Electronic Signatures Ensure Compliance, Competitive Advantage for GlobalVetLink

Pleasant Hill, California, 19 April, 2007

ARX, Inc. (Algorithmic Research), a leading global provider of standards-based electronic signatures (digital signatures) and data security solutions, has implemented a CoSign® electronic-signature solution for GlobalVetLink (GVL), a global provider of web-based services for the veterinary profession.

Using CoSign, Doctors of Veterinary Medicine may now electronically sign Official Electronic Veterinary Feed Directives, and route them to the appropriate feedmill and swine producer. 

"GVL operates in a regulated environment and is subject to compliance with numerous US government regulations governed by the FDA and USDA. CoSign ensures we stay in compliance while helping improve efficiency in all aspects of animal health and movement records," said Kevin Maher, President of GlobalVetLink.

Furthermore, GVL is realizing the value of standards-based electronic signatures in helping to withstand frequent audits by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA).  GVL employees use CoSign to digitally sign documents that can be presented as electronic evidence for audits to prove the unique ID and intent of the signer and guarantee the data has not been altered once the signature is added.  

"The decision to implement CoSign was strongly driven by GVL’s need for compliance," said Rodd Schlerf, Life Science Practice Manager at ARX. GVL followed 21 CFR Part 11 to meet FDA’s requirements, and CoSign’s electronic signatures meet this published standard. In addition, since PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) based technology is in use throughout the entire US Federal Government, GVL was convinced that PKI based electronically-signed documents would also exceed any specific requirement of the USDA beyond the FDA’s 21 CFR Part 11 compliance.

"As the first to market with an online system providing electronic signing and submissions of our veterinary certificate system, GVL substantially enhances their service offerings and strengthens their leadership, potentially capturing an accelerating portion of the market within the next two years," elaborated Schlerf. In addition, the signed certificate and all of the data entered on the form will be saved into the GVL database, eliminating the management of paper and costs associated with the traditional paper-based handling of the certificates.

GVL also benefits from SAPI Web Services which are based on the new OASIS DSS standard protocol allowing for the easy integration of the full power of SAPI from any SOA environment.

GVL's national multi-species web-based platform connects all state animal health and regulatory officials with the company's veterinarian subscribers and a growing national network of over 65 online animal diagnostic laboratories, which are also GVL subscribers. GVL's regulatory system facilitates use of all forms of animal ID entered by accredited veterinarians, including: premises ID, digital photos, visual tags, & Electronic Identification - with automated uploading of IDs. For more information, please visit www.globalvetlink.com.