In recent years, having documents signed electronically and moving to a fully automated process has not just become extremely popular; it has become a necessity for most businesses to efficiently operate. I have had the privilege of speaking with many businesses, large and small, who are ready to create a simple straight-through process that not only cuts overhead cost, but creates an easy, efficient, user friendly experience. eOriginal SmartSign® not only meets these expectations, it exceeds them, time and time again.

One common misconception that I often run into is once documents have been signed electronically in a secure, legally compliant manner, the process is complete. Well guess what, Ladies and Gentlemen, that’s not exactly correct! I am notoriously known for being short, simple and straight to the point, so here are a few questions to consider when making your decision to go paperless;

• Are my electronic documents secured at all times?
• Who has access to my documents and personal or proprietary information within?
• Will my documents hold up in the court of law?
• If my documents are challenged legally, how can I produce legally enforceable and admissible documents that have not been compromised?
• If my electronically signed digital assets hold any monetary value, will I be able to offer those documents in the secondary market?
• If I am working with a company or an individual who require paper originals, does my system meet all requirements to create an Authoritative Copy?

For fifteen years eOriginal and our eCore® platform have helped businesses to answer these questions, not only through the front-end signing process, but through our trusted repository which allows businesses to securely manage their documents throughout their entire lifecycle. eOriginal’s electronic signatures processes have been tried and tested, taking the burden of trying to answer these questions off of your shoulders.

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eOriginal SmartSign® has the most comprehensive digital signing process on the market however there is a great deal more to securing your digitally signed business agreements.

A digital signature can be legally binding but that is only the first component of creating a digital asset whose value must be protected in accordance with business practices and compliance with legal and regulatory statutes appropriate to the industry in which the asset will reside.

The total digital asset consists of the digital signature, the digital document to which it is associated, and how they are bound in combination to certify them as a “unique” electronic original document. Life cycle management processes that dictate their access permission, transfer rights, and a legally admissible audit trail that tracks these processes are all also included in creating a digital asset.

These “back-end” processes have important legal, business continuity and regulatory implications that become critical if the digital asset is to retain its commercial value as an electronic transaction. This is of even greater importance when it will serve as chattel or likely to be transferred on a rights basis or by location.

This is why lightweight offerings, particularly pure-play signing tools, don’t provide the full set of features such as a unique authoritative copy or the back-end functionality for life cycle management and audit trails needed to create a true digital asset. So, the obligations for development, integration, compliance and liability are placed on the client.

This is why eOriginal has placed equal emphasis on perfecting and integrating both the front-end signature process and the back-end life cycle management process. The architectural requirements to seamlessly execute these components, while meeting every regulatory statute that governs these processes, is significant and the basis for many of our patents in this field.

So by its nature, eOriginal’s SmartSign has to be more robust than even comprehensive electronic content management or document management offerings while playing nicely with them by complementing their functionality and compliance to provide a better overall system for digital assets.

eOriginal is the only esignature provider that has been certified by top ratings agencies for securitization. And, while this securitization capability is not necessary for every electronic transaction, the underlying functionality that earned such a rating is very relevant to serious businesses.

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