BroadPoint can help you find a FastPath to Security with Microsoft Dynamics GP

These days most customers are accustomed to working with ISV (Independent Software Vendors) for functionality that may not be currently included in Dynamics. Recently I had what seemed like a simple request from a client whose parent company was out of the UK. They wanted to use their network username and password for Dynamics GP so they could enforce password policies such changing a password every 45 days and forced complexity such as 12 characters including at least one number. Besides, then their users would only have to remember one username and password.

What? Dynamics GP doesn't do this out-of-the-box?

After a bit of research it turns out there is only one way to do this and it's by a company called Fastpath out of Denver (www.gofastpath.com). They have a product called Configurator AD/SSO that integrates Dynamics GP with Active Directory which provides security administrators the means to create, change and delete ERP users from a right click menu in Active Directory.

Why do we recommend this to our clients?

Single Point of Maintenance

Within Active Directory a security administrator can create network users as well as ERP users in the Microsoft Dynamics products. This allows the organization to consolidate the maintenance responsibilities for "Help Desk" or IT support users which cuts administrative costs and improves security.

Synchronization of Credentials

Fastpath Config AD makes it possible to synchronize security credentials across all Dynamics applications. The most critical result of this is increased user satisfaction in that they only have one user id and password combination to remember. The impact on security costs comes in a simplified environment which will mean less password reset responsibilities and general support calls on user names and passwords.

Less Security Permissions Needed for the Administrator

The administrator needs no special access permissions to the ERP and does not even need the application on the desktop for user maintenance. This eliminates a large audit concern in that IT staff will not need access to a "super" user for security configuration and will not have access to the application to commit any kind of fraud or have access to sensitive information.

Reliance on Standard Roles

With security being configured from Active Directory, the security administrator will have to pick from the available roles in the ERP system. This will lessen the possibility of role proliferation as the creation of additional roles will have to be done by an ERP system user with the appropriate credentials. The end result will be better defined roles and more adherence to the available roles.

Contact me at kowens@broadpoint.net for more info.