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InstallAware Launches WiXAware, the First (and only) IDE for Microsoft WiX.
InstallAware is first to market with a tool targeting MicrosoftÂ's open source WiXplatform, for building Windows Installer (MSI) software installers.
San Francisco, CA, December 4, 2006 Â InstallAware Software Corporation has launchedWiXAware, the first and only commercial IDE for building software installers basedon MicrosoftÂ's WiX (Windows Installer XML) technology. WiX is known as beingMicrosoftÂ's first open source project, and contains a command line compiler andlinker for parsing XML source files and building Windows Installer setup packages.Internal Microsoft teams use WiX to build world-class installers, such as theMicrosoft Office installer. However, the native WiX toolkit as maintained byMicrosoft and the open source community is purely command line, which can make itdifficult to work with. Until today, there was no industry-strength IDE for WiX.
 Our customers demanded a simpler way to work with WiX projects, and we delivered, says Agustin Berge, Director of Development at InstallAware.  Formerly industryleading brands like InstallShield or Wise have yet to release a WiX tool, despitethe overwhelming demand for a WiX IDE. We have beaten both these companies to marketwith our WiXAware tool, the first commercial-grade IDE that makes using WiX secondnature.Â
The WiXAware IDE features two main views. The first of these is an XML editor, fullwith modern conveniences such as code completion, code folding, syntax highlighting,multi level undo/redo, and intelligent tool tips. This dedicated XML editor enhancesproductivity by recognizing all WiX language elements, suggesting andauto-completing WiX tags, and accelerating the coding cycle.
The second view of the WiXAware IDE is called the design view, and parses theunderlying XML project into a completely visual presentation. Similar to programminglanguages like Visual Basic and C#, where applications are rapidly prototyped usingdrag-drop controls on visual design surfaces, WiXAware lets developers use any ofthe 23 pre-built design views to generate XML code. Software installer settings suchas files to install, shortcuts to create, and so on can be designed visually, withthe WiXAware IDE automatically generating the underlying XML source code for WiX.Any existing WiX XML source code file may be opened in the WiXAware IDE, andinspected/updated visually.
The developer has complete freedom in switching between these two main IDE views,and both the designers and the XML source code are always kept in sync.  WiXAware isthe only IDE to offer visual dialog editing for WiX at this time, adds Berge.  Thiscomplex task is made much easier by using our visual form editor, which of courseemits the necessary WiX code automatically in the background. Our IDE also featuresother helpful tools and wizards, such as a Custom Action wizard. Another inherentlydifficult Windows Installer challenge is solved using our step-by-step Custom Actionwizard, which again produces the correct WiX XML code seamlessly.Â
 In keeping with the InstallAware tradition, we are once again launching adisruptive innovation, says Simon King, CEO of InstallAware Software Corporation. When we first released InstallAware in 2004, it was unmatched in its features likepartial web deployment, MSIcode scripting for Windows Installer, and 50% bettercompression. While our competition has yet to respond to these innovationsintroduced almost three years ago, we are taking our offerings to the next level,and offering a brand-new IDE for WiX. Now developers will be able to use the sametechnology that Microsoft uses to build their own software installers internally.Â
WiXAware is available today for immediate online ordering, priced at $499 for newusers, and at $349 for users upgrading from InstallShield or Wise tools. A 30 daytime limited trial and more information is available at www.wixaware.com.
About InstallAware Software Corporation
InstallAware Software Corporation, founded in 2003 by InstallShield alumni, is asoftware development company focused solely on state of the art softwareinstallation tools which offer the highest compression ratios and bullet-proofinstallations. The company produces software installation and compressiontechnologies for the Windows Installer (MSI) platform on the Microsoft WindowsOperating System. InstallAware is supported by thousands of users worldwide, and isa Borland Technology Partner. For more information, visit www.installaware.com.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Candice JonesInstallAware Software CorporationWeb: www.installaware.comEmail: candicej@installaware.comPhon e: 415 839 5017Fax: 415 358 4094
InstallShield is a registered trademark and/or service mark of MacrovisionCorporation and/or Macrovision Europe Ltd. in the United States and/or othercountries.Wise is a registered trademark and/or service mark of Altiris Corporation in theUnited States and/or other countries.
