G-Tech: Microsoft Dynamics, RSA Security Card Manager; Fargo Print Security

Microsoft Gets Dynamic

Microsoft recently released the latest version of its customer relationship management (CRM) solution aimed at government agencies that seek a way to improve communications with constituents and fellow agencies.

Microsoft Dynamics CRM 3.0 provides a suite of marketing, sales and service capabilities. The new version delivers roles-based CRM functionality within a native Microsoft Office and Outlook interface, event-driven workflow, and reporting and analytics capabilities based on Microsoft Excel and SQL Server. A Web-based interface is also available, along with offline capabilities and compatibility with mobile devices.

"[The latest version] allows a more structured, integrated and consistent interface between government and its constituents," says Kevin Faulkner, senior director of product marketing for CRM at Microsoft.

VARs can use the CRM platform, which is built on Web services, to develop customized solutions--a field-inspection system for agriculture, for example--and easily tweak that solution for other agencies with similar constituent-management requirements. In addition to federal, state and local agencies, partners can tailor the solution for educational institutions.

RSA Security's Card Manager

Bedford, Mass.-based RSA Security has launched its RSA Card Manager solution to enable customers to manage the life cycle of authentication credentials stored on smart-chip-enabled devices, such as smart cards and USB-enabled, two-factor authentication tokens. The card-management system provides an infrastructure that allows federal agencies to meet the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which requires federal employees and contractors to use a new standard for physical and logical access.

The RSA Card Manager software lets end users perform smart-card and credential-management functions, including unlocking smart cards, requesting temporary credentials and handling digital-certificate renewals, via a self-service Web portal.

Fargo Electronics Releases Print-Security Products

Fargo Electronics has launched its new Print Security Manager and Print Security Client products for managing and protecting network-based ID card systems. Print Security Manager enables users to remotely configure and manage networked ID card printer/ encoders and provides information on printer status and ribbon use.

Print Security Manager also offers management and card-issuance protection with five integrated security applications covering printer management, user configuration, reporting capabilities, materials management and materials e-ordering. For security on individual card-printer workstations, the Print Security Client application includes security imaging and printer-access protection. The Print Security Manager and Print Security Client work with Fargo's network-capable ID card printer/encoders.