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Configuring session timeout
Who is this article for?Administrators responsible for managing system settings.
Administration module access is required.
Session timeout is an optional feature available for purchase with the system. It is commonly used in organisations to control how long a user can remain idle in the system before their license is released for other users to use, and is needed to meet the criteria of Code of Federal Regulations, Title 21 (CFR21 Part 11).
This article shows you where to configure the timeout.
1. Understanding session timeout
Session timeout works by setting a timed interval, and the system will then check for users who have been idle for the full interval.
Example
You activated session timeout and set it to 20 minutes. A user logs into the system at 9:01, performs some actions, and then lets the system sit idle.
At 9:20, the system will check for any users who have been inactive during the preceding 20 minutes. Those users will be logged out. However, as this user has been performing actions during the last 20 minutes, they will remain logged in.
At 9:40, the check runs again and finds that they have been inactive for the last 20 minutes, ending their session. In this example, the perception is that it took 40 minutes of inactivity before the user was logged out.
Quality Management licensing is concurrent, meaning you can have thousands of users in your system, but only a specific number will be able to log in at the one time.
This is known as your licenses count or the number of licenses you have purchased. You can purchase additional licences at any time by contacting your account manager.
2. Activating session timeout
To enable session timeout:
- Open the Administration module.
- Select Security.
- Choose Settings and Defaults.
- Switch to the Authentication tab.
- Click Edit (Pencil icon).
- Scroll down to Session Timeout.
- Tick Enable Session Timeout.
- Set a value for Maximum minutes of inactivity.
- Click Save (Tick icon).
1. Understanding session timeout
Session timeout works by setting a timed interval, and the system will then check for users who have been idle for the full interval.
Example
You activated session timeout and set it to 20 minutes. A user logs into the system at 9:01, performs some actions, and then lets the system sit idle.
At 9:20, the system will check for any users who have been inactive during the preceding 20 minutes. Those users will be logged out. However, as this user has been performing actions during the last 20 minutes, they will remain logged in.
At 9:40, the check runs again and finds that they have been inactive for the last 20 minutes, ending their session. In this example, the perception is that it took 40 minutes of inactivity before the user was logged out.
Quality Management licensing is concurrent, meaning you can have thousands of users in your system, but only a specific number will be able to log in at the one time.
This is known as your licenses count or the number of licenses you have purchased. You can purchase additional licences at any time by contacting your account manager.
2. Activating session timeout
To enable session timeout:
- Open the Administration module.
- Select Settings and Defaults (under Security).
- Click Edit... in the Authentication section.
- Scroll down to Session Timeout.
- Tick Timeout after....
- Set a value for inactivity.
- Click OK.
Further reading