As of December 18, 2025, you will no longer be automatically logged into AppsAnywhere after logging into an on-campus lab station. To access AppsAnywhere, choose the appropriate option below:
AppsAnywhere is BCIT’s academic software delivery platform. Through AppsAnywhere, you are able to access all the software you need to do your coursework anywhere, anytime.
Using AppsAnywhere at BCIT
As of December 18, 2025, AppsAnywhere has been migrated to the cloud. Please see below for some key information regarding the migration.
What’s New?
Modernizing the AppsAnywhere Infrastructure.
Fixes outstanding issues with Python applications.
Fixes outstanding issues with user created App Lists.
AppsAnywhere authentication in on-campus labs will now match other BCIT webapps (i.e. myBCIT, Learning Hub, etc..). This means the initial login to AppsAnywhere will also simultaneously sign you into the other BCIT webapps.
Impacts
AppsAnywhere will be temporarily unavailable on December 18, 2025 from 7:30am – 8:30am in order to facilitate the migration to the cloud.
When logging into an on-campus lab station, AppsAnywhere will no longer automatically sign you in.
You may notice a slightly longer load time for application launches as there is more happening in the background, which ultimately means a safer, richer and more reliable experience once its ready.
When accessing AppsAnywhere for the first time, it is essential to follow the initial setup steps carefully:
Some applications in AppsAnywhere may require additional BCIT services, such as GlobalProtect VPN. Refer to the App delivery methods section for details. It’s recommended to set these up in advance:
Most of the software available in AppsAnywhere is for Windows only. If your computer is a Mac, you may wish to use an Apporto Virtual Desktop (preferred) or alternatively, set up a Windows environment on your Mac computer (Intel only) in order to use needed software for your program.
AppsAnywhere has many advantages over traditional student computer labs, but with the greater flexibility it provides comes the potential for a much greater variance in individual experience. If AppsAnywhere doesn’t seem to be working well for you, check out resolving (and avoiding) common problems in AppsAnywhere.
Every time you to go AppsAnywhere, the website will validate technical details about your computer including your operating system and resources which it uses to determine the compatibility of available apps with your system.
BCIT’s programs are incredibly diverse. The software that BCIT students need to use for their learning is also incredibly diverse. So diverse, in fact, that no single method of software delivery would work for all applications or all students. AppsAnywhere combines a variety of different software delivery methods into one platform, meaning that it can act as a one-stop shop for academic software.
Much of the software available through AppsAnywhere is delivered via Cloudpaging, software that you will have installed on your computer the first time you use AppsAnywhere. Cloudpaging streams the software you need to your computer where it runs on your computer’s own hardware using its processing and resources. Software delivered via Cloudpaging usually performs as well as it would if it were installed on a computer in a lab, as long your computer’s hardware is sufficient. If you’re interested in more details about how this works, go watch this short video about Cloudpaging.
Cloudpaging is not the only delivery method in AppsAnywhere, however. In some cases, you would have a better experience by simply downloading and installing a piece of software yourself. In other cases, depending on the specialized needs of your program, you may need to connect to a piece of software through Apporto or through Educloud. Regardless of the actual method of delivery, you’ll still find all of the software you need in AppsAnywhere and the best delivery method will be highlighted for you there in the tile for each app (described below).
In AppsAnywhere, software is presented as tiles. Tiles contain a button for the suggested best delivery method for that app, a drop-down if alternative delivery methods are available and can be clicked on for more detailed information about the app.
Clicking on an app tile gives you access to further details.
In this example:
Detailed information about the app, including licensing information, first launch time, BYOD availability and app version.
The ability to add an app to your favourites for easy access.
If the suggested delivery method isn’t your preferred method, you can click on the drop down to view other available options.
The different delivery methods available for different apps are indicated by the different delivery method buttons initially visible in the tiles.
Delivery method
Description
“Launch” usually means that the app will be delivered via Cloudpaging (as described above). Clicking on a Launch button will open the Cloudpaging Player and start the process of caching the app to make it available for you to use. This takes longer the first time you launch an app (refer to the first launch time estimate in the tile to predict how long). Launching the app again later on the same device is more like launching an app that’s installed locally and is generally very quick, depending on your computer and the size and complexity of the app.
“Download Page” means that the best method for you to access the software is to go directly to the vendor’s download page and download it yourself. Often this is because the software is already free to all or free to BCIT students through an educational program. Clicking the button will prompt your browser to open the download page in a new tab.
“KB Article” can mean different things in different circumstances. In some cases, tiles have been created to help alert you to important BCIT tools – like GlobalProtect VPN – and clicking the button will take you to the Knowledge Base article that gives you important information about that tool.
In other cases (such as in the case of certain Adobe products), the Knowledge Base article can direct you through the multiple steps you’d need to take in order to download or access restricted software.
“Visit Website” will direct you to a web service which is launched independently from AppsAnywhere, such as the Learning Hub or an external web software portal.
As a BCIT student, you have access to hundreds of apps in AppsAnywhere. Finding the specific apps you need for your learning shouldn’t be too onerous however, thanks to the excellent search and filtering available within the tool.
Search
If you know the name of the app you need, you can type it into the Search field in the filter bar to quickly find it.
Your instructor may provide you with a link to an App List for your course or program. Simply open that link to add the App List to your AppsAnywhere filter. Once you’ve done that, click App Lists in the filter bar and and chose the specific App List you want to view.
Every AppsAnywhere can assemble their own list of favourite apps that they’ll want to return to frequently. To add an app to your Favourites, click the star icon in the app Tile. The star icon will change from grey to yellow and the app will now show up in your Favourites view.
Some software-intensive program areas have categories associated with them in AppsAnywhere. If your program is one of these, click Categories in the filter bar and choose your program area from the list to see only apps needed for those programs.
Providing students with the software they need for learning goes beyond making it accessible anytime, on or off campus. It’s equally important to ensure the platform itself does not create barriers to access. Watch the video below to learn about AppsAnywhere’s accessibility features:
