A2iA Introduces World's First Check Recognition Toolkit For Linux And Delivers Beefed-Up Fraud-Fighting Tools In A2iA CheckReader 3.5

A2iA, a worldwide leading developer of advanced handwriting and print recognition engines, today announced the availability of version 3.5 of A2iA CheckReader™, a core component of the majority of the image-based point-of-presentment check processing systems in the United States today. A2iA CheckReader alleviates many of the risks associated with check image exchange in distributed processing applications, where paper checks are discarded at their point of presentment. A2iA is also the first in the industry to make it possible for developers to easily integrate A2iA CheckReader into check processing applications that run on the open-source Linux operating system. This allows more options in developing backup and disaster recovery systems and procedures, and gives software developers and systems integrators increased flexibility in deploying applications.

"We are continually modifying A2iA CheckReader to meet the evolving needs of U.S. financial institutions that are undergoing processing changes as a result of Check 21 and new check processing environments," said Jean-Louis Fages, A2iA's president and CEO. "It is now possible, even more than ever, to use A2iA CheckReader to provide crucial information about checking transactions, more quickly and more accurately, in order to minimize risks while moreimproving efficiency. Its built-in safeguards give users the timely information they need to make sound decisions at the teller window or wherever check scanning is performed."

Among the new fraud detection features are the ability to further analyze the payor's name as well as recognize and analyze the entire payee block. An instant comparison of the payor's name with reference check stock provides a real-time alert of a suspected mismatch, indicating a possible counterfeit. And while the ability to recognize payee name was made available several years ago, payee name verification has been enhanced in A2iA CheckReader 3.5 to examine the entire payee block and the areas around it to better detect fraudulent alterations.

The combined power of A2iA's Intelligent Word Recognition (IWR), OCR, ICR and handwriting recognition technologies reduces banks' susceptibility to fraud as well as the "falsealarm" rates that are associated with systems that rely solely on zonal, character-based recognition. A2iA CheckReader also analyzes handwriting styles and font types to automatically identify checks that may not have been written by an authorized person listed on that account.

Operationally, A2iA CheckReader 3.5 expands deployment capabilities with the latest industrystandard programming environment s and operating systems. The availability of A2iA CheckReader 3.5 for Linux makes it the industry's first check recognition software for use in Linux environments. Also, a new COM interface further increases processing speeds and enables A2iA's integrators, solution providers and value-added resellers an easy integration into .NET and C# applications.

A2iA CheckReader 3.5 includes image quality assurance tools that can be set up to perform simultaneous analysis of both the front and rear check images, to further shorten processing times. In addition, support for grayscale images will allow users more image archive options as well as improved accuracy for signature presence detection.

A2iA CheckReader locates and reads information from all areas of interest on personal and business checks, as well as money orders, payment coupons and other common banking documents. Using the optional A2iA AddressPack plug-in, recognition of handwritten addresses on change of address forms and deposit/withdrawal slips is now possible in A2iA CheckReader.

A2iA CheckReader 3.5 is available in 20 country-specific versions. Version 3.5 includes improved machine-print amount recognition for Singaporean checks, and the inclusion of date recognition and improved amount recognition for Malaysian checks.

"For over a decade, leading developers of check processing applications for financial institutions and corporations have turned to A2iA as their trusted source for high-quality data capture," said Fages. "By staying ahead of the industry, building mission-critical features into our applications and continuing to improve upon those features, we remain confident in our ability to help our customers use image-based check processing automation wisely and successfully."

Availability
A2iA CheckReader is available immediately through A2iA's official licensees and authorized value-added resellers. For more information, please call 917-237-0390 or visit www.a2ia.com.

About A2iA Corporation
A2iA (Artificial Intelligence & Image Analysis), founded in 1991, headquartered in New York and Paris, is known as the worldwide leading developer of Intelligent Word Recognition (IWR) technology for extracting information from natural freeform and cursive handwriting on paper documents. The company's technology has been helping paper- intensive industries reduce data entry costs and improve business process automation for over 14 years. A2iA's recognition engines harmonize their OCR, ICR and IWR technologies with their image analysis, artificial intelligence and neural network systems to enhance solutions from the world's leading systems integrators and other independent software vendors. For more information: www.a2ia.com.