Signing Onto the Application

For security and identification reasons, RockSolid MAX requires that all users enter a user ID and password to access the software. User IDs are used for identity, and passwords are used for security. The application adds user IDs to all documents with transactions, including Point of Sale, Inventory transfers, and Purchasing. Often, the user ID is a name, but it could be a code or number. Your company's internal System Administrator is responsible for managing user IDs.

Using the Rapid Entry/Single Sign-On Process

We are modernizing the Sign On process to simplify it and to make it more secure. The Rapid Entry/Single Sign-On process is a new, streamlined way for hosted RockSolid MAX users to sign in to the application.  

If you are not ready for Rapid Entry/Single Sign-On, see the Legacy Login Process below.

After your workstation is set up and paired as described in Custom Pairing, and you see the Single Sign On icon on your desktop (see below), you can use this process to log into the application.

It is quick and secure. No more entering two sets of credentials!

Each branch must have the Rapid Entry branch setting enabled.

You can use the steps below to test the Rapid Entry/Single Sign-On process, if you have the Sign-On icon on your desktop.

Sign-on Icon

To use Rapid Entry/Single Sign-On to open RockSolid MAX:

1. Double-click the Sign-on icon to display the Global Sign-on form.

2. In the User name and Password fields, enter your log in credentials.

3. Click the Launch Locally check box if you have been told by the System Administrator to run the application locally. Leave it unchecked if you have not.

4. Click Sign On to continue. A processing form displays the progress the system is making toward logging you in. When the progress is complete, the Main Menu displays.

Rapid Entry/Single Sign-On (SSO) FAQs

Here are some questions you may be asking about the Rapid Entry/Single Sign-On process.

What is the Setup Effort for Rapid Entry?

Moderate. There is a one-time change to your login and desktop icon, and the branch setup required to begin. Rapid Entry replaces the RDP shortcut on your desktop with a new ECI sign-in icon, turned on one branch at a time. The login screen has a newer look but works exactly the same way. Your previous RDP shortcut is preserved in a backup folder and not deleted, in case you want to return to it.

Will my login look different?

Yes. It will have a newer look but function the same.

Will my icon look different?

Yes. It will say ECI.

My RDP launch icons are missing from my desktop! Can I get them back?

Yes, we have stored these icons in a backup folder.

What is the benefit of Rapid Entry?

Rapid Entry/Single Sign-On introduces a global sign-in that gives you more flexibility to route your connection behind the scenes — so when the back-end infrastructure moves, the change is seamless to you. This process removes the dependency on individual RDP sessions, and your day-to-day workflow does not change.

Legacy Login Process (Currently in Place)

Because passwords are for security, they are masked using asterisks (*) during any entry and do not display or print in any areas. If your company enforces password expiration (which is optional), you may be required to change your password after it expires (a parameter determines the expiration period in days). Passwords may have a required length and can require both alpha and numeric characters as well as one or more special characters (such as a symbol). Your company's System Administrator manages the user settings. ECI Support will not change your security or password permissions.

Sign On Box

After you sign onto the application, you can return to the Main Menu by selecting the logo. Once access is provided, you can return to the Sign on box by selecting the File menu (ALT-Shift-F) and then click and Log Out (ALT-L). It is not always necessary to "log out" when you are done using the application, you can also simply close the application window. We recommend that you log out when you are leaving the application briefly or when another person needs to use the same station.

Your System Administrator can also set time-out options (which would be triggered by inactivity after you sign on). If this is enabled and the designated inactivity period elapses, the application returns to this Sign on box automatically requiring you to re-enter both your user ID and password. A software license is not considered in use until after you sign on; however, other licensing such as for Microsoft SQL Server or Terminal Services (also referred to as Remote Desktop Services) is enforced regardless of the users sign-on status when the application is running.

If you open RockSolid MAX but do not enter your user ID and password, the application will close after 20 minutes automatically. The System Administrator can adjust this time out period higher or lower (the minimum is one minute). Your company enables the application time-out for a number of reasons, most of which relate to companies using Microsoft^® Terminal Services along with the application. In this case, the number of Microsoft licenses may be limited and unused sessions can also use server memory unnecessarily. For these reasons, Administrators tend to prefer to limit the number of unused application instances to prevent potential performance or license issues. In all cases, unused application sessions will use SQL database resources, so try to avoid this.

Changing your Password

There are two ways to change your password. You can click on the Change Password link in the legacy Sign On box. All users can change their passwords using the File > Change Password settings in the Toolbar if you are in the application. Using either method, the Change Password box displays:

Complete the fields in this box to add the new password (following the password protocols established by your System Administrator) and click Accept. After the new password is validated by the system, you can begin your work.

Resolving Sign On Issues

There are a number of reasons why Sign On might fail. Your security settings may limit the time periods for access, you may have too many log in sessions open at once, and you may not have access to the branch locations (when applicable) settings you want. In addition, there are also conditions, such as certain types of processing, that can lock-out ALL or most users temporarily (for server updates or monthly processing, for example). Server updates and daily/monthly processes are typically scheduled outside of business hours but could potentially cause access issues outside of these time periods if an issue occurs. Below, we will describe these issues in more detail.

Time Period Limitations Affecting Sign On

Depending upon your work responsibilities, you may be allowed access to the application only during specific hours each day. This time period may include the entire day or just a particular hour range as determined by your company. Minimally, it is a good idea for your company's System Administrator to limit user access whenever daily processing or server backups are running between business days.

Sign On Limitations for Accessing Branch Records

For companies with more than one location, you may be assigned to one location and granted access to other branch locations optionally. In addition, a station (PC, etc.) may optionally be assigned to a default branch. If your user permissions and the station you are using have different settings, the following message displays and prevents you from signing on:

• Signon Error: Signon Denied. UserID is not allowed access to the default Branch for this Station/User ID.

In this case, you should try another station or contact your System Administrator about the Branch permissions you require.

Session Terminated by an Administrator

Any session can be terminated by your company's System Administrator at any time. Typically this occurs when they are installing a server update, and this termination can occur as part of the installation process. You can log back in when the update is complete.

License Expiration Warning

The RockSolid MAX application is a licensed software product. To use this product, your company must maintain one or more licenses and maintain support. Licenses are routinely updated and monitored on a daily basis. A "License Expiration" notice may appear for any of the following reasons:

•Failure to pay Support or Licensing for an extended period.

•The server is unable to connect to our license server to validate the current license.

•Your company hasn't installed any server updates for a significant period of time.

Handling a Monthly Receivables (AR Billing Cycle) Issue/Message

If there is an issue with completing the monthly processing for Receivables (AR) Billing, the application displays the message (shown below) and access is not normally permitted.1 This is a serious issue and you should contact ECI Support as soon as possible. If access is permitted, no activity affecting receivables should be done until the problem has been fully resolved. Receivables activity would include the following: Charge invoices, Returns, Payment entry (Received on Account), Posting payments, Credit/Debit adjustments, and Recurring billing.

1An override is provided that can be enabled in advance by your company (via a parameter) or by Support staff. Enabling access when a billing cycle has not completed is strongly discouraged. If done, we accept no responsible for any data correction or research in the event that receivables activity is processed before the problem has been addressed. Should your company choose to allow access, it is very important to not process any transactions that would affect receivables (posting or entry of payments, charge invoices, adjustments, recurring billing, etc.). The application should only be used for inquiry and cash-only transactions in this case until the problem is resolved.