Arxspan, which develops applications for the life sciences, has created a web service that facilitates integration of SAFE-BioPharma digital signatures directly into numerous software applications.

The web service, which integrates into any software, including legacy electronic notebooks, Arxspan's own cloud-delivered life science software and clinical data collection tools, builds upon the credentialing standards required by the global SAFE-BioPharma digital identity and signature standard, including all requirements for identity proofing, credential issuance and credential management.

"Arxspan's new capability provides the SAFE-BioPharma community with an uncomplicated and effective way to make SAFE-BioPharma digital signatures a seamless part of any existing application," said Mollie Shields-Uehling, president and CEO, SAFE-BioPharma Association, the nonprofit industry coalition responsible for the ongoing development and implementation of the SAFE-BioPharma digital identity and signature standard.

The Arxspan web service allows software programmers to integrate both the authentication and signature processes directly into software applications using a simplified web services API. In addition, Arxspan is available to manage major aspects of the process including critical aspects of user credentialing and end-user support, allowing users to interface with a single vendor.

Credentials for authentication are entered into the client-side web service. A third-party service then delivers one-time passwords to the user by text, phone message, e-mail reply or tokens in the case of mobile applications. After proper authentication, the user authorizes Arxspan to enable the digital signature on the documents for archive.

The web service functionality now is available for licensing.