FAQ for rDirectory | Windows Active Directory Solution

 

1.  Are you required to customize rDirectory?
No, rDirectory comes pre-configured with web-based Employee Directory applications (catalogs) that can be used within minutes of installation. You can choose to use them, tailor them or even create your own web-based applications from scratch. Your rDirectory Designer can create custom catalogs for finding, browsing, viewing, and editing virtually any information and data type available in your Active Directory. rDirectory does not require schema extensions, yet it allows you to easily take advantage of any schema extensions you make. The standard Active Directory schema already defines nearly 200 object types and 1000 attributes that rDirectory supports.  Top

  

2.  How secure is rDirectory software?
rDirectory uses native Active Directory security to control who can log-on, what catalogs and information they can access, and if editing is allowed by a catalog, what the user can change. Role-based menus also enable targeted functionality for different audiences.  Top
  

3.  Do users have to logon to rDirectory?
rDirectory offers three authentication modes and also allows for several combinations depending upon the configuration that best suits your needs.  With the Windows Integrated mode, there is no need to explicitly log on to rDirectory - the application automatically picks up a user's Windows log-on credentials.  With Forms authentication, users log on at least once to rDirectory; however, a cookie can be set to pick up the user's log-on information automatically for future use.  The third log-on method is for Anonymous access to rDirectory. This mode establishes default credentials for everyone who accesses the directory with rDirectory - no log on is needed. Anonymous mode allows users to search for and display information, but not edit it.

Anonymous mode is useful when you want to provide limited access to directory information (e.g. outfacing applications), or you do not want to require a Client Access License (CAL) for each user searching the directory. For example, you may choose to have public search capability on your website or to establish a lobby kiosk where visitors can locate the phone extension or office location of the person they are visiting.

Finally, rDirectory allows for a combination of the basic authentication modes - Anonymous plus Forms and Windows Integrated plus Forms. These hybrid modes allow users to temporarily logon with another identity. For example, a lobby kiosk using Anonymous plus Forms would allow visitors to search for public information, yet employees could logon to access menus and catalogs only available internally.  Top
  

4.  How does the role-based menu work?
Role-based menus are available with rDirectory Enterprise Resource edition. They provide the capability to create special catalogs only certain people within your organization may access. For example, you may wish to establish a catalog accessible only by security guards, receptionists, or certain levels of managers.

The role-based menu is organized with designated groups, and specified menu items within those groups. A directory role can be associated with both menu groups and menu items, thereby acting as an information access filter. This important feature allows you to develop catalogs for specific audiences within your organization. Conversely, if there is no role associated with a group or item, everyone in your organization will have access to that catalog.  Top
  

5.  Can users edit directory information with rDirectory?
Yes, with rDirectory Professional and Enterprise Resource editions, users are empowered to edit information, but you and Active Directory are always in control of what they can do. First, you select which attributes you will allow each catalog to edit. If the user has rights in Active Directory, they will be allowed to edit those attributes. Attributes they do not have rights to edit are removed from the edit page automatically, and if they do not have rights to edit any of the attributes configured as editable in the catalog, the edit button is also removed.  Top
 

6.  Can IT control the information users can see or edit?
Yes, rDirectory's Professional PE (Professional Edition) and rDirectoryEE (Enterprise Edition) are both highly flexible and give you control over every aspect of each catalog application. Using simple fill-in templates, you can define which objects are searched, and which attributes are used in the Search, Results, Detail and Edit sections for each catalog. With the role-based menu, you even control who has access to use specific catalogs.  Top
 

7.  How does rDirectory differ from the Global Address List (GAL) in Outlook?
The Global Address List in Outlook is a basic white page application. It allows you limited search capability for users and only shows basic information. It has very limited object linking, no editing capabilities, and is not customizable. With rDirectoryPE and rDirectoryEE software solutions, you can easily create highly custom, hyperlinkable and editable employee directory catalogs from virtually any data in Active Directory.  Top
 

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