LONGMONT - Parascript LLC is opening a sales office in India in response to increased demand from financial institutions in that country for automated electronic processing of checks and forms.

Longmont-based Parascript's new office in Chennai provides central access to markets in India, the Middle East and other South, Southeast and East Asia countries.

Parascript has a suite of software products that recognizes information on checks, envelopes, parcels and various forms. It can recognize machine print, handprint and cursive writing.

The company expects its CheckPlus check-processing software; FormXtra forms-processing software and SignatureXpert signature-verification software to be well received in the area.

Driving the market growth is the Cheque Truncation System, mandated by the Reserve Bank of India, enabling the electronic transmission of images, rather than the physical documents, for faster clearing of checks.

Mike Fenton, Parascript's vice president for international sales, will oversee the office in India. He will be joined by Raj Rajagopal, professional-services implementation manager, who has also worked at Parascript's headquarters in Longmont and is a native of India.

Parascript has a development office in Moscow.