We had an excellent event with presentations from DocuSign on product training, product directions, informative customer case studies, breakout sessions and a lively customer panel discussion.

As a service to all of our customers, we will be offering a one hour webinar that will summarize key issues in eSignature and the new DocuSign 10.1 release discussed at the conference.

Please register by clicking on the link below and mark your calendars – we hope you can attend this session:

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 from 11AM – 12PM PDT

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to your attendance at this webinar!

Creating a SecureField in DocuSign’s eSignature Service

1. Select “Account” then “Manage SecureFields” from the menu bar in DocuSign
2. Click the “Add” button on the Manage SecureFields page
3. To create a radio button to guide your signers’ choices, select “Radio Button” from the Type list.
4. Enter a group name, remembering to use the same group name for a set of radio buttons on your document.
5. Click the “Required” check box to make sure your signers make a choice from among your radio buttons in a group
6. Click “Save”

You’ve created a secured field that enables you to collect information from your signers! In this example, we created a set of radio buttons. You have other options for creating a secured field, available in the Type list.

For more information about SecureFields, take a look at the QuickStart Guide. Look at the DocuSign Web site for more information on DocuSign’s eSign services or for additional eSign support resources!

Are you interested in learning how to reduce your cycle time and eliminating NIGO? Join Steve Woodworth, Market Director – Wealth Mangement and Insurance, in a free electronic signature webinar to discuss how DocuSign’s eSignature services can reduce cycle times and nearly eliminate NIGO rates.

Learn how insurance companies are reducing cycle times to just minutes and nearly eliminating NIGO rates with DocuSign Electronic Signatures.

Market Director Steve Woodworth will lead a discussion about the benefits of using an electronic signing process followed by a customer case study from Banner Life explaining how DocuSign Electronic Signatures have changed their business.

So when is this all happening? Wednesday, March 24th, from 12:30 – 1:30 pm PDT.

Click here to register for this informational eSign webinar about reducing cycle time and eliminating NIGO!

Today we announced an agreement with Banner Life Insurance Company, a leader in life insurance products. Under the agreement, Banner Life will integrate and deploy DocuSign’s eSignature service to accelerate delivery of its ePolicies. As part of the implementation process, Banner Life will use  DocuSign’s Web Services Application Programming Interface (API) to facilitate data exchange and update policyholder information between internal systems, while safely and securely transacting business online with policyholders.

We chose DocuSign because it is the market leader and simply the best in eSignature Services. DocuSign is fast, easy to use and flexible. We expect DocuSign to positively impact our business processes while reducing costs. – Eric Lester, vice president of administrative services at Banner Life Insurance Company

Since 1949, Banner Life has provided life insurance products to families across the United States, and holds more than $379 billion of life insurance in force with over $4.8 billion in assets (as of 2008). Located in Maryland, it is among the most financially sound life insurers in the United States with an AM Best ranking of A+ (Superior) and an S&P rating of A+. Banner Life was ranked 11 among all United States companies for new coverage issued in 2008.

DocuSign has seen tremendous momentum among large insurance carriers in adopting electronic signing to enhance placement ratios and reduce cycle time in new business and policyholder services. We are pleased to be working with Banner Life on this project and anticipate Banner will realize significant financial and process benefits soon after deploying DocuSign. – Steve Woodworth, market director of wealth management and insurance at DocuSign

Want to learn how to use DocuSign’s Web Services Application Programming Interface? Take a look at DocuSign’s eSign Developer Center, where you can download the Software Developer Kit (SDK), access the API, register for your free developer account as well as take advantage of the other resources available. Interested in learning how electronic signature from DocuSign can streamline your workflows, reduce your cycle time to mere minutes and nearly eliminate Not In Good Order (NIGO) rates? Register for the free eSignature webinar, “Insurance: Reducing Cycle Time and Eliminating NIGO with eSign” on Wednesday, March 24th, from 12:30 – 1:30 PST.

