How to trac Download-Install-Execution?

[Guest]

Hi, I use Eqatec for SpreadsheetConverter - an Excel Add-in - and it works fine. It solves one big problem: what issues does my users have, and which functions do they use. However, this is once the installation is successful. However, I do not know anything about the following steps: * 1. Did the users successfully download the installer to his computer? (Or was he prevented by a firewall, warning ...) * 2. Where the user able to start the installer (maybe the necessary windows installer version wasn't there) * 3. Did the user have the necessary prerequisites, for example, was .NET 4.0 installed? * 4. Was the user able to finish the installation process? * 5. Where the user able to start the program? Maybe Excel blocked the addin right-away. * 6. Once the addin is running, did we get exceptions, etc.... As you see, my current usage of Eqatec only solved step 6. -- One possible implementation proposal: What I need * 1. I need to be able to set the installation ID * 2. I need to be able to send activities for that installation ID using http-get (http-post ok, but messier) How I would do it. * I would create a wrapper around my .msi file using a very minimalistic installation program, for example nsis. * I would personalize the download file, for example by renaming it to include the installationid I decide (random number, guid, counter) * When the user click on the download link, I would call Eqatec with https://log.eqatec.com/register.aspx?key=00AEE87037464A588739E6E8E16A1A18&installationid=546354&event=download * When the user click on the executable, probably called ssc6_546354.exe, the first the installer would do is to call https://log.eqatec.com/register.aspx?key=00AEE87037464A588739E6E8E16A1A18&installationid=546354&event=install_started&excel=2010&dotnet=4.0 * The installer would then use your C++ library to get more information about the system like windows version, .net version etc.... for installationid=546354 * The installer would install the .msi file and if successful call https://log.eqatec.com/register.aspx?key=00AEE87037464A588739E6E8E16A1A18&installationid=546354&event=install_succeeded or if it fails, call https://log.eqatec.com/register.aspx?key=00AEE87037464A588739E6E8E16A1A18&installationid=546354&event=install_failed * At the end of the installer, the program would be automatically started (in my case Excel), I would tell eqatec that my installationid is 546354, and I would force a eqatec monitor call immediately. In Eqatec, I would then need a way to see where the users drop off. If 100% makes it through all steps, everything is fine, however, I know that it not true. I think the same idea is valid for all platforms, for example, an android developer needs to know how many of the downloads ever started the program. Comments? What can I already do? Regards, Mattias

[Guest]

Hi Mattias Thanks for your very elaborate question and suggestions. I'll take what you've sent us and we'll have an internal discussion on what we can do to help you. We have no immediate plans for supporting such "loose" http trackings, as there are some internal issues with maintaining this state, but with your scenario we have something a bit more real world to relate to. I'll be updating this post with the results of our discussions. Best regards S?ren EQATEC Team

[Guest]

Hi Mattias Sorry for not getting back to you sooner on this issue. I've raised your issue and your suggestion internally on a couple of our meetings as promised. While it is generally recognized that our solution does not cover your specific situation it hasn't gained enough tracking for prioritization at the moment. So for the time being we are not able to provide you with workarounds or even a time schedule for implementing things that will help you. Sorry... Hope you are otherwise enjoying our service. If you have further questions or suggestions we'd love to hear them Best regards S?ren EQATEC Team