Avatier Announces Single Sign-On for Its Identity and Access Management Solution; SSO Technology from Version3 Complements Leading Enterprise Password Management Product

Business Wire, Nov 14, 2005

SAN RAMON, Calif. -- Avatier Corporation, a leading provider of global Identity and Access Management (IAM) solutions, today announced that it will resell Version3's Simple Sign-On (SSO) solution alongside its Avatier Identity Management Server (AIMS), offering the industry a comprehensive IAM solution with web single sign-on capabilities. Incorporating proven technology from Version3, AIMS with SSO integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Active Directory environments and its web-based platform enables customers to realize the benefits of SSO without installing a client on each desktop. Version3's SSO further enhances Avatier's ability to deliver the only multilingual, end-to-end IAM suite to consistently prove ROI in three to six months.

Both network users and administrators are impacted by the abundance of network applications and passwords. Enterprise users are forced to remember a myriad of application names and passwords and often times resort to writing this information down, putting organizations at risk and straining valuable IT resources, as they are forced to reset passwords. Avatier's new SSO offering gives users seamless and secure access to run multiple internal applications, web sites including MSDN, FedEx and Nextel and legacy systems with a single user name and password, while enforcing password best practices and ensuring a more secure network. The combined Version3 and AIMS solution not only decreases overall operational costs by eliminating some of the burden of resetting passwords off the IT department, but it also allows administrators to quickly approve new users for access to online corporate assets, and incorporates additional authentication methods when users are accessing applications from outside the trusted network.

"Enterprise SSO (E-SSO) products are becoming an important policy enforcement point for restricting access to applications based on identity and other policies, such as location and time-of-day," said Phil Schacter, senior analyst and group service director at Burton Group. "Customers are looking for Enterprise SSO solutions that leverage their investments in a Microsoft identity infrastructure and builds on Active Directory."

By seamlessly integrating with Microsoft Active Directory environments, AIMS with SSO allows administrators to leverage its application delegation without needing to learn a new administration tool. Additionally, there is no need for the SSO client to be installed on each desktop, instead, shortcuts that launch the SSO client for end-user credentials can be published to any desktop based on group membership. With this offering, Avatier can now synchronize passwords with supported SSO enabled applications and provision SSO enabled applications with workflow and approval practices. AIMS can also create two-factor RSA SSO authentication, which will help enforce strong authentication policies.

"With a considerable amount of administration cost to maintain multiple people on various systems, Avatier understands the importance of streamlining the process, while maintaining the highest level of security," said Nelson Cicchitto, CEO of Avatier. "Avatier is bringing its Identity and Access Management capabilities to a new level by including Single Sign-On as an extension of its offerings. Building on the proven technology of Version3, Avatier provides a complete IAM suite with SSO capabilities and signifies our position as an emerging leader in this market."

"The Avatier-Version3 partnership enhances the AIMS technology by providing customers a clear choice in addressing their identity and single sign-on needs," said Andy Sakalian, President, Version3, Inc. "We are very excited about this alliance, since the combination of products delivers a complete identity management suite for all our customers needs."

The AIMS platform is Web services based for out-of-the-box integration with enterprise applications, including legacy applications, without requiring consulting services to customize or deploy the product. Most Identity Management suites take months, even years, to roll out because each deployment is unique with extensive customized scripting and integration. These traditional approaches also require heavy IT investments made in building centralized directories, delaying ROI and the promise of Identity Management's improved operational efficiencies to be realized. By leveraging the latest programming languages, Avatier's AIMS provides optimal program stability, reduces memory leaks and enables the first multilingual interface for 26 languages. Leveraging the use of existing and legacy network log-on directories, AIMS avoids nightly reconciliation of user identities, ensuring immediate, accurate deployment and low TCO.

Pricing and Availability

Avatier Identity Management Server (AIMS) with Version3's Simple Sign-On is available immediately at a list price of $25 per user.

About Avatier

Avatier is a leading provider of Identity and Access Management software for the global enterprise. Avatier's multi-lingual, end-to-end Identity and Access Management products improve operational efficiency, mitigate security risks and ensure corporate governance and regulatory compliance while lowering help desk calls and IT administrative costs. As the only Identity Management software vendor to consistently prove an ROI in three to six months, Avatier's thousands of customers worldwide include industry leaders such as BBC, Harris Corporation, Rockwell Collins and Sprint Canada. Avatier is headquartered in San Ramon, Calif. and can be reached at www.avatier.com, www.identitymanagementsoftware.com or (925) 217-5170.