We are excited to announce that we’re delivering several user experience (UX) updates to the admin console in our VMware Identity Manager 3.2 release!
This blog introduces the various changes. The bulk of these changes in the admin console can be categorized into two buckets:
- UX changes in the Catalog section
- UX changes in Policies
Now, let’s deep dive into these changes.
4 UX Updates to the Catalog Section
1. New Web Apps & Virtual Apps Pages
Previously, the Application Catalog page under Catalog tab displayed all the applications, including web apps and virtual apps (such as VMware Horizon, Citrix and VMware ThinApp applications).
In the new interface, applications are separated into Web Apps and Virtual Apps in the Catalog menu. You can now navigate to the Web Apps page to view and add new web apps, and assign these to end users. Similarly, navigate to the Virtual Apps page to view and configure your virtual applications and desktops.
2. New Navigation to Virtual Apps Collection
In Identity Manager 3.1, we introduced the Virtual Apps Collection page where you can view and configure all your virtual app and desktop integrations.
In Identity Manager 3.2, we moved this page to within the Virtual Apps page. Navigate to Virtual Apps Collection by clicking on Virtual Apps Configuration on the Virtual Apps page. If you are using an older version of the connector, or you haven’t migrated to Virtual Apps Collection yet, you will see the label as Manage Desktop Applications instead of Virtual App Configuration.
Note: Upcoming releases will incorporate more changes in the Virtual Apps page to improve the UX.
3. New Navigation to Settings
Previously, the Settings under Catalog menu had settings across Web Apps and Virtual Apps, as well as global settings for VMware Identity Manager.
We separated these settings into Web Apps Settings, Virtual App Settings and Global Settings. Settings pertaining to Web Apps are available through Settings on the Web Apps page, and similarly all settings pertaining to Virtual Apps are available through Settings on the Virtual Apps page. Settings available from the Catalog tab menu include only settings that are relevant across all catalog items.
4. New Flow for Adding & Assigning SaaS Apps
We also modified the entire flow of adding new Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications and assigning them to end users.
Previously, you navigated to Application Catalog -> Add Application, and then selected the type of application to add. Application configuration details were presented as multiple tabs on the left.
With Identity Manager 3.2, we made adding web applications and user entitlements easier. To add a new app, select New on the Web Apps page. A series of wizard-style screens will guide you through that entire process.
At the end, you can either chose to Save an application or Save & Assign. Or click Assign on the Web Apps page to entitle the application to users and groups.
2 UX Updates to the Policies Page
1. Consolidated Policies & Network Ranges Pages
Previously, the Identity Manager admin console included separate pages for Policies and Network Ranges under the Identity & Access Management tab. Policies is where you define new access policies and edit existing ones. Network Ranges is where you add a range of IP addresses that can then be associated with an identity provider or an access policy.
We consolidated both pages into one for Identity Manager 3.2, by embedding the Network Ranges page within the Policies page, as shown below. To add or edit network ranges, simply click on Network Ranges.
2. Network Settings for Horizon View & XenApp Integration
If you have an existing Horizon and Citrix integration with Identity Manager, previously you navigated to the Network Ranges page to define the Horizon View or XenApp URL host and port for specific IP addresses.
In the new UX, we moved this section to the Virtual Apps page. Simply navigate to Virtual Apps -> Settings -> Network Settings to specify Horizon View and XenApp details.
What’s not Included in Identity Manager 3.2?
The following features are not available in Identity Manager 3.2 but should become available to you shortly in upcoming releases. If you are currently using any of these features and need them with 3.2, please contact support.
- Option to import, copy and export an application
- Option to Filter apps by Category
This gives you a quick overview into all that’s coming with Identity Manager 3.2. As you experience these UX changes, please let us know your feedback in the comments below so we can make further improvements in upcoming releases.