We at DocuSign listen to our customers when they talk about their electronic signature needs. This weekend, we stumbled across some comments about DocuSign and our free eSignature customer support. They were just too good not to share! Without further ado:

DocuSign’s Electronic Signature Customers Comment on Customer Support

The first story shares the experience of signing up for DocuSign’s eSignature service:

The reason I joined DocuSign was because of their AMAZING customer support. I joined on a Saturday night around 6pm and by 9pm I was having issues and needed to get a contract done that night. I asked if anyone knew the answer on twitter and within 5 minutes I had both their twitter account and the owner of the company talking to me on twitter and walking me through it. Then An, who is behind the twitter account, called me to make sure everything was ok. THAT IS SERVICE.

OK so they don’t offer free phone support. I have NEVER had a problem getting an immediate answer with them on chat or twitter. The support is some of the best I have ever seen. If you had a problem with any product in the world and put something out there on Twitter what do you think the chances of anyone, never mind the Founder and Vice President of Product Strategy of the company, offering help at 9pm on a Saturday night?

You have free email support and also free support via chat, the product is amazing, the support is amazing.

- Dean Ouellette, Tempe Real Estate

The second story details the robust support options DocuSign offers to its eSign customers:

I’ve used DocuSign for over two years and never needed to call them. Not once. Twice I had a question about how to do something (that if I’d taken a few minutes on my own to find the answer, I could have. It was on their site) and was immediately answered via email and Twitter. I also have agents that have been using DocuSign for two years — never needed to make a phone call for support for two reasons: 1) The product is robust and easy to use; and 2) there are many other ways to get support beside the telephone.

Lots of companies charge for extended (read phone) customer support. DocuSign isn’t the only one, not by a long shot. I’d rather them charge for extended support than raise my rates so they can handle all the “I forgot my password” and “It’s broken” (when it’s not) phone calls.

Have you tried the [free] chat, email, twitter, forums, webinars, blog, and/or FAQs for support? They work, and work well.

- Jay Thompson, Phoenix Real Estate Broker

The third comment explains a customer’s experience with how easy and intuitive DocuSign’s electronic signature service is for his clients:

I have used the DocuSign service hundreds of times over the past couple of years and I love it. More importantly, my clients LOVE it. The recent enhancements to their system helped an already great product become even more beneficial to my business.

My experience has been that anyone that can log on to the internet and do even the most basic of tasks have great success with the DocuSign service. From young to old, computer savvy to “old school,” I have never had a complaint.

- Nick Bastian, Tempe Real Estate Agent

The fourth comment discusses how one DocuSign user has worked with DocuSign on eSign policy issues and product feedback while turning to online help and web content:

I’ve been a Docusign user for several years now and have been really pleased with the technology. I enjoy being able to sign ANYTHING. I’m pretty technically inclined and have only had to contact customer service a couple times with help on policy issues, like FHA not recognizing e-signatures.

I’ve spoken with their Chief Legal Counsel and they’re now working with FHA and lenders to gainer wider acceptance of electronic signatures. I consider that responsive.

When I call in about product limitations or ideas, my requests are acknowledged and supposedly added to the feature request for future releases. I hope they don’t charge for these types of call. [ed. note: We don't charge for feedback-type calls, but as a best practice, email or chat works better discuss product limitations or ideas - we can log and track these communications and share them more effectively with the Product team!]

On the other hand, their online help has always been responsive and there’s a lot of material published on the website that’s gotten me through most issues.

- Derec Shuler, Denver Real Estate Broker

Do you have a story similar to Dean, Jay, Nick, or Derec’s? Do you have your own story about how DocuSign’s eSign service you want to share? Leave a comment to share your thoughts – we welcome them!

We’ve rolled out many new changes since the start of 2010, including the release of Version 10.1, the exclusive DocuSign REALTOR® Edition, and a new phone system. If you subscribe to DocuSign’s electronic signature service, you get access to new features every time we do a new release – this means you can always use the newest features and have access to the latest innovations in electronic signature technology.

