Cloud Computing SSO and IDM Tools: Buying Guide: Page 3

In fact, everyone I talked to had mobile support in mind as they investigated various solutions. SecureAuth and NetIQ also both make mobile support painless.

5. What is the SSO or IDM vendor’s long-term roadmap?

Many of the best cloud-ready SSO and IDM solutions on the market come from startups. A key advantage startups have as technology shifts radically (as has been the case with cloud computing and the rapid adoption of smartphones and tablets) is that they don’t have a bunch of legacy applications they need to support, which so often slows them down.

Startups are able to set their sights on the most current and successful trends and are built from the ground up to support them.

A drawback, though, is that many startups don’t survive intact. Few see successful IPOs. That doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll all fail, but an acquisition or merger can be nearly as disruptive for end users.

Under current economic conditions, though, are startups any more risky than incumbents?

It’s a tough question, and one you’ll have to hash out as you choose an SSO/IDM provider.

One thing to consider, regardless, is how difficult it will be to migrate your identities elsewhere if the vendor fails or changes in such a way that makes it no longer feasible to maintain a relationship with them.

With today’s cloud-based architectures and service-based delivery, it shouldn’t be too difficult to shift to a different provider. If after investigating the SSO/IDM vendor at the top of your list, ID migration looks like it’ll be a major problem, you’re probably better off moving to your second choice.

(Lindsay Armstrong contributed to this story)