Johannesburg, 10 May 2005
Products of the company Softpro, distributed in southern Africa by GijimaAst, were recently ranked as the best biometrics applications for tablet PCs worldwide. Microsoft held an international developer contest titled "Does Your Application Think in Ink?" where Softpro`s SignDoc and SignSecure products were one of 12 winners out of 260 global submissions from independent software vendors.
GijimaAst is the new ICT powerhouse formed through the merger between the AST Group and Gijima Technologies. Its business model and strong client base form the foundation for an integrated services and solutions business which is ideally positioned for growth in the South African ICT market.
The signature is a popular and trusted feature for authentication as it is never given accidentally. It actively proves the intent of a signer, which is significantly different to the use of passive biometrics - body characteristics such as finger, hand, face or iris.
SignDoc securely embeds handwritten signatures into documents according to various e-sign laws. SignSecure allows users to log on to a PC or network using a handwritten signature in place of a password. Both products won Microsoft`s national "Tablet PC Challenge" in Germany in February 2004.
Tablet PCs and specially selected writing tablets or pen pads capture static images and dynamic characteristics of a signature. Softpro`s software captures both character sets, encrypts and stores them, and offers a sophisticated option to verify signatures, thus providing a convenient way to secure e-processes.
Additionally, the verification automatically takes into account the natural variations in the characteristics of a signer.
SignDoc secures the authenticity and integrity of documents while also ensuring non-repudiation. Straight after the document is signed it receives a unique integrity value (hash code). If the document is altered at a later stage this integrity value is void and signatures are no longer displayed in the document when checked with the SignDoc Reader. The software is currently available for documents in Microsoft Word, Microsoft InfoPath, Lotus Notes and PDF. It is currently in use in hospitals, mobile insurance sales forces and e-government processes.
SignSecure offers an easy biometric alternative to passwords and PINs for logging on to a PC or a network. According to studies by Gartner and Aberdeen Research, forgotten passwords are responsible for system administration costs of up to $350 per user per year. Unlike PINs or passwords, the signature is never forgotten and cannot be replicated or transferred to other users.
Several financial institutions in SA are using Softpro`s signature applications.
GijimaAst has recently implemented Softpro`s SignCheck cheque verification solution at one of the banks in SA, which will increase productivity, speed of processing and ultimately customer service for the bank. The solution will protect the bank and its customers with the technology tools and vital information needed to stop most cheque frauds before they become losses.
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