstallBuilder installers are native binaries that can run on Windows ME, 2000, XP, 2003, 2008, Vista, 7, 8, Mac OS X, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Solaris (Intel & Sparc), AIX, HP-UX, IRIX, and Linux (Intel x86/x64, Itanium, s390 & PPC)
  • RPM Integration: BitRock installers can register your software with the RPM package database, combining ease of use with the powerful RPM package management system
  • Crossplatform Build Support: The installer builder tool can run on Windows, Mac OS X, Solaris, HP-UX, AIX, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, IRIX, and Linux (Intel x86/x64, Itanium, s390, PPC) and generate installers for all target platforms from a single project file. Create all your installers from a single build environment!

Reduce Development Time

  • Easy to Use: InstallBuilder includes an easy to learn, easy to use GUI development environment. Design, build and test installers with the click of a button
  • Time Saving Functionality: For advanced users, a friendly XML project format supports source control integration, collaborative development and customizing projects both by hand and using external scripts. A command line interface allows you to automate and integrate the building process. QuickBuild functionality allows you to update installers in a few seconds, without having to repack the entire application
  • Built-in Actions: Built-in actions make it easy to implement commonly required installation functionality in a crossplatform manner. Add actions to your installer for autodetecting a Java® Runtime, changing file permissions and ownership, substituting text in a file, adding environment variables, adding directories to the path, creating symbolic links, changing the Windows registry, launching external scripts and so on in just a few clicks
  • Debugger: A built-in debugger makes it easy to identify and correct issues during the development process. It allows viewing and interactively editing installer variables at runtime, provides step-by-step execution to test that specific parts of the installer are functioning properly, allows recovering from unexpected errors during the installation process and more

Keep Users Running the Latest Version of your Software

  • Auto-Update Functionality: InstallBuilder includes an automatic update feature that enables you to deliver updates directly to your users. By providing regular updates to users, you'll keep them running your best available version, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and reduced support costs

Produce Smaller, Faster Installers

  • Optimized: BitRock installers are optimized in size and speed and do not require a self-extraction step. This reduces download, startup and installation time. Built-in LZMA support provides great compression ratios to further reduce the size of installers
  • Downloadable Components: Rather than bundling all available components in installers, make them downloadable so they are only downloaded during the installation process if the user has selected to install them
  • No External Dependencies: BitRock multiplatform installers are single-file, self-contained, native executables with no external dependencies and minimal overhead. Unlike competing products, all BitRock installers are truly native code and do not require bundling a Java Runtime Environment

Deploy in Any Environment

  • Multiple Installation Modes: BitRock installers provide: several GUI modes with native look-and-feel for installation in a variety of desktop environments, a text-based installation mode for console-based and remote installations, and a silent/unattended install mode which can be used for integration in shell scripts for automated deployment
  • Language and Platform Independent: BitRock installers can install applications written in any language, including: Java, PHP, Perl, Python, Ruby, C/C++ and .NET/Mono
  • Support for Java Launchers: BitRock installers can create Java launchers, which are binaries that allow running Java-based applications as if they were native. They work by locating an installed JRE in the target machine or using one provided to launch a Java application with the right options

Offer Native Integration on All Platforms

  • Desktop Integration: BitRock installers provide native look and feel and desktop integration for Windows, KDE and Gnome
  • RPM and DEB generation: In addition to creating native executables that can register with the RPM subsystem, InstallBuilder can generate RPM and Debian packages that can be installed using native package management tools.

Provide a Reliable, Professional Installation Experience

  • Include Your Branding: Present a professional image by re-branding InstallBuilder with your own graphics and custom screens
  • Component and Sub-component Support: Robust component functionality allows you to offer a choice of components and sub-components for users to install. Built-in logic will automatically grey out sub-components if the parent is deselected. Support for downloadable components means that users only download the components they need
  • Advanced Configuration Options: Ask the user for multiple inputs on one screen to streamline the installation process
  • Rollback Functionality: By default, BitRock installers perform a backup of all the files overwritten during installation, so if an error occurs, the system can be automatically recovered to its previous state
  • Uninstall Functionality: An uninstall program is created as part of every installation, allowing users to easily uninstall the software. As with the installer, it can be run in a variety of modes. On Windows, uninstall functionality can also be accessed from the Add/Remove Programs entry in the Control Panel
  • Multiple Language Support: BitRock installers support a variety of installation languages, including English, German, Japanese, Spanish, Italian, French, Portuguese, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Arabic, Korean, Hebrew, Greek, Dutch, Polish, Valencian, Catalan, Estonian, Slovenian, Romanian, Hungarian, Russian and Welsh. You can specify a default language or let the user decide
  • Support for Qt® GUI Frontend: The InstallBuilder for Qt family of products provides a new GUI installation mode using the Qt crossplatform toolkit, enhancing the end-user experience
  • Dynamic Parameter Support
  • Expanded Documentation

How We Can Help You

ALMtoolbox company is an authorised partner of BitRock InstallBuilder. We have experts in installers (including InstallBuilder, InstallShield and Inno Setup); source control; issue tracking and continuous integration methodologies and tools.
We can help you with the following:
  • Run a proof of concept \technology (POC) for you
  • Plan and apply a migration from InstallShield, Inno Setup or other installers
  • Maintain scripts
  • Apply an installer as part of Continuous Integration \ Deployment (CI\CD) processes
  • Integrate installer with CI tools (e.g. Jenkins \ GitLab CI) and source control tools (e.g. Git \ GitLab \ ClearCase \ Perforce)
  • Training
  • We can help you with purchasing and managing licenses
Contact us for any technical or sales questions: installers@almtoolbox.com or call us: +972-722-405-222

InstallBuilder .vs. InstallAnywhere

Bitrock InstallBuilder is a powerful but easy to use tool for building crossplatform installers with a native look and feel on all supported platforms. Unlike Java-based installers, it does not require a Java(tm) runtime, so generated installers are significantly smaller than those created with Java-based tools. InstallBuilder also offers two types of compression (zip and lzma) to further reduce the size of generated installers. In addition, InstallBuilder installers do not require a self-extraction step, so installers are faster and require less memory than those created with other tools. A more detailed technical comparison is provided in the chart below.

