Cutting costs through self service!

Now more than ever organizations are looking to leverage high-tech solutions to cut costs while at the same time boosting employee productivity; doing more with less. This blog seeks to explore the idea that with exceptional software and thorough planning, your organization can streamline your business processes, boost employee productivity and increase your network security.

Let's start with the must common problem facing helpdesk techs and system administrators: password resets. With new compliance and security legislature passed over the last decade many companies are faced with the challenge of making end-users choose new, more complex passwords. Complex passwords require end users to select from a mixed bag of alphanumerics and symbols in order to comply with these new organizational policies. These lengthy passwords typically do not have much meaning to the end user and therefore are easily forgotten. The end-user is now left without access to the systems they need in order to be productive. They, in turn, must contact a helpdesk technician in order to reset their password and re-gain access to the system. At first glance this may not seem like much of an issue but what happens if we look closer at this chain of events? The end-user is unable to quickly login to their systems to begin work and is forced to contact the helpdesk. How much time does this process take? How many times does this exact situation occur? The end-user isn't the only one who is out time; the helpdesk technician is also losing time tending to these mundane and redundant issues rather than working on high priority projects. Strong password complexity requirements can also have the unintended consequence of decreasing security. Users are more likely to jot down their complex passwords on notes kept close at hand under the mousepad or a sticky on the monitor. It's clear that there are several costly consequences. Tools4ever, Inc. has solved this problem.
Self Service Reset Password Management (SSRPM) is a simple and secure solution which allows your end users to reset their network passwords without having to contact the helpdesk. The way it accomplishes this is by first requiring your end-users to enroll in the solution; this entails answering a specified number of security questions. The number and types of questions is configurable so as to adhere to your organization's security policies. Once the user is enrolled, if their password is forgetten, they can reset their passwords by choosing "Forgot my password" from the Windows login screen or Web interface and answer a randomly selected subset of the security questions. If these are answered correctly, the user will be prompted to enter a new password. SSRPM will NEVER accept a password which falls outside of the domain's password policy. You can learn more about Self Service Reset Password Management (SSRPM) by visiting the Tools4ever website or by contacting me directly.