Siemens Communications Adds MetaPass Enterprise Single Sign-On to Identity and Access Management Solution

BOCA RATON, Fla., Dec. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens Communications, Inc. has now added enterprise single sign-on (E-SSO) to its Identity and Access Management solution thanks to an agreement with MetaPass, Inc. Siemens customers can now enjoy improved security in an easy-to-deploy, comprehensive solution.

Enterprise single sign-on (E-SSO) gives computer users the ability to log on to multiple systems without having to authenticate with passwords multiple times. Users log on securely once and then access all other applications with a single click. E-SSO increases network security and user productivity, while reducing user frustration and help desk costs.

"Enterprise single sign-on has existed for years but has always been a major integration challenge," said Thomas Kautenburger, director of Security Solutions at Siemens Communications. "The MetaPass E-SSO solution was ideal to complement Siemens' offering since it offers a universal approach that quickly integrates with virtually any system, without customization work or infrastructure change."

Implementing an E-SSO solution is typically a major undertaking requiring months of integration work, but MetaPass can reduce that process to just days. Additionally, with traditional E-SSO solutions customers often only get "reduced sign-on" functionality because of the integration challenges, but with MetaPass customers can enjoy true single sign-on.

"Siemens Communications is uniquely positioned in the industry," said David Dupouy, CEO of MetaPass. "Combining Siemens' robust Identity and Access Management solution and global expertise with MetaPass' unique E-SSO technology provides enterprise customers with the complete portfolio needed to comply with strong security requirements."

Because the MetaPass technology is system-independent, it is a good fit for a variety of enterprise customers, including those with mixed platform environments. It also provides administration capabilities, such as universal directory and authentication device connectivity, and automatic and universal password-change.

"I've found MetaPass to be the most advanced single sign-on solution on the market," said Robert Cantrell, IT director at InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco. "It makes sense that Siemens would adopt MetaPass to overcome challenges with identity management."

About Siemens

Siemens AG (NYSE: SI) is one of the largest global electronics and engineering companies with reported worldwide sales of $107.4 billion in 2006. Founded 160 years ago, the company is a leader in the areas of Medical, Power, Automation and Control, Transportation, Information and Communications, Lighting, Building Technologies, Water Technologies and Services and Home Appliances. With its U.S. corporate headquarters in New York City, Siemens in the USA has sales of $21.4 billion and employs approximately 70,000 people throughout all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Eleven of Siemens' worldwide businesses are based in the United States. With its global headquarters in Munich, Siemens AG and its subsidiaries employ 480,000 people in 190 countries. For more information on Siemens in the United States: www.usa.siemens.com.

About Siemens Communications, Inc.

Siemens Communications, Inc. is an affiliate of Siemens Enterprise Communications GmbH & Co. KG, one of the world's leading vendors of Open Communications solutions for enterprises of all sizes, enabling business processes to be more productive, faster and more secure -- with any device, network or information technology infrastructure. Siemens Communications Inc., and Siemens Enterprise Communications GmbH & Co. KG are wholly owned subsidiaries of Siemens AG with about 15,000 employees globally and headquarters in Boca Raton, Fla. For more info, visit http://enterprise.usa.siemens.com/home.html

About MetaPass, Inc.

MetaPass is an enterprise security software company headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. It provides the only enterprise single sign-on (E-SSO) solution in the industry that is universal and system-independent. Direct benefits to customers include increased network security and user productivity, decreased support costs, and easier regulatory compliance. For more information, contact MetaPass at +1 (408) 907-3991, PR@metapass.com, or http://www.metapass.com

Note: Siemens is a registered trademark of Siemens AG or its subsidiaries and affiliates. All other company, brand, product and service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

This release contains forward-looking statements based on beliefs of Siemens management. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "forecast," "expect," "intend," "plan," "should," and "project" are used to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the company's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause the actual results to be materially different, including, among others, changes in general economic and business conditions, changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates, introduction of competing products, lack of acceptance of new products or services and changes in business strategy. Actual results may vary materially from those projected here. Siemens does not intend or assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.