Information security specialists Botz & Associates announced a new Single Sign-On (SSO) service that promises to eliminate up to 80% or more of an organization's password management problems in one working day, using technology the organization already owns. Named SSO stat!, this service addresses the need for fast and affordable SSO implementation for IT networks that include a Windows domain in conjunction with any number of IBM i, AS/400, AIX, Mac OS, Unix or Linux systems. It overcomes the traditional barriers to single sign-on implementation — complexity and cost — by providing an SSO expert to guide technical staff through a proven methodology to configure single sign-on for their specific environment.

According to Patrick Botz, CEO and Chief Technologist at Botz & Associates, customers who use the SSO stat! service experience smooth implementation with no disruption to business.

Ron Traut, Technology Support Manager at GNP Company, shares his experience. "We have a fairly complex environment for SSO, but because of Patrick's knowledge and experience, our initial EIM/Kerberos setup for 500 users was a straightforward, streamlined process. He got our proof-of-concept team up and running quickly, and he taught us a lot during the process. Now we're working on incorporating our more challenging third party and hosted apps before flipping the switch for the rest of the user base. We continue to be impressed with Pat's technical knowledge and his ability to dig in and get it done."

Botz developed the SSO stat! service based on two decades of implementing SSO solutions in a wide variety of IT environments. His experience includes designing the single sign-on functionality for OS/400 as Lead Security Architect at IBM, and working with numerous single sign-on clients as the founder of the IBM Lab Services Security Consulting team and as an independent consultant.

"We approach SSO as a business issue first, and then apply technology to solve the issue. This opens the door to solutions that are far more reasonably priced yet deliver 80% of the value," explains Botz. "In other words, we measure the success of any SSO implementation based on the value it returns to the company compared to its cost. It's basic ROI, and it allows our clients to benefit from Single Sign-On immediately instead of getting mired down in the search for single sign-on nirvana."

"Our core methodology does a great job for the majority of organizations out there. And most of the remaining companies have minor complexities that require just a few tweaks to the basic service. By asking a few questions about your network and applications, we can tell very quickly if an organization is a good candidate for this service, and exactly what will be involved, both technically and financially. So far, clients who have measured ROI found they had a pay-back period of just a few months."

The SSO stat! service includes an up-front ROI evaluation, guided SSO implementation for any or all of an organization's users, technical staff training on how the system works, and on-going support to quickly remediate any issues introduced by routine software updates.

Through December 31, 2012, Botz & Associates is offering special introductory pricing for SSO stat! at $2,995 with a 2-year support contract of $333 per month, or $5,995 without a support contract. The base package covers up to 500 users; additional users can be implemented at $5 per user. The SSO stat! service also offers optional Expansion Packs for applications that require specialized SSO configuration, such as enabling WebSphere Application Server.

To find out more about SSO stat! or to download a complimentary, vendor-independent SSO ROI Calculator, visit www.botzandassociates.com, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call Botz and Associates' customer service and sales partner, Technical Decisions LLC, at 603.424.8555 (toll-free 866.467.5483).

About Botz and Associates

Established in 2008, Botz & Associates specializes in information security consulting services for IBM i (formerly AS/400), AIX, Unix and Linux environments, with particular expertise in security strategy; security policy enforcement; password management and single sign-on; industry and government compliance; and biometrics.

Founder Patrick Botz achieved intimate knowledge of system security capabilities and pitfalls on a broad spectrum of platforms during his tenure as Lead Security Architect at IBM and then as founder of the IBM Lab Services security consulting team. He also architected the SSO solution for OS/400 and i5/OS.

Drawing on the expertise of Botz and his network of similarly experienced Information Security experts, Botz & Associates approaches each security engagement from a business perspective, rationally applying the appropriate technology to the extent that is required to make a business more successful. They have designed and implemented effective security solutions across industries such as automotive, medical, pharmaceutical, manufacturing, retail, insurance, trucking and education, and have dealt with every type of regulatory compliance mandate and every level of sensitivity.

Patrick Botz, an internationally known information security expert, is the President and CTO of Botz & Associates, a firm specializing in information security services for IBM i, AIX, UNIX, and Linux environments. 

With decades of experience in key system security positions, Patrick's expertise includes security strategy; security policy enforcement; password management and single sign-on; industry and government compliance; and biometrics.

As Lead Security Architect at IBM and founder of the IBM Lab Services security consulting practice, Patrick worked with IBM customers worldwide and achieved intimate knowledge of system security capabilities and pitfalls on a broad spectrum of platforms, with special emphasis on IBM i (formerly AS/400), AIX, Linux and Unix operating systems. He architected the SSO solution for OS/400 and i5/OS, and he holds several security-oriented patents. 

Early in his tenure at IBM, Patrick lead the AIX workstation tools team for CAD/CAM systems in Rochester, MN. Previous to IBM, he worked for Control Data Corporation with responsibility for CDC's Basic compiler, and for ETA Systems, Inc., a wholly owned supercomputer manufacturing subsidiary of CDC, where he was the team leader for the distributed, Unix-based Electronic Computer-Aided Design (ECAD) tools.

Patrick is the author of numerous trade press articles and a co-author of the book Expert's Guide to OS/400 and i5/OS Security.  In addition, he is a worldwide speaker on various platform-specific and general security topics.