Self Service Password Management

Managing Passwords using ADSelfService Plus - GINA / Credential Provider

ADSelfService Plus is a software application that allows associates, reset their own Active Directory passwords and also unlock their accounts. The tool offers a simple mechanism by way of answering a few challenge questions (decided by the administrator) to confirm their identity. with a web based intuitive interface, this self-service password management utility can be accessed and used in an easy and effective way even by non-technical staff.

The ADSelfService Plus Professional Edition, comes with the advantage of Reseting Passwords/Unlocking Account from the User's own machine instead of a remote login. This functionality is achieved with the help of a GINA extension - ADSelfService Plus GINA. In case of Vista machines, the ADSelfService Plus Credential Provider, performs a similar function which is associated with Reset Password / Unlock. Users would need to get enrolled to avail the the Self Service options.

ADSelfService Plus GINA

ADSelfService Plus GINA is an extension from the standard GINA from Microsoft. The ADSelfService Plus GINA has been created to add the functionality - Reset Password / Unlock on the Windows Logon Screen. The ADSelfService Plus GINA can be installed in the Windows XP machines. The ADSelfService Plus GINA comes bundled with the ADSelfService Plus Application and can be pushed to the client machines by the Active Directory Administrator through the application itself.

ADSelfService Plus Credential Provider

ADSelfService Plus Credential Provider is a component of the ADSelfService Plus utility that creates additional extra "Reset Password / Unlock" link on the Logon screen of the Windows Vista Machines. The functions performed by the ADSelfService Plus Credential Provider is the same as that of the ADSelfService Plus GINA. The ADSelfService Plus Credential Provider also comes bundled with the ADSelfService Plus application.

How does the Self-Service AD Password Reset Mechanism function?

The application provides an easy to use interface with the help of which the administrator can either select the individual computers or an organizational unit as a whole, to install the ADSelfService Plus GINA / Credential Provider. The success / failure of the client software installation can be verified with the help of the Installed Machines and Error occurred machines options respectively. The computers will need to be restarted to enable the ADSelfService Plus GINA / Credential Provider client software functionality.

Benefits of ADSelfService Plus GINA / Credential Provider

There are a number of advantages that are associated with the installation and usage of the ADSelfService Plus GINA / Credential Provider. The most important benefits of using the application can be listed as follows:

• Reduction in Administrator /HelpDesk Workload
• Increased end user output/productivity
• Decreased Turn-around-time to resume work by users
• Minimized Cost on Active Directory password reset requests
• Ability to push the GINA / CP to client machines via the application
• Option to push client software in specific machines(OU Based Filter)
• Streamlined AD Administration with the enforcement of password policy
• Integration with ADSelfService Plus(for account unlocks/information updates)
• Facility to verify GINA Installed / Error occurred Machines.

Unlike the option to reset password from a remote machine, the ADSelfService Plus GINA / Credential Provider offers the facility to perform Active Directory password resets from the users' computers itself.

List of other Features in ADSelfService Plus »

Some other benefits of ADSelfService Plus - Self Service Reset Password Management

Other features
	Self Unlock Account Free Active Directory users from lengthy help desk calls with ADSelfService Plus's self-account unlock option.Unlocking an account with ADSelfService Plus is child's play!
	Self Directory Update Portal that lets Active Directory users update their latest information without the help desk assistance. Self-update feature also ensures that Active Directory database is up-to-date with the user profile changes.
	Password/Account Expiry Notification Intimate Active Directory users of their impending password/account expiry by mailing them these password/account expiry notifications.
	Corporate Directory Search A quick search facility that enables Active Directory users to scout for information about peers by using search keys like phone no., e-mail id, first/ last name of the personality being searched.
	Password Policy Enforcer Ensure strong user passwords that resist various hacking threats with ADSelfService Plus by enforcing Active Directory users to adhere to compliant passwords via displaying password complexity requirements.