High-security printing solutions

Cirrus-TechVue formally announced today the latest release of its locally-developed high security printing solution.

The high-security printing solution consist of a base software component, together with a number of optional modules, all of which were developed locally by Cirrus-TechVue.

The software is coupled together with a cheque printer that incorporates customised firmware, also developed locally by Cirrus-TechVue, thus enabling the user to print critical details in a unique, multi-coloured font. This solution, for example, makes the process of forging all or part of the details on a cheque all but impossible, thus minimising the possibilities of cheque fraud, a phenomena that has now reached alarming proportions.

The core software runs on Windows 95,98, XP, NT4 (Workstation or Server) and Windows 2000 (Workstation or Server) platforms, and the Accounting Software package utilised by an organisation (eg Accpac, Brilliant Accounting, Great Plains, SAP, etc) needs to be able to print to a Windows Printer.

However, the software can integrate with any accounting package whether it is for example custom-written or mainframe-based, using various other methods.

This version of the software takes normal output from the accounting package and prints specified lines in the High Security Coloured Fonts. Remittance advice details are normally printed in a black draft font. Pandora-Direct includes the following two features:

* The signature control facility that automatically prints signatures on the cheques, which can optionally request an ID and password for signatories before each cheque run is printed. At least one signature font in the printer is required; and

* The Full English Word Conversion facility, which accepts values in figures and outputs those values as the full English Word equivalent. (a far more secure method of completing cheques) eg R1250.00 becomes One Thousand Two Hundred and Fifty Rands 00 Cents.

This version of the software is similar to Pandora-Direct, but is a batch-oriented system and includes significantly more control and flexibility. Batches of cheques are captured from a file generated by the source system, which may be a specially generated file, or it may be captured from a print file. The information is stored in a local database and batches (or individual cheques) are authorised and printed from Pandora DB. It offers a completely independent layer of authorisation and control.

Within this version that also includes the two highlighted features of Pandora Direct:

* All data is protected by banking-strength encryption, using a combination of cryptographic hash (SHA), symmetric encryption (225-bit Blowfish), and Elliptic Curve digital signatures (equivalent to 1024-bit RSA).

* No cheques can be printed without a password being entered.

* A value limit control is included that will not permit authorisation of cheques over defined limits for specific signatories, although cheques may be printed without signatures if passwords are not entered.

* A facility for "A" and "B" signatories, but with the requirement for at least one "A" signatory.

* Single cheque and batch authorisation is allowed, thus allowing cheques to be sent from the host system as one complete run, before control reverts to Pandora Plus for printing.

* Remote authorisation clients are supported, so a signatory can approve payments from his or her own workstation. This requires a shared directory on a network server.

* Authorisation levels (limits and A/B signatory status) can be set on a per-bank-account basis, so signatories can have different status on different bank accounts.

* Printing can be distributed to different printers based on the bank account: for example, printing can be done over a WAN at remote sites based on the bank account allocated to the batch.

* Multi-layered access with each layer having access to various features of the system. For example, a user level would not be able to authorise signatures, but could print cheques, and a signatory could authorise the printing of signatures, but not add and delete users.

* Audit trails and reports that keep track of all cheques, who printed them, who authorised signatures, amounts and dates, etc.

Cheque Writer for Windows is a standalone application for cheque writing and management, providing facilities for capture, authorisation control, printing, reconciliation and reporting. A secure audit trail is maintained of all operator actions. Import and export capabilities allow using cheque data from external systems, or sending information back to external systems. Signature support is available as an additional module, allowing the printer to be used to sign cheques as well as printing them.

New banking rules in SA prohibit any alterations on cheques and this has caused a problem for companies that need to issue uncrossed cheques for such things as wages. It normally requires that at least two sets of stationery must be purchased and more importantly, controlled. To circumvent this situation a "Not Transferable" endorsement font has been developed and can be optionally printed on a batch of cheques or not as required, under software control.

The two printers currently available to support the system are the Tally T2265C and T2280C. These printers may also be used for general purpose printing when not needed for printing cheques, and have improved characteristics over the previously available models that were specified for these applications.

The 300-400 systems, which have already been installed within Southern Africa and the UK, represent a spread of over 100 corporate organisations across a multiplicity of vertical markets. Many of the companies utilising these systems are ones that are quoted on either the London or Johannesburg Securities Exchanges and represent such sectors as academia, financial services, government, healthcare, information technology, mining and telecommunications

Although the majority of the current implementations are cheque printing related, the software is also being used for invoicing and picking slips (to combat stock theft via the use of fraudulent invoices and picking slips created from stolen blank invoices and picking slips), and the creation of other negotiable certificates. Additionally, the printing of academic diplomas and degree certificates is yet another potential application.

"We are continuously developing new techniques for the production of secure documents," commented Chris Crozier, a Director of Cirrus-TechVue. "Even in a world that is increasingly using an electronic funds transfer capability, the use of cheques within the business community is still increasing."

For further information, please contact Chris Crozier: tel +27 11 783 1508, fax +27 11 783 1016, e-mail chris@cirrus.co.za