Why has Trine University Information Technology Services implemented this technology?
University faculty and lab application management is a huge challenge. There are thousands of users attempting to use a wide variety of academic applications from engineering to creative apps. Also consider on the computer lab side, very often students aren't using the same computer all the time. Trying to install, update the applications in an efficient and timely manner represents quite the challenge. Often times, the window of opportunity to update or make changes (to even one lab) can be difficult to avoid delays to actual class time. Mix in the types of software from open-source to user limited licensed software and that adds another factor to the complexity equation.
The current methods of deploying and maintaining applications with the resources we have have not kept pace with the needs of higher education today. It may have worked several years ago when Trine University was smaller, but a new way of managing software was greatly needed. AppsAnywhere can provide Trine University a cost effective way to manage software across campus, providing agility to provide new software titles in a quicker time frame and also allow agility to move classes at the last minute to another lab as the software is not anchored to the devices as they were in the past.
Can I access AppsAnywhere off campus or from my personal computer?
Our initial use is for only Trine University owned equipment, in our computer labs and for our faculty in Allen School of Engineering and Computing. Faculty members may still access the platform away from campus but will need to connect via the Global Protect VPN software. Although the AppsAnywhere platform has the ability to be used in a BYOD (bring your own device) scenario, there would have to be changes to many software license agreements to enable that for Trine University.
AppsAnywhere cache issues (application cache data is shared across users of device)
AppsAnywhere cache operates on the FIFO model (first in, first out). Cache is automatically set to grow as needed and Trine Univeristy Information Technology Services team has provided over 30Gb storage. This should allow for an improved experience as the day progresses for students using the labs.
You'll e able to see the cache settings by opening the CloudPaging Player on your system (found in the system tray):
Right click on the Cloudpaging icon and then click Options to view the cache settings.
From the 'Cache' tab you'll be able to see the current size of the cache (may exceed desired/initial size), percentage of cache used and percentage reserved. If there is difficulty opening an application, the 'cache' for that application may be corrupted. It is highly recommended to simply restart the computer (all data is cleared with the DeepFreeze platform with computer restart). This should clear any corruption that may have happened in an earlier session from another student.
It seems like applications take a long time to load
Because some applications are extremely large, opening these applications will take longer to open than if they were traditionally installed. The first time the applications are launched for the day (and loaded into cache) should be the longest time it should take to open that day. Subsequent launches should have greatly reduced launch times. See KB article 'Application running slow on first launch' for more details.