Being browser based, the Web Client requires no installation on your local machine. The Web Client is similar to any other web mail client, except for the added security and functionality unique to this platform. Members accessing the Web Client from a smart phone or other web enabled mobile device (like a Blackberry or an iPhone) are automatically directed to a Mobile client.

By Default, the Web Client is divided into six (6) major sections:

1. Top Navigation

The Top Navigation of the Web Client generally consist of the PEN banner, branded to the company offering the service. Right of the PEN banner is displayed some pertinent information about the PEN Name, Member e-mail address, Member Name and Member Package. To 'Sign out' of the PEN (terminate secure session), click the 'Sign out' link next to the e-mail address of the member. Use the 'Sign out' feature every time you are done with your session to ensure than no one else can access your confidential account, read your secure messages and act on your behalf from the same hardware computer.

The PEN Name is as entered by the PEN Administrator when the PEN is Certified. The PEN name is a good indication as to the validity of the PEN, although since the Web Client is web-based, it is NOT guaranteed that it is not a phishing web site. The only way to ensure that a PEN is valid is through the email2 Toolbar for Outlook.

The Member e-mail address, in this case your e-mail address, is displayed to show you at all times which account you are logged in with. It is possible to be invited to the same PEN with different e-mail address if you hold more than one e-mail account or if e-mail aliases have been configured by your system administrator. If you login to the Web Client and cannot find a specific message, make sure you have not been invited to the PEN under a different e-mail address. If you have more than one account for the same PEN, you can easily combine them into one Master account using the 'E-mail Aliases' feature available under the 'Tools' drop down menu.

The Member Package indicates what Package you are currently assigned. By default the platform comes with 3 Packages, Premium Member, Basic Member and Guest Member. Your PEN Admin can create several other Member Packages to accommodate specific needs. Clicking on the Member Package link takes you to the 'Account Settings' > 'Membership Package' section under 'Tools' for a detailed description of your assigned Member Package.

The 'Tools' drop down menu allows access to additional features such as 'Account Settings', 'Client Settings' and 'Help'.

Account Properties: Click this menu item to access the properties of you account such as your credentials, Member Package details, Aliases configuration, and to reset your password.
Online Help: Click the 'Online Help' link to access this help web site, or a custom help web site as offered by your reseller.
What's New: Click the 'What's New' link to access an up-to-date list of technical enhancements to the platform (code releases).
Contact PEN Admin: Click the 'Contact PEN Admin' link to report any errors, issues or general feedback about your use of the platform or any other questions about your account. This feature triggers a new secure message to your PEN Admin.
Report a Bug: Found an issue using the system that you think should be corrected? Click the 'Report a Bug' link to trigger a new secure message to your PEN Admin and explain in details what you are experiencing.
Send us your Feedback: Do you have any recommendations on usability of the platform? Click the 'Send us your Feedback' link to trigger a new secure message to your PEN Admin and explain in details what you would like to see improved.
Policies: Click the 'Policies' link to access the platform EULA and other policy related information.

2. Left Navigation

The left Navigations consists of shortcuts that provide quick access to some of the more common commands. The Left Navigation is divided into 3 sections: (1) Top Left Shortcuts, (2) Tab Specific Shortcuts and (3) Application Specific Shortcuts.

Top Left Shortcuts: The top left shortcuts can vary depending on your package settings and white labeling of the platform. By default, the following 3 shortcuts are available:

Compose: use the 'Compose' shortcut to create a new secure message. Clicking this link will take you directly to the compose interface, which is very similar to any other e-mail composition interface. Enter your message, subject and recipients then send away. If some recipients are not already members of your Private Email Network, you will get prompted to invite them in the process of composing your messages. If you do not have the proper access rights to invite new members, you will be presented an error message: remove the recipients that cannot be invited and try to send your secure message again. Alternatively, contact your PEN Admin to upgrade your Package to have the proper rights to invite new members.

Check New: use the 'Check New' shortcut to manually refresh the Inbox. If new secure messages are available, they will be displayed in the list in a 'bold' format.

Invite: use the 'Invite' shortcut to invite new Members to your Private Email Network. This feature allows you to send a customized invitation to any of your friends or colleagues that aren't members of your PEN. You can customize the invitation text and even record a video message. The recipients will be able to quickly register and begin using your Private Email Network almost immediately. This feature is generally reserved for Active members with proper permissions.

Tab Specific Shortcuts: The Tab Specific shortcuts change based on the tab navigation. As you navigate from the 'Mailbox', 'Attachment Library' and 'Members' tabs, different shortcuts are presented in the form of folder icons representing different repositories or views or the data contained in each tab.

Application Specific Shortcuts: the bottom right section of the web client sometimes displays application specific shortcuts such as 'Enable with Microsoft Outlook'. Use these shortcuts when available to access additional features and instructions on how to make the best use of the secure messaging platform.

The Center Tabs Navigation consist of 3 distinct 'repositories' of assets: (3) Mailbox Tab, (4) Attachment Library Tab and (5) Members Tab. Note that the naming of these tabs can be customized by your PEN Admin and therefore the names, appearance and access to these tabs might be different based on your PEN and Package.

3. 'Mailbox' Tab

4. 'Attachment Library' Tab

5. 'Members' Tab

6. "Tools' drop down menu