Possibility/Method of Side by Side or Installation of Multiple verisons(different) of Blue Prism

Question

Following is the scenario that i am currently facing

• Blue Prism Databases
  • Local (SQLExpress)
  • Database Server on Network

The Production code is on Database server and currently using Blue Prism Version 5. To learn about new features of Blue Prism Version 6.6, I want to use the local database.

But AFAIK, Blue Prism doesn't support side-by-side installations of two different versions.

The laptop I am using is company provided and I have to use the same for Version 6.6.

Is there any way to have side-by-side installations of different versions of Blue Prism on a single machine.

FYI, I cannot use any virtualization tool due to security policies.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

As you allude to, this behavior is likely unsupported by the Blue Prism Limited entity. If there's any unexpected or even destructive behaviors resulting from running two different Blue Prism versions side-by-side, it's likely Blue Prism will not be able to help you.

However, there are legitimate rationales for wanting to run two separate versions side by side - the steps you'll need to take will depend on exactly the scenario you're encountering.

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If you have an older version and need to install a newer version alongside:

1. Download the desired MSI installer from the Blue Prism Portal.

2. Perform the installation normally, except when reaching the "Destination Folder" screen, choose an alternative installation location for the new version.

   Usually, when I do these side-by-side installations, I tack on the version number I'm installing to the end of the "Blue Prism Automate" folder's name (example below):

   

3. Complete the rest of the installation as usual. Once complete, you'll be able to run both versions of Blue Prism simultaneously.

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If you have a newer version and need to install an older version alongside, or the first method doesn't work (slightly more difficult):

1. Download the desired version's MSI installer from the Blue Prism Portal.
2. Acquire a copy of Microsoft's Orca utility (more info), which is available as part of the Windows SDK. You'll need to follow the instructions outlined in this SO answer very closely to get Orca installed.
3. Open Orca and use it to open the Blue Prism MSI you downloaded in Step 1.

4. Navigate to Tables > LaunchCondition and remove the NOT WIX_DOWNGRADE_DETECTED condition.

5. Launch the Blue Prism installer you just modified in Orca and run the installation process normally, except when reaching the "Destination Folder" screen, choose an alternative installation location for the older version.

   Usually, when I do these side-by-side installations, I tack on the version number I'm installing to the end of the "Blue Prism Automate" folder's name (example below):

   

6. Complete the remainder of the setup process normally.