Active directory for user authentication in a historization system

A method for authenticating users accessing a historian application comprising:

• creating a directory stored on a memory device;
• populating the directory with user authentication information;
• linking the directory to a historian application;
• receiving credential data from a user;
• and
• granting the user access to the historian application, wherein the credential data matches a portion of the user authentication information.

A computer-readable media storing instructions for implementing a user authentication system comprising:

• instructions for creating a directory stored on a memory device;
• instructions for populating the directory with user authentication information;
• instructions for linking the directory to a historian application;
• instructions for receiving credential data from a user;
• and
• instructions for granting the user access to the historian application, wherein the credential data matches a portion of the user authentication information.