Silanis' Electronic Signature Approvals to Automatically Trigger Related eBusiness Processes; New XML-Based Products Will Enable Enterprise Data Connectivity and B2B Processing.

Business Editors

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Booth No. 244 & 246

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 2001

Silanis Technology Inc. today announced that it will extend the functionality of its electronic signature and approval management software to enable the automation of internal and external business processes that also occur after a document has been signed.

By supporting various XML standards, including the upcoming XML digital signature standard, its electronic signature approvals can automatically trigger the processing of activities dependent on the original, signed document.

For example, agreements that are electronically approved using Silanis software can activate the generation of purchase orders, invoices and shipping notices without the need to re-key the information into other eBusiness applications. Information contained within the audit trail of an electronic signature approval, such as what data was signed, who signed, and the signer's digital certificate, will be available in XML format so that it can be imported into a database to trigger any activities ensuing from the original, signed document.

"A common misconception about signatures is that they end a business process, when in fact they are a catalyst for so many others," said Tommy Petrogiannis, President of Silanis. "Using Silanis' solution, organizations not only benefit from the cost and time savings of electronically capturing signature approvals in documents, they can merge approved data with enterprise software applications to finish the entire process electronically and achieve true 24/7 automation."

"By embracing XML standards, vendors will create a bridge between the various islands of automation that currently exist among their products, and deliver the level of automation demanded by organizations," said Robert Al-Jaar, Chief Technology Officer of Silanis.

While some organizations' eBusiness strategies may be in the early phases of development, they can nonetheless benefit from Silanis' solution today using their existing IT tools. Approval automation can be instantly added to any number of standard messaging tools and document file formats, including email, Microsoft(R) Word and Excel, Adobe(R) Acrobat(R), JetForm(R) FormFlow(R), AutoDesk(R) AutoCAD(R), PureEdge(TM), HTML and XML, as well as Microsoft(R) Crypto API, a standard security protocol that is available with Microsoft(R) Windows(R) operating systems.

When ready, organizations can add other XML-supported eBusiness applications to the solution, such as e-procurement, customer relationship management (CRM), enterprise resource planning (ERP) and electronic bill presentation for complete end-to-end automation. Silanis' solution can also be combined with third-party PKI security from RSA Security, Entrust Technologies, Digital Signature Trust, Equifax and VeriSign, as well as access control devices for heightened user authentication.

To ensure that organizations will also benefit from approval automation in their external processes, Silanis has introduced a companion server for its core software that will enable colleagues, partners and suppliers of the organization to securely verify and approve electronic documents and agreements. The server acts like a transparent Internet conduit that automatically distributes to constituents the Silanis software needed to collaborate in a legally binding electronic approval process, while ensuring that constituents only interact with the document according to the rules established by the organization.

"Silanis protects organizations' IT investment by offering a comprehensive and easy upgrade path for B2B deployment," added Petrogiannis. "The core software used to electronically approve documents within the organization becomes the foundation for collaborating with satellite offices, business partners and suppliers.

It's a solution that grows with their needs."

Silanis Products

ApproveIt(TM) Desktop 5, ApproveIt(TM) Collaboration Server and ApproveIt(TM) ePersona Server make up Silanis' new suite of electronic signature and approval management solutions--all of which will be available as of March 31, 2001. ApproveIt Desktop 5 is Silanis' fifth-generation software that provides the core approval automation and legally binding capabilities for non-repudiation of signed documents. ApproveIt Collaboration Server is the companion server to the software; it distributes electronic approval capabilities to the organization's partners. ApproveIt ePersona Server is a companion server for ApproveIt Desktop 5 and ApproveIt Collaboration Server that facilitates the deployment and control of electronic signature files.

About Silanis

Founded in 1992, Silanis Technology Inc. created ApproveIt(TM), the industry's first and only multi-signature electronic approval management software. More than 800 organizations use Silanis products in the financial services, government, manufacturing, health and pharmaceutical sectors, including the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, the US Army MEDCOM, Williams Group, GMACCM, Nationwide Insurance and National City Bank. In 2000, Silanis created onSign.com, a consumer division that offers the first free, downloadable consumer software to meet the legal requirements for secure electronic signing. Silanis software is recognized for its extensive capabilities, scalable security, ease of use and ease of integration. Silanis' worldwide sales headquarters are located in Washington, DC. The company also has a regional office in Campbell, CA and an R&D center in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, as well as sales and customer support units in other US cities.