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Frequently Asked Questions

Implementation

Who is using electronic signatures today and what has been the ROI?

Many government agencies, Fortune 1000 companies and small businesses are using electronic signatures for a wide variety of applications within the Department of Defence, federal government, mortgage, insurance, auto-finance, manufacturing and healthcare industries. To find out what companies in your industry segment are benefiting from electronic signatures today, please visit the customer section of Silanis’ website.

What are the most common mistakes in e-signature implementation?

From a compliance and legal enforceability standpoint, the most common mistakes we have seen involved e-signatures that didn’t adequately establish intent in the signing process. Data security and user authentication alone, although necessary parts of any secure e-signature, will not provide you with the most enforceable process. An example of a questionable e-signature would be someone entering a user ID & password, or signing a tablet, or inserting a smartcard -- but not having that action securely associated to the record being signed.

The best approach to ensuring your electronic records stand up in a court of law is to find an e-signature solution that combines document presentation, process evidence and establishment of intent with user authentication and data security.

What are the technical requirements for implementing e-signatures?

There is no need for elaborate content management or workflow systems to benefit from e-signatures. A true enterprise e-signature solution is based on open standards, and will minimize integration requirements. The good news is, most organizations already have what is needed to start e-signing today, from electronic documents and storage to e-mail.

For detailed technical requirements, there is no short answer. The compliance and business requirements of the targeted process are what drive the technical requirements of any e-signature solution. An organization can only uncover its requirements through careful evaluation. Many requirements depend on whether the implementation will be Web-based or desktop-based.

Can more than one person sign a document electronically using Silanis Approve-It?

Yes. Silanis’ ApproveIt platform supports multiple signatures on a document, form or record.

Can people use different methods to sign the same document with Approve-It? For example, one person signs on a desktop, and a second person signs the document over the web?

Yes, because the ApproveIt solutions share a common technology. A document signed online can be subsequently signed on the desktop, and vice versa.

Is it possible to sign a form/document once, but have the signature automatically placed in multiple locations?

This is possible from a technical standpoint; however, some processes may need the signer to sign every section, in order to ensure full compliance.

When closing a mortgage electronically, how does the notary sign and seal documents?

A variety of images can represent a Silanis e-signature: typed text, handwritten signature images digitized through a tablet or scanner, or any other image – even a notary seal.

In one Silanis e-mortgage implementation, homebuyers sign mortgage documents online using a user ID, password and their typed name as the visible signature. The buyer and seller sign the documents that require notarization on a signature tablet on the day of closing.  In their presence, the notary signs using a digital certificate, handwritten signature image and electronic notary seal.