The Online Digital Signature Way

20 December, 2012

The festive season is almost here, and in its spirit, I decided to dedicate the last blog of 2012 not to recent research of advanced electronic signature developments, but rather to the invaluable human element and interactions that are both the outcome and the fundamentals for any company that wishes to achieve success or business growth in the online world.

John Naisbitt once said: “The most exciting breakthrough of the 21^st century will not occur because of technology, but because of an expanding concept of what it means to be human.”

Naisbitt’s conscientious phrase can be interpreted in the commercial world in several ways: in association to interactions with our online users, work associates, and employees, or simply in accordance to the understanding that identifies and recognises the considerable importance, change, and challenge presented in the wake of the latest advanced technologies.

A while ago in a radio interview, Noah Arceneaux, Media Studies Professor at San Diego State University, explained that the new electronic communications raise similar questions and trials to those that once arose concerning the telegraph and the telephone. He sees this phenomenon as a positive latest iteration of an ongoing continuum.

So, what the past has taught us? Have we already figured out best practices and acceptable rules to apply when we are working in the electronic environment? Well, I think the correct answer lies in this continuum as well, and is an ongoing process.

While scholars, theoreticians, and business experts are continually working hard to provide us with evolving best solutions, our focus - particularly when communicating and building working relationships is to:                 

• Offer trust, confidence, and fair dealings
• Be truthful with our solutions and answers
• Be open to hear / learn new ideas, and flexible to consider and adapt them
• Acknowledge, accept, and respect diversity
• And above all, treat others the way we would like to be treated.

Wishing you and your loved ones a Merry Festive Season and a Happy New Year,

Till next time,

Cheers, John

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.