How to access FIMS on NPact's Azure Cloud

How to access FIMS on NPact's Azure Cloud

There are two ways to access FIMS on Azure, the Windows App section A and the browser method in section B.

This article is updated with changes when Microsoft makes updates. 

A. Primary Method of Accessing FIMS on NPact's Azure Cloud

This method will allow you to see and use your local C drive; export files to the C drive from FIMS and to transfer files between your local C drive and the S drive. Additionally, this method will allow to you to print from FIMS to your local printer. 

1. Obtain your Azure username and password from NPact Support. 

• If you do not have an Azure account, please create a support case to get one created for you.

2. Install the Windows App

• Go to the link below to get the Windows App for your device. When you get to the page, select the tab for the operating system of the computer that you are on. You will choose from Windows, macOS and iOS/iPadOS:

Get started with Windows App to connect to devices and apps - Windows App | Microsoft Learn

Note for non-Windows systems:

Per the Microsoft article above, while you can use the new Windows app on non-Windows systems, Microsoft does not support using the new Windows app on non-Windows systems so you will most likely still need to use the current remote desktop app if you find an issue with the Windows App running on a non-Windows system. 

Connect to Azure Virtual Desktop with the Remote Desktop client for macOS - Azure Virtual Desktop | Microsoft Learn

3. Sign into Azure 

• After the app is installed, run the app and then click Sign In and log into the Windows App with your @npact.onmicrosoft.com log in. If you have multiple Windows accounts, be sure you click the correct @npact.onmicrosoft account or if it is not listed, choose the option to Use Another Account and then enter in your @npact.onmicrosoft.com username,

4. Configure MFA 

Upon signing in for the first time, you will be prompted to set up multi-factor authentication for your NPact Azure Microsoft account:

Set up your Microsoft 365 sign-in for multi-factor authentication - Microsoft Support

Tutorial - Set up and use Microsoft Authenticator with VerifiedID - Microsoft Entra | Microsoft Learn

5. Launch applications and Log into FIMS

• Once you are logged in, click Go to apps:

• You will see My Files and FIMS apps. Click on the application you would like to access:

• When you launch FIMS and My Files from the Windows app, you will a window appear that will show either My Files or FIMS launching:

• You will be prompted to enter in your Azure password again. This will occur the first time you launch FIMS or My Files:

• You will then see the FIMS log in screen appear, log into FIMS with your FIMS username and password.

6. Log out of Azure

When are are done using FIMS and My Files, close those applications and also sign out of Azure:

B. Alternate Browser Based Method of Accessing FIMS on NPact Azure Cloud 

Note: With this method, when you open My Files, you will not be able to see your local C drive nor will you be able to select your local C drive in FIMS as an export location, you will instead have to choose the virtual drive for exports and then files will be downloaded to downloads folder on local computer.  

Using this method, you also will not be able to print to a local printer.

1. Go to https://fims.npact.com in your browser 

2. At the log in screen, log in with the username and password given to you by the org admin of your foundation 

Enter your username:  

Enter your password: 

3. Once you enter your password you will be prompted to begin the MFA setup process for the first log in if not already done.

Set up your Microsoft 365 sign-in for multi-factor authentication - Microsoft Support

Tutorial - Set up and use Microsoft Authenticator with VerifiedID - Microsoft Entra | Microsoft Learn

4. After configuring MFA, you will then be redirected to the landing page where you will see the FIMS shortcut and the My Files folder. The browser view will look differently than the remote desktop client that is installed:

5. Now launch FIMS or MyFiles. 

6. Click Allow to allow the application to access your local computer. Be sure that all of options are checked. You can also check the checkbox to not ask you again: 

 7. Once you click the options above, you will see this screen which indicates that the application is launching:  

8. When launching FIMS or My Files, you will need to log in with Azure credentials: