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jimbo2010
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Invoke Microsoft Word from IE Thinapp'd Package

Hello,

We've got an application called Centricity from GE Thinapp'd and it works great. It's a web based application utilizing IE7.

The end users don't understand that the point of Thinapp is to isolate the application from the OS. However, they need to view Office documents through this web based app by clicking a hyperlink.

I was wondering if there was a way to invoke a native Office installation (installed on the host) from a Thinapp'd IE7 based application.

Thanks in advance,

Jim

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Theike
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Hi,

It is a quite old question, but still...

In general there will be no problem with invoking native installed applications. Especial: if you just open a word document it should invoke the corresponding handler automatically (iow: word or excel in your case). In general: This should just work 'by default'...

The only thing to keep in mind is whether you want to run the invoked native application in native mode or within the virtualization bubble. Running it native will be the usual desired way, as it allows integration with an already running instance. For example: a user runs outlook natively (to check for mail) and runs a virtualized app that wants to send a mail. The mail has to be sent by the native instance or the mail archive (PST) or profile might get corrupted...

Invoking the native app as virtualised is fine of course for all tools, small self containing apps and possibly plugins.

To specify the way how to open the native application check the ThinApp user manual on 'ChildProcessEnvironmentExceptions' (and the default as well).

Kind regards,

Michael Baars - CIS-Group

Michael Baars - Comprehensive ICT Solutions (NL, Weert) (Remember to mark the post answered and reward points to those who helped you...)

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Theike
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Hi,

It is a quite old question, but still...

In general there will be no problem with invoking native installed applications. Especial: if you just open a word document it should invoke the corresponding handler automatically (iow: word or excel in your case). In general: This should just work 'by default'...

The only thing to keep in mind is whether you want to run the invoked native application in native mode or within the virtualization bubble. Running it native will be the usual desired way, as it allows integration with an already running instance. For example: a user runs outlook natively (to check for mail) and runs a virtualized app that wants to send a mail. The mail has to be sent by the native instance or the mail archive (PST) or profile might get corrupted...

Invoking the native app as virtualised is fine of course for all tools, small self containing apps and possibly plugins.

To specify the way how to open the native application check the ThinApp user manual on 'ChildProcessEnvironmentExceptions' (and the default as well).

Kind regards,

Michael Baars - CIS-Group

Michael Baars - Comprehensive ICT Solutions (NL, Weert) (Remember to mark the post answered and reward points to those who helped you...)
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JayCox
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GE Centricity apps are Healthcare apps.

I use one of these products in the UK - I am looking to ThinApp this in the future.

Did you fix the issue with Office?

J.

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jimbo2010
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Not yet.

Here's some insight: word documents will open from say a hyperlink in Sharepoint just fine, however the problem that I'm having is when I'm using the Centricity plugin to view a report that was submitted.

The document does not open and asks what I'd like to do with the file; save or choose a prog to open.

I haven't had time to work on this problem unfortunately.

Jim

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JayCox
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Thanks for that.

It's unlikely we are using the same Centricity badged app ( I think there are 31 Centricity apps - thanks Wikipedia), but I may have the same problem when I come to ThinApp it.

My app is run within IE6 - this has a web framework for a vertical toolbar that is created by a set of ActiveX components, and a separate installed Java component that runs the rest of the app.

I guess the issue is the launch properties of the ActiveX VTB.

I'll update this post when I get round to my Win7 testing.

Thanks for the info,

J.

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