Progent's Enterprise Support Services
Microsoft Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID Expertise:
Design, Deployment, and Troubleshooting
Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID Support
Active Directory (AD) and Microsoft Entra ID are Microsoft's core identity management and directory services for on-premises, cloud-based, or hybrid networks. On-premises Active Directory enables centralized single-sign-on (SSO) for applications and services and supports infrastructure components such as DNS, DHCP, IPsec, Wi-Fi, NPS, and VPN. When on-premises Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) is installed on a server, that server can be promoted to a domain controller for domain management with support for Group Policy, fine-grained password policy, Active Directory Admin Center, and other features.
Microsoft Entra ID, formerly branded Azure Active Directory, is Microsoft's cloud-based Identity-as-a-Service (IDaaS) solution for identity, access management, and security. Microsoft Entra ID allows you to register users, groups, apps, and devices with Azure to enable SSO access to apps and Microsoft 365 accounts. With the Microsoft Entra ID Connect application (formerly called Azure AD Connect) installed on-premises, you can sync local usernames and passwords up to Microsoft Entra ID to support a hybrid network model.
For two decades, Progent has delivered expertise for all releases of Active Directory and Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS), providing the knowledge and experience needed to design, deploy, and troubleshoot complex AD deployments across an enterprise.
Deploying Hybrid Networks with Microsoft Entra Domain Services
Applications slated for moving to the cloud might depend on traditional AD domain features like Group Policy, Domain Join, LDAP, or Kerberos/NTLM authentication. Updating application code to use native Azure AD services can be difficult even if you have source code. But you cannot deploy a VM in Azure for running an AD DS domain controller without a site-to-site connection like VPN. Microsoft Entra Domain Services (formerly Azure AD Domain Services), solves this problem by allowing you to create a managed domain in an Azure VM to support traditional authentication methods and features.
Microsoft Entra Domain Services let you implement a managed domain in Azure to provide legacy authentication methods and features. Microsoft Entra Connect allows you to synchronize your on-premises AD users and groups to Microsoft Entra and then synchronize in the cloud from Microsoft Entra to Microsoft Entra Domain Services. You can then deploy a server on your Azure virtual network, install Microsoft Entra Domain Services tools, and connect to the managed domain.
This hybrid deployment model allows on-premises accounts to have the same usernames and passwords as they do in Azure and so delivers a consistent experience for apps, services, and users. Azure takes care of patching and administering the managed domain controller's network resources and synchronization engine and maintaining high availability. Your legacy apps can authenticate against the managed domain, and you can administer an AD DS managed domain using familiar tools like Active Directory Admin Center or MMC snap-ins like DNS or Group Policy.
Special Features of Azure AD
Microsoft Entra provides identity and security management for cloud resources including Microsoft 365, the Azure portal, and various Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications. Microsoft Entra offers a growing list of cloud-based identity and access management features unavailable with on-premises versions of Active Directory. These innovations include:
- Support for multi-factor authentication (MFA) and passwordless identity technologies such as FIDO2
- Ability for SaaS apps that support OAuth2, SAML, and WS-* authentication to utilize Azure AD authentication
- Integration with Microsoft Intune for mobile device management and the ability to evaluate mobile device state information during authentication. (On-premises AD requires third-party solutions to support mobile devices.)
- Entitlement management for automating access request workflows, access assignments, reviews, and lifecycles. Entitlement management streamlines at scale the process of managing access to groups, apps, and SharePoint Online sites for internal and external users.
- Azure AD managing roles can be enhanced with Privileged Identity Management (PIM) for just-in-time, time-bound, or workflow-based access to privileged roles. PIM allows you to require approval to activate privileged roles, receive notifications when privileged roles are activated, use justification to understand why users activate privileged roles, and conduct access reviews to determine whether users still need roles.
