Signatures are outstanding Biometrics
The signature is the most 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.
Tablet PCs and specially selected writing tablets or pen pads capture static images and dynamic signals of a signature. Softpro's software is capturing both character sets, stores them encrypted and offers a sophisticated option to verify signatures and 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.
Securing Documents and Log-In with Handwritten Signatures
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 already used for example in hospitals, of a mobile insurance sales force and in e-government processes.
SignSecure offers a easy biometric alternative to passwords and PINs for the log on to a PC or a network. It is also good option for cost cutting as forgotten passwords are responsible for costs of system administration of up 350 US-Dollar per user every year (according to studies of the Gartner Group and Aberdeen Research). The signature is never forgotten and cannot be spied-out or re-used like PINs or passwords.
Winning Solutions on show
Microsoft® Windows Anywhere - The Tablet and Mobile PC Developer Conference 2005: San Francisco - February 6 - 10: SignDoc and SignSecure will be demonstrated in one of the Microsoft booths. Details to be released soon.
CeBIT 2005: Hanover- March 10 to 16: SignDoc and SignSecure will be demonstrated at the CeBIT fair in Hanover at various booths e.g. in the Microsoft booth and in the special show "Banking Finance Solutions" in hall 17. Additional information on CeBIT participation will be available in early 2005.
Grand Prize won by New Zealand-based company
Winner of the $100,000 grand prize was New Zealand-based Ambient Design Ltd., creator of ArtRage. ArtRage, is a painting package designed to provide a realistic and fun simulation of using paint on a canvas, along with pens, pencils, crayons and other tools.
The first runner-up collecting $15,000 is Agilix Labs Inc., a leading developer of mobilized software solutions, for its developmen of GoBinder. GoBinder helps faculty and students take notes and organize assignments, research projects, schedules and class work.
The other runner-up winners
Other runner-up winners were in alphabetical order (order does not reflect judging scores): Active Ink Forms Designer of Active Ink Software (USA), eDrawings of Soliworks (USA), EMS Field Bridge of ImageTrend, Inc. (USA), MathJournal by xThink, Inc. (USA), OrangeGuava Desktop by OrangeGuava (New Zealand), PDFAnnotator by GRAHL software design (Germany), PInk by XAND (Germany), TalkWrite by Revelation Computing Pty Limited (Australia) and VisualClip 1.0 for Windows XP Tablet PC Edition from Graftabl.com (Japan).
Judging Criteria
Applications were submitted for evaluation by independent judges from Ziff Davis Media Inc. and the Enderle Group, who selected the winners based on a number of criteria including usability, innovation and creative use of pen-and-ink functionality. The 12 top winners will share cash prizes totaling $165,000, with first place collecting $100,000. The judges from the Enderle Group and Ziff Davis Media cited the creativity and breadth of functionality displayed by the contest-winning applications, noting the programs' ability to establish a growing ecosystem of Tablet PC applications. "We were pleased to see such a great variety of applications," said Michael J. Miller, editor in chief of PC Magazine. "Some were great for specific markets, others aimed at more general users, but they were united by showing wonderful creativity." "We are very pleased to have the Tablet PC application contest draw such a strong international response from the developer community," said Frank Gocinski, Tablet PC ISV and business development manager at Microsoft. "The developer community has always been at the forefront of cutting-edge technology, and it's exciting to see them embracing the power of the SDK and its ability to ink-enable new or existing Windows XP-based applications for the Tablet PC."
Members of the Jury
A panel of judges including Enderle Group analyst Rob Enderle, PC Magazine editor in chief and the editorial director of Ziff Davis Media Michael J. Miller, PC Magazine editor Konstantinos Karagiannis, eWeek analyst Jason Brooks, ExtremeTech editor Loyd Case, and editor in chief of Ziff Davis Internet Jim Louderback judged the final round of top 12 contestants. Initial screening of applicants was performed by Tablet PC Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs), customers who are recognized, credible and accessible with Tablet PC expertise and who carry with them the voice, strength and value of the Microsoft customer.
