Directory Synchronisation

The average enterprise typically has multiple different directories supporting a variety of applications such as electronic messaging, security and HR.

Many of these directories contain information that relates to the same 'entities', which makes keeping them in step with each other important. For example, to enable users working on disparate email systems to address each other, or to revoke access rights to all corporate applications (such as email) the instant a member of staff is removed from the HR database.

The process of synchronising directories, however, is extremely challenging. Even if your organisation has standardised on LDAP, different directories may have incompatible 'schemas' and separate departments may be responsible for managing directory content, with no centralised update point.