At the top level,
Overtech maintains a public-facing
web service that maintains customer information and product licenses. This information, as well as product version history and release notes are accessible through Overtech products such as
ContactsLaw. The web service also provides the means to create
digitally-signed distribution packages which are made available to the lower tier.
At the middle tier, a customer's application server runs a management utility that interfaces with the web service. This utility allows customers to customise their products, receive updated software and view their current licenses. It also communicates with a
Windows service that enforces product licensing and provides session management (including peer messaging) to applications at the lower tier. When products are downloaded from the upper tier, they are published to an
intranet site.
At the bottom level, individual client computers can navigate to their company's intranet site to install products. Since ClickOnce technology is in use, software updates are automatically managed and reinstallation/repair is greatly simplified. Additionally, products may include DDM client components, which take advantage of the network services provided (as well as further enforcing licensing rules, such as concurrent usage).
The DDM is a highly-scalable system that will be used to deploy all current and future Overtech software products.
Components