From a legislative standpoint, electronic signatures have been around for decades. However, due to the amount of time that has passed since the technology was created, many people aren’t aware of how advanced it has become.
Regardless of the industry, you are in, you must be keen to go digital. It doesn’t matter if it is your own business or a corporate body, electronic signatures help put all your documents and legal agreements on the web. With e signature software, you can have documents signed, sent across to others for review, and returned with ease.
They have many advantages over using paper documents and traditional pen-and-ink methods. So how do you go about implementing them? Keep reading to find out more.
Table of Contents
Step 1: Understand the law
You should always check your local regulations before adopting e-signature software. These regulations can vary from state to state or even county by county, so this will also help you determine whether or not your organization is legally required to use electronic signatures. Many jurisdictions have passed laws requiring certain organizations to use electronic signatures, such as healthcare providers, financial institutions, and government agencies
Step 2: Know your audience
Some people are more comfortable with technology than others, so make sure that your target audience will be receptive to using e-signature software before making any decisions about what platform or solution you choose for them. More so, your employees must be comfortable using e-signature software and make them understand what an e-signature is and why it’s important that they sign documents digitally.
Step 3: Choose an e-signature software
There are many different options available when choosing an e-signature platform; some are more user-friendly than others and some offer more features than others. It’s important that you choose a platform that meets your needs and matches your company culture. You can also choose a platform that has already been successfully implemented in other companies or industries for added reassurance.
Step 4: Build a strategy for e-signature usability and adoption
This means creating rules around when signatures are required, who is allowed to sign documents using e-signature software, and how often each person should sign documents using e-signature software. You’ll also need to consider how long it takes for people who aren’t accustomed to signing with their mouse or stylus before they get comfortable doing so regularly—and whether there are any other barriers to entry that can be overcome to make this process easy enough for everyone involved.
Ultimately, electronic signatures are a great idea and can greatly improve your business. If you are considering implementing e-signature software in your office, the above are some key points to consider. Once you have an understanding of e-signature software, you can plan for it use and make a list of what needs to be completed before signing up for any service. It may sound overwhelming but with careful planning and preparation, you can avoid unnecessary headaches down the road.
