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SoftwareOne case study

Enabling access to 50 systems with a multi-access identity platform

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Learn how we helped a large manufacturer design and implement a multi-access management platform, resulting in improved workplace security, self-service functionalities and automated lifecycle management for thousands of users.

Identity and access management is not just about handling usernames and passwords. You need the right balance between user convenience and data safety. Achieving the right level of data protection gets even more difficult with the growing number of users with different access permissions. With many services available for clients and partners, there eventually comes a need for a single, secure, and convenient authentication platform.

Find out how SoftwareOne helped a large manufacturer with over 50 different brands used daily by different end customers, to streamline its identity and access management by developing and implementing a customised multi-access identity platform. As a result, all 100,000 users across multiple service lines were able to access the company's customer resources more easily and securely.

  • 50

    product brands

  • 1 single

    multi-access identity platform

  • 100,000

    users

Client
Customer electronics manufacturer
Industry
Manufacturing
Platform
Azure Cloud
Services
Application Development Services, Digital Workplace Security
Country
Denmark

Navigating complex access challenges

Until now, each service line was separate, meaning that users needed separate credentials to access resources for each one. Moreover, the company could not connect data across brands, as each customer was treated by the system as a separate user of each product, limiting the ability to provide more personalised offerings.

In addition, the organisation has thousands of employees, and external partners, who all need to use its resources on a daily basis. Managing this volume of user lifecycles was becoming a significant burden on their IT infrastructure and teams.

Empowering users with a multi-access identity platform and Microsoft Entra Services

Together with the client, SoftwareOne has set up a multi-access identity platform which aggregates all identity and access functionalities for the company’s applications, making them accessible via a single login.

The solution supports 3 types of users: customers, partners, and employees. Each of these groups can use different services, but they all log in through the same platform.

multi-access-authentication-portal-manufacturing-content
Overview of multi-access identity platform (MIP) structure

The MIP provides key functionalities that make users’ life easier:

  • Single sign-on for all the necessary services
  • Self-registration and account management: reduces the burden on IT teams to maintain accounts
  • Integration with external identity providers: enables single sign-on using existing accounts
  • Simplified registration using an existing email address: allows partners to sign up using their company email instead of creating a separate account.

The platform is built on Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Microsoft Azure AD), with the addition of Microsoft Entra External ID (formerly Microsoft Azure AD B2C). The services provide a single authentication gateway for internal and external users.

In addition, Entra External ID is connected to a secure database storing user data and permissions. Using this information, the service also provides authorisation functionality, ensuring the right users can connect to the right resources.

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Enhancing user experience and security

The multi-access identity platform has improved customer experience for the client’s users. Now everyone who needs to access the organisation’s resources can use a single login box for all the services and has to remember a single set of credentials, simplifying access. With self-service functionalities, users can manage their own data and resolve any login issues immediately without the need to engage the IT team.

As the service is entirely cloud-based, it is equipped to handle the necessary volume of requests at any time. As a result, there is no risk of service disruption due to e.g., an unexpected increase in users at one time.

The platform also enables additional security measures, such as multi-factor authentication, limiting the risk of a security breach. It also takes advantage of the latest Azure cloud security features.

A fully automated user lifecycle management, enabled by Microsoft technology, reduces the need for the involvement of other departments. Thanks to the integration with internal systems, the platform automatically grants and revokes access for employees and partners when they begin or end cooperation with the client.

As a result, the client has a secure identity and access management solution that simplifies the user experience, and provides a centralised view of user data, while reducing workload and increasing security

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