Content services provider Hyland is enlarging its abilities in document authentication by the blockchain, with the statement that it has acquired blockchain innovator Learning Machine.

Learning Machine leverages blockchain technology to validate documents and content via credentialing solutions that are based on the Blockcerts open standard. The solutions can build and share blockchain-secured digital records that are vendor-independent, recipient owned, and verifiable anywhere. This enables consumers across the globe to issue correct digital records at scale.

“This acquisition is a major step toward our goal of revolutionizing the way organizations electronically exchange trusted records,” states 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 enables any company to design its records, issue documents, import recipient data, and manage the entire credentialing lifecycle. The system allows for governments, educational institutions, and companies to issue blockchain records at scale, rooted in any blockchain they choose.

Hyland reveals that Learning Machine’s technology can be used to issue digitally secured diplomas 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 utilizing the Learning Machine issuing system, an enterprise platform that analyzes securing official records to the blockchain.

Hyland says that it intends to combine the Learning Machine’s ability to share and deliver authenticated content. Furthermore, Hyland wants to speed up the diversification of Learning Machine solutions across the vertical markets and geographies in which Hyland is already well-positioned to aid organizations to give 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 organizations 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 consumers as it combines the technology into existing platform offerings.

The acquisition was active from February 1, 2020.