BOULDER, Colo., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Parascript, LLC, the image analysis and pattern recognition technology provider, today announced that Quebec Automobile Insurance Corporation (SAAQ), Quebec's government agency under the auspices of the Quebec's Minister for Transport, has implemented Aperta's Active Image Document Processing System (AiDPS), which incorporates Parascript's CheckPlus International for Canada software. The integrated solution allows SAAQ to remove post-encoding check verification tasks and batch preparation workloads, resulting in reduced labor costs. Additionally, with the read rates achieved by Parascript's CheckPlus International software, SAAQ is able to further keep human intervention at a minimum.

After a few months of operating with Aperta's and Parascript's payment processing solution, the SAAQ has achieved amount recognition rates above 90 percent and significantly reduce labor costs at rates that truly exceeded their expectations. "We are very satisfied with the integrated check recognition solution from Parascript and Aperta and its user-friendly interfaces," said Alayn Plante, manager, centralized operations for SAAQ. "We are confident our cooperation with Aperta and Parascript will continue to result in increased operational efficiencies."

SAAQ had issued an RFP for an image-based application to modernize their equipment and replace their microfilm-based system. Performance criteria and confidence level requirements were included in the RFP to make sure the new solution would reduce the manual workload inherent in checks and stub processing. SAAQ required recognition performance levels for hand written and printed characters to make sure at least 70 percent of stubs and checks would be processed without operator intervention. The date recognition rate was set to 30 percent with an accuracy level of 95 percent. The integrated solution from Aperta and Parascript achieved amount recognition rates above 90 percent and date recognition rates averaging 75 percent, far exceeding SAAQ's requirements.

"By combining Parascript's CheckPlus International recognition software with Aperta's AiDPS, we can provide an outstanding check processing solution to payment processors and financial institutions, significantly lowering labor processing costs worldwide," said Tim Kickham, sales director for Aperta. "We are excited about this latest application of Aperta and Parascript technology and look forward to continuing to help other organizations achieve greater efficiency on a global basis."

Parascript's CheckPlus International can process the entire stream of machine printed and handwritten Canadian checks in both French and English. The company's CheckPlus International has been successfully implemented in Brazil, France, India, Italy, Portugal, among other markets. Depending on country, CheckPlus International automatically locates and recognizes amount fields, the payee line, MICR (Magnetic Ink Character Recognition) line, checksum, among others and performs signature verification to help financial institutions prevent fraud.

"We are delighted with the results achieved with SAAQ's implementation," said Mike Fenton, vice president for sales and operations for Parascript. "Parascript is committed to partnering with leaders in the field, such as Aperta, and offering the highest recognition rates with our industry-leading software."

About SAAQ

The SAAQ is a corporation established in the public interest within the meaning of the Civil Code of Quebec and it has the rights and privileges of an agent of the Government. The President of the SAAQ is the corporation's Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors. The SAAQ offers an integrated management model, the purpose of which is to protect individuals. This model applies to three areas: prevention, enforcement and compensation. The Societe de l'assurance automobile du Quebec comes under the authority of Quebec's Minister for Transport. SAAQ is online at: http://www.saaq.gouv.qc.ca.

About Aperta

Established in 1992, Aperta is an innovative company that has grown to become an acknowledged leader in payment processing solutions and applications for the commercial, public sector, banking and financial marketplace. Aperta item processing applications are installed in many countries in Africa, Europe, North America, Central and Latin America. For more information, visit www.aperta.com.

About Parascript, LLC

The Parascript image analysis suite extracts meaningful information from images. Employing patented digital image analysis and pattern recognition technologies, the Parascript image analysis suite improves decision quality in medical imaging, postal and payment automation, fraud detection, and forms processing operations. Parascript software processes over 100 billion imaged documents per year. Fortune 500 companies, postal operators, major government, and financial institutions rely on Parascript products. Organizations include the U.S. Postal Service, Bowe Bell + Howell, CheckFree - now part of Fiserv, Elsag, Lockheed Martin, NCR, Siemens, and Unisys. Parascript is online at http://www.parascript.com.

SOURCE Parascript, LLC