Why is remote access to software needed?

There are now more ways of accessing software apps that were previously only available on campus. This is to support you doing more of your work remotely i.e. off campus, on your own computer / device.

How do I access the software apps that I need?

This can be complicated by factors such as licence restrictions and hardware requirements. This means that there isn’t a single way to access all apps and you need to know which is the right way for the apps you need.

This page aims to steer you towards those that you need and tell you about others that you may hear about and why you do not need to use them.

Will I be told how to do this?

For general software you can find out for yourself. For module-specific apps your tutor should let you know or you may find the information on your module site in Blackboard.

Installing apps on my own computer / device

This is simple and is the traditional way of using apps. There are a lot of apps that are available to you free of charge to install on your own computer or device. This includes the Microsoft Office suite of apps (Word / Excel / PowerPoint etc).

Many of these require you to be an active student to access them; some are just free to use.

For more information visit go.shu.ac.uk/FreeApps

Using AppsAnywhere to run Apps on my own computer

AppsAnywhere is an app store type tool that allows you to run a virtual version of many apps. There are lots of apps available this way and accessing many of them is simple*.

For more information visit go.shu.ac.uk/studentAppsAnywhere

*Some apps in AppsAnywhere are a little more complicated to access as they need to be in contact with the university network to get a licence to run. This means you need to run another tool at the same time called a Virtual Private Network (VPN) – see below. For these apps to appear you will need to log out of AppsAnywhere then connect to the VPN and log back in to AppsAnywhere.

When should I use the VPN?

The student Virtual Private Network (VPN) is currently only needed to access some of the apps that are available in AppsAnywhere.

It creates a secure link to the university network so that AppsAnywhere can get a licence to run the app you need. There is no need to connect to the VPN for any other reason. If you do not see the app you need in AppsAnywhere without the VPN log out of AppsAnywwhere, connect to the VPN then log back in to AppsAnywhere to see if it appears.

For more information please visit go.shu.ac.uk/studentVPN

Windows Virtual Desktop (WVD)

This service has been provided in order to give access to certain apps that require high specification PCs to run.

You will not be able to use this service if you are not on a module that needs access to it. You will be advised by your tutor if this is the case.

Certain virtual desktops make use of the AppsAnywhere service in order to access applications and it should behave as though you are on campus.

For more information see go.shu.ac.uk/studentWVD

Azure Labs

This service has been provided in order to give access to certain preconfigured virtual machines (VMs) for teaching purposes. An example subject that may need this service is Computing.

You will not be able to use this service if you are not on a module that needs access to it. You will be advised by your tutor if this is the case.

For more information see go.shu.ac.uk/studentALS

Getting help and support

Some apps are only available to specific modules. If you are having trouble accessing module-specific apps or need support using them, speak to your tutor in the first instance.

For issues accessing standard software such as Microsoft Office apps please contact IT Help.

For help using non-module specific apps, check out the Digital Skills site and LinkedInLearning.