Oxford Computer Group: the go-to identity partner for educational organizations worldwide
Oxford Computer Group are the Microsoft identity experts and, over the last ten years, we have provided consultancy solutions, support and training to more than 200 educational organizations in the UK, Europe and North America. From empowering academic institutions to maximize cloud investments, to ensuring that key legacy systems run smoothly and securely, we have… Read more…
Future-proofing identity management in education with Microsoft Entra
Webinar: 27 November 4pm GMT | 5pm CET Following the overwhelming response to our July webinar on transitioning from MIM to Microsoft Entra cloud-first IAM, many educational institutions requested a session focused on their unique challenges. Join identity expert, James Cowling, CTO of Oxford Computer Group, and Alex Filipin, Microsoft Senior Product Manager for Microsoft… Read more…
Replacing MIM with cloud-first hybrid
Following James’ insightful webinar on Microsoft Entra cloud-first IAM, I’d like to take a closer look at moving away from Microsoft Identity Manager (MIM) and transitioning to cloud-first provisioning. Current implementation If you are using MIM today, your setup is likely to resemble this diagram: MIM imports data from at least one HR source, provisions… Read more…
Extending Lifecycle Workflows in Entra ID
If you are implementing a new Identity and Access Management (IAM) solution in Microsoft Entra ID or migrating from an existing solution such as Microsoft Identity Manager (MIM) you are likely to need (if you have the right license) Identity Lifecycle Workflows (LCWs) which run a series of tasks when certain conditions are met (triggers). For example, a new joiner could be added to groups or assigned access packages based on their job role, and an e-mail sent to their manager. Read on to find out more. Read more…
Transitioning simple on-premises identity (MIM) to cloud-first (Microsoft Entra ID)
A large public sector organization had implemented a solution using Microsoft Identity Manager 2016 (MIM) to manage the identity and access of their volunteer staff (a standalone implementation separate from that used for their employed staff). While the solution worked well, creating and updating accounts, assigning group membership, and managing the identity lifecycle, the organization knew that support for MIM was scheduled to end in January 2029. A decision was made to move the implementation to Microsoft Entra ID Read more…
Cloud-first IAM: How SoftwareIDM’s Identity Panel Suite enhances Microsoft Entra
Oxford Computer Group’s James Cowling’s blog “Microsoft Entra cloud-first IAM: Options for transitioning from on-premises MIM to Microsoft Entra focused solutions in 2024”, along with his subsequent webinar, has – deservedly – garnered a lot of interest and a lot of praise. He refers to the need for a 3rd party Identity as a Service… Read more…
Creating the foundations for moving from on-premises to cloud
The background We were approached by a leading UK-based, global provider of digital and blended distance higher education to scope and plan a roadmap for modernizing their digital learning environment. Their primary goal was to enhance student collaboration, communication, and access to resources and they had selected Microsoft 365 and Microsoft Entra as the platforms… Read more…
Transforming data for API-Driven Inbound Provisioning using Azure Data Factory
Maintaining accurate and up-to-date identity information across various systems of record and Entra ID is crucial for seamless identity lifecycle management, enhanced security, and regulatory compliance. Whether migrating from Microsoft Identity Manager (MIM) or starting fresh, Microsoft Entra ID inbound provisioning is simplified using the bulkUpload API endpoint. However, inbound provisioning often requires intricate manipulation… Read more…
Transitioning from MIM to Microsoft Entra cloud-first IAM: Watch the webinar
Are you considering transitioning from Microsoft Identity Manager (MIM) to Microsoft Entra? Our recent webinar, ‘Transitioning from MIM to Microsoft Entra cloud-first IAM’ was a resounding success, smashing records with over 300 registrations! During the session, James Cowling, CTO of Oxford Computer Group, delved into various scenarios for organizations transitioning to a cloud-first Identity and… Read more…
Transforming Education IAM: From MIM to Identity Panel Suite
A prominent school group asked us to implement an identity management solution to replace MIM. We implemented SoftwareIDM’s Identity Panel Suite as it was cloud-based, easy to maintain, fast to sync and included a user-friendly portal to allow end users to make changes releasing time from the Service Desk. Read more…
Testing Identity Management Implementations – webinar recording
Identity management systems have some special characteristics when it comes to testing and can certainly benefit from automation. This webinar covered testing in general, the particular requirements for Identity Management testing, and SoftwareIDM’s Test Panel. Read more…
Maintaining, securing and migrating from MIM: our top tips
Microsoft Identity Manager (MIM) won’t be around for ever. But it’s still doing an important job for many of our customers. Are you getting the best out of it now? Is your implementation secure? Is it enabling the cloud? Are you well positioned for the future? Read more…
Enhance your Microsoft-based identity management solution and prepare for the future: webinar series
Enhance your Microsoft-based identity management solution and prepare for the future – a series of four webinars covering Identity Panel Suite, presented by Hugh Simpson-Wells. Read more…
Getting control over groups with Access Panel – webinar recording
This webinar recording explores Access Panel from SoftwareIDM, the governance component of Identity Panel Suite. It (amongst other things) provides flexible management for all your groups in any connected system. Read more…
Making your identity data available to users – webinar recording
The third in a five-part series, this webinar recording explores Service Panel. Learn how it securely shares select identity data with users to enhance business and IT operations. Read more…
MIM Synchronization Engine – what comes next? – webinar recording
The second in a four-part series, this webinar recording explores HyperSync Panel. It can do everything the MIM Synchronization engine does but it does it much faster. Read more…
A dashboard for visualizing and managing your identity data – webinar recording
The first in a four-part series, this webinar recording explores Identity Panel, the core component of Identity Panel Suite, which provides a single interface for managing, viewing and reporting on your identity data. Read more…
Why upgrade from FIM to MIM?
Microsoft Entra is the future, but MIM can still be important, both to enable Microsoft Entra, and to support legacy on-premises apps. FIM is a very out-of-date version of MIM. Only by upgrading can you support the latest operating systems and components, and security protocols.
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SoftwareIDM’s Identity Panel Suite – we think it’s a game changer!
Cloud-based by design and vendor-neutral, SoftwareIDM’s Identity Panel Suite is a truly impressive collection of identity management products which sits perfectly alongside hybrid AD. It can also provide a replacement for Microsoft Identity Manager (MIM). And we think it’s a game changer. Read more…
The future is bright, the future is Entra
Entra is the ‘coming of age’ of Microsoft Azure, enabling enterprise-ready identity solutions and customizations. Read more…
Microsoft Entra ID is the future of identity management, so why is MIM persisting?
MIM was launched over 20 years ago and, even though Microsoft has repeatedly announced its demise, it’s still around. Why is it proving so persistent? I outline three key reasons in the first of a series of four blogs. Read more…
Why are organizations continuing to implement MIM?
What’s driving new MIM installations is the ongoing need for reliable, authoritative identity data, made even more important by the roll out of Microsoft Entra services in a Hybrid AD environment. Read more…
Has your organization lost the skills to migrate from MIM?
A skills gap is often one of the primary reasons why organizations are not moving away from MIM and may thereby be preventing them from getting the benefits of Microsoft Entra. Read more…
Do you feel you’re stuck with MIM and legacy systems?
A feeling of being stuck with MIM and legacy systems is one of the primary reasons why organizations are not moving away from MIM. Read more…
How to transition from MIM? Ask the identity experts!
Many organizations are moving to cloud-based modern identity management to safeguard access to company resources, increase IT efficiency, and align to a zero-trust model. This webinar recording aims to help MIM customers identify their path to the cloud, based on timing, business requirements, existing infrastructure, and security exposure. Read more…