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Digital Signatures In the Legal Market

By Eliya Fishman
September 02, 2014

Automated signing solutions are all around us: at the supermarket checkout; when we receive a package; at the doctor's office. Despite this, paper-based signing still finds its way into our regular operations, and too often remains there unquestioned. Isn't it strange how everyday (aka, convenient) ways of doing things linger despite there being more efficient, faster and cheaper alternatives?

A recent ALM online reader survey revealed that within polled law firms and legal departments, nearly half of all documents are printed for the sole purpose of adding signatures. A staggering 34% of all respondents indicated that they print 75% or more of documents for the purpose of adding signatures. The survey also found that, overall, an average of 1.24 days is added to paper-based signature processes. Clearly, this indicates that what was once an everyday way of signing off on documents simply doesn't make sense with the electronic and digital signature solutions that are available today.

Given this, are electronic signatures the way to go, or should I pursue a digital signature solution? What are the nuances and true “difference makers” between digital signatures and electronic signatures, and what does this technology really look like? How will it impact my IT roadmap?

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