About CoSign

Q. What is CoSign?
CoSign is ARX's non-forgeable, simple-to-use and quick to deploy, digital-signature solution that delivers an innovative way to digitally sign documents, files, forms and transactions. With CoSign, organizations can easily sign in numerous applications such as Microsoft® Word, Adobe Acrobat, TIFF images and leading Content Management Systems. CoSign's PKI technology guarantees signer authenticity, data integrity, and non-repudiation of documents and transactions. ARX's patented technologies have changed the entire behavior of the PKI environment with the advent of CoSign - a PKI-based digital-signature solution that is not only simple-to-use and easy to manage but also cost-effective. 

Q. Is CoSign a hardware or software solution?
CoSign includes a tamper-proof hardware appliance for centralized key generation, storage and signing operations, while consisting of software components for integration with various 3rd party applications (such as Microsoft Office) and User Management Systems (such as Active Directory).

Q. How does CoSign compare with other Digital & Electronic Signature products?
The following are some of the features that set CoSign apart:
1. Simple-to-use and easy-to-deploy
2. Reliable digital signature - the signature ensures document integrity and guarantees the identity of the signer.
3. Centralized solution - Private Keys are generated and stored in a central secure tamper-proof appliance, eliminating the traditional need for hardware tokens (e.g., Smart Cards, USB Tokens, etc.).
4. CoSign supports numerous applications: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel®, Adobe Acrobat, TIFF, and many more. 
5. All required components in one box - Built-in CA for issuing and renewing certificates, user management, and more.
6. User Management support - Use CoSign in sync with major User Management Directories such as Microsoft Active Directory and Novel / NDS or use the built-in management tool for managing users.
7. Graphical signature - Users may add a graphical representation of their signature using an electronic signature pad, providing a visual indication that users are accustomed to, as well as an assured method of sealing documents.
8.  Standardized signature method - CoSign uses industry standard electronic signatures based on "Public Key Infrastructure" (PKI) technology for signing and validating signatures. Using these standards allows receiving parties to validate signatures without any additional software installation required. 

Q. How does a user sign a document with CoSign?
In Microsoft Word, for example:
1. Users create and save a document or message; then
2. Add a signature field by positioning the cursor in a specified signature location and clicking the signature button located at the top of the window.
3. They sign by right-clicking the signature field and selecting the "Sign" option (according to configuration set, the user may be prompted to enter a password); and
4. Graphical and digital signatures are embedded in the application.
Note: CoSign allows multiple users to sign a single document, for example, in workflow processes.

Q. How does a user validate CoSign's digital signature?
Simply right-click the signature and choose the "Validate" option.
Validating the signature enables the recipient to authenticate the identity of the signer and view the reason, date and time of the signature. Validation guarantees the signed document was not tampered with and/or modified, ensuring the signer was a valid employee, for example, at the time of signing the document. CoSign allows receiving parties to validate signatures without requiring software installation. For example, electronic signature solutions always require proprietary software to validate signatures.
Note: Validating a signature varies slightly according to the application and its version.

Q. What applications and forms does CoSign support?
Microsoft SharePoint & MOSS 2007 New!
Microsoft Office 2007 New!
Microsoft Word 2000/XP/2003
Microsoft Excel XP/2003  " Corel WordPerfect
Microsoft InfoPath  " TIFF Images
Microsoft Outlook  " StarOffice Writer
Microsoft Outlook Express  " OpenOffice Calc
Microsoft PowerPoint  " StarOffice Calc
Microsoft BizTalk   
Adobe Reader 5/6/7 *
Acrobat Professional 5/6/7
Adobe LiveCycle (Forms Server)
Acrobat Standard 5/6/7
AutoCAD
FileNet eForms
Verity Liquid Office
Crystal Reports
OpenOffice Writer
Lotus Notes
Web applications
* Signing with Adobe Reader is enabled using Adobe Document Server for Reader Extensions.

Business Case

Q. What are the main benefits to companies implementing CoSign digital signatures?
Seals documents - provides evidence of user authenticity and guarantees data integrity and non-repudiation of the transaction. CoSign enables users in the organization to easily protect and monitor their documents and transactions.
Automates Business Processes - Eliminates the inefficiencies and significant costs of printing, handling, mailing, scanning and archiving paper documents. CoSign allows organizations to conclude transactions electronically, cut down on paper-based processes, and save costs. Organizations can boost employee productivity and increase customer satisfaction.
Simple-to-Use and Quick ROI - CoSign is an "all in one", simple to install and manage PKI-based digital signature appliance that ensures immediate ROI. CoSign easily integrates within the organization user management system, eliminating any additional hardware costs.
Legal Compliance - CoSign protects businesses in courts of law and will not be questioned for compliance. CoSign digital signatures carry legal significance allowing organizations to comply with regulations worldwide such as: 21 CFR Part 11, HIPPA,E-Sign (Electronic Signature in Global and national Commerce Act), EU Directive and VAT Directive.

Q. How much money can CoSign save my organization?
Calculate your savings with our ROI calculator here

Technology
 
Q. How does CoSign compare with traditional PKI solutions?
Traditional PKI-based solutions are one of the most expensive and difficult solutions to deploy. With so many components in a PKI environment, the Certificate Authority (CA), the key-storage device (hardware or software), the management application and, the signing applications (workflow application, ERP, mail, or any other application), integration is a complex long and prohibitive process.
ARX's vision is to make PKI affordable and easy-to-use for all companies, large and small. ARX, with its patented technologies, has changed the PKI environment, by designing CoSign, a simple-to-use and cost-effective digital signature solution.
CoSign is quick to deploy and offers ALL the components of a digital-signature solution in one box. CoSign solves complex deployment problems and dramatically reduces the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) of deploying digital-signatures. CoSign enables new users to automatically enroll in the PKI system (i.e., it creates the keys, issues certificates and renews them) ensuring the system is always simple and easy-to-use. Organizations have the option to manage their users either inside CoSign or through MS Active Directory and Novel NDS. 

Q. How does CoSign integrate with existing solutions such as Document Management (DM) and Content Management Systems (ECM) etc?
CoSign offers an "out of the box" signature solution for major applications such as Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat. CoSign offers a simple Signature API (SAPI) which ensures quick and convenient integration with 3rd parties or self-developed applications.