A new technology system called "single-source sign-on" that was developed last year is being launched this fall after enhancements were added to make the system more functional.

The initiative gives institutions control of who can access various NCAA applications online and in turn gives those users easier and appropriate access for the job functions they perform.

Among applications available immediately are the Compliance Assistant, the Division II Institutional Self-Study Guide (for schools required to complete the ISSG in the current cycle) and the Legislative Services Database (LSDBi). Other applications will be added later.

Enhancements to the system from when it was first developed last year include mechanisms for those who aren't initially granted access to a certain program to be directed to the appropriate campus administrator instead of the national office staff. This stems from requests for more local control of who has access to what on campus.

Before single-source sign-on, all institutional personnel could access just about any business application on the NCAA website as long as they had the institutional log-in information (user name and password). While that approach was sufficient when there were only a few simple applications online, the growth in the number and complexity of the applications and the information they contain made it desirable for institutions to better control who accesses what.

The new system requires institutions to designate the kind of access (no, full or partial) for each application and each individual. For example, an institution may decide to afford its compliance director with full access to every application but limit access to certain applications for coaches.

The Legislative Services Database is a good example. When that application was begun years ago, it contained only the information that allowed people to track legislative proposals, new legislation and updated interpretations. Now, as waiver and student-athlete reinstatement cases, infractions cases and case precedent information are included on LSDBi, that information might not be appropriate for everyone to access.

Athletics directors and senior compliance administrators at schools have been contacted to designate at least two people who then will have the authority to create user accounts. Those designees (which could be the AD and the senior compliance administrator, if desired) were asked to allocate full or partial access to their athletics department personnel and others on campus who need to work with these applications.

Under the new system, individuals will log on with their NCAA.org login ID and password. Once in the system, users will see a list of applications that they have been approved to access. Previously, users would have to log in to each application individually and have the appropriate user name and password for each application.

Users can access the sign-on via the "Business Apps" tab on the membership side of NCAA.org.

Glossary of terms:

Single-Source Sign-On System – The concept of a user being able to log into a system one time and have access to all NCAA business applications, forms and systems necessary to perform the user's job functions.

NCAA Applications Authentication Service – The system (login page) that allows the user to enter a login ID and password combination for verification to gain access to the assigned NCAA applications, forms and systems.

NCAA Applications Account Maintenance Tool – The tool used by the membership to assign NCAA applications, forms and systems access and privileges to users and groups at appropriate levels.

Business Apps/Member Access – The button located on the membership side of NCAA.org that navigates the user to the NCAA Applications Authentication Service.