The Online Digital Signature Way

15 June, 2012 

“Information technology and business are becoming inextricably interwoven. I don’t think anybody can talk meaningfully about one without the talking about the other.” Bill Gates

Digital Mobile, Vodafone’s largest New Zealand dealer, provides a great example of this phrase’s validity. They were looking for a technological solution that would allow them to securely and efficiently streamline and speed-up customers’ contract signing. To find one that would comply with legal and industry requirements wasn’t an easy task. Nevertheless, Digital Mobile’s managers who recognised the need to replace their paper-based signup system and reduce customer frustration at filling in forms found their answer in Secured Signing’s comprehensive customised solution.  

To meet Digital Mobile’s particular needs, Secured Signing’s PKI digital signature service developed a tailored system that uses a PDF of each of the Vodafone ordering forms, produces web-based adaptations, and adds business rule validation to each of them. The inclusive solution allows signatories to sign online with their PC or a mobile device (iPad, iPhone, Android); it manages signing and follow-up procesess, sends reminders, and provides all parties with a prompt PDF of the signed electronic contract and a precise tracking record of all activities.

“We needed a solution that worked both on-site with a customer and remotely via email, and were able to implement it quickly and easily,“ said Ben Smyth, Digital Mobile’s Sales Manager-Northern. “We’ve seen a total elimination of errors in the move away from paper. The benefits have been instantly realised by our sales workforce, our processing team, and our customers.”                                  

Till next time,

Cheers, John.  

11 January, 2012

The adaptation of contracts has developed over many years and continually transformed in accordance to cultural, political, economic, and technological developments. The establishment of the Internet has created “a borderless and paperless electronic environment” (Ruth Orpwood) that has resulted in the introduction and implementation of the e-Contract practice.

While there is no single unified worldwide legal definition for e-Contracts, most definitions mention an agreement between one party that makes an offer to another party that accepts it. Prior to the Internet era, acceptance of a contract was mainly manifested with an ink signature on a paper document. The introduction of different international Electronic Transactions Acts and e-signature laws since 2000 has established that electronic signatures and contracts are as legally binding as paper contracts.

Although electronic acceptance of an e-Contract can be in a form of “Click to agree” or clicking “I accept” (mostly in software download), it is often the expectation and requirement of both parties to sign the e-Contract using the utmost secure online signing method that is broadly and internationally recognised:  the user-based, cryptographic, PKI digital signature. Secured Signing service, which offers this technologically advanced system, provides each user with a unique signing key (Digital ID) that is available only to that user. The signed contract is sealed and any changes made invalidate the signatures. 

As testimonial to the above, a significant and growing number of enterprises, small businesses, legal firms, local government agencies, schools, and other industries have identified the importance of working with the highest level of security, and with absolute confidence, choose to conduct their entire business and procurement process online.

And last but not least - they all enjoy the exceptional benefits of substantial cost reductions, prompt and efficient business processes, satisfied customers, and a healthier green environment.

Till next time,

Cheers, John