ToolCloud works with InstantOn to provide on-demand delivery

The ToolCloud manages the versions and licenses of the tools the organization has purchased from Embarcadero. Those tools can be full installer versions, or InstantOn single-file versions. TheToolCloud also can deliver InstantOn files to an authorized user, anywhere on the network.

InstantOn products run on a local machine, and are launched from either a local hard drive, or from a network server, via the ToolBox (ToolCloud user GUI).

Embarcadero tool licenses and applications are loaded onto the ToolCloud automatically, as set by the ToolCloud administrator. The tool user can use their ToolBox client to gain instant access to the tools they have been provisioned. Here, the ToolCloud can be viewed as a private cloud for managing and delivering tools, inside of one’s firewall.

Why on-demand tools with InstantOn rather than installing them?

There are several benefits to using InstantOn rather than a full installation:

• If multiple versions of tools are needed to support older databases or applications, it takes a lot of extra time to install/uninstall versions. Once a new version is tested and deployed by the IT desktop management team, they may not permit other versions to be re-installed. InstantOn eliminates that challenge and can run older version without application conflicts.
• Uninstalling and installing, if even permitted, can take hours of time for a user or IT team. InstantOn is instant, click and run with no install.
• In larger shops that repackage and distribute software to users’ desktops, InstantOn mitigates the need for this entire process by providing software that will run without any system registry or shared dll conflicts, and with zero installation
• Locked down desktops, which mean the user does not have admin rights, cannot install software. InstantOn tools can run on locked down desktops.
• With InstantOn, the ToolCloud can deliver a tool to any computer on the network and have it run instantly.

Why would users want access to multiple versions of the same tool?

A user may need to support an older database or application that is no longer supported in a latest version of a tool. Also, users are often cautious when upgrading to new versions of software, because of their comfort with the existing version. Side-by-side versioning makes upgrades smoother by giving users the comfort of being able to “rewind” to the prior version until they become accustomed to new user interfaces and features.

Embarcadero products currently with InstantOn versions

As of February 2010, the following products are available as InstantOn applications for Windows only: