General Contract Signing Process
The following stages represent a generalized, high-level cycle for any contract signing process. Without DocuSign, the contract signing process is “print-ship-sign-copy-return-scan”.

Stage 1: Document and Envelope Preparation
During this stage, the sender will provide transaction data and instructions. This information might come in manually or automatically from a variety of the data sources. The sender will add documents, templates, signing locations, initials locations, data fields, recipients, and reminder and expiration information. Without DocuSign, the sender has to print the documents to paper, ensuring sufficient print time and printer ink.
With DocuSign, you can work with the DocuSign team to automate this stage according to your business specifications. The documents and envelope will be ready to be sent at the completion of this stage.

Stage 2: Transaction Execution
Stage 2 begins when the sender sends the envelope of documents. Without DocuSign, this might entail faxing every sheet of paper and confirming receipt. If the documents are overnighted, someone must either drop off the envelope or schedule a pickup. Then the sender must wait for the recipient to receive the documents. If a critical page is missing or illegible, there may be emails, phone calls or other back-and-forth communication. The recipient must also be physically available to wet-sign. Last minute business trips or other delays can add days to this process.

If the sender were to use DocuSign, the DocuSign services execute all of the actions defined in stage 1 once the envelope has been sent. The envelope is routed via email to the proper recipients in the appropriate order. The recipients enter the required data (as applicable) and electronically sign and initial (as applicable) in all the required locations. Senders can control what happens to an envelope after it has been sent. For example, a sender may correct an e-mail address in case it was mistyped, a sender may stop execution and void the entire transaction before completion. However, more major changes are not allowed without first voiding. For example, senders cannot add an addendum after a signer has signed.

Stage 3 – Filing and Storage
After the transaction has been executed, contracts are typically filed and the data is manually entered into business systems. Sometimes other processes are initiated.
With DocuSign implementation, the filing and storage stage can be automated with some amount of investment.
This discussion of a high-level, generalized contract signing cycle provides a process framework for understanding where and how automation using DocuSign electronic signature and online contract execution adds value. The next section describes how to leverage DocuSign technology and service to automate your contract execution process and turn it into electronic contract execution.

Degrees of Automation
DocuSign offers a web interface, desktop software, and an application programming interface (API) called DocuSign Connect. These different options apply to all three stages in the lifecycle of a contract.

Web interface
The DocuSign web interface allows a user to send, sign, add data, initial, download, and get status of documents. The flexible WYSIWYG interface allows users to get started immediately and work from almost anywhere. Anyone who can use e-mail and a web browser should feel comfortable interacting with the system very quickly.

Standard automation solutions
In addition to the web and software solutions, the DocuSign service provides several standard solutions which automate steps in the electronic contract execution process.

These solutions allow you to:
•    Create a DocuSign envelope out of a blank PDF form using DocuSign PowerForms,
•    Automate document and envelope sending with DocuSign desktop software,
•    Automate data entry of status updates and data collected during the electronic contract execution process to SalesForce with DocuSign Connect for SalesForce,
•    Automate document and data retrieval from the DocuSign service to a server behind your firewall with DocuSign Export,
•    Automate the transport of the authoritative copy of documents to another secure location with eOriginal Vaulting.

These solutions require configuration and possibly installation. The target audiences for these solutions are office “power users” and IT administrators.

Application Programming Interface
The DocuSign API, DocuSign Connect, allows other systems to interact with the DocuSign service and automate the processes around sending, correcting, status, and download.

DocuSign Connect is exposed as a standard SOAP XML Web Service, protected by transport level security and message level security based on WS-Security standards.

DocuSign Connect enables greater automation capability. The most common automations are:
•    Automation of sending process: Senders can send documents with one click. This requires additional programming by the DocuSign customers. This programming enables the automatic selection of the document, data collection requirements, and signers. Using this capability, step 1 of the electronic execution process can be almost entirely automated.
•    Store and update documents and data automatically: Using data from DocuSign Connect, update internal systems with documents, data collected, and status information. DocuSign Connect provides all the information about the transaction at any point in its lifecycle. These capabilities can automate most of the processes in step 3 of the electronic contract execution process.
•    Embedded signing experience: You may embed the DocuSign signing and data collection processes in your portal or website using an IFRAME. This capability keeps your brand in front of the signers at all times in the electronic contract execution process.

A shared understanding of the general contract signing process and how DocuSign’s electronic contract execution process differs enables you to think about which steps of the process are repeatable and appropriate for automation. Understanding the various options around creating an automated electronic contract execution process for your organization and how they each fit into the contract lifecycle may help you communicate the value of adopting electronic signature and ECE technologies and processes.

Business Analysis of ECE Implementation, Part 1: Introduction to ECE & DocuSign Terminology

How can you improve many aspects of your business processes and finances? Implementing Electronic Contract Execution (ECE) can help you realize gains in business processes and positively affect your bottom line.
Electronic Signature and Electronic Contract Execution will:

• Save time,
• Reduce costs,
• Improve the quality and accuracy of data collected on contracts,
• Shorten contract signing cycles,
• Improve close rates, and
• Increase revenues.

Signers in the electronic contract execution process report greater satisfaction with the new process, influencing increased customer satisfaction rates.
ECE also is on strategy for environmental or green initiatives by reducing paper consumption and fuel consumption. This ultimately results in a smaller carbon footprint by your company.

Choosing the right tools
The DocuSign service offers flexibility in how you gather data and signatures. Finding the right fit affects the project implementation and cost. We advise you to envision the final solution and map out your desired data flow prior to estimating the project cost.

DocuSign terminology
We use the following terms when speaking specifically to DocuSign’s electronic signature and online contract execution offerings:

Envelope
A collection of documents, signer(s) information, and signing instructions are packaged together in an envelope. This may have any number of signatures placed on any number of documents and may include as many signers as needed. Upon submission to DocuSign, an Envelope ID, displayed in the upper left corner of each page in every document in that envelope, identifies the envelope.

Signer
A full name and e-mail address uniquely identifies a signer. A signer has a user record in DocuSign and can be invited to place signatures on an envelope.

Sender
A sender is a user of the DocuSign service and may sign as well as send documents.  Some sending accounts are created for Web Service access enabling these senders to send documents from other systems via DocuSign.

Account
An account maps to an organization, which can be either a company or a department, depending on company size. Senders belong to an account and are referred to as members of that account. In the DocuSign system, the account gets billed for transactions.

Tab
A tab is a visual indicator on a document for a piece of data: a date, initials or a signature. The most common tab is a signature tab. Other available tabs include: initials tab, full name tab, date tab, text box, checkbox, radio buttons, drop down lists and several others. Generally, tabs as data added to the document by signers as a result of completing the ECE process.
Tabs may be placed manually (ie the sender drags and drops the tabs onto documents) or in an automated fashion via the Web Service interface. Some types of tabs can be used to collect data and/or be configured to restrict data entered to conform to a specific format such as for dates and credit cards.

Certified Delivery
Certified delivery allows you to send a document to a recipient for review purposes only. The DocuSign service records that the certified delivery recipient has read the documents, similar to a “read receipt” in email.

Carbon Copy

Carbon copy allows you to send a document to a recipient for viewing after all parties have signed the document.

A common understanding of the benefits of electronic contract execution (ECE) and terms used to discuss the business implementation and desired solution(s) of the DocuSign service lays the groundwork for further analysis and discussion.