Progent's Microsoft-certified AD consultants offer expertise in planning, testing, deploying, managing, and debugging Active Directory solutions for Windows Server 2019, Windows Server 2016, and Windows Server 2012 R2. Progent can also help you maintain a legacy edition of Active Directory or migrate efficiently to a modern version. Progent's Microsoft Azure experts can help you design and carry out an efficient migration from an on-premises deployment of Active Directory to cloud-hosted Microsoft Entra ID (formerly Azure AD) or to a hybrid model that unifies identity management across on-premises and cloud resources. Progent can also provide Cisco-certified network infrastructure engineers to help you enhance the performance and resilience of your network infrastructure. In addition, Progent's CISA, CISM, GIAC, and CISSP certified security professionals can evaluate your enterprise-wide security and compliance and recommend improvements appropriate for a large-scale, multi-site environment.
Online and on-site consulting services available from Progent's Active Directory and Microsoft Azure experts include:
- Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants have extensive experience troubleshooting complex Active Directory issues such as replication problems, multi-domain partition configurations, corrupted AD objects, clean-up of legacy beta software configuration objects in production AD environment, and repair of failed installations of AD and AD-integrated applications. Progent is also skilled in using 'expert only' AD tools such as ADSIEDIT, NTDSUTIL, DCDIAG and NETDIAG.
- Progent can help you deploy Azure AD Connect to implement a hybrid identity solution with Active Directory. Progent can show you when and how to deploy AD Connect for password hash synchronization, pass-through authentication, and Federation integration using your on-premises AD FS infrastructure.
- Progent offers expertise in designing an enterprise Active Directory environment with multiple locations and can deliver fast, efficient solutions for fault tolerant architecture, placement of servers and services, and AD server roles.
- Progent can design and implement an optimal DNS configuration that correctly handles internal, external and remote users.
- To save clients the cost of expensive reconfigurations that may be required as a result of poor initial decisions, Progent can help make key early decisions concerning Active Directory and Microsoft Entra ID (Azure AD) naming standards, hierarchical model, IT management structure, utilization and structure of Group Policy objects, plus security and auditing definitions. Progent can also anticipate the impacts of server and service configurations on functionality and performance.
- To maximize system robustness and availability, Progent's engineers can help create an Active Directory architecture and provide expert implementation that features enterprise class redundancy, fault tolerance, effective data protection systems, and seamless disaster recovery.
- Progent can diagnose and resolve complex problems concerning workstation, mobile endpoints, and server authentication in an Active Directory or Microsoft Entra environment.
- The specialists in Progent's Experts Team can implement and support applications integrated with Active Directory and Azure AD by providing Microsoft Exchange Server 2019 integration, Microsoft Exchange 2016 planning and deployment, , and Cisco Unified Communications Manager/CallManager expertise.
- Progent can help architect, plan and manage the migration/merging of an acquired entities Active Directory environment into a single AD structure.
- For enhanced security, Progent can provide assistance designing enterprise-wide security policies and procedures and work with Active Directory and Microsoft Entra configuration to implement such policies.
Windows Server 2008 introduced major enhancements to Active Directory including AD Domain Services (formerly AD Directory Services), Lightweight Directory Services (formerly AD Application Mode), Certificate Services, Federation Services, and Rights Management Services. Windows Server 2008 and Windows Server 2008 R2 have reached the end of their support lifecycle and should be upgraded to a more current Active Directory solution. Progent can help you maintain your existing deployment of Windows Server 2008 with Active Directory, migrate to a modern equivalent of these products, or plan and implement a hybrid deployment that combines on-premises and Azure versions of Active Directory technology.
Contact Progent for Help with Active Directory and Microsoft Entra
If you are looking for expert help in designing, deploying, optimizing or troubleshooting an Active Directory or Microsoft Entra solution, call Progent at
An index of content::
Antivirus Information Technology Consulting
Technical Support Anti-Virus
E-Mail Guard represents a comprehensive service for defending against spam and viruses. E-Mail Guard addresses the security and administration of company email by offering constantly updated spam and virus filtering, policy management, content testing, and defense against email-based directory harvesting and DDoS attacks. E-Mail Guard also features monitoring, management and analysis utilities plus outbound email filtering to help you fix your email system and define and enforce company email policy.
At Home Employees Helpdesk Services On-site Support
Work at Home Helpdesk Services Remote Troubleshooting
Progent can provide small and medium-size companies supplemental or comprehensive Help Desk services for at-home workers.
