Software2 User Day at Edinburgh Napier University
3rd December 2019
Software2 develop and supply the AppsAnywhere application launcher interface, which in combination with various technologies, enables Desktop Applications to be deployed to networked devices regardless of location.
They hold several "User Day" events internationally each year where existing and potential customers can chat, have real use case studies presented and find out about new and upcoming service features.
Starting in 2015, these events have been held at 18 unique educational institutions, but none had yet been in Scotland. We were therefore flattered to be asked if Edinburgh Napier would host the 19th on December the 3rd.
The "User Day" typically starts the day before, with an optional tour of the hosting institution for early visitors. Since the event itself was taking place at Craiglockhart, I thought a visit to the Merchiston Campus would be of most interest. It is also our most 'technical' campus and nearer the city centre and the visitor’s accommodation.
All-in-all, we had a successful one-and-a-half-hour tour, which we were told afterwards was much appreciated by our visitors… I just wish it had been a brighter day! An evening social hosted by Software2 followed in town, with some good exchanges of experiences and views taking place amongst the drinks and nibbles.
The main Software 2 "User Day" took place the following day in the Rivers Suite at Craiglockhart. Around 30 education-based visitors were in attendance, many having travelled from abroad. Information Services Director Claire Taylor gave an engaging welcome to both the IS department and the historic Craiglockhart building. Software2 then highlighted some of their new and upcoming product features, before Clem Clark, as representative of the IS Client Services team, gave a presentation on how we at Edinburgh Napier University came to adopt AppsAnywhere and shared some of our own tips and tricks which many in the audience were intrigued by.
After a tasty buffet lunch, Dundee University gave an interesting presentation regarding their AppsAnywhere service adoption – it was ‘reassuring’ to hear that they share similar challenges to us.
Software 2 then promoted some of their useful added value services, and followed up with what they like to call an IT version of ‘speed dating’ - attendees choose a table where a particular AppsAnywhere topic is discussed for 20 minutes, before moving on to a different table and topic. It was a good opportunity to hear how other institutions are using the product and for us to exchange thoughts and ideas.
Software2 have said it was a successful and interesting event and thanked us for our help and input. Hopefully it won't be too long before they return to Scotland and one of our neighbouring institutions.
David Pentland, IS Client Services Manager