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It’s hard to believe that 10 years have already passed since President Clinton symbolically eSigned the E-SIGN Act. In that time the electronic signature industry has certainly grown and progressed a long way. The software and processes have greatly improved, mobile devices have evolved and changed the way business is done, and everyday more businesses are realizing the benefits of online automated processes. Without the E-SIGN Act who knows what direction the industry and e-commerce as a whole would have gone.

The E-SIGN Act not only made electronic signatures legal, it instilled confidence in businesses, and more importantly their general council, to leverage new and emerging technologies to help their businesses grow. In 2000 businesses were still struggling with the idea of how to handle online business transactions, e-commerce was still a somewhat new idea without much supportive legislation.

Over the past decade it’s become hard to imagine not having the ability to jump online to complete a transaction, purchase insurance, sign leasing agreements, etc. without the confidence that your documents will be correctly signed, secured, and managed. eOriginal is not only a proud pioneer of these technologies but we continue to forge ahead by enabling businesses to utilize other technologies such as multimedia signatures with voice authentication, bio-metric data, and hand-written signatures captured on pads to complete their online transactions. The value of electronic signatures and the E-SIGN Act and is proven by the success of our clients who have adopted our technologies to improve their processes such as:

  • A major leasing company that in several months shortened their customer acquisition from 5 days to 10 minutes.
  • One of the largest auto financers surpassed their target of 44% adoption and reached an 80% adoption rate within the first 12 months and can now complete a transaction in as little as 20 minutes.
  • An insurance provider that uses our patent-pending voice signature technology to not only complete a contract but also initiate payment in a single transaction.
  • Several of our clients have securitized more than $5 billion in econtracts using our systems for the secondary market

As impressive as these achievements have been in the last 10 years, the next decade has even more promise as business drive down costs, become greener, speed their processes and incorporate additional technology such as the latest generation Smart Phones and the iPad™ to create a better customer experience. So big thanks to the E-SIGN Act for kick-starting our industry.

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Many of us have been following and anxiously awaiting a decision by the Utah Supreme Court regarding the challenge of the legal validity of electronic signature for government ballots which relied heavily on Utah’s version of the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA). I have read many differing and varying opinions from legal experts, blogs, tweeters, etc. but we can all stop speculating because the ruling on June 22, 2010 confirmed the validity of the collected eSignatures established new precedent.

What this decision does, is open the door for wider implementation of electronic signatures by government and businesses that have been slower to adopt this type of technology because of legal concerns. As stated by David K. Isom yesterday in a great blog post, Electronic Signatures Come of Age: From Elections to Commerce and Beyond, “The Utah decision resolved many of the fundamental issues presented by UETA, and resolved them in a way that energizes UETA. UETA will have a broader application in states that follow Anderson than most commentators would have predicted.”

I’m sure we’ll be seeing the positive effects of this decision. With the recent decision by the FHA to accept eSignatures on 3rd party documents and a preliminary decision by the North Carolina State Bar for the use of SaaS products as long as reasonable care” is taken to minimize risks to the “confidentiality and to the security of client information and client files, it appears that technology and products like eOriginal’s eSigantures solutions will be playing a greater role and making a wider impact on the way in which government and businesses handle their online transactions.

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eOriginal has seen a significant increase in the number of small businesses wanting to learn more about how our eSignature software can help their businesses grow by shortening sales cycles, eliminating paper, and reducing the amount of resources needed to manage their contract process before and after they’ve been executed.

So to limit the amount of resources needed to get small businesses implemented with eSignatures and secure, compliant records management we’ve created new eSignature packages specifically for those businesses that need/want the same level of security, legal compliance, and flexibility for their eSigned documents as large corporations demand.

A few benefits for small businesses include:

  • Get up and running having your agreements eSigned within 24-48 hours
  • Improved Signer verification with email and one-time user verification code.
  • Mobile signing for mobile use on Window Mobile IE and iPhone Safari.
  • Workflow Management Routing, automated notifications, automated status transitions, expirations.
  • eSignature Processing digitally signature binding and document tamper-seal for proof of non-repudiation
  • Enterprise Datacenter with SAS-70 Type II, PCI-compliant datacenter, fully redundant, 24/7 security and operations.

In the next few weeks we’ll be highlighting a few of our clients and growing small businesses that are using our electronic signature tools.

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SmartSign Web’s enterprise grade electronic signature service has been deployed by many organizations across multiple industries. With the introduction of our new Basic and Advanced signature packages, we have extended our ability to satisfy any organization, from the single-person enterprise and small-medium sized business to a large enterprise deployment. We recognize that a one-size fits all solution isn’t going to accommodate every business processes, so our new Basic and Advanced packages offer customers additional flexibility in selecting the service that best fits their business process.

SmartSign continues to offer the most flexibility and configurability to integrate into your business processes, regardless of size, complexity or budget. Our multiple deployment methods and advanced features are designed to provide our customers a scalable solution that can cuts costs and help businesses grow. If you would like to learn more about creating an individual plan for your company please contact us.

