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Getting Started with the Client Portal

This guide walks you through getting access to your service provider's Ascent Client Portal and signing in for the first time.

Overview​

The Client Portal is where you, as a customer of a managed service provider (MSP), interact with your provider. Getting started involves:

  • Receiving an email invitation (or requesting access yourself)
  • Setting your password to activate your account
  • Signing in with your email and password, single sign-on (SSO), or both
  • Resetting your password if you forget it

Getting access​

There are two ways to get a portal account.

1. You receive an invitation​

When your service provider enables portal access for you, you receive an email with a link to set up your account. The invitation link is unique to you and expires after 3 days. If your link has expired, contact your service provider to request a new one.

Check your spam folder

If you don't see the invitation, check your spam or junk folder. You can also ask your service provider to resend the invitation.

2. You request access yourself​

If you don't have an invitation, you can request access from the portal sign-in page.

  1. On the sign-in page, select Request access (under "Don't have an account?").
  2. If prompted, enter your Service provider identifier — ask your service provider for their portal identifier if you don't know it.
  3. Enter Your name.
  4. Enter your Email address.
  5. Enter Your company name.
  6. Click Request access.

After you submit, you'll see a confirmation that your request was received. Your service provider reviews each request. If approved, you'll receive an email invitation with a link to set up your account.

Setting up your account​

When you open your invitation link, Ascent validates it and shows the Set up your account screen with your name and email.

  1. Enter a Password (must be at least 8 characters).
  2. Re-enter the same password in Confirm password.
  3. Click Create account.

Once your account is created, you'll see a confirmation and can select Sign in to log in with your email and new password.

If the link shows Invalid or expired invitation, it has already been used or has passed its 3-day window. Contact your service provider to request a new invitation.

Signing in​

The portal uses an email-first sign-in flow.

  1. Go to your portal URL.
  2. Enter your Email address and click Continue.
  3. Ascent shows the sign-in options available for your account.

Sign in with a password​

If password sign-in is available for your account:

  1. Enter your Password.
  2. Click Sign in.

Sign in with single sign-on (SSO)​

If your service provider has configured SSO for your account, you'll see a Continue with <provider> button (for example, Continue with Microsoft or Continue with Google). Ascent supports Microsoft, Google, Authentik, and generic OIDC providers.

  1. Click Continue with <provider>.
  2. Authenticate with your work account on the provider's sign-in page.

You may see only the SSO button, only the password form, or both, depending on how your service provider has configured your account. If SSO is enforced for your account, password sign-in is hidden.

Two-factor authentication (if enabled)​

If you have multi-factor authentication (MFA) set up on your account, you'll be prompted for a second step after entering your password:

MethodWhat you do
Authenticator AppEnter the 6-digit code from your authenticator app
Security Key or PasskeyAuthenticate with your registered security key or passkey
Recovery codeEnter one of your one-time recovery codes

If both methods are available, you choose which to use on the Two-Factor Authentication screen. You can select Use a recovery code if you can't access your usual method. Each recovery code can only be used once.

Resetting your password​

If you forget your password:

  1. On the sign-in page, after entering your email and continuing, click Forgot password?.
  2. Enter your Email address and click Send reset link.
  3. You'll see a confirmation that, if an account exists for that email, a reset link is on its way.
  4. Open the email and click the reset link. The reset link expires after 24 hours.
  5. On the Set new password screen, enter your New password (at least 8 characters) and re-enter it in Confirm new password.
  6. Click Reset password.

After a successful reset, select Sign in to log in with your new password.

If the reset link shows Invalid or expired link, request a new one from the Forgot password? page.

Didn't receive the reset email?

Check your spam folder, confirm you entered the correct email address, and contact your service provider if the problem continues.

What's next​

Once you're signed in, the portal gives you access to your tickets, invoices, quotes, contracts, documents, and assets, depending on what your service provider has enabled. See the Client Portal overview for a tour of what you can do.

Tips​

  1. Use your work email — your portal account is tied to the email address your service provider has on file for you.
  2. Act on invitations promptly — invitations expire after 3 days, and reset links after 24 hours.
  3. Keep recovery codes safe — if you use MFA, store your recovery codes somewhere secure so you can sign in if you lose your device.
  4. Contact your service provider for access issues — they manage who can sign in to the portal.