E-services

An e-service generally involves filling in and submitting electronic forms online. Some of these services are simple web forms, while others are structured services progressing in stages.

In an e-service, you can fill in your data on your computer screen. Once you have filled in the data, you can submit the form online. A successful submission will return a confirmation page showing the time of submission and the submission number. The data will be conveyed to the recipient over an encrypted connection.

Client identification

Some online public services require electronic identification. Depending on the type of form involved, you can do this using a certificate card, online bank identification or user IDs. The login procedure is always determined by the producer organisation of the form in question.

Digital signature

Some online public services require attachment of a digital signature before submission. You can do this using a certificate card or online bank identifiers, depending on the service.

There are also online forms that require the digital signature of two or more persons. In such cases, the first person to sign the form should inform the second person of the need to sign the form, and so on as necessary. The service will provide instructions for users on how to add multiple digital signatures and will also notify users when there are sufficient signatures. The form can then be submitted to the recipient organisation.

Card reader software from the Population Register Centre

The Population Register Centre released a new card reader software application in June 2008 (mPollux Digisign Client). It can be downloaded for free at the FINEID website of the Population Register Centre at www.fineid.fi.

The new software replaces the SetWeb card reader software used by those who have previously used a Citizen Certificate or Organisation Certificate issued by the Population Register Centre. To use a digital signature on a certificate card, you must update the SetWeb software to the mPollux software.

Help texts

In e-services, there are often help texts for individual form fields; these are shown in the status bar (the grey area at the bottom of the browser window) when you move the mouse pointer over a form field.

Instructions

Many e-services have a link to instructions on how to fill out forms. The instructions will open in a new browser window and can be kept open while filling in the form. Instructions for filling out a form may run to several pages.

Checks and error messages

E-services often have built-in checks for form fields, for instance when moving from one field to another or when submitting the form. If any data have been entered in incorrect form, or if any of the required fields have been left empty, the service will return an error message.

Tips for using e-services and web forms

1. First read all the instructions related to the web form or e-service.
2. Look through all the form fields and collect the information and material you will need to fill in the form. Note that not all web forms save the data filled in as you proceed; the data entered will not be submitted until you submit the form. In some multi-part forms and services requiring electronic identification, data may be saved for example when moving from one stage to the next. This is done on a user session basis.
3. Forms usually have required fields and optional fields. Required fields may be designated by a *. Usually you cannot submit a form unless you have filled in all the required fields.
4. Read and check the data you have filled in before you submit the form.
5. If possible, print out a copy of the filled-in form. E-services requiring electronic identification may also have a personal archive where you can save your forms.
6. If you need to alter the data you entered after you have submitted the form, contact the organisation responsible for the form.