by Signatures have long been used as people’s official marks. Though a person’s name is generally considered his or her signature, virtually any official mark could fill the bill in years past. Over the centuries, people have used everything from hieroglyphs to Xs to mark documents, paintings, glasswork, and countless other items as their own. In the business world, putting pen to paper has been the accepted norm for quite some time. Of course, electronic alternatives are now becoming common thanks to modern technology and all the advantages it has to offer.
Bringing E-Signatures into Your Business
Today, countless businesses have incorporated e-signatures into their repertoires. In fact, legislatures made these forms of signatures official and legal back in 2000. Since then, they’ve been gaining steam. Using electronic signatures offers companies and their clients an array of benefits over the now-outdated alternatives. With the right tools, integrating e-signatures is a simple process. Due to the laws surrounding this option, you’ll also need an e-signature solution that helps you remain in full compliance to keep your business and clients safe. Is e-signing the right option for your company? Read on to learn more.
Why Should You Use E-Signatures?
As mentioned, numerous businesses are now using e-signatures. They’re essentially algorithms that generate a public and private key each time an electronic signature is generated. Those keys are used to authenticate the signature. Third-party certificate authorities, along with many other measures, are then used to further validate the signature. With all that in mind, you may be wondering why you should use e-signatures for your company’s document signing needs.
Security
All those authentication measures we’ve mentioned come together to make e-signing one of the most secure and trusted options available. They go a long way toward preventing document tampering and fraud. If anyone tries to tamper with an electronically signed document, the authentication measures in place will provide proof of that wrongdoing. At the same time, in-depth encryption keeps e-signatures from being intercepted and altered by unauthorized people.
Convenience
E-signatures also offer added convenience. You no longer have to meet with your clients, business partners, or other people in person to allow everyone involved to sign the necessary documents. Documents can be faxed or emailed to the necessary people, signed electronically, and returned via the same methods. That makes gathering official signatures much faster as well. Mailing the required documents to signers and waiting for them to return or trying to schedule a time when everyone can get together for an official signing is a thing of the past.
Cost-Effectiveness
Electronic signatures are also more cost-effective than other options for many businesses. They eliminate potential travel expenses. Using e-signatures also greatly reduces your company’s reliance on paper. Your printer will certainly sustain less wear and tear as well. There also won’t be a need for multiple reprints due to paperwork being misplaced.
Converting to the New Norm
If you’re thinking of making the switch to electronic signatures, those are some of the benefits you can expect to enjoy. Heightened security is certainly one of the most important, but speed, convenience, and cost effectiveness shouldn’t be overlooked. Keep in mind that a number of e-signature solutions are available to today’s businesses, with each one offering its own benefits. Take a look at the possibilities, and consider converting your outdated signing methods to the new, more advanced norm.
