With version 8.1, HighGear now supports SAML 2.0 Single Sign-On to further advance its already industry-leading security and enterprise authentication features. This new Single Sign-On authentication option is now available in addition to the already supported modes of simple username and encrypted password authentication, Windows-integrated authentication, and certificate authentication. HighGear’s new SAML 2.0 support allows it to connect to a wide variety of identity providers such as Microsoft Azure, Google, and any other service that supports SAML 2.0.
This feature will be immediately available for customers within all of HighGear’s Enterprise Editions. If you are interested in becoming an Enterprise customer, please contact sales@HighGear.com
- Self-hosted customers with an active maintenance agreement can immediately download the self-installing upgrade from the HighGear customer portal.
- SaaS customers will be automatically upgraded to version 8.1 at 10pm on Saturday, December 15th. If you have any questions please contact support@HighGear.com.
- For support, please contact support@HighGear.com.
- For additional licenses or services, please contact sales@HighGear.com.
Single Sign-On with SAML
Using SAML for Single Sign-On (SSO) brings significant benefits for HighGear customers.
Improved User Experience
With SSO, users don’t have to remember and manage a separate password to log into HighGear. Once the user’s HighGear account has been connected to the organization’s identity provider, the user can simply click the new Single Sign-On Log In button and they will either be prompted to log in to their identity provider or be immediately logged in with their existing session.
Easier User Management
Without SSO, the administrator must choose an initial password for every new user and make sure the user changes it after logging in. They have to make sure that their password policy in HighGear matches their company policies. Administrators are also responsible for helping users when they lock themselves out or forget their password.
With SSO, administrators can easily connect a HighGear user account to their primary authentication system by entering a matching login identity into HighGear. No further authentication management is needed for the user since the central identify provider now handles it all.
Increased Security
Single Sign-On also makes customer’s HighGear systems more secure since password policy and identity management is controlled by the central authentication system. By reducing the number of passwords a user has to remember they are more likely to choose strong passwords for their central account. In addition, off-boarding a user from the central system automatically disables their ability to log into HighGear.
Upcoming System Requirement Changes
HighGear 8.1 will be the last version to support Internet Explorer versions 9 and 10. Internet Explorer 11 will continue to be supported.
Microsoft is dropping support for Microsoft SQL Server 2008 and 2008 R2 on July 9, 2019. We will no longer support those versions of SQL Server for any HighGear versions released after that date.