Sun Microsystems has unveiled Identity Compliance Manager, a new tool which allows administrators to manage user identities and access credentials more efficiently by automatically conducting audits of the system and producing full reports.

Identity management systems are commonly used by larger enterprises to streamline the process of creating new user accounts and placing restrictions on who can access certain systems.

Compliance laws are also driving many companies to pay closer attention to user accounts and privileges.

Identity Compliance Manager also allows administrators set privileges for accessing applications and restricting access within an application.

Additionally, the system automatically tracks requests for new access levels from users, and contains a glossary which can allow managers to more closely study access terms before granting them to users.

Sun is planning to promote the new system as a cost-effective way for organisations to meet new compliance requirements set forth by regulators.

The vendor claims that the added security and compliance benefits can allow customers to see returns from the purchase in as little as 90 days.

"With tight IT budgets, tougher regulations and security mandates to protect against internal and external threats, Sun Identity Compliance Manager offers customers an effective and automated solution to manage their challenging compliance needs head-on and potentially cut their compliance costs in half," said Mark Herring, Sun's vice president of software infrastructure marketing.

Sun plans to charge $75,000 for the new system, along with additional per-user fees. The firm will also offer the software on a subscription basis.