Sometimes we get the question what we mean by Single Sign On for Extension Mobility. It is a valid question since it may be a confusing term. As a matter of fact, the term ‘automatic login for Extension Mobility’ is also a valid definition of what we deliver.
Our Active Login Manager (ALM) solves the following problem. Extension Mobility makes it possible to log into any Cisco IP Telephone that is connected to an IP Telephone network and is controlled by a Cisco Unified Communications Manager (CUCM) or a Cisco Call Manager Express (CME). Whenever someone logs into that telephone using his username and PIN, that phone loads his personal profile and settings. The problem here is the login of the user into the telephone. This is a cumbersome procedure where you have to type in long strings via a numeric keypad. It makes Extension Mobility less user-friendly.
Our ALM solves this. Since people already have to log into their computer or laptop (as well as several other applications), we developed functionality where this computer login is ‘re-used’ for the telephone. Theoretically speaking it is not a Single Sign On solution, but an adapter that extends an existing Single Sign On solution from the ‘Microsoft world’ to the ‘Cisco IP Telephony world’.
We therefore could say that we developed automatic login for Cisco Extension Mobility. Because at the end that is what we deliver. Whenever someone logs into his PC, laptop or opens a virtual PC session, de telephone on his desk is automatically logged in as well.
And whenever someone logged out from his computer, the telephone is automatically logged out as well. Also, the user can set his preferences to make this automatic login functionality completely tailored to his personal preferences. For example, when the computer switches to hibernate, the IP Telephone is logged out. Or when the screensaver starts, the IP Phone is logged out as well. And the other way around: As soon as the user continues his work, the telephone on his desk is logged in again. Completely automatic.
