A paperless workflow simply cannot be achieved for professionals that deal with contracts and agreements if they do not have electronic signature tools. E-contracts, e-forms, e-files, e-“you name it,” the document workflow cannot be paperless when it comes time to get your client’s signature on an agreement or contract unless you have e-signature tools.
There are a number of companies out there marketing the “paperless office” that are nothing more than electronic file cabinets. An e-file cabinet is just one component of a paperless solution. They either neglect the esignature component or it’s an afterthought of the software development process. Indeed, the e-file cabinet is important, yet when it comes time close a contract or agreement, you will find yourself in a loop of printing, faxing, copying, scanning, before your document is finally converted back to its electronic form.
Paperless workflows have much to be desired. The cost savings and efficiency alone are enough to investigate document management services that integrate e-signature features. You can find online or web-based collaboration suites that provide esignature tools, or e-signature tools that can be integrated as an add-in to your current forms software.
The moral of this story is, however, to be wary of companies that promote themselves as paperless solutions, if they do not provide electronic signature tools.
