The Challenge
A customer needed to ensure that all employees at multiple locations always used the latest version of an internal desktop application. Traditional software distribution via SCCM and Intune was too slow: by the time the MSI package had been rolled out to every computer, the next version was already available. Days, sometimes weeks, often passed between release and actual use.
The result: different versions in use across the company, compatibility problems and a high support workload.
Our Solution
We developed the SharePoint Application Loader, a lightweight launcher that is distributed once to all devices as an MSI/MSIX package via Microsoft Intune.
How It Works
On every launch, the loader checks the SharePoint document library for the latest version of the actual application. If a newer version is available, it is downloaded on the fly and launched. If the local version is current, the application starts immediately from the local cache.
Smart Version Management
- Semantic version check against the SharePoint library on every launch
- Delta downloads: only changed files are downloaded, not the entire package
- Progress indicator during download with a time estimate
- Automatic cleanup of old versions to save disk space
Offline Capability
If no connection to SharePoint is possible, for example when working from home without VPN or during network problems, the loader automatically falls back to the most recently cached version. Users can keep working without interruption.
Silent Updates
The entire update process runs in the background without any user interaction. No popup, no confirmation, no restart required. Employees launch the application as usual, and the loader takes care of the rest.
The Key Advantage
The launcher itself never needs to be updated. New versions of the actual application are simply uploaded to the SharePoint library, and from the next launch on, all employees automatically use the current version.
The Result
- Rollout time reduced from days to seconds
- 100% version consistency across all locations
- Zero user interaction required for updates
- Offline capability ensures uninterrupted work
- Support workload for version problems reduced by 95%