Identity Manager Update Slips to 2010

The next update to Identity Lifecycle Manager (ILM), Microsoft’s product for managing identity data and credentials (such as user names and passwords), has been delayed until 2010. The delay will permit time for an additional release candidate, now planned for late 2009, and allow further testing, development of better deployment and management tools, and expanded documentation. Customers planning on moving ILM to 64-bit Windows Server 2008 will have to wait another year because the current version is 32-bit only.

Identity Infrastructure

ILM is used to create and maintain user identity data, such as user names, passwords, group memberships, and addresses, across a variety of Microsoft and third-party applications and directories. ILM also provides a front end to Windows Server Certificate Services for all digital certificate and smart card management functions. ILM can simplify maintenance of identity data and credentials, provide a unified view of all identity information, and reduce the probability of errors that can lock users out of systems or leave systems at risk after changes such as employee terminations and transfers.