Novell technology to connect over 100 000 digital identities for BT

Novell has signed a major deal with BT`s technology and IT operations division, BT Exact, to provide identity management and consultancy services to the telecommunications giant.

BT Exact is working with Novell on a directory-based programme to enhance cooperation and coordination among its various lines of businesses. When completed, the initiative is expected to save BT millions and involve in excess of 100 000 users around the world including employees, agencies and partners.

BT is one of Europe`s leading providers of telecommunications services with over 20 million business and residential customers in the UK alone.

The company offers a broad range of services across different business units and recognised that the creation of a core repository of digital identities would allow them to maximise the value of their existing IT investments and ensure employees had access to the most up-to-date information.

BT has a reputation for innovation, moving quickly to adopt new technology and the Directory Enablement Programme is sponsored by Brian Giffen, the Chief Information Officer for BT Group. Giffen explains: "Our objective is to create an authoritative source of identity information for the whole BT Group. In a large business, IT often develops at a departmental level leading to a range of applications, duplication of information, and possibly security loopholes. BT saw an opportunity to unify its information and improve business processes."

The Directory Enablement Programme began with a study of the business needs and potential benefits of directory technology. BT`s Information Technology division, BT Exact, engaged Cambridge Technology Partners, the business strategy practice of Novell Consulting to provide a roadmap for the project and to make the financial case for investment and to articulate the requirements for the digital identity management technologies.

Giffen continues: "We selected Cambridge Technology Partners because we were impressed by their independence and professionalism. Despite the fact Novell was a potential supplier, we found the consultants to be completely independent in their analysis and they showed considerable enthusiasm and commitment to the project. A tight six-week timescale was proposed for the initial identity management consultation and the Cambridge Technology Partners team delivered an extensive, thorough strategic plan for the Directory Enablement Programme within deadline."

To avoid any conflict of interest, Cambridge Technology Partners did not assist BT during the technology selection phase of the programme.

The Directory Enablement Programme will provide the core infrastructure for delivery of many other BT services and is viewed as a vital foundation for the company`s overall IT strategy. BT Exact selected Novell`s award-winning eDirectory as the underlying platform for the programme. Part of Novell`s Nsure Secure Identity Management solution, eDirectory is the de facto standard centralised identity management system with over 30 000 customers, including 80% of the Fortune 1 000 companies (source: IDC). The technology is being implemented by BT Exact and Novell Consulting, working together in partnership.

Ben Bulpett, Sales Director for Novell, comments: "Identity management is a rapidly growing technology because it not only prevents information falling into the wrong hands, it is also a key business enabler. Novell is one of the market leaders for secure identity management technology because companies like BT have recognised its considerable benefits internally from an IT management and process point of view and externally, in terms of involving customers, suppliers and partners more closely in a business."

The project has been divided into four streams:

* Identity management - establishing the core meta-directory service and infrastructure that ensures that accurate and timely information is available from the "One BT" identity repository.

* Asset management - utilising information from the meta-directory, asset management is a practical application of identity management that allows BT to manage the ownership of its assets, whether they are valuable physical assets such as computers, mobile phones and company vehicles or, in the longer term, business-critical digital assets such as business intelligence and intellectual property.

* Roles-based provisioning - the service to grant, change and manage digital identities across different applications. This function means that when an employee joins, is promoted, moves or leaves the company, their access rights can be changed once across all of the applications they use. This greatly simplifies identity management and ensures accurate information is available throughout the network.

* Third-party management - provides two related services. Roles-based provisioning will be extended outside the business to include customers, suppliers, partners and contractors enabling them to become more involved in BT`s business. This part of the programme also ensures a single, authoritative identification of all users, whether they are employees or external parties.

The different streams of the Directory Enablement Programme are all in progress, but identity management has completed a number of foundational deliveries.

Prior to starting the Directory Enablement Programme, BT Exact worked with Cambridge Technology Partners to create a compelling case to sell the project to the company and identified three key areas where the technology would directly impact on the business:

* Technology rationalisation - creating a single "view" of BT will minimise the amount of hardware and resources required to meet the company`s IT needs. Improved asset management also allows BT to monitor items such as: what computers, mobile phones or servers it has in the business and ensure all are being used effectively by the right people. Costs will also be reduced in terms of IT administration, as less time will be spent on help-desk calls or provisioning new users.

* Technology enablement - BT runs many different applications, for example in sales, human resources or finance. A common, interoperable, accessible information source will allow the business to administer existing applications and introduce new strategic IT ventures quickly by provisioning those employees, contractors and partners entitled to use them. Identity management also increases security, ensuring the right people can access the network.

* Business transformation - faster, easier access to information will have a direct impact on the productivity of employees, enabling them to respond to customers more quickly, to share knowledge and collaborate on different projects. For example, up-to-date information on customers will identify opportunities to cross-sell or up-sell new services.

Giffen goes on to say: "Without a clear view of our information and assets, there were risks of unnecessary duplications of efforts and resources, over-complicated systems, missed revenue streams and limitations on our responsiveness as a business. We believe the Directory Enablement Programme has the potential to save BT millions of pounds."