Single sign-on
OpenAthens establishes one set of log-in credentials for all web resources and applications. Users can sign in and access the information they are looking for without unnecessary barriers or complications.
Open up to a less complex life
With over 25 years experience, our single sign-on solution ensures access and authentication are managed simply, securely, and effectively while providing insight and data that supports librarians.
Key features and benefits
Product tour
Reporting dashboard
Our reports area provides insight into provider usage, number of authentications, active accounts, location of successful session logins and much more!
Account management
Create, edit and activate accounts. Assign users to permission sets. Integrate with your organization's active directory.
Permission sets
Create permission sets to control resource access based on departments, faculty, libraries or whatever your organization needs.
Compare the single sign-on solutions
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Admin dashboard
Comprehensive portal for managing all configuration e.g. user management, reporting, and resource management.
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User management dashboard
Option to create OpenAthens accounts and /or integrate with any local directory. Ability to create personal accounts or access accounts (e.g. for walk-in users, etc.) organization accounts. The administrator can also disable accounts if misuse is suspected.
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Reporting module
Reporting available on any attributes the library wants to see usage on e.g. department and user group, international students, walk-in users, alumni. Reporting API available for data integration with systems such as Tableau or Power BI.
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Web portal
MyAthens portal available. Provides a lightweight knowledge portal to curate resources and add content discovery widgets.
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Two factor authentication
Can point to an institutional Identity Provider that has been configured for multi-factor authentication.
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Personalization
Users can save their searches/ annotated content/ preferences and login to publishers’ websites that support it automatically.
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Admin dashboard
All configuration is managed on the server.
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User management dashboard
Text file-based system for user management or the option to connect to a local directory.
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Reporting module
Basic reporting that provides information about remote users’ activity only.
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Web portal
Not available.
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Two factor authentication
In development.
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Personalization
Access is all based on IP recognition, so personalization is not possible.
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Admin dashboard
All configuration is managed on the server by a Shibboleth developer.
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User management dashboard
No in-built user management function. A developer must connect to a local directory.
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Reporting module
No inbuilt reporting capabilities. There is access to Shibboleth log files or the ability to integrate with 3rd party applications.
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Web portal
Not available.
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Two factor authentication
A Shibboleth developer could build multi-factor authentication functionality.
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Personalization
Users can save their searches/ annotated content/ preferences and login to publishers’ websites that support it automatically.
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Search our database of publishers and service providers that are compatible with the OpenAthens service. Filter on those that are in identity federations, or compatible with the OpenAthens Redirector or managed proxy.
Our library-owned portal provides a simple starting point for patrons’ research, letting them know what resources are available and authenticating them to the content they need.
Our comprehensive statistics are available via a reporting API. Export the data from OpenAthens to a platform such as Tableau or Power BI for powerful analysis.
What do we integrate with?
Our single sign-on solution is built on international standards to facilitate easy support and integration with other applications.
Our detailed six-step guide walks you through everything to consider and carry out when onboarding to OpenAthens. And we’re there to support you at every step.
FAQ
Search our bank of frequently asked single sign-on solution questions to find the answers you need.
Our OpenAthens Listserv connects our customers. Join our global community to share best practices, expertise, ideas, and information, ask questions, gain knowledge, explore opportunities and collaborate with each other!
Learners or researchers, you will need to speak to the library or information management team at your organization about access to online journals and databases.
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