E-Signatures: A Helping Hand In Your Business
Any list of technology “musts” for a cost conscious organization includes electronic signatures.
Electronic signatures are an amazingly easy way to sign documents like contracts and agreements from anywhere with nothing more than an internet connection and a laptop or mobile device. The resulting paperless document is legally binding, with the same integrity as a document signed by pen and paper.
Why Use E-Signatures
Aside from the “wow” factor, there are many other reasons to use E-signatures.
With technology booming at an extreme pace, our patience level is decreasing while the rate at which we want results is ever increasing.
Nowadays, we want everything faster, cheaper and more convenient.
So why use e-signatures?
Just that: they are more faster, cheaper and more convenient. It eliminates the need to print, sign, scan, etc. allowing more time for value added business activities.
No matter where you are in the world, you can perform business dealings with a few clicks. You don’t need to wait for a document to be mailed or faxed to you nor do you need to manually send it back. Everything is done online, within seconds.
The elimination of copying, printing, signing, scanning, etc reduces costs as you are minimizing the volume of the paper required in your organization.
Of course, the reduction in paper also means e-signatures are better for the environment, and going green makes good business sense.
Don’t Fret About Security
Security is a main concern for many when they think about doing business transactions online.
We hear how things can be hacked so easily these days, many worry about their contracts and transactions being tampered with.
Don’t worry about it, e-signature solutions have bank level online security and enforce strict security measures that prevent tampering.
E-signatures have authenticating measures and stamping methods that ensure the authenticity of the specific signer as well as the specific document that was signed. Put simply, they are basically tamper-proof.
However, different solutions have different security levels, so it’s best to research a particular e-signature provider before employing their service to ensure you are getting a secure and reliable solution.
The Legal Aspect
Legally speaking, e-signatures are just as legally binding as wet ink signatures.
| “The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (the “Electronic Signature Act” or the “Act”) gives electronic contracts the same legal status as written agreements and sets a uniform legal standard for electronic signatures and records.” according to The National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors |
They are put through as much scrutiny and skepticism as an ink signature in the eyes of the court, so it is important to use a sound provider. You should always check with the local jurisdiction for your particular circumstances as well though.
The stronger the security methods employed, the greater the legal defensibility of your document.
If you haven’t started using e-signatures yet, today’s the day to begin. You’ll do your business and your clients a favor, to say the least. With quicker transactions and more time on our hands, that’s good news for techno-geeks, environmentalists, and workaholics everywhere.
Kevin writes articles about online technologies, including web applications, cloud computing, and electronic signature. His articles on innovative products and new technology including those on digital signaturedigital signature have been published on leading online sites.
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