Capturing of biometric characteristics secures electronic documents - SignDoc makes Mercedes-Benz AMG even faster

AFFALTERBACH/BOEBLINGEN - September, 6 2003: Mercedes-AMG GmbH, a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler AG, recently started to capture signatures digitally with the software of Biometrics specialist Softpro. The module SignDoc is used for capturing and verifying signatures in electronic documents as well as to secure their authenticity and integrity.

In 2002 Mercedes-AMG has started an extensive project (internal
name ADS) to control and optimize internal processes. Managing Director Ulrich Bruhnke: "The plan is pretty ambitious: One of its aspects is to reduce the usage of paper drastically and thus allowing us to benefit of more efficient and safer processes.The DaimlerChrysler group plans to install additional test platforms for similar applications in other sections. We estimate to achieve enormous savings in time and money for the targeted processes."

A lot of forms were digitalized as part of the ADS-project. Various documents have legal impacts such as test clearances, inspection reports, garage acceptances and also applications for vacations and orders. The guidelines for product liability require a high level of security for these processes. Electronic processing should at least provide the same security as the handling of documents on paper.

Signature more secure than PINs

It was a general decision of Mercedes-AMG to make use of electronic signatures to secure its electronic processes. Throughout the preparation of the project it was recognized that a conventional signing solution based on cryptography alone only protects the integrity of a document. The combination of PINs or passwords and cryptography bares hidden costs and risks for operation security. Lots of passwords offer no protection at all. They are easy to obtain using a method called social hacking. Secure passwords are also hard to memorize. If Mercedes-AMG had relied on PINs or passwords the security of the documentation process would not have been completely waterpoof".

"We were looking for an option to authenticate documents with the handwritten signature. The company Softpro and their solution SignDoc came to our attention. SignDoc enables us to capture signatures digitally - throughout the writing process as well as to embed their encrypted characteristics into the documents." explains Ulrich Bruhnke.

Assessing the Quality of Signature Data

Softpro has defined a set of quality criteria for capturing signatures with digitizing instruments.

- A proper comparison of static signature characteristics and dynamic signature signals requires a digitizing instrument that is taking a sufficient amount of time signals.
- Capturing devices must differentiate between various pressure levels and provide an appropriate resolution rate. The e-Pad series of the American manufacturer Interlink are fulfilling all these requirements.

Mercedes-AMG is using Interlink's e-Pads

At Mercedes-AMG signatures are captured on a tablet with LCD display
- the so-called ePad-ink. In connection with SignDoc Mercedes AMG
can switch from paper based processes to digital ones.

Softpro's solution SignDoc captures the shape of a signature as well
as the invisible characteristics of the writing movement for a later
comparison. The information about the signature is stored encrypted
together with the document.

If a signature on a particular document is in doubt Mercedes-AMG may execute the so-called "combo verification" against a set of reference data of a registered signer. This method is unique to Softpro's SignDoc. The static comparison of a signature image is followed by the verification of dynamic signals.

If an unauthorized person changed the content of the document,
SignDoc indicates that this document is no longer authorized by its signer(s). There is also a protection against access to the document without authorization, if access should only be enabled with a signature of an authorized person.

Peter Reschke, Softpro's Director of Marketing and Sales adds: "If an unauthorized person changed the content of the document, SignDoc indicates that this document is no longer authorized by its signer(s). There is also a protection against access to the document without authorization, if access should only be enabled with a signature of an authorized person."

The advantages of Dynamic Signature Verification used for electronic documents are pretty obvious: minimizing paper usage and related costs (printing, shipping, scanning, indexing), reducing the loss of time and the potential of errors caused by media breaks as well as speeding up the workflow and achieving a higher level of automation.

Project successfully started

According to Managing Director Ulrich Bruhnke of Mercedes-AMG, the project progress is quite satisfying and the estimated cost savings may be realized rapidly.

