WildFire DSI does not have a Graphical User Interface. So there's nothing we can show you in screenshots.

It uses two files - prekit.kit, and postkit.kit.

The first file contains instructions such as FTPing the files to the server, and sending the kit files along with it.

The second file contains the instructions for what it does with the files - extract, import, putting them where you want them, parsing the config file, running search and replace on the database, etc. All those instructions go there.

It uses a simple system of tags to give instructions. It is actually amazingly simple, as long as you have a code example, you can change the variables to make it do what you want it to do.

Code examples are provided for a variety of different kinds of installs, and if you purchase the Full Version, you get a copy of the Technical Manual which contains a full listing of all advanced tags and functions.

If you have trouble setting something up, we'll help you figure out where to put the command, or how to set it up.

If you just need to install a working version of any kind of dynamic script, then Lighter is sufficient.

Lighter will install ANY script, including WordPress, Joomla, ZenCart, etc. It can parse files (replacing standard tags with variables pulled from Cpanel or WHMCS), FTP, create a database and import the files, and move files within the install. Lighter contains File Permission functions, so installs can be performed on almost any reasonable server configuration. It is also capable of installing multiple installs within a single hosting account (on creation of the hosting account). If you have a limited budget, Lighter is a GREAT place to start with automation.

The Full Version is required for the following tasks:

• Put the client name or email address, or other personal information into the site database.
• Use WHMCS custom fields to obtain special information and insert it into the database.
• Set up a cron job.
• Run an external script, or set up custom variable tags.
• Create an email account or email address forwarder in Cpanel and insert that into the install.
• Use MD5encryption to set individual Admin passwords inside the installed site.
• Run conditional statements during the install.
• Use any other advanced functions.

NOTE: If you use hosting that uses PHPExec, you won't need to set file permissions. Ask us if you need a recommendation for hosting that saves you time and hassle.

The determining factor for choosing Lighter or Full is NOT the complexity of the structure you are installing, rather, the TASKS that need to be performed DURING the actual install process.

Yes.

You can, for example, install ZenCart at the root of the site, and WordPress into a folder named /blog.

It can install more than one database in a single install, and can place site files anywhere you choose.

Our customers come in two categories. Those who ask why it is so expensive, and those who wonder why it is so cheap.

Actually, when you consider what it is, WildFire DSI is a bargain.

1. WildFire DSI is highly specialized software, usable only for a limited market. Webmasters or web hosts, who use WHMCS and Cpanel. It isn't consumer software. It is specialty software. This makes it expensive to develop, and means that a small customer group has to bear the cost of the development - there aren't a lot of buyers to spread it around to.

2. You want WildFire DSI to do your work for you. You want it to install pre-configured sites - a task that would cost you 2-3 hours of time for each site if you had to do it manually. That time represents time that you can charge for. You want this to earn money for you. And it will. In fact, you can make up the cost in 10 installs or less. Most software takes MUCH more time to pay for itself. 

3. Servers are incredibly complex. No two are configured the same. And WildFire DSI does a LOT of things - no two users use it in exactly the same way, or in exactly the same environment. This means that conflicts happen frequently. It is moderately complex software to set up (if you want it to do more than simple installs) - once it is set up, it runs without much in the way of changes or other technical tasks, but setting it up takes some time and effort. So people need support with that. The support burden is fairly high on this software. We can't lower the price without losing so much money that we'd have to quit entirely.

4. Other companies that have developed similar solutions have spent thousands of dollars, and then they have kept it in-house. This kind of utility simply is not available commonly. The companies that have developed it are big ones - little companies usually cannot get their hands on this kind of thing at all. This software allows you to compete with the big guys, and for a comparatively minimal price. You don't have to invest thousands of dollars and a year of coding and testing. You can pay a fraction and walk away with a working solution today.

5. We aren't asking you to pay for this over and over like many software companies do every time they release an upgrade - We give you a lifetime license, with unlimited upgrades, for a single flat rate. So we have to continue to support and improve this software with no additional expectation of return.

To say this is expensive, is to completely miscalculate the value it provides, and to completely misunderstand the dynamics of the software industry.

