Delivery by an ARP Member : Public Key Cryptography : PKI : Certification Authority : Digi-Sign.com

Working with Affiliate, Reseller & Partner [ARP] Members

Implementing a Public Key Infrastructure [PKI], a Certificate Authority [CA] and then using Digital Certificates requires extensive technical knowledge and experience. In a single Digi-CA™ [1] project, often there is a requirement to comply with more than 70 standards [2] and this list of regulatory requirements is constantly being updated.

In addition to the complexities of the technology and the need for extensive experience, the commercial sensitivity of any tri-party relationship (i.e. Customer - ARP Member - Digi-Sign) and the importance of a strong ARP management system cannot be over stated. This is not necessary in the case of an ARP Affiliate [3], but with the ARP Reseller or Partner [3], closer co-operation and empowerment is essential.

Technical 'know how' and compliance are only one aspect of any project and although they may be important, there are many other aspects of the project that must be considered if it is to be successful. For example:

Technical Specification Preparation

There are many instances where your customer requires assistance in preparing the specification for their project. The pre-sales technical consulting advice comes directly from the Digi-CAST1™ [4] Team. Additionally, the Commercial Director will supervise the correct structuring of the customers needs to achieve the 'best blend' of customer requirements, Partner skills and Digi-Sign expertise, products and systems to achieve maximum return for all parties concerned. Here is a summary of those necessary components:

Setting parameters

Vendor evaluation

Market review

Legal implications

Compliance requirements

Document review

Document preparation

Consultancy advice

Technical Specification Review

Receiving the customer's technical specification, project requirements and deliverables; reviewing these and determining the suitability of the project with the capabilities of the Partner and the systems and services we offer

Bidding Strategy & Advice

Deciding on the best approach to the customer, determining if our offering and the capabilities of our Partner truly meet, and preferably exceed, the customer's requirements. And deciding on the best strategy and use of these resources to maximise the return for our customer and our Partner alike.

Clarification & Discussion

After close consultation and direct input from our Partner, the Digi-CAST™ [5] Team will generate all the required 'questions for clarification', system samples and demo's, presentations and any other collateral to assist in gaining the clearest understanding of the customer's requirements. All off this is supplied to the Partner will full assistance and support at every stage.

Document Preparation

Once a clear and comprehensive understanding of the customer's requirements combined with those of our Partner, all the required tender documentation is prepared by the Digi-CAST™ Team.

Contract Negotiation

Typically, it is the Partner that negotiates the contract with the customer. As a Partner, you are fully empowered to comprehensively undertake these negotiations through our transparent disclosure and clear, unequivocal support throughout.

Project Planning & Management

The entire project will be detailed out in the Digi-CAST1™ Implementation Plan [6]. This plan provides anyone, with project management training, all of the key performance criteria, deliverables, dates, schedules and finances required to effectively communicate project performance to your personnel, as required.

Project Delivery & Management

During the delivery stage of the project, the Digi-CAST2™ [7] Installations Team co-operate closely with your Project Manager to ensure the optimum output in time and resource usage. This includes, network testing over a temporary Virtual Private Network [VPN] priro to arrival, if required. Consultation and advice to Network Engineers prior to, and during, the installations process and comprehensive documentation of each component as it occurs.

User Acceptance Testing [UAT]

On completion of the installation, the Digi-CAST2™ Implementation Manager will conduct the User Acceptance Testing [UAT] with the customer and the Partner Project Manager to ensure complete customer satisfaction prior to project sign off.

Project Documentation

As stated, on all projects, the Digi-CAST™ Methodology is used and a central component of this, is the accurate and detailed documentation of all communications between all parties to the project; the documentation of all implementation data and configuration settings and the production of a Digi-CAST™ project file after the UAT is completed.

Project & Compliance Documentation

Depending on the project, if compliance and/or certification of the project is a customer requirement, the Digi-CAST3™ [7] Compliance Team will prepare and customise all documentation as required for the certification of the project.

Post Project Customer Care
Continuous Development

In addition to the continuous development of our business, business models, process and methodologies; we also have a strong development 'Roadmap' including: