Two kinds of online tool
Signed containers usually hold contracts, salary decisions or medical documents. Before using any online service with them, find out which model it follows.
| Upload model | Local model | |
|---|---|---|
| Where the file is processed | On the provider's server | In your browser |
| Does the document leave your device? | Yes | No |
| Works for very sensitive files? | Only if you trust the provider | Yes |
| Needs a connection after loading? | Yes, for every file | Only to load the page |
ASiCE Viewer follows the local model. The page delivers a program written in JavaScript; your browser runs it and reads the file from your disk.
How to check it yourself
- Open the page and press F12 to open developer tools.
- Switch to the Network tab.
- Drop a file onto the page.
- Watch the list: requests appear for the page's own scripts, but none of them carries your file.
This takes a minute and works for any tool that claims to be private.
When online is the right choice
- You are on a work computer where you cannot install software.
- You use a Chromebook, a Linux machine or a tablet.
- You open a signed file a few times a year and do not want another program.
- You are helping someone else and need a solution in one sentence: "open this address and drop the file in".
When to install something instead
If you sign documents yourself, or you need a legally reliable validation report, install the official client. If you read containers daily on a phone, the Android app is more comfortable than a browser tab. Read more about how the technology works in ASiC-E online viewer.
Frequently asked questions
Is the file stored anywhere after I close the page?
No. It lives only in the browser's memory while the tab is open. Closing or reloading the tab discards it.
Does opening ASiC-E files online work without internet?
The page has to load first. After that, opening an ordinary container needs no further requests, but previewing PDF or Word files loads the matching viewer module on first use.