Can a Truly Paperless Work Environment Be Achieved?
Consider the power of this image. Your laptop-equipped salesperson closes a deal with a customer. While opening an electronic forms file the salesperson hands your new customer an electronic pen to sign their name on the digitally-sensitive computer pad. The PC captures the image of the signature and attaches it to your purchase order, contract or application. Back in the office, the salesperson accesses the company Intranet, hit ENTER and transmits the signed form to home office. This isn’t technology of the future, it’s here TODAY.
CBSG supports many initiatives to reduce paperwork. While document imaging systems and electronic commerce have made inroads, one obstacle continues to stand in the way of true paperlessness – a legally binding signature.
Some banks and other financial institutions have adopted the use of digital certificates to verify the authenticity of on-line transactions. By all indications, this solution is working. (A digital certificate is issued and managed by a third party. The certificate contains unique information about an individual to verify the person’s authenticity when transacting business on-line.) However, though digital certificates have been available for several years, they are not widely used. About 2 million certificates have been issued, but reliable figures are not available about how often customers use them. In addition, the courts have yet to rule on the digital certificate’s legal standing in contracts.
An exciting alternative to digital certificates is now available in the form of digital signatures. Several technology companies have introduced digital signature software. This technology provides a company the capacity to digitally capture a customer signature and in some cases verify its authenticity and attach it to a single document. For about $250, a PC can be equipped with the signature software and digitizer (the electronic writing pen and pad.)
The technology is being introduced in some companies and as pilot projects in some government agencies. For example, both the IRS and the FDA are allowing certain business to be transacted with digital signatures.
Although the courts have not ruled on digital signatures’ standing, some legal experts believe there is less of a legal hurdle for digital signatures when compared to digital certificates.
Envision a paperless environment from the point of sale through archival. Call us at 1-888-411-5800 or use our CBSG Interest Form to discuss turning that dream into reality.