From a customer support perspective, the feedback received from former customers of competitors is that InstallBuilder is easier to learn and use and InstallBuilder's support is faster and more responsive to customer issues. BitRock provides fast, friendly technical support and we believe it sets us apart from the competition.

InstallBuilder's pricing and licensing flexibility also sets it apart from the competition. InstallBuilder is licensed on a per developer basis. Unlike InstallAnywhere, InstallBuilder licenses are not node-locked. That means that a licensed developer can install InstallBuilder on as many machines as necessary for development and testing purposes. InstallBuilder licenses also include one year of access to new releases and email support, so you don't need to purchase those separately as you do with many other solutions.
Feature       InstallAnywhere® Premier InstallBuilder Enterprise
Windows, OS X, Linux (x86 and x64) Support
Includes automated update capabilities Must purchase separately
Supports platform specific install destinations -
Does not require self extraction step -
No external dependencies -
Installer Overhead Approx. 15 MB: 1.7 MB + JRE 1.2-1.5MB
LZMA support (up to 30% installer size reduction) -
Integration with RPM database Partial
RPM package generation -
Debian package generation -
Installers can be delivered over the Web
Display message dialogs during installation
JRE autodetection
Automatic rollback
Pre/Post installation scripts
Rule-based installer actions for changing permissions, substituting values in files, etc.
Silent Installations
Run installations from a response file
Windows Registry manipulation
INI file manipulation
Platforms
Windows (10, 8, 7, 2012, 2008, Vista, 2003, XP, 2000, Me)
UNIX Platforms (Linux x86/PPC/Itanium/s390, Solaris Sparc/x86, FreeBSD, AIX, HP-UX, IRIX)
Mac OS X (Intel and PPC)
IDE Features
Native look and feel across all platforms -
Built-in Debugger -
Single XML project file for all installers
IDE runs on multiple platforms
Quick build functionality
Command line build tools
Add advanced functionality without writing custom code -
Group Development Features
Human-friendly XML project file -
Supports relative paths, allowing a single project file to be easily moved to multiple systems
Automatically includes files in installer from Manifest files
Easily integrates with existing build systems, including Ant
Support
Get Updates
Email Support
Enterprise Pricing $5,759 $2,995
Get a Quote
Contact us: installers@almtoolbox.com or call us: +972-722-405-222

Testimonials

InstallBuiler is used by companies and governments all over the world in a diverse group of industries and applications.
Read the testimonials below to hear what some customers have to say:

The BitRock installer has cut our build/test capital needs by 75%. The overhead in build/packaging for a dozen platforms is trivial. I now type in a command and I get installers that work on all the platforms I need to support. BitRock's installer was a lifesaver, dramatically cutting down our build/release times."

Erik Swan, Chief Technical Splunker, Splunk

Alfresco is the recognized leader in Open Source Enterprise Content Management. Our focus on Simple Open Source - SOS - enables customers to achieve the full potential cost savings by making it simple to install, simple to use and simple to scale out an entire stack comprised of multiple open source software components. BitRock is a key partner for us in this initiative reducing installation-related time, support and cost for the whole ECM stack."

Paul Holmes-Higgin, VP of Engineering, Alfresco Software Inc.

InstallBuilder's comprehensive cross-platform support has proven invaluable to us, giving our customers a consistent installation experience no matter what operating system they run on as well as reducing our development costs by avoiding the need to support multiple technologies. BitRock's excellent technical support team are the icing on the cake, helping us out quickly and efficiently whenever we need a hand."

Dave Page, Senior Software Architect, Enterprise DB

As the world's most popular open source database, MySQL has a diverse customer base that requires support for a wide range of operating systems and architectures. BitRock's expertise in packaging software to make it easy to install in virtually any environment made it the perfect fit for MySQL's requirements. Working with BitRock allows us to provide our users with a fast, easy installation process while at the same time reducing our support costs."

Rob Young, Senior Product Manager MySQL Network, MySQL Inc

We were looking for easy to use installation software to support our products on Linux. We tried a couple well known commercial alternatives, but BitRock was easier and more cost effective than it's competitors and it was a heck of a lot easier than creating an RPM distribution from scratch."

Brian Munshaw, V.P. Software Development, NuDesign

InstallBuilder has helped us to provide Openbravo in an easy to install package, virtually eliminating implementation barriers. The automated installation process reduces installation-related support requests and costs."

Ismael Ciordia, Chief Technology Officer, Openbravo

We use Installbuilder to package our applications, improve and simplify the deployment of our tools, targeting an important range of platforms from Linux to Windows and MacOSX. Bitrock team has proven very helpful and the quality of their support has been a key element in our choice."

Mickael Remond, President, Process-One