JISC

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This brochure explores the wider possibilities of delivering services through federated access management and ‘single sign-on’. It showcases some of the innovative ways institutions have been using federated access management for the benefit of their students, their business and the communities beyond their campus.

A new vision for federated access management

Most colleges and universities are members of the UK Access Management Federation (the UK federation) and are already using federated access management to access externally provided library services. But federated access management can do so much more. There is now the opportunity to have all of your services accessed in the same way, providing a far wider range of resources securely, easily and instantly to staff, students and the wider community.

Our institutions are facing some very challenging times, with record numbers of applicants and a financial model that government and commentators claim is no longer viable. Institutions will be expected to continue to deliver a world-class student experience in this rapidly changing environment.

We will be compelled to respond with more innovative ways than ever of ensuring consistent and exceptional performance in education and research, squeezed by fewer resources.

Federated access management has the ability to make an outstanding contribution in meeting those challenges.

Benefits of UK colleges and universities using federated access management to improve access to their range of services 
Norman Wiseman, Head of Services and Outreach, JISC (Duration: 3.42 mins)

It can reduce costs through greater efficiency, deliver better value and more opportunities, help manage information more effectively, and support your business goals.

Your internal processes can become more streamlined, saving hours of resource time. It can enable greater outsourcing of services, saving money and improving service delivery.

Information and resources can be perfectly targeted – from research wikis to publishing exam results – direct to students wherever they are, improving their experience of learning or research at your college or university.

Providing access to services through federated access management helps build more sustainable futures and, particularly in research excellence, maintain the UK’s competitive advantage.

The technology is freely available and the investment in time can bring substantial returns for your staff, students and reputation. What’s more, there are pioneers and passionate adopters within the UK’s institutions who can help you because they already have experience of providing federated services across a range of applications.

The national infrastructure that JISC provides is built on strategies, policies and protocols that give more people greater access to resources to which they are entitled, while protecting the rights of the user and the service provider.

JISC believes that institutional services have yet to reach their full potential, and that if there was ever a time for institutions to make better use of this untapped capability, that time is now.

We hope this guide provides both information and inspiration, and we look forward to working with you.