Any way to simplify the deployment of my com add-in to other users

[Sabrina]

Hi,

I have developed a COM add-in solution using C#, .NET framework 1.1. Now I
would like to deploy it to other users. The problem is I have to ask each
user to install .NET framework 1.1, Office PIA, as well as my application set
up. That may confuse some normal users or cause a lot of works for them.

Is there anyway that I can simplify the installation for the users? Or can I
write an installer that combines all the installations in one place? If so, I
need advise on how to do that.

Thanks for anyone's input!

Sabrina

 

[Al Edlund]

As I remember the visio sdk has a tool to build a distribution project, you
might check it out it was pretty good.
al

 

[Sabrina]

Thanks Al. But I could not find the tool...Still quite new to Visio
development, can you give me a more detailed instruction? Thanks again!
Sabrina

 

[Sabrina]

Al,

I found out the solution publishing tool you were talking about from visio
sdk, but I am wondering if it can be used to add the .exe like .NET framework
redistribution package into the installer. I am not adding template or
stencils to my publishing, instead, I want a distribution package with the
..NET framework 1.1 Redistributable Package with the service pack 1, Office
PIAs 2003 Redistributable, as well as my own addin .dll together, without the
trouble of asking the end users to intall the above one by one and in right
order. Do you have any idea of can it work and how it works?

Thanks a lot,
Sabrina

 

[Al Edlund]

well you can always try adding a publishing project to your add-on solution.
That gives you the ability to select what you want to distribute to the
users. I've just begun to use it for a project I'm working on. I'd suggest
that your moving out of the realm of visio and into .net distribution so you
might check over in the office developers and .net forums.
sorry,
al

 

[Michel LAPLANE]

I use InstallShield to deploy my own Addin, Addon, ActiveX solution and it
works quite well. You can include .NET framework installer in your package.
Be aware that for .NET 2.0 the installshield version11.5 must be used. or
global asembly
For the pia just copy the "Microsoft.Office.Interop.Visio.dll" an regasm it
as private or global assembly