CCDP Expert Certified Jabber and Office 365 Support and Help
Urgent Jabber and Office 365 IT Consultants
Progent's Cisco Jabber consultants offer online or onsite expertise to assist organizations of any size to plan, implement, manage, update or debug Cisco Jabber solutions and Cisco Unified Communications Manager infrastructure. Progent offers advanced expertise for the technologies that go into creating an end-to-end Jabber collaboration solution such as Cisco network appliances and management tools, Microsoft 365 apps, Windows and Mac desktops, Apple iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, SIP trunking, Wi-Fi networks, security and compliance, cloud computing, telepresence systems, PBX systems, disaster recovery preparedness, and the many other components of a modern collaboration solution.
Flex Series Wireless Controller Computer Engineer
Remote Support Services wireless LAN controller
Cisco's Catalyst Wi-Fi controllers simplify the management of Wi-Fi networks by unifying the provisioning and control of wireless APs, optimizing Wi-Fi performance by limiting the impact of RF congestion, enhancing Wi-Fi availability with rapid failover, and strengthening data security by detecting cyber threats and analyzing network traffic based on user type and locale. Progent's Wi-Fi consultants can help your business to deploy Cisco wireless LAN controllers to manage and monitor wireless LANs of all sizes. Progent can help you to maintain and troubleshoot your current Cisco Wi-Fi solution or carry out a smooth migration to Cisco's modern Wi-Fi controller technology.
Power BI and Oracle Developer Firms
Programming Power BI Security
Progent's Power BI experts can assist your business to plan, install, maintain, enhance or debug your Power BI business analytics solution. Progent's database experts can help you to organize your target data for Power BI reports and dashboards. Progent can help you implement and administer a local, cloud based, or hybrid environment for Power BI.
After Hours Citrix XenServer Consultant
Citrix Virtual Server Consulting
Progent's Citrix-authorized consultants can help you to evaluate the strategic benefits of XenServer as well as other Citrix platforms, and can assist you to plan, validate, execute, troubleshoot, and maintain a Citrix XenServer solution. Progent can in addition analyze your current Citrix technology deployment and help you to optimize resource utilization, responsiveness, protection, availability, and disaster recovery.
24-7 SMS Server Upgrade Troubleshooting
Information Technology Consulting SMS Server 2003 Migration
Progent's certified consultants provide small and mid-size businesses enterprise-level consulting services for Systems Management Server 2003 and Configuration Manager, Microsoft's solutions for update and configuration management. Configuration Manager is the new title for the update management solution previously known as SMS Server. Configuration Manager provides a variety of enhancements to Systems Management Server such as full automation, integrated Vista Microsoft Windows Server 2008 support, NAP security support, and device driver management. Progent's certified engineers can help you use SMS or Configuration Manager 2007 effectively for automated OS and application deployment, security patch administration, application metering, and software license reconciliation. Progent's consultants can also help your company to migrate smoothly from Microsoft Systems Management Server to System Center Configuration Manager 2007.
Specialists Shared Support Desk
Help Desk Sharing Integration
Progent's Co-managed Call Center service allows your IT organization to split the load for Help Desk services seamlessly between your IT staff and Progent's pool of certified technical support engineers and subject matter experts (SMEs). Progent's Help Desk Co-management service is a collaborative service desk solution based on ConnectWise Manage, the top shared professional services automation (PSA) platform for handling end-user service requests, ticketing, ownership, progress tracking, and reporting.
WSUS Consultants
Best WSUS Specialists
Microsoft Windows SUS allows IT administrators to deploy and monitor the most recent Microsoft patches and security releases to Windows Server 2000, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, and Microsoft Windows XP platforms. By using Microsoft Windows Server Update Services, IT personnel can completely and easily manage the installation of patches that are published through Microsoft Update to servers and desktops in an organization. Progent can assist you with complex details of the initial setup of Microsoft Windows Server Update Services such as planning the Microsoft Software Update Services deployment, setting up client's workstations, defining the Group Policy parameters, and ensuring your Microsoft Windows Server Update Services GPO is associated with an Active Directory container that makes sense for your network environment.
