Session Timeout

Session timeout is an Enterprise security feature that automatically logs users out after a period of inactivity. This helps protect sensitive design data by ensuring unattended sessions don't remain accessible.

Availability

Session timeout is available exclusively on the **Enterprise** plan. Organization administrators can configure this setting for all members of their organization.

How It Works

When session timeout is enabled:

1. Activity tracking - Vizcom monitors user activity including mouse clicks, keyboard input, scrolling, and canvas interactions

2. Countdown begins - When no activity is detected, an inactivity timer starts

3. Warning notification - 5 minutes before the session expires, a warning modal appears

4. Session ends - If no action is taken, the user is automatically logged out

Warning Modal

When your session is about to expire, you'll see a modal with:

- A countdown timer showing remaining time

- Stay logged in - Click to extend your session

- Log out now - Click to end your session immediately

You must choose one of these options; the modal cannot be dismissed.

Configuring Session Timeout

Requirements

- Your organization must be on the Enterprise plan

- You must be an organization administrator

Steps

1. Navigate to Organization Settings

2. Select the Security tab

3. Find the Session Timeout section

4. Choose a timeout duration from the dropdown:

- Disabled - No automatic logout

- 1 hour

- 2 hours

- 4 hours

- 8 hours

- 12 hours

- 24 hours

5. Changes take effect immediately for all organization members

Multiple Organizations

If a user belongs to multiple organizations with different timeout settings, the most restrictive (shortest) timeout applies. This ensures compliance with the strictest security policy.

Example: A user belongs to Organization A (4-hour timeout) and Organization B (2-hour timeout). Their sessions will timeout after 2 hours of inactivity.

Activity That Resets the Timer

The following actions reset the inactivity timer:

- Mouse clicks and movements

- Keyboard input

- Scrolling

- Touch gestures

- Canvas zoom and pan

- Any interaction with the Vizcom interface

Simply viewing a page without interaction does not reset the timer.

Browser Tabs

Session timeout syncs across all open browser tabs:

- When you click "Stay logged in" in one tab, all tabs are refreshed

- If your session expires, you'll be logged out from all tabs simultaneously

Best Practices

For Administrators

- Balance security and productivity - Shorter timeouts are more secure but may interrupt workflows

- Consider your team's work patterns - Design sessions often involve periods of thinking without direct computer interaction

- Communicate changes - Notify your team before enabling or changing timeout settings

For Users

- Save work frequently - Unsaved changes may be lost if your session expires

- Watch for warnings - The 5-minute warning gives you time to extend your session

- Log out manually - When stepping away, log out rather than relying on timeout

Troubleshooting

"Session timeout is not available"

Your organization is not on the Enterprise plan. Contact your administrator or Vizcom sales to upgrade.

"You don't have permission to change this setting"

Only organization administrators can configure session timeout. Contact your organization admin to request changes.

Session expires too quickly

- Check if you belong to multiple organizations; the shortest timeout applies

- Ensure you're actively interacting with Vizcom, not just viewing

- Contact your administrator to review the timeout duration

Warning modal appeared unexpectedly

You were inactive for the configured duration minus 5 minutes. Click "Stay logged in" to continue working.

FAQ

Q: Does session timeout affect my unsaved work?

A: Yes. If your session expires before saving, unsaved changes will be lost. Save your work frequently.

Q: Can I disable session timeout for specific users?

A: No. Session timeout applies to all members of an organization equally.

Q: What happens if I'm in the middle of a render when my session expires?

A: Renders in progress will complete, but you'll need to log in again to view the results.

Q: Does the timeout apply to the mobile app?

A: Session timeout currently applies to the web application only.

Q: Can I set different timeouts for different teams?

A: Timeout is configured at the organization level. For different policies, you would need separate organizations.