Please note – This content was previously posted on the audit9.com site directly and is re-published here as part of the consolidation of 2 blogs.
This post provides an overview of the various environments involved in delivering ISV solutions to the Salesforce AppExchange. As will be obvious to architects working outside of the ISV domain, the ISV environment strategy has some commonality to the non-ISV approach in respect to the development and testing activities but also introduces a further level of complexity and environment roles unique to the AppExchange distribution model.
Primary Org Definitions
Packaging Org
For small-scale, low complexity managed package developments the packaging and development orgs may be combined.
1. Package/Patch Upload
The Packaging Org is where the Managed Package is created and its namespace prefix defined. Package uploads in either Managed Beta or Managed Release state are initiated from this environment.
2. Patch Development Org – PDO
PDO are short-lived orgs created specifically for Patch development. Only certain components can be modified in a PDO. Once ready for distribution a Patch can be uploaded and pushed to Subscriber Orgs.
3. Push Upgrades
Uploaded Major Releases and Patches can be scheduled for push distribution to selected (or all) Subscriber Orgs. Package subscribers have no control over whether to accept pushed changes and as such it is not advisable (unless with tacit agreement) to push changes that impact the end user experience in any material way.
4. Localisation
Translation Workbench based localisation of internationalised resources.
Partner Business Org
A Partner Business Org can be provisioned upon partnership agreement with Salesforce or the same environment roles can be established within an existing production org.
1. Environment Hub
There Environment Hub enables partner orgs to be created for Development, Test and Trialforce usage. Single Sign-on can be implemented across connected orgs. A hub member org can only be connected to one hub at any given point in time. Where Trialforce is being implemented the TMO and Packaging Org must be connected to the same Environment Hub. The Environment Hub can create TSO directly, although bypassing a TMO prevents implementation of custom branding.
2. AppExchange Publishing Org – APO
This org role is for AppExchange management and is where Private and Public Listings and the Publisher Profile are stored.
3. Licence Management Org – LMO
This org role relates to the License Management App, a custom app installed by Salesforce which enables management of Packages, Package Versions, Licenses and Subscriber data resulting from AppExchange interactions. The LMO is also the entry point for Subscriber Org Login Access.
4. Channel Orders Application – COA
This org role relates to the Channel Orders app (also termed the Partner Order app), a custom app installed by Salesforce which supports automation of Service Order submissions (relating to AppExchange sales) to Salesforce.
5. Usage Metrics Reporting
Usage Metrics provides a daily update of statistics relating to Custom Object record counts (snapshot) and Visualforce Page access and performance (summaries) across all production Subscriber Orgs. There is no opt-in required for Package subscribers. The usage data is written to objects that are API accessible only; a visualisation app is available on the AppExchange to provide convenient access. Usage Metrics provide the basis for monitoring usage patterns and proactive customer retention process.
Trialforce Orgs
AppExchange listings can offer customers the ability to trial an app within a new, pre-configured Trial Org (package, data and users). This highly valuable capability is implemented with Trialforce. Trial organisations can also be created directly from Signup forms hosted on an external website or via the API. In addition to offering free trials the Trialforce solution provides a convenient option for the quick creation of pre-configured orgs for QA or demonstration purposes.
1. Trialforce Management Org – TMO
An optional environment used for centralised management of TSO for different packages. TSO can be created directly from the Environment Hub also, however such this direct approach does not support custom branding. The TMO approach does enable custom branding for Login Pages and Email Templates.
2. Trialforce Source Org – TSO
The TSO is where the package is installed (or upgraded) and configured to reflect the trial experience (user profiles, sample data etc.) A snapshot is taken of the Source org state to create a template. Note, TSO expire after a 12 month period unless a partner case is raised to request an extension. TSO are linked to the AppExchange Publishing Console manually, once a link is in place templates are listed on the Trial Templates tab.
3. Trialforce Template.
Templates listed in the Publishing Console can be submitted for Security Review. This reviews takes less time than the Package Security Review. Once approved a template can be connected to an AppExchange listing at which point the link to start a free trial appears on the AppExchange listing.
Note, each time a package is updated the TSO must be upgraded and a new template created, reviewed and connected to the AppExchange listing.
The ISVforce Guide provides further detail on the environments listed in the preceding sections.