Where do we get our feature ideas? We often solicit feedback from you, our users, about new feature ideas. You can follow @DocuSign on Twitter or become a fan on the DocuSign Facebook Page for announcements when we look for user feedback. We’ve even hosted focus groups such as the Mix and Mingle at the Keller Williams Family Reunion, to determine what features and functionality you, our users, deem most important so we can prioritize them on the product roadmap.

DocuSign is committed to providing industry-leading electronic signature solutions to real estate professionals as the exclusive and official ESIGN provider through the NAR Member Benefits® program. Our commitment is such that we just released the exclusive DocuSign REALTOR® Edition along with a real estate-specific electronic signature service because we understand that you have unique business needs, different from those needs of our other customers, and we want to accommodate your business needs.

ESIGN Support

When you purchase DocuSign, adding phone support is always an option. This is not new. When you sign up for DocuSign, we offer phone support as a premium option. Instead of charging everyone for phone support, we’ve chosen to charge only those who use phone support. This enables us to keep our prices down and offer the robust features and plans that we do.

If you want to upgrade your account and add phone support, you can contact support (service@docusign.com) with your preferred contact information (phone, email, etc.) and let them know that you want to add phone support, so they can work with you to help you choose the DocuSign plan with phone support that best fits your business needs.

However, our commitment to customer service means that support is NOT a premium option. We have many FREE support options.

Free ESIGN Support Options

Email (service@docusign.com) has a service level agreement of two hours during support hours. Because I work remotely, I often email support with questions and receive a response almost instantaneously, so it’s possible to get almost real time response. Emailing support means that you can also send them screen shots of what you’re seeing on your screen, so they can see what the issue is and can help you effectively.

Instant Messenger enables you to copy and paste any messages that trigger the question you want to ask support. It also provides you the benefit of real time conversation, similar to what you’d experience on the phone. With the ability of our support personnel to read your messages and gain an understanding of your issue, they can effectively help you.

Forums are great for questions and feedback you have for our engineers, product managers, and professional services folks that aren’t time sensitive. You can see if someone has already had a similar issue or question or ask and someone from the technical side of the house will respond.

DocuSign’s YouTube Channel provides informational how-to videos that walk you through the various standard and premium features of DocuSign. We’re continually adding new videos and if you don’t see one that you want, let us know! We’ll add it to our editorial calendar.

Weekly Free Webinar eSign Trainings that you can sign up for and attend from the comfort of your home or office enable you to learn how to use DocuSign’s eSignature services.

DocuSign’s eSignature Blog provides how-to’s, tips and tricks, product announcements, in-person events, industry news and more. We continually seek to share information about what we’re working on and how you can leverage eSignature to close deals faster, increase your customers’ satisfaction, and save time.

Sender FAQ and Signer FAQ provide the answers to the most common questions from senders and signers, since we know they’ll have different questions. We also offer sender demos,signer demos, sender user guides & documentation, signer documentation and other resources on the DocuSign web site.

Additionally, we do not charge for signers who call support – we understand that signers are using DocuSign because senders have requested that they sign documents using DocuSign. Please do leave comments with your questions, concerns and thoughts as we’d like to work with you to help you understand how customer support works at DocuSign!

Spend more time selling by becoming more efficient, no longer wasting time managing paper contracts.

Never hassle with fax or scanning – even better, your customers will appreciate not having to deal with fax machines or scanners either.

Shorten sales cycles by using DocuSign’s electronic signature process; contracts are delivered immediately – they don’t sit on customers’ desks, they don’t get lost and are returned immediately after being signed.

Close more deals – sales organizations are seeing close rates increase by 30% or more with DocuSign electronic signature.

Sales reps now have real time visibility into the contract signing process – they can see who has viewed the contract, who has signed, and who has yet to sign.

Aside from making the signing process easy for sales, easy for customers and improving sales results, DocuSign allows companies to save up to 90% of costs associated with paper processes by eliminating paper, the need to use a fax, and the need to use costly courier services.

