Replace SharePoint address book at vehicle manufacturer
Munich – FirstAttribute AG has replaced the SharePoint address book at a well-known German vehicle manufacturer. The old phone book solution was replaced by a fast Directory-like web application.
Index
The primary goal of the project was to replace the existing SharePoint phonebook solution with tens of thousands of users and contacts. In addition to just displaying contact and organizational information, the customer wanted a self-service option for personal data.
Replace SharePoint address book with Active Directory-based solution
After an analysis of the existing SharePoint solution and the directory infrastructure, a solution based on the FirstWare IDM-Portal was selected.
The main benefit is that the existing Active Directory with its employee data is used to generate an intranet address book. Other advantages of the IDM-Portal technology lie primarily in its usability with a strong user orientation. These also include SmartSearch and a mobile version that can be used outside the office.
The known complications with SharePoint are thus completely prevented.
Fast self-service and mobile site for employees
In the SharePoint alternative, employees not only have read access to the phone number, department and hierarchy of their colleagues, but can also change their own data in self-service. This also includes the profile picture and a self-description. The write operations are organized differently than the read operations in order to comply with the group’s security requirements. With the implementation of a mobile website, the web service with AD connection is also available on smartphones. This is a welcome feature, especially when changing work locations frequently.
Security levels for Active Directory access
The group structure and rules in the AD Forest result in very limited access for the new address book solution. The flexibility of IDM-Portal enables a provider extension, for example to outsource write operations to other data pots. There is no restriction for the end user at any time. He receives a fast user experience with full functionality.
Cloud only: Microsoft 365 as the basis for SharePoint phonebook replacement
With the cloud service my-IAM, FirstAttribute also offers a solution for Microsoft 365. Instead of an on-premises implementation and configuration, PeopleConnect is an employee service used from enterprise data. Customers with a cloud-first strategy use Azure AD (AAD) and M365 (formerly Office 365) directly. Whether there is also on-prem infrastructure with AD plays a subordinate role. my-IAM uses the advantages created by M365, Teams and general availability and makes them available to users.
my-IAM connects colleagues immediately
The native cloud application integrates with the complex world of Microsoft 365. Users access their own personal data instantly. They find colleagues using SmartSearch and can immediately start a call, Teams chat or e-mail correspondence. With the PeopleConnect service, the focus is on connecting employees quickly. If an employee is looking for quick help, they can be instantly connected to a colleague who has a specific skill and is also online.
Immediate service without project and implementation
my-IAM and the PeopleConnect service are available immediately. The advantage is that there is no separate infrastructure required for this service. Only data from Microsoft 365 (AAD) is needed. While a SharePoint project (also SharePoint-Online) always requires a planning, configuration and testing phase, my-IAM also eliminates the need for implementation and configuration. With my-IAM, companies and their users immediately receive the possibility to find the right contact persons and to connect.
