Directory Manager from BDS Solutions is the most popular solution in NHS organisations for integrating ESR and other identity data to establish automated Active Directory and mailbox management workflows. The latest evolution of Directory Manager extends those technical capabilities into Office 365 permitting licences to be allocated and revoked based on assignment data obtained from ESR.
Organisations are able to establish firm control over the allocation of licences and have the ability to report on those allocations. As well as this direct management of licencing, Directory Manager also integrates with the licence auditing and monitoring data in Office 365. This allows Directory Manager to identify licences that have been allocated but are not being used.
The Directory Manager Notification Service can then notify that user, and their manager or department, advising them that the licence is dormant (click on the example notification below to expand).
Rules can be then be configured to revoke that licence if the user does not respond to the notification or begin to use the licence.
Berkshire Healthcare
Directory Manager v3.2 was recently configured at Berkshire Healthcare to provide Azure integration. As well as providing automated provisioning of Active Directory accounts, it also provides the automated provisioning of associated Exchange Online mailboxes, all with a ‘one-click’ approval. Subsequent to the implementation of the provision procedures, the dormancy checking was configured to identify dormant accounts and licences.
Simon Gwatkin, responsible for Account Management at the Trust advised: “We worked with BDS Solutions to identify the scenarios where enabled Active Directory and Azure accounts, and the associated Office 365 licences, were not being used. Using Directory Manager’s ability to harness account and licence activity information systematically, we were able to create workflows to expire accounts and revoke licences automatically. This helps us ensure that inactive accounts and licences are kept in check.”
As well as identity and account management services, BDS Solutions provide migration services to help organisations with all aspects of migrating to Office 365. From planning and implementation of technical pre-requisites, through to the execution of migrations using our best-value migration toolset, we are there to minimise the impact on services during the transition.
Find out more about Directory Manager or contact us.