University of Bergn

Nestled on Norway's stunning west coast, the University of Bergen (UiB) is home to more than 21,000 students and 4,000 staff, offering a wide range of courses from law and medicine to the arts and natural sciences. But beneath this academic breadth lies a university committed to continuous improvement, not just in teaching and research, but also in the digital tools that support them.

In 2016, UiB took its first step on a journey that would eventually reshape its entire approach to software delivery. It started, like many good stories, with a simple question: "How can we make digital learning better for students?"

That question led to more questions. Why are our computer labs still central to software access? Can students use their own devices instead? And how do we manage licensing, security, and user experience in such a complex, decentralised environment?

The answer, after years of research, pilots, and planning, became clear: AppsAnywhere.

A vision inspired by student needs

The university’s journey began with understanding student behaviour and requirements. With teaching becoming increasingly online, UiB realised students needed access to specific software, and not just on campus. But their aging computer labs weren’t up to the task. Meanwhile, students were showing up with their own laptops, often newer and faster than the university's hardware.

"We realized that with students required to own their own laptops – often more powerful than lab machines – we needed to shift how we delivered applications," says Magnus Nerheim, the project manager leading the initiative.

Outdated infrastructure, high maintenance costs, and a patchwork of uncoordinated software delivery prompted the IT team to rethink everything.

From pilot to production

In 2019, UiB partnered with AppsAnywhere to begin an R&D pilot. The aim: deliver educational applications seamlessly, whether on a student's Mac, Windows PC, or other device. The team also wanted integration into their LMS and assessment tools to make things easier for faculty and students alike.

By 2021, the project moved into full production. With AppsAnywhere live across campus, students could now access the apps they needed from anywhere, with just one click.

"Students loved it. Whether they were in the library, at home, or in group study rooms, AppsAnywhere just worked."

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Connecting the digital campus

AppsAnywhere didn’t just replace the old system, it became part of a broader digital learning ecosystem. Teachers could assign applications to courses directly through the LMS. Azure Virtual Desktop delivered a consistent desktop experience, with AppsAnywhere launching only the approved software per course.

Applications are launched via deep links pre-configured into the virtual desktop, giving students an intuitive and seamless digital space to do their work.

UiB also saw an opportunity to support students’ digital literacy. Working with student IT assistants, the university launched an online course on digital tools, including AppsAnywhere. It’s now a formal (albeit credit-free) part of the university's transcript.

Doing more with less

The cost savings weren’t just about retiring old computer labs. By running the system in Azure and leveraging Microsoft's education licensing, UiB avoided expensive infrastructure and reduced operational overhead.

"We now run the entire delivery system on roughly 0.6 FTE. That’s a massive reduction from the staff resources previously required."

Even better, UiB introduced a biannual application request process. Faculty submit app needs aligned with learning goals. A triage team from IT, student services, and academic departments reviews them, ensuring every app has a purpose.

"The best part? Everyone's happy. There's now a transparent process, teachers know what to expect, and IT can manage demand."

Looking ahead

With students at the centre of this transformation, UiB is exploring how the same model might benefit teaching staff. For now, the focus remains on scaling and refining the student experience.

"We’re just getting started. AppsAnywhere has transformed how we think about software and what we expect from our IT ecosystem."

At the University of Bergen, software delivery is a catalyst for smarter, more connected learning.

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