Sending Your Document

Sending a contract for signature is as simple as uploading your sales contract.

Add your signer or signers, if multiple people need to sign your contract.

You can also carbon copy additional people who need to receive the completed document but are not signers.

Next, add a subject and message to the email notification that will be sent to your signers.

Drag DocuSign tabs from the right side of your screen to assign signature, initial and data entry tasks for each of your recipients.

Then click “Send”

Here’s what your signers will see… Signing your Document

First they will agree to adopt an electronic signature

Then they will click on the signing tabs you have added on the contract and click “Complete Signing”.

The signing process is fast, convenient and easy.

By using DocuSign’s tab signing contracts, this will ensure they come back error free.

API Integration

With our out-of-the-box integration with partners like Salesforce.com, Ariba, and many others, DocuSign fits seamlessly into your existing sales process. You can also choose to create a custom API integration to integrate with just about any other application.

We offer regular DocuSign API webinars (developer workshops) and have a robust eSign Dev Center to provide support for your integration efforts.

With millions of signature events complete and thousands of companies like Ariba, Comcast, Expedia, LinkedIn, Yamaha, EFA Processing, Great Lakes, Prudential, and Monsanto relying on DocuSign daily, DocuSign is a proven leader in electronic signature and eSign services. DocuSign provides the most secure, reliable and robust eSignature services available.

Please click the link and contact DocuSign today to find out how electronic signature can accelerate your sales process!

Our First Nest Realty uses DocuSign to accelerate the signing process for real estate documents. DocuSign has expedited the average turnaround of real estate documents from days to minutes. Houston-based Our First Nest Realty also leverages DocuSign as a green technology differentiator and as part of the company’s commitment to environmentally-friendly business processes.

Paul Silverman, Owner, Our First Nest Realty

Our First Nest Realty owner Paul Silverman first discovered DocuSign when working with a buyer for a hot property with multiple bidders. The need for an alternative to ink signatures became paramount when the buyer had to sign papers while out of state. Silverman registered for a free trial of the DocuSign eSignature service and within minutes was able to electronically send the documents for e-signature. His client received a DocuSign email notification, quickly adopted a signature and signed the documents online. Silverman presented the offer and it was accepted immediately. Later, Silverman’s client used DocuSign’s service from her Apple iPhone to electronically sign additional paperwork.

DocuSign came to the rescue. It helped streamline the process, provided my client an added service and reduced my company’s carbon footprint in just one service. Being able to sign from a mobile phone was a huge advantage. Clients always tell me how easy it is to DocuSign—it’s convenient, safe and legal. This is clearly the best tool I have ever used. – Paul Silverman, owner, Our First Nest Realty, and strong advocate of green technology

DocuSign has reduced or eliminated the need for Our First Nest Realty to print, fax or waste paper, ink and energy. He is pleased that he is helping clients with a hassle-free transaction and also upholding his pledge to the environment. Silverman holds a number of green designations and certificates including the National Association of REALTORS® Green designation and is a National Association of Homebuilders Certified Green Professional (CPG).

The DocuSign Advantage

After reviewing other e-signature solutions providers, Our First Nest Realty has continued using DocuSign based on the following key criteria:

• Ease of Use—DocuSign makes it easy for Silverman to send documents for client e-signature, and just as simple for clients to sign electronically. This intuitive service closely replicates the traditional signing experience, creating a positive client experience. DocuSign’s Designed for Mobile functionality provides Silverman’s clientele with anywhere, anytime electronic signing capabilities from an Apple iPhone, RIM BlackBerry, Google Android, Windows Mobile or any other Internet-enabled mobile device.
• Compliance—With DocuSign, Our First Nest Realty is assured of security as documents are an encrypted PDF. Signers are authenticated and contracts can only be returned only if fully completed, ensuring 100 percent compliance.
• Real-Time Visibility—DocuSign reveals the signing status of every agreement in real-time: when it was opened, when it was signed, the time the transaction has taken, and which contracts remain to be signed. Our First Nest Realty knows immediately when a real estate document is completed so deals can be transacted faster in a highly competitive market.
• Workflow Management—DocuSign automates Our First Nest Realty’s workflow processes. DocuSigned documents are returned only when complete, thereby reducing turnaround time from days to minutes.
• Cost-Effective—DocuSign reduces administrative costs associated with the traditional signing process, eliminating the need to print, fax or drive to meet clients for in-person signings
• Going Green—Environmentally-friendly, DocuSign aligns with Silverman’s green initiatives and further differentiates Our First Nest Realty from competitors using older, resource-wasting business processes.

