Business Bits

By Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Xign Corporation

Xign Corporation, a Hacienda company which provides electronic invoice and payment technology for B2B commerce, has added smart card usage with digital signatures and biometric authentication to the Xign Payment Services Network (XPSN). According to Xign representatives, digital certificates combined with digital signatures generated using a private key are commonly used to authenticate the originator of an electronic transaction, and ensure that the transaction is not changed on its way to the receiver. These security tools allow people and organizations to electronically certify such features as their identity, their ability to pay, or the authenticity of an electronic document. Smart cards introduce an additional level of security, storing the key and digital certificate on the card instead of a computer file. Biometric smart cards provide the ultimate in network security by also requiring a fingerprint match for signature generation. Xign's new biometric process enhances transaction security by requiring validation between the Xign Payment Services Network, the digital certificates, the smart card and card reader, and the user.
ZANTAZ

ZANTAZ, a Hacienda company specializing in compliance and electronic discovery solutions for the financial services and other industries, has secured $20 million in funding through a new partnership with General Atlantic Partners, a leading direct investment firm specializing in information technology, process outsourcing, and communications businesses. Joining the ZANTAZ board of directors from General Atlantic Partners will be Peter Currie, partner, and Anton Levy, senior associate.
Alacritus Software

Hacienda's Alacritus Software has added a number of new strategic customers for its industry-leading Securitus VTLA disk-based data protection solution. The new customer roster includes NTT DoCoMo Kyushu and NS Solutions, as well as more than a dozen other Global 2000-type accounts. Securitus creates backup appliances that use arrays of inexpensive disks, a streamlined file system, and inexpensive controllers to make the performance of disks economical for very-large-scale backup environments. According to Alacritus, improvements in performance typically exceed 10X over customers' current data protection schemas.
Polycom

Polycom has completed its acquisition of Voyant Technologies, a company specializing in voice conferencing and collaborative network products. The deal, valued at approximately $125 million, will see Voyant become part of Polycom's Network Systems Division. "We are delighted with the rapid completion of the Voyant acquisition," says Phil Keenan, senior VP and general manager of the Network Systems Division. "This is a significant step in building Polycom's core network offering and in furthering our strategic relationships with the leading service providers around the globe."

Also in this issue...

January Business Bits

Business Bits