Review - Microsoft CLM (Certificate Lifecycle Manager) Beta 1 (renamed from Alacris)

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Don't let the word "Beta" fool you. CLM Beta 1 is actually renamed from the latest Alacris RTM version.

Pros:

- Turn key system and no coding is required

- Can manage both smart cards (including USB tokens) and certificates

- Feature rich self service Web UI

- Built-in work flow engine to handle approval and notification

- Flexable policies

- Temp smart card

- Easy installation

Cons:

- Does not format smart card

- In multiple forest environment, each forest needs its own CLM and SQL database.

- SQL 2005 is not supported.

- IE 7 is not supported

- Microsoft base CSP is not supported

- Granting permission is tedious work

(some will be supported in Beta 2 or RTM)

Overall Rating:

6 out of 10

(0-2: fail to work, 3-5: work in demo/test environment, 6-8: work in production environment, 9-10: excellent quality, great value, highly recommended)