Next Identity Manager Coming in 2015

The next version of Identity Manager (now available in preview, and previously called Forefront Identity Manager) will likely arrive in the second half of 2015, along with the next version of Windows Server. Identity Manager will include several new features, such as the ability to set time-limited administrator access, better synchronization with Azure Active Directory, and support for multi-factor authentication. Azure Active Directory Premium customers will have rights to use Identity Manager.

New Features Emphasize Azure Active Directory

Identity Manager maintains user identity data, such as group memberships and addresses, across all the applications and OS services that use the data. For Microsoft, a key identity management task is synchronization between the Windows Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) and other directories, databases, and business applications, such as human resources and Web site user databases. Identity management also handles smart cards, digital certificates, and other types of tokens for secure authentication.