C
apitalwise Accounting
Senior Tax Accountant
With more people working from home than ever before, businesses must consider how documents and contracts can still be signed and executed.
While some projects may slow or stall, many routine contracts will be up for renewal in the next few months, and other transactions completed in circumstances in which people are separated by location and resources.
Traditionally, “electronic signature” has meant a physical wet-ink signature that is scanned into a PDF, printed and then dispatched to others for signing. This lengthy process is not always going to be possible in these current times.
Electronic signature providers such as DocuSign offer very practical alternatives for binding transactions with minimal business disruption.
DocuSign allows documents to be sent securely to required signatories who then validate their signed approval by simply clicking on relevant areas of the documents. Printers and scanners are not needed.
Top Security
DocuSign adheres to world’s best practice security standards including encryption. Documents can only be seen by those authorised to do so.
You can use either a web browser or a mobile app to securely access documents in the DocuSign cloud. The process lets you sign documents anywhere on any device. It is a stress-free process and sends reminders to required signatories.
You will need to set-up a DocuSign account if you want to send documents for signing. However, recipients of documents sent through DocuSign for signing do not need an account. Throughout the execution, there is immediate visibility of where documents are in the process with detailed document tracking.
Way of the Future
Some e-signature software providers such as DocuSign offer free trials of their software. This could be a useful and immediate solution.
However, as we look to the future beyond COVID-19, the convenience and contractual certainty of e-signatures suggest that investing in such software is well worthwhile.
The post-coronavirus world is going to be a very different place to what came before it.