---
alias: user-guide-accessing-the-system
description: "Access the system via application login, utilizing credentials and following application navigation instructions"
---

# Accessing The System

## System Requirements

The Critical Manufacturing MES user interface is based on HTML5. In order to access the system, it is necessary to meet the specifications described in the [Client Devices](../../systemrequirements/clientdevices.md) section of the System Requirements.

## Application Login

To access the application, open the application URL provided by the application administrator.

The application is designed to self-update when an update is detected, so it may take a few moments if the download is taking place for the first time.

When the application is launched, you will be prompted to enter a username and password. The user name can be entered in the form of domain\user or simply user. It is important to remember that the password is case-sensitive.

![Application Login][ApplicationLogin]

It is also possible to have the application save your credentials by checking the option Keep me signed in.

If token-based authentication is configured, it is possible to identify and authenticate a user based on the token, which is read from a keyboard wedge device, such as an RFID reader or a barcode scanner. Hence, if token-based authentication is enabled, it is possible to switch to the standard authentication method based on the user name and password.

For increased security, when using token-based authentication, you may be prompted to enter your PIN in a text box that will appear after the token has been read.

After your login is successfully validated and once the application is loaded, the login information will be shown on the bottom left of the application.

!!! info
	It is possible to activate a specific configuration in the Security Portal to allow the user to choose to remain logged in even when the browser is closed. For further information on this configuration, please consult the [Security Portal](../../operationguide/system-administration/security/security-portal/index.md) section of the Operations Guide.

![remain_logged_in][remain_logged_in]

## Application Help

To access the help section of the application, go to the **User** menu on the top right of your screen and select **Help**.

![mes_help][mes_help]

## View Shortcuts

To view all the shortcuts of the application, go to the **User** menu on the top right of your screen and select **View Shortcuts**.

![Screenshot showing a list of application shortcuts.](images/view_shortcuts.png)

## Change PIN

To change your pin in the application, go to the **User** menu on the top right of your screen and select **Change PIN**.

![change_pin][change_pin]

## Application Unlock

To unlock the session, simply enter your credentials (password, PIN or other type, depending on your configuration).

!!! info
	It is possible to configure the application to lock automatically after a predefined idle time. For more information, please refer to the [Users](../administration/security/users.md) page in the Security section of this guide.

![unlock][unlock]

## Sign Out

To exit the application, simply close the browser tab or go to the **User** menu on the top right of your screen and select **Sign Out**.

![mes_logout][mes_logout]

[change_pin]: images/change_pin.png
[unlock]: images/unlock.png
[mes_logout]: images/mes_logout.png
[ApplicationLogin]: images/Login.png
[remain_logged_in]: images/remain_logged_in.png
[mes_help]: images/mes_help.png