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OpenAthens SP version 1.3 is now available
Eduserv's access management software OpenAthens SP has been updated to provide our customers with new features.
What is OpenAthens SP?
OpenAthens SP is a standards-compliant software platform that enables providers of protected online resources to deliver secure access to their content. It uses the latest open standards whilst reducing the cost and upheaval of adopting new technologies.
The power of OpenAthens SP lies in its modular architecture. Through a plug-in Athens Module, OpenAthens SP provides support for the tried and trusted Athens service, and the ability to plug in new modules for other standards-based access protocols. Integrating SAML support through Open Athens SP will save you around 80% of the time taken for a native Shibboleth implementation.
Eduserv is committed to supporting open standards in access and identity management protocols and we have already developed modules for important emerging technologies, such as OpenID and Microsoft CardSpace. OpenAthens SP has been specifically designed for:
- Commercial publishers
- Anyone wishing to set up single sign-on between internal systems
- Different organisations sharing such resources as repositories or online workspaces
OpenAthens SP is the natural successor to the Athens Agent. It has already been successfully adopted by clients such as Lexis Nexis, British Universities Film and Video Council and Mintel.
What's new in OpenAthens SP 1.3?
OpenAthens SP 1.3 delivers new functionality to make the OpenAthens SP platform more flexible in integrating with applications, including:
- Improved interoperability with other SAML implementations and international federations
- Support for multiple authentication methods within the same installation of the Apache/IIS plug-ins
- Improved problem diagnosis and logging
- A complete .NET API (removes the necessity for ActiveX/COM)
To download OpenAthens SP 1.3
Eduserv recommends that all existing customers upgrade to take advantage of the enhanced features and security updates.
OpenAthens SP 1.3 is available to all customers using OpenAthens SP 1.1 or 1.2, as well as to all universities and colleges in the UK subscribing to OpenAthens.
Customers using the existing Athens Agent technology can sign up to a trial licence and download the OpenAthens SP 1.3 software and documentation from the DSP download area at https//dsp.athensams.net/dsp_area
Existing users with technical questions should contact the Athens service desk in the usual way.
If you do not currently subscribe to Athens or OpenAthens and our interested in finding out more, please contact us.
