Electronic signature software or esignature is one of the effective trends in today’s time. Digital signatures come with multiple features that benefit in cost-saving measures. People/organizations and governments are integrating Electronic Signature software with their existing system. This is benefitting them in terms of savings on the administrative, paperwork cost. 

When the United States passed the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) in 2000, it was a notable step that boosted the use of electronic signatures and the people were keener, assured of the safety and the legality of this solution. 

What is an electronic signature?

An electronic signature also known as e-signature, is a reference to information in an electronic format. It is linked with other information in electronic form, that the user follows to sign the document.  Electronic signature has the same legal status as a handwritten signature. Moreover, it also compiles to the specifications of the particular regulation.

Just for your note, eSignatures are not same as digital signatures. The goal of electronic signatures is to instantly authenticate a document using an identifier that does not need pen and paper. Digitally signed documents are extensively used in private and legal matters for business transactions. They are also used as a part of official documents of the government.

Are eSignatures Legal?

In a nutshell yes. Electronic signatures offer the same or even more legal value as traditional signatures. Various countries have legalized electronic signatures under their Electronic Communications Act 2000 and the Electronic Signatures Regulation 2002.

Since the year 2000, Ireland also had a legal recognition of electronic signatures under the Electronic Commerce Act. This eIDAS (electronic signature, authentication, and trust Services) regulation is an EU law that governs electronic identification, which includes electronic signatures and digital signature applications such as DocuSign eSignature, which is in compliance with eIDAS.

In the United Kindom, the eIDAS Regulation passed a law under legislation titled; “Electronic Identification and Trust Services for Electronic Transactions Regulations 2016 (2016 No.696) and section 7 of the Electronic Communications Act 2000.” There are a handful of examples where electronic signatures are not in compliance with the legal specifications. The HM Land Registry (HMLR) started to accept digitally signed documents.

What are the benefits of electronic signatures?

As companies continue to shift toward digital transformation and automation electronic signatures are now an essential business tool and an appropriate alternative to wet signatures. Here are some of the advantages that electronic signatures offer:

• Go Paper-Free: reduce paper use E-signing can reduce the paper needed and will assist businesses in their quest to be paper-free.
• High Flexibilities: You can sign from anywhere, making it simpler to do business from a remote area or even on the move.
• Cost Reduction: electronic signatures can aid organizations in saving money. They improve workflows to reduce time and improve efficiency. This cuts down on printing, postage, and storage for filing.
• Risks and Errors are Reduced Advanced secure and authenticated digital techniques reduce risks. Pre-filling of forms eliminates human errors. eSignatures also help with providing audit trail for ensuring compliance. 
• Improved Efficiency: The approval process is automated, which allows document owners to easily see who has signed the document and when, and an efficient process boosts employee productivity. Electronic signature software usually comes with an online dashboard. It allows you to identify which documents are waiting for approval. This results in speeding the process that could have previously required months. The software also saves signed documents, which makes it easier to find them.
• Better UX: Signing a document using software that can sign documents electronically is simple and quick. It provides a better experience for both employees and customers. Users can also integrate eSignatures into their systems. 

The Following Features of E-signature Help in Cost-saving Measure

The cost-saving benefits of Digital Signature Solutions are one of the primary factors behind their popularity. Businesses and government bodies can use electronic signature solutions in multiple ways to save costs.  Here is how eSignatures can work as a cost saving resource for your business:

Saves Money & Time

One of the benefits of the E signature solution that helps in the digitization of the approval process. Right from the creation of the document to share it with the concerned signatories for their signatures. It is done through online sources. This saves time and reduces the tedious paperwork. Additionally, it saves the cost of printing, scanning, and faxing the document to multiple parties. E-signature solutions accept digital authentication of documents/files/contracts. Documents can also be on the cloud for better security. 

 Better opportunities for overseas trade

Performing Overseas trade demands crucial paperwork and assigning the contract and other documents in person. This ensures authenticity of the signed document for both the parties. However, it is not always feasible to be present for every contract signing procedure. Then the contract can be shared with the concerned parties through the mail. E-signature solutions allow every concerned party to perform their duty/signature through any part of the world in real-time. Here, the transparency stays intact too.

No penalties

While performing work manually, one may miss out on some documents, or content, leading to the cancelation of the document/contract. This means loss of time, money, and going through all the process once again. 

Since the initial stage, digital signatures keep a track of the whole document.  This reduces the chances of unwanted penalties for contract discrepancies.

Reduced errors are equal to higher savings

Lack of errors is one of the ways of reducing costs. Limited human intervention to perform tasks reduces the chances of errors. Errors in the document or the signature can cause delays and inconvenience. In the case of matters related to health and finance, even a little day can cost a lot. Additionally, what matters as much as accuracy is time. Fatal errors mind demand re-establishment of the whole process wasting time. 

Electronic signature solutions allow users to control the approval and signing process. Detecting errors in digital documents is also easy. 

Savings on the costs of procuring physical materials

Creating documents on paper or other materials for signing is exhaustive. If you have deployed electronic signature software, you do not need papers, courier packages, or any other signing material. 

Quicker installments

The quicker agreement turnaround time is one more advantage of signature software. Faster execution of agreements helps in quicker payments. 

Information security

Security instruments of esignature are one of the crucial features of the solution. Security also leads to cost-saving for organizations. Such software usually stores all the data securely on the cloud saving storage space. 

Productivity based profitability

eSignatures can also help in increasing the productivity of the organization. A productive organization can earn more profit, with e-signature solutions by providing a better client experience. 

 Conclusion

E-signature solutions are surely one of the effective ways of saving costs. To overcome the traditional hurdles in this highly competitive environment, businesses have started to up-grade digitally. Almost every organization can find it beneficial for all the reasons mentioned above and more. In terms of longer run, digital signature software can turn out to be not just coat-saving but also productive and beneficial.

Deploying an e-signature solution might not deliver immediate results in operational cost savings. But it will simplify the complex, traditional work procedures by digitizing them.