Release Note July 26, 2024: Introducing the Custom App Installer & Redesigned App Management

To use an application within the Blue Border, it needs to be installed locally on the user's device. In the past, this meant that users needed to figure out where and how to download any apps that they needed for work onto their computer.

We recently introduced the ability for Company Managers to enable users to automatically install some missing applications on Windows devices using the Winget library. Now, with Venn's new custom app installer, Company Managers can enable users to easily install any missing applications on both Windows or Mac devices.

With the release of this new feature, we recommend configuring installation options for all Apps in Venn for Windows and Mac in order to make your end user experience as seamless as possible.

In addition to our new Custom App Installer, we have redesigned App Management in Company Admin to make it easier than ever for admins to manage, assign, and configure apps for use in Venn.

Configuring App Installation for Company Managers

Company Managers can configure installation for Windows and MacOS apps on the All Apps page in Company admin

  • Automatic Installation: You can still use the Winget library for automatic downloads of common apps on Windows, and you can now upload an app installer file (in .exe, .msi, or .msix format for Windows, .pkg or .dmg for Mac) to enable the automatic download of any application through Venn on Windows or Mac. This means that you can even add installers for your company's proprietary apps to allow end users to download them quickly and easily. When Automatic Installation is configured, users will be prompted to choose Install for me, which will download the app for them in the background.
  • Manual Installation: You also still have the option to provide a link to the page where users can manually download an app for users, which ensures that they find the right app and download the correct version themselves. When this option is configured, users will be prompted to choose Get installer, which will bring them to the URL that you specified to download the app.

You can configure both automatic and manual installation for all apps in Venn.

To learn more, see Adding and Configuring Applications for Windows & macOS.

Installing Apps for End Users

If installation is enabled for an app, end users will see a download icon in the Launcher where they would normally see the app icon if they do not have the app downloaded. When they click on the app, they will be prompted to automatically and/or manually download the app.

Download Uninstalled App.gif

To learn more, see Using Work Apps in the Blue Border.

Redesigned App Management

In addition to adding this new functionality, we have enhanced the interface of the All Apps page and the App Settings page to make this area of Company admin easier to navigate.

To learn how to navigate and use these redesigned pages, see Adding and Configuring Applications for Windows & macOS.

All Apps Page

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App Settings page

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