Consult Conti ransomware hot line
Spora ransomware hot line Engineers
Progent's Ransomware Hot Line provides 24x7 access to a proven ransomware recovery expert who can help your business to halt the progress of an ongoing ransomware attack. Call 800-462-8800
Remote Monitoring and Reporting Support and Setup
Monitoring and Reporting Specialists
Mid-sized businesses can enjoy all the advantages of Operations Manager and have fast access to Progent's Microsoft and Cisco Premier network consulting professionals. With Progent's economically priced network service programs, mid-size businesses can choose a basic co-sourcing service program based on Microsoft System Center Operations Manager 2007 with network monitoring, proactive warnings, in-depth system analysis, Help Desk support, and remote service. For companies with line-of-business environments who need non-stop networking, Progent offers a complete round-the-clock outsourcing package. Progent supports System Center Operations Manager 2007 to provide medium-size business information systems enterprise-class availability, security and performance.
24/7/365 System Pilot Testing Lab Consultancy
NLB Testing Specialists
The Progent Test and Training Lab at the QTS (formerly Herakles) Internet Data Center can be used for testing line-of-business applications, creating efficient system upgrade procedures, assessing and optimizing performance, planning or validating business continuity strategies, resolving compatibility issues, and building training systems for the latest products and technologies. For Progent customers who lack sufficient internal resources to assemble proper pilot environments, the lab cuts capital costs and engineering risk while keeping critical network projects on schedule.
Catalyst MPLS Network Consulting
Online Troubleshooting Catalyst Switch IOS-XR
With the Catalyst line of switches for small and mid-size businesses, Cisco enables organizations to realize all the advantages of bringing intelligent services to their networks. Cisco's Catalyst switch technology makes it possible to enable features to make your network infrastructure highly robust to accommodate real-time requirements, expandable to support future growth, safe enough to protect restricted data, and capable of prioritizing and controlling traffic flows to streamline network performance. Progent's CCIE and CCNP certified engineers can show you how to select and integrate Catalyst switches appropriate for your business. In addition, Progent's CISM certified security consultants can show you how to develop a strategic protection plan and set up Catalyst switches so they help enforce your security strategy. Catalyst switches that Progent provides expertise for include Cisco's Catalyst 2950 switches, Catalyst 3750 switches, Cisco Catalyst 4900 switches, and Cisco Catalyst 6500 switches.
Computer Consultants Apple iPhone and Windows integration
Emergency Windows and macOS coexistence On-site Support
Progent's service experts in Apple OS X and Microsoft Windows technology can show you how to integrate Apple Macintosh and Windows computers into cohesive networks with full sharing and collaboration functionality. Enabling efficient co-existence among a mix of servers and desktops powered by Mac OS and Windows requires extensive knowledge of and experience with Apple Macintosh and Windows technology. Progent's experience in Microsoft and Apple service makes it possible to provide world class assistance to businesses that depend on these technologies to maintain their strategic advantage. Progent can also help you to integrate Apple's iPhones and iPads with your Windows environment.
Amazon MWS integration Coding
Amazon Marketplace Web Service development Design Firm
Amazon Marketplace Web Service is an integrated collection of APIs that allows Amazon sellers to streamline their operations by automating crucial sales functions such as listings, orders, payments, inbound and outbound fulfillment, and reports. By leveraging Amazon's extensive online ecosystem and automating their sales, vendors can broaden their market, lower their operating costs, accelerate response time to customers, and increase their profits. Progent's Amazon Marketplace Web Service (Amazon MWS) developers can work with your development team and provide programming, workflow integration, project management support, and training to help you cut development time and speed up your return on investment.
Consultants Microsoft Dynamics GP System Upgrade
Dynamics GP System Update Consulting
Progent's consultants have supported Microsoft Dynamics GP and Great Plains ERP software for more than 20 years and Progent has provided integration, software development, education, and debugging services since the product's debut. Progent can provide advanced expertise for upgrading out of date Dynamics GP/Great Plains deployments. Progent can assist you to plan, validate, and implement a cost-effective migration from a an outdated version to the latest version of Dynamics GP.
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