Digital Signature FAQs

Do you have questions about digital signatures? We're here to help! Below are some of our most frequently asked questions along with our answers. If you have a question that isn't answered here or would like any more in-depth information, please contact us.

digital signature faq

 

digital signature faq

 

What is an electronic signature?

An electronic signature, as defined by the US E-SIGN Act, is “an electronic sound, symbol, or process, attached to or logically associated with a contract or other record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.” This definition of an electronic mark is deliberately very general, to allow the marketplace to find the most cost-effective types of electronic marks for each purpose. State, national, and international laws all tend to define signatures in this generic fashion, although numerous international laws establish a preference for the ‘digital’ signatures used by SIGNiX.

What kind of electronic signature does SIGNiX use?

SIGNiX uses a specific type of electronic signature known as a “digital” signature. Digital signatures take the concept of traditional paper-based signing and turns it into an electronic fingerprint. This coded message is unique to both the document and to the signer, and it binds both of them together. Digital signatures use identity authentication methods to prove the identity of each signer. Each digitally signed document is also protected against tampering and forgery with a tamper-evident seal. With digital signatures, organizations can rest easy with the best in security, accountability and non-repudiation.

Why should I choose SIGNiX when I have so many options for electronic signature vendors?

SIGNiX combines the best of both traditional digital and ‘simple’ e-signatures. Users click on signature fields, just like in an e-signature solution, but behind the scenes SIGNiX uses high assurance digital signature technology for each and every signature. With SIGNiX you get standards-based digital signatures, delivered to your users via a simple, zero footprint browser interface.

No training, no software to install, no smart cards or tokens to carry, no appliances to maintain and no messy infrastructure to set up. With the SIGNiX SaaS model, SIGNiX does all the heavy lifting and enables customers to easily integrate into high transaction volume applications, with a seamless range of user authentication options to scale with your risk requirements.

If you’re already considering PKI-based digital signatures, SIGNiX provides the power, assurance, reliability, and integrity of digital signatures without the cost and complexity associated with implementing and managing the necessary software and hardware. Users simply authenticate and click to sign their documents, and SIGNiX handles all of the keys, certificates and technology hosted behind the scenes. Users need only bring themselves (or a mobile phone, if you choose that form of authentication). Just a simple zero-footprint browser interface provides a high assurance signature process.

Users need not install software on their computers, other than a commonly available PDF viewer and web browser. They also do not have to store their private key on their own machine. This means they can sign a document from any computer or mobile device on the Internet.

How does an individual sign a document with SIGNiX?

Typically, a user will receive an email letting them know they have a document to review and sign. The user clicks on that link and is brought to a signing page where they may be required to consent to the use of electronic signatures and authenticate their identity. Then, the document(s) is displayed and the user signs by clicking the signature line indicated by “Click here to sign.” This action initiates a “signing ceremony,” whose purpose is to authenticate the signer and capture objective evidence of their intent to sign.

Thus action is then securely transmitted to SIGNiX, which uses this information to validate the user and create the signature on the document.

How does a user initial a document?

Using the same procedure as listed above.

What types of documents can be signed?

SIGNiX accepts Portable Document Format (PDF) documents for signature. Other document formats can easily be converted to PDF to capitalize on the robust capabilities of PDF to verify the integrity of digitally signed documents.

Can multiple documents be included in a single transaction?

Yes, any number of documents can be included and specific signature and approval processes established for each of the documents.

How do I track the status of documents in the approval and signing process?

Yes, the SIGNiX Dashboard allows you to see the status of any document at any time.

How can I find information on SIGNiX system status?

Visit our system status page. https://www.signix.com/trust-and-system-status

How do I define the order of signatures in a document?

Yes, you can set the order of signatures, initials and other items in a document. This also defines the order by which a user can move through the document to each signature in turn.

Can I group users together in a signature process?

Yes, you can group users. For example, let’s say you had three signers: Signer 1(wife), Signer 2(husband), and Seller. SIGNiX allows you to group Signer 1 and 2 together so they both have to sign before the Seller gets the notification to sign the document.

How does SIGNiX integrate with my document management solution?

SIGNiX offers a comprehensive Web Services API that allows enterprises and partners alike to fully leverage the powerful infrastructure inherent in our platform to deliver leading-edge digital signatures to their customers.

How do I get access to the Web Services integration API?

Contact SIGNiX for more information.

Does SIGNiX offer an on-premise solution?

Not at this time. SIGNiX is offered only as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). This offers a number of significant legal and cost advantages for the client.

Will data on the original PDF that is sent to the system still be accessible after signing? Is the content flattened in any way?

SIGNiX can import and operate with fillable PDF forms. Data can be input by parties in a transaction, and because SIGNiX doesn’t flatten the document, that data is available after signing. Plus, that content is now rendered tamper-evident with digital signatures produced by the system.

How do I collect and then extract data from fields in a document and submit it to my back office systems?

See then answer above. Also, if fields are editable, we can return previous and current values of any editable fields in an XML response via integration with the SIGNiX API.

How do signers add notes or comments to a document to be signed?

Yes, if the sender has placed notes, comment, and/or check box fields into the document for the signatory to fill in. These fields can be marked as mandatory too.

How do I set reminders to signers to let them know they need to take an action?

SIGNiX will automatically send reminder emails at three, five and seven days. Emails and timing can also be customized in the EnterpriseDoX.

How do I reuse templates I have already created?

You can create, store and manage reusable document templates including documents, signers, signature blocks, initial lines, text fields and check boxes.

How do I customize the user experience?

A variety of interface elements, text, and logos can be customized for your needs. Contact SIGNiX for additional information.

Do you offer volume pricing on a transaction basis?

Yes, plans based on transaction volume can be customized to fit your business volumes and users. Request a quote to get more detailed information.

My real estate broker uses zipLogix Digital Ink. Is that service a competitor to SIGNiX?

Actually, no. zipLogix is one of our most important partners and a key partner in the real estate market. The Digital Ink product is powered by SIGNiX so that real estate professionals who use zipLogix zipForms to fill out commonly used documents can easily submit those documents to buyers, sellers, and agents via the web, eliminating the need to print out multiple paper copies. For more information on Digital Ink, and how it leverages the power of SIGNiX digital signatures, click here.

Do you offer enterprise-wide pricing?

Yes. Please request a quote for more information.

Our credit union uses the TotaleAtlasWeb solution from IMM Online. Is that service a competitor to SIGNiX?

Actually, no. IMM Online is one of our most important partners, and a key partner in the credit union and community bank market. IMM integrates SIGNiX so that credit union employees who use IMM’s TotaleAtlas and associated products can fill out and present commonly used documents and then easily submit those documents to customers via the web, eliminating the need to print out multiple paper copies. For more information on TotaleAtlasWeb, and how it leverages the power of SIGNiX digital signatures, click here.

Do you offer per user pricing on a subscription basis?

Yes, SIGNiX can offer pricing to you based on a number of users with unlimited document access. Request a quote for more information.