For more information about the business benefits DocuSign provides Our First Nest Realty, read the detailed eSignature case study.

REThink Real Estate implemented DocuSign’s eSignature solutions to accelerate its real estate document signing process. This leading San Francisco Bay Area-based real estate firm employs DocuSign’s electronic signature services as the primary vehicle to complete real estate transactions.  DocuSign expedites the average turnaround time of real estate documents from days to minutes. DocuSign helped REThink Real Estate successfully expand and leverage DocuSign’s green technology as a market differentiator and competitive advantage.

Tara-Nicholle Nelson, MA, Esq. REALTOR®, Owner, REThink Real Estate

Owner of REThink Real Estate, Tara-Nicholle Nelson, MA, Esq. is a successful real estate broker, attorney, author and accredited buyer’s representative. Nelson recently represented a buyer in a competitive real estate transaction where the seller’s agent wanted to collect as many offers as possible to present to her client. To stall Nelson and her buyers, the seller’s agent sent a 150-page disclosure agreement that typically takes hours to fax to clients and hours for clients to sign and fax back. Instead, Nelson scanned the disclosure agreement and sent it via DocuSign to her clients. Her clients received an email notification, adopted an e-signature and returned the completed disclosure within the hour. The selling agent was obligated to present the offer to her client and it was accepted.

DocuSign has changed my life. I can’t imagine doing business without it. My clients love the convenience. Sometimes a buyer can make more than 20 offers before one is accepted. That means signing hundreds of pages at least 20 times! With DocuSign, it’s click, click, click and you’re done. – Tara-Nicholle Nelson

Nelson credits DocuSign with giving her more freedom—from paper, faxing and wasting time. By leveraging the Internet, Nelson notes that she and her clients can write, sign and submit an offer without being in the same state. With DocuSign, clients are rarely aware that Nelson is out of town for a speaking engagement or training. DocuSign also provides a much more polished and professional offer to agents, making Nelson’s offers appear more persuasive than the handwritten, scanned and faxed documents typically presented to sellers.

The DocuSign Advantage

After reviewing other e-signature solutions providers, Nelson chose DocuSign based on the following key criteria:

• Ease of Use—DocuSign makes it easy for Nelson to send documents for client e-signature, and just as simple for the client to sign electronically. This intuitive service closely replicates the traditional signing experience, creating a positive client experience. Plus, DocuSign’s Designed for Mobile functionality provides Nelson’s clientele with anywhere, anytime electronic signing capabilities from an Apple iPhone, RIM BlackBerry, Google Android, Windows Mobile or any other mobile device.
• Compliance—With DocuSign, RETHink Real Estate is assured of security as documents are an encrypted PDF. Signers are authenticated and contracts can only be returned only if fully completed, ensuring 100 percent compliance. Aged, confidential documents are archived and purged automatically, thereby safeguarding personal client information.
• Real-Time Visibility—DocuSign reveals the signing status of every agreement in real-time: when it was opened, when it was signed, the time the transaction has taken, and which contracts remain to be signed. REThink Real Estate knows immediately when a real estate document is completed so deals can be transacted faster in a highly competitive market.
• Workflow Management—DocuSign automates Nelson’s workflow processes. DocuSigned documents are returned only when complete, thereby reducing the turnaround time from days to minutes.
• Cost-Effective— DocuSign reduces administrative costs associated with the traditional signing process, eliminating the need to print, fax or drive to meet clients for in-person signings.
• Going Green— Environmentally friendly DocuSign aligns with Nelson’s green initiatives and further differentiates REThink Real Estate from competitors using older, resource-wasting business processes.

