End user work environments are becoming increasingly complex as applications propagate like rabbits and each one brings unique login requirements. Managing these environments for both daily operations and regulatory compliance means a heavy workload for the enterprise's administrators. Efficiently handling these issues is essential for each enterprise so doing it with one tool means big savings.

IAM 101

Identity & Access Management (IAM) is a technology designed to simplify all aspects of user management. IAM tools integrate into the enterprise and act as a sort of middleware layer between the enterprise's users and its applications. By sitting in the middle, they streamline the interactions between these two bodies. Further, they are uniquely positioned to report on those interactions as they participate in every authentication request.

Generally IAM solutions are built around some form of all-encompassing proprietary directory. These directories break down into two types:

• Virtual directories are additive to existing directories and contain links to user information held in those directories but locally store user data that is not in a directory. They are simple to build since they simply link to most data...