Signing in to FedConnect Using SSO

Some organizations use a secure sign in system called Single Sign-On (SSO) to control access to FedConnect. This method uses your organization’s identity provider to verify who you are—so you won’t use a FedConnect password.

Important

When a vendor organization switches to Single Sign-On (SSO), that becomes the required sign-in method for all users tied to the vendor ID. FedConnect doesn’t support mixing sign-in methods—it's either SSO for everyone in that vendor organization, or the standard sign-in process for everyone in the organization.

Your organization’s vendor administrator is responsible for setting up SSO access in FedConnect. Once configured, you’ll sign in using your usual organizational credentials, just like you would for other business applications. FedConnect will take care of redirecting you to your organization’s sign-in page automatically.

Important

If you use SSO to access FedConnect and you have issues with signing in, then you must contact your identity provider. Unison Customer Care can still assist you if you are using the traditional FedConnect user ID and password to sign in.

SSO provides a secure way for one system to tell another system, “This person is who they say they are.” It’s the behind-the-scenes language that allows FedConnect to trust your organization’s sign in system without needing a separate password. The FedConnect SSO uses a secure protocol to connect to your organization’s sign in system. Think of it as a handshake between FedConnect and your internal IT system—once they agree on who you are, you’re in.

When your organization uses SSO:

• You sign in through your organization’s usual system (like a corporate log in portal).

• That system tells FedConnect, “Yep, we’ve confirmed this user’s identity.”

• FedConnect then gives you access—no extra password needed.

In everyday terms, it’s like getting into a venue with a wristband from the box office: FedConnect sees the wristband and lets you in, and after that there is no need to show your ID again.

Where to Start if SSO is New to Your Organization

This section provides a high-level overview of where to start if your organization is interested in using SSO with FedConnect but is not already using SSO today.

Before using SSO, a vendor organization:

• Must be set up with an identity provider (IdP)

• Must configure that IdP correctly to work with FedConnect’s SSO

After a vendor organization is live with SSO:

• Any sign-in issues (passwords, access, etc.) are owned by the identity provider.

• FedConnect administrators can’t help with troubleshooting SSO user IDs or passwords—they're outside the FedConnect boundary

This help topic covers the FedConnect sign in process for users who sign in using SSO. If you want to know more about signing in to FedConnect manually, jump to Signing In to FedConnect Manually.

For SSO, if your organization is already registered as a vendor, and if you have received an email from FedConnect containing your user ID and temporary password, then you can sign in to FedConnect.

To sign in to FedConnect:

1. Access FedConnect via your internet browser. The FedConnect Home page displays.
2. Click Sign In to Your FedConnect Account. The Sign In page displays.

The following picture illustrates how the Sign In page might look. Your results might vary.

3. On the Sign In page, in the User ID field, type the email address you used when you registered as a vendor in FedConnect. You will automatically be directed to your organization's identity provider (IdP) for authentication.
4. Upon successful authentication, you will be signed in to FedConnect. The Message Center Inbox displays.
5. At the prompt, accept the terms and conditions of use.