Azure Active Directory by Microsoft
In order to ensure data security while making it easy to access SMARTLINK, we use Azure Active Directory. Azure AD is Microsoft's cloud-based identity and access management service. This helps you to sign in using the credentials of your company. It allows organizations to invite members of other organizations to share application access.
In a nutshell, once you have set up this Microsoft account, it can be used to access other Microsoft applications. It is similar to Google's Identity Management system, enabling you to sign in with Google. Both are cloud-based systems making it easy to access different applications with one account while maintaining a high level of security.
The way Azure AD works is explained thoroughly by Microsoft. All documentation can be found here.
Register first
Creating an account to access SMARTLINK requires registration first. You can complete registration by creating an account yourself or by invitation. In the first approach, your registration has to be verified by your Atlas Copco service provider before you get access. This verification procedure is protecting your data from being accessed by users outside of your organization. Registration by invitation, the second approach, requires an invitation from an active SMARTLINK user. This could be a colleague who already registered or your Atlas Copco service provider.
Creating a Microsoft account
Once you have registered and access is granted, you can sign in. As explained, the actual sign-in procedure is managed by Azure AD. If the e-mail address you registered is already linked to Microsoft, you can sign in immediately. However, if your e-mail account is not yet known in Azure AD, you will be automatically guided through the steps to set up your account. The one-minute process is described here.
New Microsoft accounts will require that you create one password. Together with your e-mail, Microsoft uses this to authenticate your access and sign you in to applications. SMARTLINK is one of many applications allowing safe and easy authentication with just one single account. Therefore, in case you forget your password, you have to reset this via Microsoft.
Signing in with Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
To add an extra layer of security, Azure AD will require you to authenticate your account with one additional step. You can confirm your identity by text message, phone call, or mail. Securing your personal and company data with Two-Factor Authentication requires a few extra steps (explained here). Once you have set up your account for 2FA, you can sign in safely and easily to access your fleet's data.
Checklist to troubleshoot issues with accessing SMARTLINK
Your invitation link doesn't work properly
When you have received an invitation and try to complete your registration, you can get the message from SMARTLINK that your invitation link expired. An expired invitation can mean one of two things:
- The invitation expired because a new one was generated. In other words, whenever a user sends you a new invitation, older invitations expire. Always make sure you use the most recent invitation link.
- You have already used the invitation. It happens often that users complete the steps to register but do not sign in. Instead of logging into the portal, they use the invitation link again. If you are not sure your registration is complete, try signing in here. If SMARTLINK shows you an Access Denied message, your registration is not yet complete.
You have never accessed SMARTLINK before and get an Access Denied message
In most cases, the Access Denied message indicates your registration is not completed. If you created your account without an invitation, this could mean your Service Provider has not verified your access yet. In this case, reach out to your service provider on the Atlas Copco website and request support. If you have registered by invitation, something might have gone wrong when submitting the registration form. Please try again using the most recent invitation link.
You have accessed SMARTLINK before but get an Access Denied message
If this happens, try closing all windows and try again. If this doesn't help, try removing the cache. Reach out to your service provider (www.atlascopco.com) to request support.
Microsoft indicates your username or password is wrong
Azure AD is an automated system making it very easy to sign in with just a few clicks. So, if you are signed in with another Microsoft account, there might be a mismatch between your password and e-mail address. This can happen, for example, when signed in with a personal Outlook account. Close all windows and try again. If this doesn't solve the issue, you might consider resetting your password.