Content services provider Hyland is extending its capabilities in document authentication through the blockchain, with the announcement that it has acquired blockchain innovator Learning Machine.

Learning Machine leverages blockchain technology to authenticate documents and content through credentialing solutions that are based on the Blockcerts open standard. The solutions are able to create and share blockchain-secured digital records that are recipient owned, vendor independent and verifiable anywhere. This enables customers around the world to issue verifiable digital records at scale.

“This acquisition is a major step toward our goal of revolutionising the way organisations electronically exchange trusted records,” says Hyland president and CEO Bill Priemer.

“The addition of Learning Machine's digital credentialing solutions to Hyland's content services platform will enable our customers to generate and manage digital documents that are both easily shareable and instantly verifiable.

The Learning Machine Issuing System allows any organisation to design their records, import recipient data, issue records and manage the entire credentialing lifecycle. The system allows governments, companies and educational institutions to issue blockchain records at scale, rooted in any blockchain they choose.

Hyland explains that Learning Machine's technology can be used to issue digitally secured diploma and transcripts for and by institutions in the higher education sector.

The University of Melbourne in Australia was the first Asia Pacific university to issue recipient-owned credentials on the Learning Machine blockchain back in 2017.

The University issued its Melbourne Teaching Certificate using the Learning Machine issuing system, an enterprise platform that simplifies anchoring official records to the blockchain.

Hyland states that it plans to integrate Learning Machine's ability to share and deliver authenticated content. Furthermore, Hyland plans to speed up the diversification of Learning Machine solutions across the vertical markets and geographies in which Hyland is already well positioned to help organisations deliver better experiences to the people they serve.

“The use of blockchain technology for digital credentialing has become an increasingly urgent need as governments, educational institutions and organisations seek to combat fraud, mitigate risk and relieve administrative burdens associated with the exchange of content,” says Learning Machine CEO Chris Jagers.

“This acquisition creates significant value for Learning Machine customers who will gain the full benefit of Hyland's notable support, partnership and accountability,” Jagers concludes.

Hyland states that it will continue to support Learning Machine's current solutions and customers as it integrates the technology into existing platform offerings.

The acquisition was effective from February 1, 2020.