As one of the next extensions Mercedes-AMG plans to integrate
suppliers into the system. The capturing of signatures on a writing tablet and their embedding into documents will be used in additional applications to ensure a maximum of security and efficiency in the communication with business partners for order handling and confirmation of target dates.

Mercedes AMG - the Think Tank of Daimler-Chrysler

Since 1971 car lovers and motor sport enthusiasts worldwide are
fascinated by three letters: AMG. 1971 saw Hans Heyer and Clemens
Schickedanz surprisingly winning the 24-hour-race of Spa in their AMG-Mercedes 300 SEL 6.8. This was the breakthrough for the Mercedes refining manufacturer. Since that time AMG-fans agree: There is just one car that is more fascinating than a Mercedes - a Mercedes of AMG. Right from the beginning AMG added innovations to Mercedes cars in the exterior and interior. Since 1999 the company is an affiliate of DaimlerChrysler.

While in the early days the tuning business was predominant AMG is nowadays a development and production manufacture. Without any doubt the company has achieved a superior reputation and is also in high regards from its competitors.

AMG now acts as a "Think Tank" and is closely liaised with other
affiliates of DaimlerChrysler. It has developed own engines, chassis, breaks, aerodynamic design elements and body parts as well as the interior and elements of the on-board communication. Besides those innovations in the production process Mercedes-AMG acts as a model company for increased efficiency in various workflow processes.

Recently Mercedes-AMG invested approximately 20 Million Euro in new production lines. The heart of the plant's extension was the engine manufacturing.

The final touch is a signature

According to the AMG tradition and the motto "One Man - One Engine" it is always one technician who assembles the driving gear from the first until the last screw. A badge with the individual signature of the technician is the personal commitment to top quality of every Mercedes-AMG professional. "One Man, One Engine" and one may add - "One signature".

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About SOFTPRO

SOFTPRO is based in Boeblingen, Germany and has local subsidiaries
for the North American and Asian-Pacific market in Newark (Delaware) and Singapore. The company employs approximately 50 people worldwide.

SOFTPRO is the leading vendor of systems for the verification of
handwritten signatures, worldwide. The company's portfolio contains solutions for authentic processes and documents.Therefore static and dynamic (biometric) characteristics of signatures are extracted and evaluated.

More than 200 financial institutions are using modules of the SOFTPRO SignPlus® system successfully, among them many internationally well-known companies, such as American Express, ABN Amro, Barclays, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, Deutsche Bank,Discover Financial, HypoVereinsbank, Lloyds TSB and SEB as well as regionally or nationally important banks.

Since 2002, the offer to secure electronic documents with handwritten signatures extended the customer portfolio of SOFTPRO to other industries such as automotive, insurance, chemical, pharmaceutical, construction, health, life sciences and logistics.

The two major investors in SOFTPRO are GECapital (since 1998)and AdCapital (since 2001).

SOFTPRO partners include: BancTec, Carreker, Fujitsu Siemens Computers, IBM, Interlink, Kleindienst, NCR, UNISYS and Wacom as well as APP Informatik Davos.

Contacts
Additional information about company, market and products is available from www.signplus.com.

# For individual information please contact:

SOFTPRO - Software Professional GmbH & Co. KG
Joerg-M. Lenz
Public Relations Manager
mailto:jle@softpro.de
Wilhelmstrasse 34
71034 Boeblingen
Germany
Phone: + 49 7031 66 06 55
Fax:    + 49 7031 66 06 66   

SOFTPRO NORTH AMERICA Inc.
Jeff Bottari
President of SOFTPRO NA
mailto:jbottari@softpro-na.com
111 Continental Drive, Suite # 204
Newark, DE 19173
USA
Phone: + 1 302 738 7587
Fax: + 1 302 738 7657   

SOFTPRO ASIA PACIFIC
Kwang Teng Tan
Managing Director
mailto:kttan@softpro.de
25 International Business Park #02-12 A
Singapore 609916
Singapore
Phone: + 65 6 562 9054
Fax:    + 65 6 562 9055

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About Mercedes-AMG

The Mercedes-AMG GmbH is based in Affalterbach near Stuttgart in
Southwest Germany, currently employing 600 people. It is the performance division for Mercedes-Benz in the DaimlerChrysler
corporate group. From 1967 until 2002 the company has emerged from a motor sport and tuning enterprise to a provider of exclusive high performance cars. Since 1990 AMG products are sold through branches and sales partners of Mercedes-Benz. On January 1st, 1999 one of the founders of AMG, Hans Werner Aufrecht, passed the majority of shares to the DaimlerChrysler corporation, which is now holing 51 percent of the shares of Mercedes-AMG GmbH. Ulrich Bruhnke is heading the management team since 2001.

In 2002 Mercedes-AMG sold 18.200 cars. The new E 55 AMG is with 350 kW the most powerful Mercedes-Benz E-class car of all times. The car is in the showrooms of the branches and contracted dealers since October 2002. February 2003 saw the introduction of C 30 CDI AMG, the first high class performer diesel with 170 kW.

Fields of Business:
- Design and development of high performance sports cars,
special equipment and accessories.
- Development and assembling of advanced mobile media products:
innovative and individual communication and infotainment systems.
- Production of AMG-serial cars in liaison with DaimlerChrysler
production.
- Production von small series of AMG cars.
- Manufacturing of individual cars and car equipment.

# For individual information please contact:

Mercedes-AMG GmbH
Daimlerstrasse 1
71563 Affalterbach
Germany
www.mercedes-benz.com/amg

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About Interlink Electronics

Interlink Electronics, Inc. is a global leader in the design and
manufacture of intuitive interface technologies and products.
Creating today's interface standards for e-transactions, the company's ePad electronic signature products are used to hand-sign electronic documents, forms and point-of-sale transactions. Interlink's software partners include CIC, CyberSign, Silanis Technologies, Softpro and Valyd Inc.

Recognized worldwide for innovative technologies and solutions,
Interlink Electronics, Inc. serves a world-class customer-base from its corporate headquarters in Camarillo, CA and offices in Tokyo and Hong Kong. The company currently holds more than 70 patents protecting its Force Sensing Resistor (FSR), VersaPoint Pressure Pointing, VersaPad pen input pad and RemoteLink wireless communication technologies.
# For individual information please contact:

INTERLINK ELECTRONICS, INC.
546 Flynn Rd
Camarillo, CA 93012
USA
Phone: + 1 (0) 805 484 8855
http://www.interlinkelectronics.com

Company Contact:
Keith M. Roberts
Director, Corporate Communications
mailto:kroberts@interlinkelec.com

Investors Information:
Michelle Lockard
Investor Relations
mailto:mlockard@interlinkelec.com

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IMAGES
(available in print resolution of 300 dpi)

Capturing static and biometric signature characteristics with
the pressure sensitive LCD Display "ePad ink" from Interlink
www.softpro.de/images/softpro_image002.zip

The personal signature of the manufacturer at Mercedes AMG on
the motor badge is a sign of commitment to total quality
www.softpro.de/images/softpro_image006.zip

Please provide us with a proof of your publication when using
the images and/or text elements. Thank you.

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UPCOMING TRADE SHOWS

SignDoc and other SOFTPRO-applications will be demonstrated at:

European Banking & Insurance Fair
http://www.dmsexpo.com
Essen - Fairground:
September 16 - 18, 2003
booth # 3220 (at the booth of windream)

European Banking & Insurance Fair
http://www.ebif.com
Frankfurt - Fairground:
October 27 - 29, 2003
booth # 3.0H51 (SOFTPRO's own booth)

BAI's Retail Delivery Show in New Orleans
http://www.bai.org/retaildelivery
New Orleans, LA - Ernest N. Morial Convention Center:
November 18-20, 2003
booth # 1100 (at the booth of Interlink)

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