This isn't expensive. It is a bargain at twice the price.

Not yet.

WildFire DSI can only install on account activation at this time. We are working on additional functions.

It cannot yet install add-on items on demand during the order process.

WildFire DSI can only install items attached to a Product ID, and activated on account creation.

We are working on the ability to install add-on items such as templates or specific plugins for actions other than just account activation. Look for this soon.

Our current workaround for this is to create common packages - a selection of plugins and templates pre-installed into a site structure, and associated with a specific WHMCS product ID.

Setting up your first item is a multi-step process. It can be simple, or complex, depending on what you want WildFire to do. The more you want it to do, the longer it takes to set it up.

Setup is a one time thing - the kit config files only need to be set up once.

1. Install your Master Site. This is a site used for setup only, it MUST NOT be used as a demo site! You use it to control the setup and config of your installed sites.

2. Configure and customize the Master site. You can add extensions or plugins, you can add sample content, brand it, insert replaceable tags into it, etc. You can customize the code if you want.

3. Zip the Master Site files. Remove the configuration file(s).

4. Export the Master Site database.

5. Create your Product in WHMCS. Get the Product ID.

6. Create a folder with the Product ID as the folder name (ie: /16)

7. Put the Master Site files and database into that folder.

8. Select the right sample files from your WildFire files (or ask us to help you set one up if your software is not listed in the WildFire samples). Copy the configuration file(s), and the prekit.kit, and postkit.kit files into your Product ID folder.

9. Change the variables in the prekit.kit file, and the postkit.kit file. 

10. Open the configuration file(s), and make sure that any items that should be customized are done - this is OPTIONAL, and is NOT required. NOTE: We have inserted tags into the things that WildFire will alter - such as file paths, and domain names. But you may want to change some other things, for example, in a Joomla configuration.php file, there are also default sitename, and metatag items that you can put your own defaults into. 

11. Upload WildFire and the Product ID folder to the server.

12. Test in WHMCS to make sure installations are occurring.

13. If you want to add further personalizations to the install, you will need to set up some search and replace commands within the postkit.kit file.

14. If you want to set up more Products which use the same install files, you only need to copy and slightly alter the prekit.kit and postkit.kit files.

15. Repeat the process for any other installer packages.

Once this is set up and going, maintaining it is not at all time consuming. Set it once, and it just goes.

When we release a new version of WildFire DSI, you can login to our billing manager (where you purchased the software), and access the new version files.

Just copy the actionhooks.php file to your includes/hooks folder, and make sure you overwrite the old copy (do NOT save a copy in that folder, it won't work if you do). 

Then copy the kitparser.php, pre_kit.php, and post_kit.php files, plus either the limited_functions.php, or the advanced_functions.php files into the includes/hooks/kits folder.

That's it.

WildFire RARELY requires any kind of change to existing prekit.kit, or postkit.kit files. We try to make sure that upgrades are as simple as possible, and backward compatible whenever possible.

In short, no.

No software can do this, really. Software download links are rarely static - they change with each update. So no installer can install absolutely the latest version.

The closest you can get is to set up your own installs, package them and load them into WildFire, then use Heat to keep your installs updated. This provides the fastest possible turnaround time on new versions of the software you are installing, and keeps new installations as fresh and up to date as possible given today's technology.

You will maintain a "Master Site" which is completely private. This site can be customized, and configured to save you time on site setups, and for automation of personalization of the site.

When a new version of the software that your Master Site is using is updated, you upgrade the Master Site the same as you would if it were a fully operational site. Then zip the site files (remove the configuration files), and export the database,  and load those two packets into the product ID folder in the /kits folder.

That's it. 

We have software in development to automate many parts of this procedure.

We actually get asked this a lot! Is WildFire DSI for real?

Absolutely. It might not work like you are thinking it should work, but it absolutely DOES what it is supposed to do. It is as flexible as we say, and it does what we say it will do.

Once it is set up, it works for you, and is easy to maintain. And you don't have to have a degree in coding to set it up. It does take some learning to understand how to use the power features, but don't worry, if you need help, we'll answer your questions and help you get it going.