NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 13, 2016) -- Many security experts consider passwords to be the weak link in an organization’s extranet security because of their vulnerability to fraud and hacking. That’s because the only thing using a password for identity authentication really proves is that the person logging in knows the password.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) adds extra layers of security to the authentication process by requiring additional ways to verify one’s identification, and it is now available as an add-on for Extranet Collaboration Manager for SharePoint in ExCM 2013 R2 and ExCM 2016. (An R2 is a major new release of a software product.) For details, visit https://www.premierpointsolutions.com/products/extranet-solution/new-features-in-excm-2013-r2-and-excm-2016/.

“MFA is built into the customizable sign-in page that ships with the software, so there’s no need for an additional third-party Multi-Factor Authentication product or service,” said Jeff Cate, president of PremierPoint Solutions. “However, an additional license is required,” he added.
MFA is one of the new features in ExCM 2013 R2 that improve the ease of deployment and configuration of a SharePoint extranet.

Extranet Collaboration Manager (ExCM) provides a complete extranet solution, available as on-premises software or hosted in the cloud. It seamlessly extends SharePoint and enhances its out-of-the-box extranet capabilities, simplifying administration and enabling easy, secure collaboration between external and internal users.

The ExCM 2013 R2 includes a new easy-to-use Forms-Based Authentication (FBA) setup wizard that deploys in about 10 minutes. The automatic ASP.NET Membership Provider configuration works in single server and multi-server farms, with automatic creation of the extranet directory database. There also is support for multiple extranet web applications.

In addition, the new release makes it easy to configure several advanced features that previously required tedious and error-prone XML-file edits.

For external users needing access to multiple sites, the new release has an extranet directory web part that ships with ExCM. It is security trimmed so that users only see what they have permission to view. The directory is self-updating and self-maintained.

Support for Trusted Identity Providers (TIPS) includes Active Directory Federation Services (ADFS) and other SAML authentication providers.

Current ExCM customers with support can get the R2 at no cost. New customers can download and evaluate the R2 with a 30-day trial key.

Later this year, PremierPoint Solutions will release a new version of ExCM for SharePoint 2016.

While SharePoint provides many of the raw capabilities necessary for extranet collaboration, it lacks critical tools that SharePoint administrators need to establish and maintain the collaboration environment. That’s where ExCM comes in.

ExCM 2013 is a seamless add-on to SharePoint that extends and enhances SharePoint’s out-of-the-box extranet capabilities, simplifying SharePoint extranet administration and enabling easy collaboration for extranet users.

ExCM improves collaboration with individuals outside an organization by providing partners, customers and suppliers with access to important information while still maintaining security. The product relieves IT staff of much of the burden of administrating a SharePoint extranet by enabling an administrator to delegate authority to power users designated as “site sponsors,” who can perform routine administrative tasks like sending invitations, adding and unlocking accounts, etc.

It also empowers extranet users to do for themselves things such as signing up for extranet accounts, resetting their passwords, updating their user profiles and more.

Based in Nashville, Tenn., PremierPoint Solutions is a Microsoft Certified Partner and a nationwide leader in expert-led in-person and online public classes on SharePoint products and technologies. The company’s software division professionally develops high-quality commercial add-ons for SharePoint. For more information, visit www.premierpointsolutions.com.
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