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A whole class of companies nowadays leverage Microsoft® Windows® without using Microsoft Active Directory®. These organizations leverage the cloud instead and take advantage of multiple device platforms. They have purposefully decided to avoid the Microsoft lock-in that is inherent with Active Directory and Windows. IT admins for these progressive companies care about finding the right tools for the job. Active Directory’s Windows device management capabilities are important to securing devices and the network. So, if Microsoft solutions are the way to go, IT admins go that direction; but when Microsoft solutions aren’t the right choice, they aren’t afraid to go a different direction.
Deciding Not to Use Active Directory
Just as these IT admins may decide to use Windows without Active Directory, they also won’t compromise on the core fundamentals they need to run their network infrastructure. Their paramount concerns remain the same: IT security and full control over applications, data, devices, and the network.
While IT admins may not use Active Directory to control user access, controlling user access is still a fundamental concern and top priority for them. In fact, user management nowadays doesn’t just include Windows devices. User management includes all devices, regardless of platform. Nowadays, user management also includes cloud solutions and location-independent resources. IT admins who use Windows without Active Directory aren’t compromising on their user management and device control. They want a different solution that allows them to manage user access without Active Directory.
Managing User Access without Active Directory
JumpCloud Directory Platform is aimed directory at IT organizations that are focused on leveraging the right IT resources for their organization, regardless of platform or location. JumpCloud’s cloud-based directory service gives IT admins the user management control and device security they’ve come to expect with Active Directory. Except now they can control all platforms, not just Windows.
As a cloud-based service, JumpCloud connects to a wide variety of IT resources from on-premises devices and applications to cloud infrastructure and Web applications. Case in point: remote workers who run Windows yet need to connect back to the on-premises AD server with a VPN now don’t need a VPN; rather, they can connect via the cloud without the extra steps and hassle.
IT admins who are still leveraging the Microsoft Windows platform don’t need to be locked into using Active Directory. There are alternative user management solutions that provide deep user authentication and authorization capabilities, while still covering device management capabilities. If you are interested in learning more, feel free to give JumpCloud’s cloud-based directory a try. Your first 10 users and 10 devices are free.