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Partnership will revolutionize the parts delivery process through real-time, web-based systems that streamline and automate routing, tracking and delivery

EAU CLAIRE, WI and BALTIMORE, MD (PRWEB) May 11, 2010 – The founders of Elite EXTRA, a revolutionary new routing and tracking tool, and eOriginal Inc., a leader in electronic signatures, vaulted repository and electronic transaction solutions, have partnered to offer point of delivery electronic signature capture for the automotive parts industry.

Jim Ward, President of Extra Trax, the company that owns Elite EXTRA (Extreme Routing and Tracking Application), recognizes the electronic signature solution is a critical add-on that will benefit Elite EXTRA’s customers by providing a secured electronically signed document as proof of delivery or service, creating the option for a paperless system for customers who choose it.

“This is the first routing and tracking system that combines automated optimal routes at an affordable price point with real-time electronic signature capture,” said Ward.  “Together these tools will revolutionize the way auto parts are delivered by creating efficiencies and reducing waste for customers.”

Jim Tebay, eOriginal’s Vice-President of Business Development, said “We’ve played a key role in automating automotive finance with our solutions, so we see Elite EXTRA’s real-time solution for parts delivery as a natural complement and one that provides a fast return on investment for both dealers and parts suppliers.”

Electronic signature capture, embedded into a web browser on the driver’s cell phone, will be provided at the point of delivery, to capture the signature from the person receiving the order.  The signature will then be stored for the customer with the pertinent details of the delivery, invoice or work order, and accessible in real-time via Extra’s customer web portal.

Because both the Extra Trax and eOriginal processes are aimed at automating and streamlining operations for deliveries, the two complement one another in helping businesses to operate efficiently, reduce staff and cut overhead operating costs.

Elite EXTRA has a proven return on investment (ROI) of 15 percent through route optimization and driver and dispatcher efficiencies, and signature capture will further augment that ROI by reducing the amount of time staff spend in searching and accessing paper documents.

“We did an extensive search for an electronic signature solution to help streamline our customers’ operations in a manner that is easy, efficient, and secure,” said Ward.  “eOriginal has been wonderful to work with, and through integration offers a complete, cost-effective, cutting-edge solution for customers wanting digital, web-based signature capture.”

Elite EXTRA, which was launched in 2009, is a web-based system that creates automated optimal routes, tracks drivers, and provides an estimated time of arrival (ETA) for customers.  It uses the latest in open source geospatial technologies to streamline the automotive parts delivery system.  Advanced geospatial algorithms calculate delivery routes and route orders, helping dispatchers to determine the optimal routes for their drivers.  It is a powerful, yet lightweight and cost-effective solution for all industries that transport goods or services.

The first release of the system was developed exclusively for the auto part delivery industry with extensive input from pioneers in the logistics and auto parts industries.  It costs less upfront, and is less per driver than comparable software as a service (SaaS) packages.

For more information about the EXTRA system see www.eliteextra.com.

Contact:  Susan Marcott, Marketing Director

Phone: 715.874.4397

Email: susan.marcott@adc4gis.com

About Extra Trax

Extra Trax, LLC is a logistics and routing subsidiary of Applied Data Consultants, Inc. (ADC) that is targeted solely at providing customized routing and delivery tools for the logistics industry. Its headquarters are in Eau Claire, Wis.

About ADC

Incorporated in 1996, ADC provides customized web solutions, application development, enterprise-wide consulting and mapping services.  ADC now has 40 employees between its Eau Claire headquarters and its Omaha, Neb. and Denver, Colo. branch offices. For more information about ADC, please see:  www.adc4gis.com

About eOriginal

eOriginal, Inc. provides advanced electronic signature, vaulting and electronic transaction solutions which are tamper-sealed, auditable and legally enforceable. eOriginal SmartSign® enables compliance with the eSignature requirements of the ESIGN Act, UETA and the UCC.  eOriginal has provided secure and verifiable execution, delivery and management of commercial loans, leases and other financial industry documentation for over a decade.  eOriginal customers, including top–tier financial institutions, have processed millions of electronic signatures on millions of documents without a single system error or legal challenge.

To learn how eOriginal can streamline your business processes, visit www.eoriginal.com or call 410-895-7699.  You can also follow eOriginal on Twitter @eOriginal.

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In the upcoming June Aberdeen Research report that surveyed 441 firms, the research looked at the effect of using electronic signatures to shorten sales cycles. Higher performing companies that used electronic signatures in their sales and contracting process saw improvements implementing tools like those provided by eOriginal.

The year-over-year sales performance survey demonstrated that a significant percentage of respondents using electronic signatures to automate their processes had improved their customer renewal rate, reduced errors in the proposal process, and have shortened their sales cycles. The study shows what many of eOriginal’s clients have been experiencing since implementing our electronic signature software. As noted in the report, “sales teams adopting electronic signature technologies recognize this relatively straight-forward premise and as are yielding better business results as a consequence of their investment”.

