PrinterLogic has partnered with Okta, the leading cloud-based Identity Provider, to offer customers their first free Okta account via an embedded feature known as Okta Embedded Integration.
Streamline your SaaS transition
As more companies embrace a cloud-first strategy, they face challenges with supporting a mix of legacy (on-prem) and cloud-based applications. Two of those challenges — eliminating print servers and cutting ties to Active Directory — are addressed with the new PrinterLogic-Okta partnership described below.
For context, let’s start with a brief overview of PrinterLogic and its benefits.
The benefits of a true SaaS platform
PrinterLogic completely eliminates the need for print servers and replaces traditional infrastructure with an efficient, secure, centrally managed direct IP printing platform. It also gives IT the ability to empower end users with advanced functionality such as installing a printer on their own, secure release printing, and mobile/BYOD printing.
More and more, PrinterLogic customers are opting for a SaaS subscription, which provides all the benefits described above while doing away with IT having to manage server licensing, private-cloud resources, software configuration, and maintenance. Unlike other solutions, PrinterLogic SaaS is a true SaaS platform: It’s more than just an application hosted in the cloud that requires a VPN and lacks multi-tenancy.
Moving beyond Active Directory
Traditionally, customers have been able to connect PrinterLogic to their legacy Active Directory server to provide authentication services. More recently, however, organizations of every size are seeking cloud technologies that align with their digital transformation journey. As more customers choose PrinterLogic SaaS and offer more cloud-based applications, the need for easier provisioning and single sign-on (SSO) becomes more evident.
Okta and cloud-based Identity Management
As a cloud-based Identity Provider, Okta is edging out the need for legacy on-prem directory services such as Microsoft’s AD. Okta’s Rethink AD explains how AD, now over 40 years old, falls short of the modern demands of cloud computing.
As Okta’s customer base and mainstream adoption for cloud-based identity management has grown, customers have been looking for a print management solution that integrates with the Okta Identity Cloud.
PrinterLogic and Okta: A synergistic partnership
PrinterLogic and Okta are both rooted in an agnostic approach to solving technology problems. PrinterLogic created a platform that works with any network printer and any workstation OS. Okta integrates with other Identity Providers, including Microsoft’s AD, and supports industry-standard protocols such as SCIM and SAML 2.0.
Figure 1. When integrated, Okta becomes the trusted workforce identity authority for PrinterLogic. Users authenticate their identity through Okta, and they are authorized to access PrinterLogic.
PrinterLogic and Okta allow IT teams to eliminate infrastructure related to both print and identity management. This helps resolve a big challenge faced by many organizations moving to the cloud: the need to phase out legacy solutions.
PrinterLogic is not only part of the Okta Integration Network (OIN), but it has also achieved embedded partner status. Through the use of Okta Embedded Integration, PrinterLogic customers can create their first free Okta account from within the PrinterLogic Admin Console. A new “Become an Okta Member” button now appears in the console.
PrinterLogic passed rigorous testing by Okta in order to achieve this level of integration. It is the only print management solution to offer this first free-account benefit.
How to get started with Okta in PrinterLogic
Get set up your first free Okta account from within PrinterLogic:
From the PrinterLogic Admin Console, go to Tools>Settings>General, then select Identity Provider Settings and click on “Become an Okta Member.” Complete the form to create the free account. Log in to Okta (https://www.okta.com/) to manage the new account. For customers using AD, install the Okta Active Directory agent and import your AD users and groups into Okta.