Office and SharePoint Get New App Model
Microsoft has a new app model for SharePoint 2013 and Office 2013 that's  designed to minimize the problems of third-party apps. Much like browser add-ins can destabilize the browser, apps that run against Office and SharePoint can disrupt performance.
The new model addresses that with a sandbox kind of approach. It's not a sandbox, per se, but when installed on a server the apps run separately. They can also be separated on the cloud.
Despite the distance, they appear to be running closely together.
IT and end users also get more insight into app quality through the "Office Store." Here users rate what they use -- so if it stinks, you'll get a heads up. The Office Store also gives IT control. It's not really a store so much as a controlled warehouse where you can check out apps. This means IT, through Active Directory, can block off the Store so users can't download willy-nilly.
Posted by Doug Barney on 09/26/2012 at 1:19 PM