Adobe AIR supports enterprise deployment. There, I've said it. We've had a bit of trouble getting this message out, so I wanted to be clear about this right up front.
Now, before anyone jumps all over me for this one, I'm also sure we could do a better job of supporting enterprise deployment. If you've deployed AIR in an enterprise setting and have thoughts on what we could do better, please send them our way.
If you aren't familiar with AIR's enterprise support—and, as I said, you're probably not—here's what you can do now, in AIR 1.0:
- You can deploy AIR and AIR-based applications via enterprise deployment tools like Microsoft SMS and IBM Tivoli,
- You can disable auto-update of both AIR and AIR-based applications, and
- You can configure which applications, if any, AIR will permit to be installed.
I'll dive into more detail on some of these items in future posts, but there's one more thing I want to cover now. If you want to deploy AIR in an enterprise setting from a centralized server of some sort, instead of deploying it from Adobe's download servers, then you're redistributing AIR. We typically allow this, but you do have to sign a redistribution license in order to be granted the necessary rights. See the redistribution site for further information.
Oh, and feel free to spread the word!
Could you provide a link for "You can deploy AIR and AIR-based applications via enterprise deployment tools like Microsoft SMS and IBM Tivoli,"
Thanks!
Hi Oliver,
This is just what I needed, but on the redistribution site, it says that MS SMS isn't supported.
This leads me to a two questions: Is there any place where I can find more information on this, so that I can refer my client to it?
And who needs to get the agreement, us the developers or the client, since they'll be the ones distributing it.
TIA.
Pedro.
@Marc: For now, the best link is the redistribution site linked to by the post. We're working on making more information available.
@Pedro: If your client is doing the distribution then they need to sign the agreement. The SMS option is available; email the address at the bottom of the distribution page for details. We're working on simplifying that.
Thx :)
Thanks Oliver,
The redistribution page was more of an "you're allowed to do it" page. I was hoping for a "How to do it" guide.
I can't wait to read more of that additional info you mentioned.
Hey Oliver,
I just tried getting an agreement for usage with SHU and got denied, plain and simple. Are there any other routes I can take?
Thx.
@Pedro: You didn't get approved because using Shu violates the terms of the redistribution license you were agreeing to. If you want an approval, you need to understand and follow the terms of the agreement.
I understand that, but on the page clearly states that if that license doesn't apply to my needs I should ask, but Adobe seems too 'corporate' in this matter, using a no-reply e-mail, with auto-generated messages, and little information if we, or out client, could apply for a another license.
And since Adobe took the stance of denying us to use SHU JUST for the testing phase (due to having to bypass the IT Dept.) we'll have to move away from AIR in the future towards ZINC. This is clearly not what I expect from Adobe.
@Pedro: My apologies if your reply seemed impersonal; I assure you it was reviewed by an actual person. I recommend you re-apply and describe the issue with your IT dept. We're not going to approve use of Shu, but we'd be happy to work with you to try and find a suitable solution.
@Pedro: You can email license-air@adobe.com to describe the problem you are having with your IT team and AIR distribution.
Well my problem was a time frame, I can't get AIR installed in the machines in less than a month, hence our need to use Zinc, which we did, and now to port it all back to AIR for the final version.
That was the best I could manage from Adobe, really what's wrong with using SHU for testing purpouses?
Do you have any further information on the process for deploying AIR applications silently? I haven't been able to find any documentation on how to use this new feature.
Documentation on silent installs is made available when you sign up to redistribute AIR, which if course you need to do to use the silent install. See the redistribution site linked from the main entry.
A simple question which I haven't found the answer using Google. How much RAM can an Air Application use?
[As much as the operating system is willing to give it. Unlike Java, AIR does not impose any particular limits of its own. —Oliver]