Using AppsAnywhere

AppsAnywhere is an app store style software delivery platform available for active students, staff, and faculty. AppsAnywhere is already installed and available in the Windows open computer labs and is available to install on university and personal Windows computers.

AppsAnywhere utilizes app streaming via CloudPaging software to quickly deliver applications over the network. AppsAnywhere maintains software availability without allocating system resources for software applications you don't need. It also allows Michigan Tech IT to efficiently update programs. For more information on AppsAnywhere, check out the Software 2 website. Refer to the Numecent website for technical information on CloudPaging.

Available software

You will see software as Available or Unavailable when you open AppsAnywhere. The applications available to you are determined by factors such as department, enrolled courses, if the device is owned by Michigan Tech or is a personal device, or whether the device is on or off campus.

  • Personally-owned or MTU-owned device
  • VPN connection to access campus license server from off campus
  • On campus or off campus location, even if connected to VPN
  • University affiliation, such as student, staff, or faculty
  • University group membership or course enrollment
  • Fully-managed or minimally-managed device
  • Licensing restrictions, such as open computing labs only, certain departmental labs, or certain devices

Windows open computer labs

  1. Log in to one of the designated AppsAnywhere computers in the Windows open computer labs.
  2. Chrome will launch automatically and present a list of available software you personally have access to.
  3. Select Launch to open the applications you'd like to use.
  4. They will download and open using the CloudPaging player.
  5. When you are finished using the applications, close Chrome, then select the Logoff button located on your desktop to properly close the applications.

Please note that students will need to log off of any on-campus Windows computer in order to open Chrome on another on-campus Windows computer.

Welcome to AppsAnywhere video

MTU-owned devices

For faculty and staff wishing to install on an MTU-owned device, the download method will depend on how the device is managed. Learn more about device management at: Managed Devices at Michigan Tech.

Fully-managed Windows devices

Most devices fall into the category of fully managed, which is the typical setup for office desktops. They connect to the Michigan Tech central authentication system and are automatically configured to access Michigan Tech resources for a seamless experience.  

  1. Launch the Software Center application from the Start Menu.
  2. Search for and select AppsAnywhere client from the available applications.
  3. Once AppsAnywhere is installed, visit AppsAnywhere.
  4. Find and launch an available application.
  5. Exit the CloudPaging Player when done with AppsAnywhere.
    AppsAnywhere application available in the Software Center
     

Minimally-managed Windows devices

Mobile devices, like laptops, or systems that require customer administrative access to manage a device (such as a microscope/other hardware or that have a justified security need to maintain administrative access to a device) are categorized as minimally managed. 

  1. Launch the Azure Company Portal application from the Start Menu.
  2. Search for and select AppsAnywhere client from the available applications.
  3. Once AppsAnywhere is installed, visit AppsAnywhere.
  4. Find and launch an available application.
  5. Exit the CloudPaging Player when done with AppsAnywhere.
     

Laptops not currently managed by Azure will need to be rebuilt in order to install AppsAnywhere. If this applies to you, we recommend that you make arrangements with our shop so that you can install AppsAnywhere. If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment to have your laptop rebuilt, you can directly request a computer rebuild through our service catalog.

Personal devices

Active students, faculty, and staff can install the AppsAnywhere client on their personal Windows devices to select, install, and launch available apps, like Matlab or Mathematica. Connect to the VPN if you are off-campus. When using AppsAnywhere for the first time on your personal device, you will need to install the AppsAnywhere client.

  1. Connect to the VPN if you are off-campus.
  2. Install the AppsAnywhere client for your personal device, if you haven’t already. Visit the Software Distribution Center for installation instructions.
  3. Visit appsanywhere.mtu.edu and log in with your Michigan Tech account name and password.
  4. A green checkmark will display in the lower-right corner of your browser window once your session is validated.
  5. Select the application you would like to use by using the Search apps text box. You can also browse through the available applications after selecting View all apps.
  6. Select the Launch or Launch [version number] button for the application.
  7. If the application uses the CloudPaging Player, it will automatically install or launch the CloudPaging Player, then begin processing the application. When the application status displays Ready, select Launch in the CloudPaging Player. The application will be available in the Cloudpaging Player the next time you launch the application.
  8. Visit appsanywhere.mtu.edu to select other applications to launch.
  9. When you are done using AppsAnywhere, exit out of the applications, then, if CloudPaging player is open,  select File → Exit in the Cloudpaging Player.

Installing AppsAnywhere on personal device video

Need Help?

Visit AppsAnywhere knowledge base category for further questions or assistance. For questions about AppsAnywhere, we can help. Contact IT at it-help@mtu.edu or call 906-487-1111.

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