What is an electronic signature?

It’s the digitization of a handwritten signature. It guarantees the identity of the signatory, the integrity, and provenance of the document.

What type of files can be signed electronically?

All types of documents can be signed digitally (Word documents, PDFs, etc.).

The PDF format is the most utilized. It offers good document security and accommodates several electronic signatures. 

Does the electronic signature have the same legal status as a handwritten signature?

The answer is Yes. A number of laws attest to these legal statuses; these laws vary from country to country.

Some examples in Europe and the USA:

• The European Directive of December 13, 1999, recognizes the validity of the electronic signature (Article 5). The Directive gives a technical definition of the electronic signature: “data in electronic form which are attached to or logically associated with other electronic data and which serve as a method of authentication” (Article 2). This Directive marks a significant advance because it introduces the notion of “signature certificates” and “certification service provider.”
• The law of March 13, 2000, introduced the electronic signature into French law. It has the same prerogatives and requires the consent of the signatories in the same way as a handwritten signature. 
• In the USA, the federal law of June 30, 2000, (Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act or “ESIGN”) governs this matter.

The electronic signature for optimized efficiency

Adopting digital signatures optimizes the efficiency of your organization by simplifying document validation:

• Uninterrupted process: elimination of tasks that require printing documents out for a signature, then scanning them once they have been signed,
• Easier management of signed documents: delivery by e-mail or automatic archiving, lightening the load of courier services,
• Immediate availability of the information across the organization as the validated documents have been digitized and are accessible to all authorized persons.

Reinforced security

Electronic signatures, unlike handwritten signatures, can guarantee both:

• The identity of the signatory: electronic signatures cannot be falsified and offer certainty about the identity of the signatory,
• The integrity of the document from its signature: the electronically signed document cannot be altered. The signature is an integral part of the document and cannot be used for another document.

Optimized image and user experience

Allowing your customers and partners to sign a pad helps to enhance your brand profile:

• Validation of documents less laborious for the signatory,
• Modernizes the image of your organization with the adoption of signature pads,
• Reduces the ecological footprint of your workplace by eliminating printing for the document validation process.

Benefits of Evolis electronic Signature pads

Cost-saving

Signature pads digitalize the whole retailer paperwork. As a result, companies save on consumables (paper, toner) as well as on sending.

Save time and focus on the business

Going paperless with Evolis signature pads is a real time-saver for both the clients, suppliers and the employees.

It speeds up approval and authorization processes for customer transactions and facilitates the access to documents for employees, since all electronic documents are available in real-time. Staff dedicates more time taking care of their clients or suppliers.

Go green

In the current society, global-warming is of everyone’s concern. By using Evolis sig pads, any shop or individual is environmental-friendly by saving a lot of paper and consumables.