Signing in an online environment brings several benefits to your company or trade. You automatically create a competitive advantage and improve the client's experience of using your service or product. If you want to have an electronic signature in the digital environment of your company, the easiest way is through an API.
What is an API?
The letter A in the acronym API represents an application that computer systems use, for example, to log into an account or transfer money.
Next, we have programming. An application allows your device to communicate with other systems and is programmed to accept entered information (e.g., login details) and convert it into outputs.
And the last part is the interface or user interface, which allows people to engage with the application. In the example with a mobile app, this is your touch screen and the buttons on the screen that you use to control the app.
What does the API actually do?
One way to understand an API is to look at how websites work. If you want to access a website, you must enter a URL address. This address calls a server and downloads the website into your browser.
An API makes it easier to “call the server” so that applications, developers, and websites can access databases or services. An API works as a gateway to the server and enables developers to create their own software. It also works as a filter, because it does not open the entire server to external users. In addition, developers can shorten their work by using existing software components.
Signing with API in practice
1. Integrating an electronic signature into a website, customer portal or application
Signing directly on your site helps automate many workflows while also ensuring that clients do not have to leave your website or application to complete the process (consent, contract conclusion). If a customer signs a legally binding document in a familiar digital environment, the conversion rate related to signing also increases significantly.
2. CRM for filling out and sending contracts
Another use case is integration with your CRM system so that contracts can be pre-filled and sent for signature. This integration is especially useful if you have long contracts with many fields that need to be filled in, whether for the customer or employees. You streamline workflows because the speed of creating and filling in contracts increases. In addition, the likelihood that the customer will sign the contract increases, because it is less time-consuming for them.
3. Extracting data from fields in a completed document into CRM
Extracting data from documents into your CRM provides a consistent overview of your customer and their contractual data. This ensures that your CRM displays an up-to-date view of customers and all contract data, so you can act faster and more accurately from a business perspective. By using the API interface to automate this process, immediate updating of your CRM system is ensured and the risk of human error is reduced.
4. Bulk sending of documents for electronic signature
Sending individual documents for electronic signature to a large number of people can be an extremely time-consuming process if it is not automated. With an API, it is possible to automate this process and send documents for electronic signature in bulk.
5. Automatic saving of completed documents
After saving them on your server, it is possible to send completed documents into the CRM system, which enables a better overview of customer activities.
API and online electronic signature
Digitalize your contracts using an electronic signature
More and more processes take place online, using paper contracts is outdated. Do you still receive a lot of mail by post? Invoices, catalogs, etc. are now largely sent to us by email. Why do you also scan important contracts?
To some, an electronic signature may seem insecure at first glance. A valid signature from a computer? Anyone could be sitting behind the screen. The EU has declared signing contracts with an electronic signature as valid, and rightly so: cryptographic processes ensure that the contracting parties are identified and cannot change documents after they have been signed. That is why an electronic signature is legal.
Electronic signature at the speed of light
Electronic signatures represent a modern way of sharing documents and signing contracts. Each company uses different programs to secure and edit basic data. Many electronic signature programs work standalone and require re-entering master data. An API integrates easily with your business tools, whether it is DMS, ECM, CRM, or ERP. Forget unnecessary work - you will prepare contracts in a few clicks and obtain all necessary signatures immediately.
High level of customization
Instead of running several systems at the same time, the electronic signature is integrated with your tools. You can also make individual adjustments. You can customize the display of the relevant documents for different signatories and also customize the user interface during signing.
