University of Michigan

The University of Michigan's College of Engineering was looking for an alternative Application Virtualization solution to replace their existing Microsoft App-V environment.

Watch our video with Don Lambert, Manager of Michigan's Computer Aided Engineering Network, to find out why the University chose Cloudpaging application virtualization alongside AppsAnywhere, to deliver demanding engineering apps to students across campus.

Project background

The University of Michigan is a public institution that was founded in 1817. It was recently ranked number 27 in the 2017 rankings of National Universities.

As one of the world's leading public universities, Michigan has 28,000 undergraduate and 15,000 graduate and professional students, from all 50 US states and 121 countries. Students can choose from over 240 undergraduate majors, over 90 Masters programs and over 100 doctoral pograms.

Download the University of Michigan case study

Virtualizing 100% of Windows apps

Like many university IT departments, Michigan's College of Engineering, supported by CAEN (the Computer Aided Engineering Network), was looking for an alternative Application Virtualization solution to replace their existing Microsoft App-V environment.

The university found that Microsoft App-V could only virtualize 40% of the CAEN engineering software library, due in part to the size and complexity of many of engineering applications. CAEN realized they needed a new solution that would be able to virtualize 100% of the 'tricky' engineering apps.

Choosing a solution

AppsAnywhere and Cloudpaging enables secure, easy and instant access to apps. Once virtualized, software applications perform as if they were installed natively.

• Controls access to apps based on user roles
• Controls interactions between non-compatible apps
• Adding new apps on the client computer doesn't require admin privileges
• License restrictions and concurrency enforcement
• Eliminates the need for Sassafras Keyserver for software license management
• Usage Reporting

Trial results

• Currently deployed to 1300+ CAEN and Duderstadt Center computers
• Over 95% application virtualization rate
• Independent operating system and application deployments
• Simplified VDI implementation
• Faster on-demand delivery
• Easier application patching and deployments
• Ensures full license compliance
• No need to reload PCs for new apps

We're pleased by the results we've seen so far from the team at CAEN. Whilst there's still plenty more to do to ensure the project is successful, the fact that 95% of apps have been virtualized and on-demand is a great foundation.

A larger roll-out remains our aim. To achieve this with University of Michigan would be great for all involved and reward for the hard work from the CAEN IT team.

Nick Johnson, AppsAnywhere Co-Founder

I’m very happy with our initial roll-out of AppsAnywhere and Cloudpaging from AppsAnywhere to the College of Engineering computer labs. We learned a lot in our first semester! For the Winter semester we’re partnering with ITS Sites to virtualize applications to the central campus computers in Angell Hall.

When complete, this will provide engineering students an additional 170 computers that have access to over one hundred apps in the Engineering Software Library, including Unigraphics NX, TeamCenter, Solidworks, Abaqus, Aspen and Ansys.

Don Lambert, Manager of CAEN Student Computing Environment

Webinar recording: Delivering software on demand

To find out more about AppsAnywhere's solution at University of Michigan, watch our webinar with Don Lambert (Manager of CAEN Student Computing Environment) and learn how IT is using AppsAnywhere and Cloudpaging to virtualize and deliver all their software apps to students, on demand.