Usher replaces physical badges, passwords, and keys. The platform also allows people to move through the enterprise based on their roles and context using digital security badges available as an app on their mobile devices.

The new Usher 3.0 release also includes seamless badge navigation in that users can scroll through all their badges by swiping left or right, making badges easy to use and intuitive.  In addition, all core Usher functions are now on the bottom toolbar of the app, enabling users to easily access their favourite keys, open the QR code scanner, and adjust settings with a simple tap.  There is also a badge dossier feature. By tapping on the badge, users can now access all the extended details of their badges. This new page lists badge credentials, badge security settings, user validation, and additional information configurable by organisations.

Further more, Usher will now be able to display the digital key most relevant for where the user happens to be. This makes it even easier to use the key you need when you need it.

The app will be able to register multiple instances of the Usher Security Server and enable power users to switch between servers with ease. For example, users who have Usher badges both for work and for personal use would be able to access both sets of badges in the same app on the same phone.

Enhanced privacy controls have also been added to this new version giving more granular privacy controls to users while still complying with an organisation's digital security badge controls and configurations. This gives the user the ability to modify the user's location access settings with Usher. It also allows administrators to require Bluetooth and location services be turned on in order to use a particular badge.

With Usher, enterprises are able to deploy digital keys and proximity-based authentication to secure physical entryways, such as elevators, garages, and doorways, using leading PACS systems, including Tyco, Lenel, Honeywell, Datawatch, Paxton, and S2 Security. Business can also provide a single Usher badge to secure logical access with multi-factor authentication, including leading web applications, workstations, and VPNs. Multiple authentication options include QR scans, push notifications, and biometrics, as well as the ability to restrict access based on location and time.

Enterpises can also unlock the power of beacons as a real-world tool for both physical access and logical access, as well as identity intelligence. Beacons provide indoor micro-positioning. Usher makes it simple to deploy, configure, and use multi-site beacons from a centralised console. This feature makes it even easier to authenticate users based on proximity, limit users based on tight micro-location, and analyse users' behaviour based on where they go and what they access.  They can also break information silos and develop new insights by mapping logical access data with physical security data, and gain a near real-time, 360-degree view into identity activities to detect anomalies and abnormal usage patterns, as well as boost workforce productivity and optimise resources.

Users can also be located on a map and enterprised can communicate with the touch of a button in order to better manage mobile workforces, react faster in emergency response situations, and create tailored user experiences to customers.

"The brilliance of Usher is that it solves the age-old trade off between security and convenience," said Jonathan Klein, President, Microstrategy. "Organisations want the power and sophistication of an enterprise security platform, yet they also want to deploy it in a matter of days and have it be as easy to use as a magic wand. That's our vision for Usher, and with today's release of Usher 3.0, we are on the way to realising it."

Available on-premise and in the cloud, the Usher platform also offers a robust software development kit (SDK), enabling developers to build Usher security, analytics and productivity capabilities into their existing mobile applications, web applications, and enterprise software packages.

Usher 3.0 for iPhone is now available for download in the iTunes app store. Usher 3.0 for Android is expected to be released in November.