Software Deployment

Admin Studio has lots of options as mentioned in the below link

http://www.flexerasoftware.com/products/adminstudio/features.htm

Have you tried Advanced Installer..

http://www.advancedinstaller.com/

There is also MSI Studio from ScriptLogic: http://www.itninja.com/link/desktop-authority-msi-studio-product-page

Quest Software's MSI Studio http://www.quest.com/msi-studio/ is an alternative to Wise and AdminStudio. It also comes bundled with their application compatibility tool ChangeBASE http://www.quest.com/changebase/.

(full disclosure, i'm on the product team. PM me on Twitter @joshoward for more info)

There is also the Packaging Robot: http://www.packagingrobot.com/Default.aspx?tabid=54

There is also ITNinja's free "AppDeploy Repackager": http://www.itninja.com/blog/view/the-appdeploy-repackager

I could argue about Wise being King, worked with a number of people that were hobbled by Wises auto-magical work-arounds instead of updating their app properly the last few years.  Though that is a fault of everytool out there and people that simply do not want to learn the finer and proper details of windows installer logic.

Do a installshield/AdminStudio vs... goole search, lots of posts and ideas.  Here is one: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2480990/installaware-vs-installshield-vs-other

Personally I am biased since I have used AdminStudio/Installshield for years.

If I were to guess, each has their quircks and pit falls, you just have to try them out and find one that meets your needs and dev style.

NOTHING replaces knowledge of Windows Installer technology though, no matter which tool you use.

AdminStudio does have a ton a helpful tools, like log analysers (very useful, color coding etc), msi diff and automated testing, depends on the version you get.  I generally perform manual testing, though am seriously looking into taking advantage of more of the tools to offer.

Though there are many options as mentioned. It ultimately boils down to the point what your needs are with the tool. If you just have to make some minor modifications, ORCA can also do it. If you have to repackage just 5 to 6 apps in an year then any of the above mentioned tools will do. If you want complex architectures and App-V, ThinApp ACT capability with packaging tool and an option to create Setup.exe for your MSI, then Admin Studio is the one in which you should invest.  I have been Using Admin Studio for a few years now after using WISE for 6 years and I have no doubt it is a lot lot better than WISE in terms of flexibility.

Another alternative to Wise Package Studio and Admin Studio is PACE - Packaging Acceleration Center. PACE consists of 5 products for application packaging:

• Automated Packaging Self Service

  Innovative packaging self-service that provides smart application packaging (MST, MST, App-V), testing and documentation

• MSI Generator

  Create MSI packages in as little as 10 clicks!

• MSI Editor

  Quickly edit and manage MSI packages.

• App-V Generator

  Create, edit, and manage App-V sequences.

• Docu Generator

  Simple and fast tool for creating instructions.

AdminStudio is and likely always will be my choice. I have used NSIS in a pinch, but it's not as feature rich as the big boy toys of course.

EMCO MSI Package Builder doesn't use before&after snapshots to detect changes, it uses the Live Monitoring technology that can associate changes with processes. It's useful to filter our unwanted changes. More info: http://emcosoftware.com/msi-package-builder/convert-exe-to-msi. Video tour: http://emcosoftware.com/msi-package-builder/video-tour.