Integration extends access management features BOSTON — A new version of the Xellerate user-identity and access-management software from Thor Technologies will work on the Sun Open Net Environment (Sun ONE) identity management platform, the first integrated user-access rights provisioning product for Sun ONE.Xellerate is a secure enterprise provisioning software product that is written in Java with J2EE components. The product helps streamline the creation, management and revocation of user accounts and privileges, simplifying time-intensive tasks such as setting up user groups, access rules and workflow, according to Nancy Colwell, senior vice president of marketing for Thor.The new version of Xellerate combines Thor’s technology with the Sun ONE platform, enabling users of the Sun ONE Directory Server and Sun ONE Identity Server to manage user access to Sun ONE and third party applications directly from the administrative interfaces of those servers, according to a statement released by the two companies. The new integration extends the access management features of Sun ONE beyond simple “single sign on” capabilities, according to Colwell.Instead of simply being able to control whether or not a given user has access to an application, for example, administrators can now specify that user’s level of access and privileges on that application, Colwell said.“Giving single sign-on capability is all fine and good, but you also have to be able to provision access,” she said. The integration with Sun is just one of many supported by the Xellerate product. The product also works with competing directory servers such as Microsoft Active Directory 2000 and Novell eDirectory, as well as access management products such as NetegritySiteminder, Oblix, NetPoint, and RSA Security Inc.“Sun plays an important role in the network space. But we recognize there are other platforms out on market and we take a heterogenous approach to solutions. Our goal is to be a user access rights and privileges company and to connect the dots to multiple identity stores,” Colwell said.Xellerate for Sun One is available immediately and can be purchased by Sun customers through Thor and will cost between US$7 and $15 per seat, depending on the number of seats and the number of systems that are being managed, according to Colwell. Thor is targeting the product at enterprises with 5,000 or more users, she said.Another release from the two companies targeted for May will make it easier to manage both the Xellerate and Sun One components from a single interface, according to Colwell. Security