I am implementing a POS system. I am hoping to have a log-in capability built in to the system. standalone WPF applications are running in different POSs and they are connected to a central database.
What is the best way of achieving the Log-in functionality in this scenario?
PS: When the sales person logged in, if the POS is idling for 15 mins, it has to be automatically logged-in.
Edit: Basically what I tough was, since this same WPF application (Interface to the sales person) is going to be installed in several machines, and any sales person can access the application using any of these machines. In websites, we are using sessions and cookies, but what should be my approach because this is stand alone WPF application which only access the database. Obviously password can be kept in database is a secured manner. I can keep a thread to wait for 15 mins and popup a log-in window which freezes the working window.
For 15 mins check, you can use DispatchTimer which you need to start on idle and reset when salesperson start using it.
Rest of the login system is simple username and password verification using stored encrypted/hashed password in database… however you can also utilize asp.net membership APIs with your desktop application. See ref