The Online Digital Signature Way

27 January, 2012

Receiving my daily online newsletters (yes, in plural) always carries a feeling of excitement mixed with curiosity and anticipation. Very rarely am I disappointed; however, today’s blog is not about praising these publications or encouraging others to join me in this somewhat addictive practice, it’s about their actual subject matter. Since the end of last year, I and my fellow readers are increasingly ‘bombarded’ with news / developments / predictions about Cloud Computing-related issues, and there are very good reasons for that.

According to a latest independent research by Vanson Bourne in the UK (Nov 2011, for BT Engage IT), 70% of 100 CIO’s of enterprises (with 1000+ employees) surveyed said Cloud Computing had a major positive impact on their business in 2011.  John Thornhill, CEO at BT Engage IT, defined the findings perfectly: “the industry has been talking about them for a number of years – and they’ve become business, rather than just technology terms.”

The implementation of signing documents in the Cloud firmly reflects the impact of technology’s promise and affects markets in different industries. The Digital Signature cloud service delivers tangible results for businesses with shrinking budgets in IT departments; it saves capital expenditure, expedites business processes, boosts productivity and efficiency, and improves customer service. It also provides protection against fraud and eliminates the common cloud security concerns with its user-based PKI digital signature technology.

And the cherry on top? It complies with e-signature laws worldwide (ESIGN, UETA, UECA, and ETA in Australia, UK, South Africa, New Zealand, China, and many more), and is valid and legally enforceable as an equivalent to a signed paper contract.

Till next time,

Cheers, John 

19 January, 2012

Richard P. Feynman once said: “For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled.”

According to some financial experts, the latest Standard & Poor’s credit ratings cut of nine European countries may indicate a worsening global economic scene (Bloomberg, January 16, 2012). While a number of analysts give little weight to these downgrades, private and public companies are looking more than ever for technological solutions that enable them to DO MORE with LESS money, time, and resources.

Much as this blog plays a part in our public relations, its content reflects a very precise and reputable reality: the implementation of the secure and legally binding digital signature online service actually makes it happen!

Various businesses, Government agencies, and organisations across industries sign and invite their business associates and customers to fill-in and e-Sign contracts, legal documents, procurement papers, lease and sales agreements, and other documents while minimising variable, fixed, and directorial,operational, and processing costs. The elimination of the print, sign, scan, delivery, storage, and maintenance of documents saves time and frees resources (manpower and budgets) to make them available for the core job, and to greatly increase process productivity, and fast turnaround while achieving a high rate of return for the business, its customers, and its shareholders.

“Secured Signing has shortened and expedited our daily signing process to just a few minutes; this makes our business process much more efficient.” Asia Pacific Easy-Forex

“Secured Signing helps us in streamlining the workflow and assists in a vital fast turnaround of the contracts.” SDP Solutions Pty Ltd

Bottom line? In the current competitive market environment, it’s a critical mission to deliver smarter capabilities with exceptional efficiencies that carry dramatic savings. Nature is not fooled.       

Till next time,

Cheers, John

11 January, 2012

The adaptation of contracts has developed over many years and continually transformed in accordance to cultural, political, economic, and technological developments. The establishment of the Internet has created “a borderless and paperless electronic environment” (Ruth Orpwood) that has resulted in the introduction and implementation of the e-Contract practice.

While there is no single unified worldwide legal definition for e-Contracts, most definitions mention an agreement between one party that makes an offer to another party that accepts it. Prior to the Internet era, acceptance of a contract was mainly manifested with an ink signature on a paper document. The introduction of different international Electronic Transactions Acts and e-signature laws since 2000 has established that electronic signatures and contracts are as legally binding as paper contracts.

Although electronic acceptance of an e-Contract can be in a form of “Click to agree” or clicking “I accept” (mostly in software download), it is often the expectation and requirement of both parties to sign the e-Contract using the utmost secure online signing method that is broadly and internationally recognised:  the user-based, cryptographic, PKI digital signature. Secured Signing service, which offers this technologically advanced system, provides each user with a unique signing key (Digital ID) that is available only to that user. The signed contract is sealed and any changes made invalidate the signatures. 

As testimonial to the above, a significant and growing number of enterprises, small businesses, legal firms, local government agencies, schools, and other industries have identified the importance of working with the highest level of security, and with absolute confidence, choose to conduct their entire business and procurement process online.

And last but not least - they all enjoy the exceptional benefits of substantial cost reductions, prompt and efficient business processes, satisfied customers, and a healthier green environment.

Till next time,

Cheers, John