For more information and reports provided by the Aberdeen Group, please visit their website www.aberdeen.com or call 617.854.5200

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eOriginal Releases New Website

Posted April 21st, 2010 by spalubinsky

eOriginal would like to announce the release of our new website.  Our new site has been redesigned with a fresh new look and has been updated with information about our latest products and services.

We gathered and evaluated feedback from our visitors in an effort to provide content that met the needs of our customers and visitors. Enhanced navigation, more focused content, and a streamlined delivery is guaranteed to be a valuable asset to anyone looking for more information about our company, products, and services.

The new design includes additional detailed information about our electronic signing and transaction management solutions, while also highlighting new partner programs and industry specific information.

Please take the time to navigate through our new site and feel free to provide any feedback.

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Saving time, automating processes, and shortening sales cycles have always been a key component of competitive business. Everyone is always looking for another way streamline the lead to win process, and technology has and will always be instrumental to the process. eOriginal SmartSign Web® is designed to fill the gap allowing businesses to complete straight-through single session processing that allows you to close more deals faster by shortening the time and limiting the resources it takes to get your contracts signed.

Here are 5 benefits created by eOriginal’s SmartSign Web integration and workflow improvement capabilities.

  • Multiple Integration Options – SmartSign Web is designed to be flexible and integrate with your current systems. Multiple integration capabilities from a zero integration out-of-the-box solution to a fully embedded option with automated workflows allow SmartSign Web® to conform to your business needs and processes, not the other way around.
  • Data Gather and Data Merge – information (address, birth date, customer ID, etc.) can be collected at the beginning of a signing session and mapped throughout multiple forms, saving you and your customers’ valuable time when executing contacts.
  • Document Template Library – commonly used documents are set up once with signature block and data fields mapped and saved within our system. No longer will your sales reps need to re-create the same transaction over and over. Just pull up your transaction type in the template library to send and get eSigned.
  • Fast Delivery – all that needs to be sent is a quick email providing a link to access the documents and log-in information inviting your customers to digitally sign your contracts.
  • Extensive Suite Of APIs – eOriginal offers the most complete package of web service calls to help streamline everything from document set-up and upload to email notifications. Our previously mentioned integration options and APIs can complement your current systems (LOS, CRM, CMS, etc) to streamline your operations, saving time and generating more revenue with fewer resources.

Additional information can be found on eOriginal’s website. For more information about how SmartSign Web® can help your business, contact us or call 410-625-7699.

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Over the last few weeks a number of colleges and universities have contacted us to talk about how electronic signatures can be a key component in the streamlining of their workflow processes. We’ve spoken with Facilities Management, Student Business Services and Registrar’s Offices that want to convert from paper to electronic documents, optimize processes so they don’t stop for paper, mail, or faxes and how to address compliant document lifecycle management.

While streamlining process is a key to all the efforts, individual departments have specific issues. For example a Registrar’s Office would like to secure student records and transcripts. eOriginal can help Registrars eliminate fraudulent access to student records and transcripts through our rights management capabilities allowing only those employees with privileged access to view or handle records and show an audit trail that documents even attempted access. Facilities Management needs to manage multiple contracts needing multiple signatures throughout the completion of construction projects. eOriginal SmartSign® provides the ability to add and track contracts at different stages within each project lifecycle significantly shortening the time between approval and project completion. The comprehensive audit trail and repository can even help the Advancement Department to secure and archive donations contracts reducing audit exposure.

eOriginal SmartSign® offers the flexibility and security needed to meet the needs of most departments within higher education institutions. From the ability to integrate with systems already in use to reducing the manpower resources and costs associated with traditional paper based processes SmartSign can help your department to streamline its processes and become more efficient.

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Plans and Goals for this New Year

Posted December 30th, 2009 by spalubinsky

I am moving a little away from our usual format to ask a few questions and hopefully spur a little thought. I was sitting at my desk early this morning thinking about where am I going to spend New Years Eve, at one of the parties I was invited to or at home with just a few close friends waiting for the ball to drop. Then I got to thinking about all the thought and planning that goes into this one night. Many people will making plans to visits multiple parties, planning out their entire night trying to visit as many people and parties as possible and to as have much fun as possible.

This got me thinking if so many people put so much thought into one night, what if they took the same approach to improving their business processes, optimizing their sales, human resources, procurement processes, etc. What tools would you like to use or adopt, and what are you already doing that you would like to improve?

If the processes you would like to improve require approvals or authentication, electronic signatures will be a key part of the solution. Electronic signatures can help speed up many business processes, cutting costs, and time. For some, already using electronic signatures, it may mean expanding the use of esignatures by incorporating the process in other areas of their business.

So what are going to be doing in the coming year to improve your business processes? I know there are a few things we haven’t thought of, so we’d like to know what you are thinking.

Have a happy and safe New Year.

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