Editor’s Note: This post has been created in collaboration and with financial support from Docusign. If you’re also interested in partnering with us, just reach out.
Automation has emerged as a vital component that holds immense potential to streamline processes and boost productivity. From saving time to optimising efficiency, businesses across various sectors have reaped numerous benefits from automation. When it comes to the realm of online signatures, this transformative power of automation is equally applicable. In this guide, we will explore the journey of automating online signatures, starting from the very beginning.
Choosing the Right Online Signature Platform
Having a functional online signature is crucial in today’s world, and automating the process can significantly improve efficiency, but it’s important to select the right platform is crucial. Here are some quick tips you should really consider
- Research and find a reliable online signature platform that suits your specific business needs, it should be easy to sign and easy to send.
- During your exploration, pay close attention to features such as a user-friendly interface, document management capabilities, and compatibility with various file formats.
- Place a high priority on the security measures provided by the platform. Look for encryption protocols and ensure that the platform complies with relevant data protection regulations. Choosing a platform that prioritises security will give you confidence that your electronic signatures are well-protected.
Setting Up Automated Workflows
To streamline your signature process and minimise manual effort, it’s important to analyse your signature workflow and keep an eye out for repetitive processes that could use automation. One effective approach is to use personalised signature templates. You can reduce the need for manual data entry, which will save time and prevent errors, by designing templates that capture frequently used fields. This customisation can be done within the chosen online signature platform.
An additional compelling reason to automate the online signature process is the availability of integration options offered by many platforms. These integrations allow a seamless connection between the online signature platform and other essential corporate tools such as CRM software or document management systems. By taking advantage of these integrations, businesses can streamline their workflows, improve collaboration, and enhance overall productivity.
Ensuring a Smooth and Secure Online Signature Process
While automating the signature process is efficient, it’s crucial to ensure that all users are proficient in utilising the online signature platform effectively. Provide training and educational resources to your employees and stakeholders, guide them on how to navigate the platform and utilise its features optimally, it’s really not that complicated, platforms like DocuSign already offer their own courses and different pieces of training to tackle this. If your team lacks the necessary skills to use the platform you choose, they will most probably revert to their old habits.
To enhance the security of your online signature process, don’t forget to implement robust user authentication methods. Going back to our last example, DocuSign offers various user identification options like ID Verification (gov’t photos, electronic IDs), knowledge-based authentications, and some other options, they even support advanced electronic signatures (AES). These extra layers of security help you safeguard sensitive documents and ensure that only authorised individuals can access and sign them.
Additionally, regular updates and monitoring of the online signature platform are essential. By staying up-to-date with the latest security patches and features, you can mitigate potential vulnerabilities and maintain the integrity of your online signature process.
To sum up, In today’s context, it is important to emphasise that implementing automation and security measures should be integrated. By carefully selecting the appropriate online signature platform, customising workflows, educating users, and giving priority to security, you can effectively automate your signature process while ensuring a seamless and secure experience.
