iMIS authentication

Enables a Drupal site to authenticate members of an organization that is using iMIS Association Management System. This module requires the use of the ATS Login Web Service (ValidateLoginWithData method) which must be licensed from Assocation Technology Solutions (www.atsol.org).

The module has the following key features.

• Enables users to access a Drupal site using their iMIS login credentials. A corresponding user is automatically created on the Drupal site and is set up as an 'authenticated user'
• Limit access to the Drupal site based on defined values taken from one or more of the following iMIS Fields:
• Name.MEMBER_TYPE
• Name.STATUS
• Name.CATEGORY and
• Name.ISMEMBER.

Basic membership information passed through from iMIS is displayed in the User block including:

• Name.ID (ID number)
• Name.FULL_NAME (Full name of member)
• Name.MEMBER_TYPE (Membership Type)
• Name.PAID_THRU (Expiry Date)

The Member's primary EMAIL address (Name.EMAIL) is passed through to their Drupal user record and available for add-on applications (e.g. mailing lists).

The following additional fields are available via the ATS Login Web Service but not used in this version: Name.FIRST_NAME and Name.INFORMAL.

Integration Approach

This module is based on the assumption that all edits and updates to user information and credentials are managed via the iMIS database. Features to edit the user's name, email and password in Drupal are disabled by the use of this module. Configurable information messages are provided to direct the user back to the iMIS website to maintain their personal information.

iMIS Auth does not permit you to assign specific roles based on values in iMIS. Normally you would assign the "access content" permission to authenticated users only on the Drupal site, this allows for you to secure parts of your Drupal website for members in good standing while leaving other parts open to anonymous users.

Exempt Users

Certain Drupal users can be exempted from iMIS Authentication (e.g. Drupal site admins). This permits their login, password and other behaviours to be handled normally by Drupal. These exempt users can be assigned to additional roles (e.g. content editors) as needed by administrators.

Known Issues

Since a member's email address can be changed outside of Drupal they may have to resubscribe to certain mailing lists or other services as a result of the email change. iMIS Auth provides a configurable warning message to make the member aware of this issue but the member must ultimately take care of this themselves.

Changes to a user name (e.g. from “DonKnotts” to “DonaldKnotts” will create a new user account in Drupal. Appropriate messaging must be provided on the iMIS website to make members aware of this issue. The original account will be orphaned by this change. Periodic removal of inactive accounts is recommended to manage this situation.

Sponsors

Sponsored by:

• Institute for Corporate Directors (ICD).
• Association Technology Solutions (ATS).
• Royal Astronomical Society of Canada.

Author

Khalid Baheyeldin of 2bits.com.
6.x Enhancements by Andre Molnar of Be Circle.
6.x Enhancements by Ryan James of NorthStudio

The author can also be contacted for paid customizations of this module as well as Drupal consulting, installation, development, and customizations.