Celebrating 15 years of innovation: AppsAnywhere's journey to transform software delivery

Fifteen years ago, a small idea with big potential emerged, poised to change the way students access the applications needed for their study. That idea evolved into AppsAnywhere, a company that has redefined how higher education institutions across the globe manage and distribute software to their students and staff. As we celebrate 15 years of innovation, growth, and impact, it's worth reflecting on the key moments and milestones that have made AppsAnywhere the success it is today.

The birth of an idea: a new era of software delivery

Back in 2009, Nick Johnson and his co-founder recognized a critical challenge faced by educational institutions: making software easily accessible to students and staff without being tied to physical computer labs. Traditional methods of software distribution were not only time-consuming but also geographically restrictive, requiring users to be in a specific location to access essential tools. This became an even bigger challenge as the demand for more flexible learning and working environments grew.

They created AppsAnywhere (then Software2) to address these needs, leveraging existing technologies to create a unified and seamless experience for end users, while reducing complexity for IT teams.  

“We believe that delivering software within a university is the most complex environment to do so. Throw in machine imaging, updates of software, software lifecycle management and new cohorts of users, it becomes a nightmare. A third of new users leave and join every single year – no other industry has that!” shared Nick.

From humble beginnings to global expansion

In its early days, AppsAnywhere focused primarily on serving universities and colleges in the UK. Our vision to make software delivery simple, efficient, and flexible, has remained unchanged. But as technology advanced, so did our platform. Over the years, the team worked tirelessly to enhance its capabilities, integrating new features, improving student experiences, and expanding the platform's compatibility with various devices and software types. Our progress has been fuelled by our passion for equity and our mission to offer all student equal access to opportunities, no matter their background.  

The importance we place on student experience and flexible access to learning, paired with our relentless focus on “making it easy” for IT teams has made us a trusted partner for many institutions, and our earliest customers are still our biggest champions.  

As a result, AppsAnywhere's reach began to expand beyond the UK. Today, the company proudly serves over 3 million users in 22 countries, partnering with more than 300 universities and colleges worldwide. Our global footprint now includes institutions across all continents, which we serve from our headquarters in the UK and US, making AppsAnywhere a leading player in the EdTech space.

Our people-first culture

AppsAnywhere currently employs 50 people across its UK HQ (a converted pub in Sherburn-in-Elmet) and the US head office in Charlotte, NC, while fostering a culture of flexibility, community, and inclusivity. Unlike many tech companies, AppsAnywhere offers unique perks such as flexible working conditions and unlimited holidays, while maintaining strong ties with the community. It supports local sports clubs and children’s charities such as UNICEF and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Increased demand and investment in product develop are creating a time of growth for the company, resulting in the tech team having doubled in size this year. The new recruits are being mentored by the longstanding employees, who are experts in their field and familiar with the education sector and the environment it operates in.

Matthew Williamson, Head of Support is among the new talent to join AppsAnywhere. He shares his perspective on the company and the role: “I sometimes pinch myself to have found such an opportunity: the people are lovely, the environment is relaxed and friendly, the job is great, and the commute is a dream – it takes me a few minutes to walk to work after dropping off my son at school.” But Matt is not only here for the perks, he also brings a world of experience and has big plans to delight AppsAnywhere customers.

“Our company culture is key to our success, and we’ve always kept that at the forefront of our expansion. Our people are driven by the desire to make a difference and support universities to provide hybrid and flexible learning so that more students can complete a university degree.” said Kallista Cummings, Head of People and Culture.

The power of partnership and community

One of the key reasons for AppsAnywhere's success over the past 15 years has been its commitment to working closely with its customers. From day one, the team has actively sought feedback from educational institutions to continuously improve the platform and ensure it meets the evolving needs of its users.

This collaborative approach has led to the development of the AppsAnywhere Community, a global network of IT professionals, educators, and innovators who share ideas, best practices, and solutions. Through this community, AppsAnywhere has fostered a culture of knowledge sharing and mutual growth, empowering institutions to make the most of the platform.

“We love working with AppsAnywhere, and we have a very close relationship with them. The support we get from the team is timely and of excellent quality. I particularly enjoyed attending the SUMMIT days, and we even hosted one here at Middlesex University. It’s great to share ideas with colleagues from other universities and get inspiration for new initiatives” stated Zunaid Patel, Analyst Programmer at Middlesex University.

Looking ahead: the future of software delivery

As AppsAnywhere celebrates 15 years in business, the company shows no signs of slowing down. The future holds exciting prospects, with advancements in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and automation offering even more possibilities for enhancing software delivery. With remote and hybrid learning models likely to persist, AppsAnywhere’s mission to make software accessible anywhere, anytime is still more relevant than ever.

As technology continues to evolve, AppsAnywhere will continue to lead the charge in delivering innovative, flexible, and user-friendly solutions for institutions worldwide. The next chapter promises to be just as transformative, with new features, partnerships, and growth on the horizon. It is driven by our commitment to our customers and the education sector to simplify software access and do the heavy lifting for IT teams.  

A heartfelt thank you

At this 15-year milestone, AppsAnywhere takes the time to thank everyone who has been part of this journey—the loyal customers, the dedicated team (current and former employees), and the visionary partners who believed in the power of accessible software. It is the collective effort of all these individuals that has shaped the company into what it is today.

Here’s to 15 years of innovation, growth, and success—and to many more ahead!

‍