For more information about the business benefits DocuSign provides ReThink Real Estate, read the detailed eSignature case study on the DocuSign Web site!

This REALTOR^® branded version of DocuSign is a direct result of the collaboration between NAR and DocuSign. It is a representation of the power of what good partnerships can bring to the real estate industry and more importantly, reinforces why all real estate professionals benefit from NAR’s REALTOR Benefits^® Program. We are looking forward to the future and watching how the increased adoption of DocuSign’s e-signature services will revolutionize the industry. – Bob Goldberg, senior vice president of marketing and business development, commercial services and business specialties for NAR.

DocuSign REALTOR^®Edition builds upon DocuSign’s award-winning eSignature service offerings and includes the following features:

Branded Signature—NAR members have the option to adopt an exclusive REALTOR^® branded e-signature to further promote NAR membership status with the distinguished and trusted REALTOR^® logo.

Online Dashboard—An intuitive, secure REALTOR^® branded console is available to members anytime, anywhere, enabling busy professionals to check the status of every document in real-time. Senders know when documents are opened, when they are signed, the time of the transaction has taken and which documents remain to be signed.

Branded Templates—REALTOR^® branded email communications reinforce and leverage NAR’s stringent code of ethics with signers and/or customers.

Integration with Real Estate Tools—DocuSign REALTOR^® Edition seamlessly works with a broad variety of real estate software tools, including e-forms and online file management systems.

Mobile Signing—DocuSign Designed for Mobile functionality offers anywhere, anytime electronic signing of documents from an Apple iPhone, RIM BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Google Android and other mobile devices.

Workflow Optimization—DocuSign makes it easy for REALTORS^® to control the recipient signing order, and set automated recipient signing reminders and envelope expirations to accelerate the signing process. Plus, time-saving workflows and templates to streamline the signing process.

Real estate professionals everywhere are discovering the power of DocuSign to accelerate business and increase customer satisfaction in a fiercely competitive market. We anticipate the momentum of new DocuSign subscribers to increase even faster now with NAR’s recommendation and support of the release of our new NAR-endorsed DocuSign REALTOR^® Edition. This new, powerful DocuSign offering is specifically tailored for REALTORS^® and a definite game-changer for 2010. – Dave Thorpe, business development director at DocuSign.

More than 20,000 real estate professionals have used DocuSign to accelerate their business, with thousands more subscribing each month. DocuSign real estate subscribers achieve higher sales, increase client satisfaction and maintain a competitive edge. Rather than driving across town to get a signature or inconveniencing clients to find a fax machine, real estate professionals use DocuSign to execute agreements with buyers and sellers electronically, eliminating the old process of printing, faxing and waiting for the return fax. As more than 95 percent of home buyers have Internet access, but fewer than 10 percent have fax service in their homes, DocuSign saves agents time and money while providing client convenience. Clients can electronically sign real estate forms using any Web browser, and documents are legally binding, backed by a court-admissible audit trail.

Pricing and Availability

DocuSign REALTOR^® Edition is available to NAR members as a special Member Benefit^®. Members receive best-in-class pricing with a 20 percent savings over standard DocuSign rates on both editions—DocuSign REALTOR^® Basic and DocuSign REALTOR^® Standard. DocuSign REALTOR^® Basic is a limited edition while DocuSign REALTOR^® Standard is an expanded version offering full functionality and a robust feature set. Subscribers must present a valid National Realtors Database System (NRDS) member identification to qualify.

Pricing and additional product information can be found on the DocuSign Web site for NAR members or to learn more on NAR’S REALTOR Benefits^® Program, visit DocuSign’s NAR Member Benefits^® partner page.