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4th Aug, 2023
Businesses are constantly seeking ways to streamline processes, enhance security, and improve efficiency. One technology that has revolutionised the way we handle documents is electronic signatures, commonly known as e-signatures.
In this blog, we will explore the many advantages of using E-Sign’s eSignatures for signing PDF documents. While we have previously covered ‘how to’ add an electronic signature to a PDF, this article will delve into the substantial benefits that come with embracing e-signatures.
From heightened security to significant time and cost savings, e-signatures have become an essential tool for modern businesses. As we delve deeper, we will examine real-world statistics and insights from credible sources, highlighting the undeniable impact of e-signatures on businesses and their bottom line.
When it comes to signing sensitive documents, security is paramount. E-signatures utilise advanced encryption technology and authentication measures to ensure the integrity and authenticity of signed PDFs. Each signature is unique to the signer, making it virtually impossible to tamper with the document unnoticed. The use of cryptographic algorithms creates a digital fingerprint that protects the document from any unauthorised alterations. This level of security makes e-signatures legally binding and compliant with various international regulations, providing businesses with airtight protection against fraudulent activities.
Due to an increasingly interconnected environment, information is exposed to a larger and wider variety of risks. With continuous threats such as computer viruses, Trojan horses, Denial-of-Service (DoS) Attacks and Phishing becoming more common, ambitious and sophisticated, it makes implementing, maintaining and updating information security in an organisation more of a challenge. However, E-Sign has robust policies and procedures in place to protect a secure information infrastructure. We are ISO 27001 and Cyber Essentials accredited, have been approved as an authorised supplier on the Government’s PSN and are ITHC compliant.
According to a study by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), digital signatures were found to be significantly more secure and tamper-resistant than traditional handwritten signatures.
Traditional signing methods involving physical paperwork can lead to delays and inefficiencies. E-signatures remove the need for printing, scanning, and mailing documents, expediting the entire signing process. With just a few clicks, signers can execute their signatures on PDFs from any location and on any device, making remote collaboration a breeze. Consequently, faster turnaround times lead to increased productivity and better overall workflow management.
The Association of Information and Image Management found that if a business digitalises documents from the very start, it can result in a 30-50% increase in process productivity and a 3 to10-fold reduction in turnaround time.
Embracing e-signatures for PDF’s not only boosts productivity but also results in significant cost savings.
The elimination of printing and paper-related expenses directly reduces operational costs. Additionally, businesses save on postage, courier, and storage expenses, as digital documents require no physical space and can be stored securely in the cloud. Moreover, the time saved by faster document processing allows employees to focus on more critical tasks, optimising resource allocation.
Printing documents for signatures and maintaining physical archives necessitate a substantial budget. Ink, toner, paper, and maintenance of printing equipment all contribute to these expenses. E-signatures eliminate the need for printing, as documents can be signed digitally and stored securely in the cloud. This leads to direct cost savings on paper and printing supplies.
For businesses that deal with clients or partners located in different geographic regions, postage and courier costs can be substantial. Mailing paper documents for signatures incurs expenses for packaging, postage fees, and tracking services. With e-signatures, documents can be sent electronically, reducing postage and courier expenses to zero.
Storing paper documents requires physical space, often in the form of filing cabinets or off-site storage facilities. These spaces come with rental costs, and as the volume of documents increases, so do storage expenses. E-signatures eliminate the need for physical storage, as all signed documents are securely stored in digital format in the cloud. This not only saves on storage costs but also ensures easy access to documents whenever needed.
Time is a valuable resource for any business, and e-signatures for PDF’s offer substantial time-saving benefits that can be channelled into more productive endeavours. Here’s how e-signatures contribute to time savings:
The traditional process of signing paper documents can be time-consuming, involving printing, signing, scanning, and mailing. With e-signatures, the entire process can be completed within minutes, even for signers located in different time zones. This rapid turnaround time expedites contract approvals, agreements, and other time-sensitive transactions.
E-signatures automate the signing process, reducing the administrative burden on employees. The need to manually track documents, follow up on signatures, and organize physical paperwork is eliminated, allowing staff to focus on core business tasks.
E-signatures for PDF’s facilitate seamless collaboration among remote teams and external stakeholders. Documents can be shared, reviewed, and signed electronically, regardless of the signer’s location. This enables businesses to continue operations smoothly, even during unexpected disruptions like pandemics or natural disasters.
In industries where sales cycles are critical to revenue generation, e-signatures play a crucial role in expediting the signing process. Contracts and agreements can be executed swiftly, leading to faster sales closures and revenue realization.
In the modern business landscape, providing exceptional customer experience is a key differentiator. E-signatures offer clients and partners a seamless, user-friendly signing process that can be completed from any device, anywhere in the world.
Statistics: A survey conducted by Aragon Research showed that 67% of organizations witnessed an improvement in customer experience by incorporating e-signatures into their operations. (Source: [Insert Source])
As businesses become increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, going paperless with e-signatures is an eco-friendly choice. Traditional paper-based workflows result in excessive waste, deforestation, and increased carbon emissions. Adopting digital signatures minimises paper consumption and significantly reduces the carbon footprint associated with physical document handling. By promoting sustainability, businesses can enhance their reputation as socially responsible entities.
Paper-based processes are no longer efficient. It is time-consuming and adds additional steps to a task, such as signing documents, but not only this, it wastes paper.
The benefits of signing a PDF with e-signatures are undeniable. Securely signing PDFs with E-Sign and add multiple security layers to protect documents. Boost productivity and create efficient workflows across your business.From bolstered security and legal compliance to improved productivity and customer experience, businesses of all sizes can leverage the power of digital signatures to transform their operations.
The statistics and insights provided from reputable sources highlight the tangible advantages that come with adopting e-signatures, showcasing the real impact on business efficiency and cost savings.
