Harvard University and Harvard Medical School provide accounts to all employees, allowing access to HMS and University networked resources. Read on for account options, or visit our IT services by sign-in page for services offered by the authentication method.

  • An HMS account (formerly known as eCommons) is required to access HMS IT services such as email, collaboration shares, wireless network, research cluster, and the HMS Web Portal. Your HMS account credentials consist of your HMS account ID and a password you set during activation. Your HMS account ID is typically your initials followed by up to four numbers, like "abc123". Learn more about HMS account ID.  
  • HarvardKey is the online user credentialing system for Harvard University, uniquely identifying you to Harvard University Information Technology (HUIT) applications and services. Your HarvardKey credentials are required for accessing PeopleSoft, a tool for reporting your time, and many other Harvard University financial applications. HarvardKey is independent of your HMS account. Learn more about HarvardKey. 
  • Harvard University IDs (HUIDs) are issued to all staff members. When you meet with the HR coordinator to do your pre-hire paperwork, they will give you a packet with your Harvard ID number. Contact your hiring manager if the Harvard ID number has not been generated. A Harvard ID number or ID card is needed to access HMS buildings, the M2 shuttle, athletic facilities and museums, library privileges (including online resources), receive event discounts, and use Crimson Cash. 
  • HMS accounts for guests allow visitors and guests (non-HMS and non-HSDM employees) to access various School systems when requested by a Sponsor. Sponsors must be Harvard Medical School Faculty or Staff and have a valid Harvard ID number. A Harvard Sponsored Role (HSR) is required before requesting an HMS account for guests. Learn more about HMS accounts for guests. 
  • Harvard Sponsored Role (formerly known as POI) designation is the mechanism Harvard uses to validate identities so that access to physical or digital resources can be granted to non-employees, non-students, and non-academic appointment holders. A member of the Harvard community must act as the sponsor for a Harvard Sponsored Role (HSR) request. In doing so, the HSR sponsor provides a legitimate and verified business need to justify giving access to Harvard resources to the HSR. Learn more about the Harvard Sponsored Role (HSR).