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IT Help and Support

University Information Services
 

About the AppsAnywhere service

What is the AppsAnywhere?

The University's AppsAnywhere service is part of the University Managed Desktop (UMD) service. It lets you to connect to a Windows 10 virtual desktop environment over the internet. It is delivered using the Citrix Workspace application. It gives you access to a virtual Windows 10 environment that's hosted in the cloud. Using AppsAnywhere, you have 24/7 access to a Windows desktop from any device and lets you access:

Who can use AppsAnywhere?

The service is available to all University staff and students on both their work and personal devices.

What is "Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)"?

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) is a way of hosting desktop environments on a central server. Desktop images run within virtual machines (VMs) and are delivered to client devices over a network. These may be PCs or other devices, like tablets or thin client terminals. The University is using technology from Citrix to deliver its VDI. The AppsAnywhere service uses the Citrix Workspace application to deliver a Windows 10 desktop environment on any device.

What does it cost?

Note: these are suggested charges which still need to be agreed.

Institutions are charged for the service on a monthly basis:

  • £20/month for Windows/MacOS
  • £25/month Virtual Windows environment
  • £3/month iOS devices

What are the scheduled maintenance hours?

Maintenance of the service occurs between 12 midnight and 5am daily. During these times you may receive a message prompting you to save your work and log off. After any maintenance work is complete, you can log in again and resume work.

How do I report problems or request additions to the service?

Using AppsAnywhere

How do I use AppsAnywhere?

The service can be accessed from any device – desktop computers, laptops, tablets and phones. See instructions for different operating systems:

Will I be able to access my departmental drives/data?

Yes. We have migrated departmental mapped shared drives into the Institutional File Store service so that they will be available to you in AppsAnywhere. As a result, drive mappings have changed - see Departmental shared drives.

Do I have access to my current drives/data?

Yes, the data you have access to on departmental shared drives will also be available in the AppsAnywhere.

Can I create items on the Desktop?

Yes. Files stored on the desktop will be re-directed to a folder called 'Desktop' in the root of your personal OneDrive for Business filestore. Anything you create on Desktop will not be synced with your work PC's Desktop folder, however.

Does this affect my OneDrive? Will my data be available?

No, it doesn't affect your OneDrive. You will still have access to your OneDrive via the web browser in AppsAnywhere.

Why does it look slightly different to my local computer?

The AppsAnythere service is a standalone virtual environment that uses the Citrix Workspace application to access the University's network, data storage and licenced applications. It’s not intended to be a direct replication of either your local or work workstation environment. What you are seeing on screen is Citrix Workspace, not a native Windows 10 desktop which is why it may look slightly different to what you're used to.

How do I sign out properly?

Sign out of AppsAnywhere via the normal Windows/Start menu:

  1. Select the Power button
  2. Select Disconnect.
  3. [Optional] For full shutdown, navigate to your profile in the top right corner of the Start workspace and select Logout.

Can I work using two screens?

Yes. See: Using two screens

Can I use my webcam?

Yes, Citrix Workspace can access your local webcam. You may find that you have to configure your device's webcam settings to allow permission for the Citrix HDX Engine to access your webcam.

Can I use my microphone and speakers?

Yes, Citrix Workspace can access your local microphone.You may find that you have to configure your device's microphone settings to allow permission for the Citrix HDX Engine to access your mic.

Can I use my USB flash drive?

You can access local attached USB flash drives. When opening File Explorer you will see a pop-up asking which permissions to grant Citrix Workspace.

Alternatively, you can permanently grant these permissions so you don't get a pop-up each time (this will affect all your devices):

  1. log in to Citrix Workspace
  2. navigate to your profile in the top right corner,
  3. select Accounts
  4. select Devices and tick 'When a session starts, connect devices automatically'.

Software

What apps and services will I be able to use via AppsAnywhere?

We are constantly adding apps to the service. There are lists of the apps and services that are currently available:

Why are some applications missing?

We surveyed staff about the applications they use and have analysed the results to understand which software is most used so that we can prioritise delivering those. We are currently in the process of packaging a long list of applications of use in AppsAnywhere, however this process will take time and not all the software you use will be available at the time of launch.

Additionally, some applications are not suitable for delivery via the virtual desktop service due to licensing issues or technical difficulties. Where this is the case, it will not possible for us to make these titles available in AppsAnywhere.

Can I have access to CAD applications?

The basic AppsAnywhere service does not provide CAD applications. However, if your institution is prepared to fund additional hardware needed for CAD applications, it may be possible. Please contact the UIS Service Desk (see above) for more information.

Can I play YouTube/videos as normal?

Yes. You can view YouTube videos in the Google Chrome web browser.

Does it have anti-virus measures in place?

Yes, the service provides McAfee anti-virus.

Why does my colleague see applications that I do not?

Everyone's profile is unique and so every user will have a set of default applications. In addition to the default AppsAnywhere applications, people may see additional software that they use in their role or to which they have been given access permissions.

If you don’t have access to an application that you believe you should, please contact the UIS Service Desk (see above).

Printing

Can I print to my current printer?

From the Virtual Desktop you can print to a sub-set of on-campus network printers. It is also possible to print to your local printer.

Can I print to my home printer?

The virtual desktop will install/map your local default printer from the device you are accessing the Citrix VDI. If there is no default printer attached to the local device, you are connecting from, you will need to first install or set an installed printer to default.

Thin Terminals

Can thin terminals be used?

All Thin Terminals, which work with Citrix, can be used with this service. We are in negotiation with Academia to allow the direct purchase of Atrust thin terminals listed below, with a rough idea of the costs for the different models:

Thin Terminal model

  

Estimated Cost

Atrust T176   £196.90 + VAT
Atrust T35c Raspberry Pi 4 B   £196.90 + VAT
Atrust T225L   £301.49 + VAT

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