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An eSignature, or electronic signature, is a digital representation of a person's handwritten signature used to sign documents electronically. eSignatures provide a secure, efficient, and legally binding method for signing documents, streamlining various business processes, and reducing the need for paper-based transactions. eSignatures are commonly used in industries such as finance, healthcare, legal, and real estate, among others.
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Compliance with the Adobe Approved Trust List (AATL) is crucial for eSignature solutions to ensure the highest level of trust and security for their users. By adhering to AATL requirements, RevOps eSignature providers guarantee that the digital certificates used in their platform are issued by reputable and reliable certificate authorities (CAs) listed on the AATL. When an eSignature is applied to a document, it is digitally signed using a digital certificate issued by one of these CAs. This ensures the authenticity and integrity of the electronic document, allowing recipients to easily verify its origin and content.
By complying with the AATL, eSignature providers offer the following benefits:
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RevOps eSignature workflows are designed to accommodate various signing scenarios, streamlining the process of obtaining legally binding electronic signatures on documents. These workflows range from simple, single-party signing to complex, multi-party signing with multiple approval stages. RevOps native eSignature supports three different types of eSignature workflows: Single-party, Clickthrough aka click-wrapped, and multi-party.
A single-party eSignature workflow involves only one signer who is required to electronically sign a document. This type of workflow is suitable for straightforward transactions, such as an individual acknowledging a company policy or signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). In this scenario, the document creator uploads the file to the eSignature platform, adds the required form fields, and sends the document to the signer. The signer then reviews the document, fills in the necessary information, and electronically signs it. Once the document is signed, the platform securely stores it and notifies the document creator of its completion.
Clickthrough eSignature workflows are commonly used in online agreements, such as terms of service, privacy policies, and end-user license agreements (EULAs). In this type of workflow, users are required to agree to the terms by clicking a checkbox or button, acknowledging their consent to be legally bound by the document's contents.
This method is called "click-wrapping" because the user's agreement is metaphorically "wrapped" around their action of clicking the consent button. Click-wrapped eSignatures are ideal for situations where obtaining explicit written signatures is not necessary, and a simple click or tap to signify agreement is sufficient. This streamlined process facilitates rapid acceptance of online agreements and ensures legal compliance.
Multi-party eSignature workflows are designed for situations where multiple signers need to review, approve, and sign a document. These workflows can be further customized to accommodate sequential or parallel signing, depending on the requirements of the specific transaction. In a sequential signing process, each signer receives the document in a predetermined order, while in a parallel signing process, all signers receive the document simultaneously.
An example of a multi-party eSignature workflow is a complex contract that requires the approval and signatures of multiple stakeholders from different organizations. The document creator uploads the contract to the eSignature platform, defines the signing order (if necessary), and assigns the relevant form fields for each signer. As each party completes their portion, the platform tracks the progress and notifies the next signer in line (if applicable). Once all parties have signed the document, the platform securely stores the final version and notifies all participants of the completed agreement.
By offering a range of eSignature workflows, eSignature platforms cater to the diverse needs of individuals and businesses, enabling them to obtain legally binding electronic signatures efficiently and securely.
