CyberSource, a provider of
electronic commerce services for digital products, rolled out Sm@rtCert, a
next generation rights validation and secure delivery technology.
The SmartCert client application features intelligent certificates that
enable end users to access specific rights associated with the certificate,
the company said.
These rights may include downloading digital content, such as software,
stock photography, or pay-per-view services. SmartCert provides a secure
way to validate rights and provide secure access to online software and
content, eliminating the arcane, support-intensive technologies that have
plagued Web-based downloads, the company said.
“Online merchants and buyers today are looking for a better way to deliver
and purchase digital content,” said John Pettitt, chief technology officer at
CyberSource. “Not only does Sm@rtCert offer a superior alternative to the
convoluted methods used today, but also it is consistent with CyberSource’s
commitment to foster the growth of secure, electronic delivery of software
and other digital products via the Internet.”
Each SmartCert can display a host of marketing materials, such as data
sheets, promotional offers, URLs or money-back electronic coupons, the
company said.
When software or content is purchased on a Web site, a thin SmartCert client
is delivered to the end user’s desktop. When the customer clicks the download
button the SmartCert technology takes over. If a line drop occurs, SmartCert
will re-establish the connection at the point of interruption and not restart
the download at the beginning. Each Sm@rtCert is validated by CyberSource and
access is permitted, eliminating the need to cut-and-paste digital keys or
remember passwords.
Corporate customers pay an initial Sm@rtCert registration fee of $99. A
minimal transaction fee will be applied for certificate issuance and
validation. In addition, San Jose, CA-based CyberSource plans to license the
technology to others wishing to incorporate SmartCert technology.
The product was shown at the Demo ’98 conference in Palm Desert, CA this week.