Electronic Signatures Enhance Business Processes at Burwood Council

Pleasant Hill, California, 24 January, 2007

Algorithmic Research (ARX), a leading worldwide provider of standards-based electronic signatures (digital signatures) and data security solutions, has implemented a CoSign® electronic signature appliance at the Burwood Council in Sydney, NSW, Australia.

CoSign's PKI-based (Public key Infrastructure) technology allows Council users to replace handwritten signatures, sealing documents written in Microsoft® Word, Excel® and Adobe® PDF, with legally enforceable digital signatures.

"The Burwood Council was looking for a way to enhance and streamline its processes, while cutting costs, and improving staff efficiency," says Pat Romano, Burwood Council GM.

"Prior to the installation, the Council faced a mountain of paper every day," says Ernie White, Burwood Council Senior Manager, Information Services. "Even though documents were drafted on a PC, they still had to be printed so we could indicate our approval with a signature. Using CoSign, the final step has fallen away, because we can electronically sign the documents within the applications used to create them."

"Switching to a paperless environment using electronic signatures will allow Council staff to process, distribute and deliver correspondence direct from their desktops," Mr. Romano said.

CoSign’s electronic signature solution made sure that the information, regardless of form, would be consistently signed and verified, ensuring document security.  Now that the documents are electronically signed, paper handling and time have also been cut.

"The streamlined business processes and reduced costs, give the Council the ability to enhance its service offerings to the public," says Mike Eyal, Director of ARX’s partner, TME Consulting Limited, a provider of electronic signature solutions and Finger Print systems.

"Using CoSign’s standards-based electronic signatures, the Council can now electronically sign-off on human resource forms and Council briefing documents," says Ilan Patashnik, COO, ARX.

Burwood Council is a metropolitan local government authority located in the inner western suburbs of Sydney, Australia. Burwood is a highly urbanised area of 7.26 square kilometres in the inner western-suburbs with a population of over 31,000 residents (as at 2005). Located approximately mid way between the commercial centres of Sydney and Parramatta, Burwood is a strategic transport hub with a robust retail business profile.

For more information http://www.burwood.nsw.gov.au

TME provides professional and comprehensive Finger Print authentication, and Digital Signature Solutions, deliveries a full range of capabilities that combines advanced technology with local support in New Zealand and Australia.  TME bases its activities on the extensive knowledge and experience of its team of experts, providing local and national support for comprehensive solutions for Time & Attendance Management, Jobs Costing, Digital Signatures, and Authentication.

For more information http://www.digitalsignature.co.nz/