With cool new mobile devices available, including iPhone 4 and Droid 2, I wanted to share how we can experience fast, complete and trusted electronic signature while we’re on the go!

Right after Apple released the iPad, Doug Rybacki, director of product management for DocuSign, confirmed that DocuSign subscribers can create DocuSign envelopes on the iPad and it works well for templates and sending for eSignature with Freeform signing.

Templates

Using Templates: Templates help streamline the sending process when you frequently send documents that are the same or similar. You can apply one or more templates to an uploaded document.
Uploading from a Template: To upload a document directly from an existing template, click the Add new document from a template link, select the template and click OK.

Working with Templates: To apply a template to a document, click the Apply a Template to this document link, select the template and click OK.
To apply another template to a document, click the Apply another Template to this document link, select the template, type the page of the document the new template will start on and click OK.
To remove a template from a document, click the Remove Template link. For more information about templates, check out this how-to blog post on creating a template in DocuSign electronic signature.

Freeform Signing

If the Freeform Signing feature is used, the signer sees the following items in the upper left corner of the documents window. The signer drags the appropriate item from the Click & Drag box to the appropriate place n the document. The signer clicks the Complete Signing button near the upper right corner of the screen to complete Freeform signing. For more on Freeform signing, take a look at this how-to blog post, How-To Use Free Form Signing From DocuSign.

Email to Electronic Signature

With the Spring ’10 release, you got another option for using DocuSign on iPad – with Email to Envelope, you can send in email attachments to start a draft envelope by emailing the attachment to drafts@docusign.net

1. Forward an existing email or create a new email. Fill out the Subject with the subject you want to use for the DocuSign envelope, add a message, and attach the document(s) to be signed. Send the email to DocuSign at: drafts@docusign.net.
2. DocuSign takes your email and creates a draft envelope with all the attachments added as the documents for the envelope, the email subject you sent becomes the envelope Subject, and message is added as the envelope message.
3. After creating the draft envelope, DocuSign sends an email to you with a link to the draft envelope.

DocuSign will send you an email with a link to your envelope, where you can then send the document for signature with Freeform signing after you log into your console!

Of course, I’ve also heard of other ways people are using DocuSign on the iPad – what are your favorite hacks to share?

How to Enable and Use Collaboration Tools on DocuSign’s Electronic Signature Platform

You can enable and use collaboration tools to make changes and additions to the document through DocuSign, while managing all signers’ approval initials for the changes. This feature also allows you to maintain a secure audit trial of the changes.

DocuSign provides two methods of online collaboration to make changes to a document: document markup and field markup. The document markup feature lets recipients use a markup tool to white out document text, edit text and add new text over it, or just to add new text in a blank section of a document. The field markup feature lets a sender enable certain fields so the content can be edited by recipients. All changes to a document must be initialed by the person making the changes and approved by all other recipients. Recipients who signed the document before the changes were made are given an opportunity to review and approve the changes before any document is finalized.

The collaboration tools allow documents to be edited through DocuSign, while managing approval initials from all signers for the changes and maintaining a secure audit trail of the changes. Document markup is enabled for the whole document while field markup is only enabled for secure fields. Enable document markup after adding documents and recipients as you normally would.

In the message window, select “allow signers to edit documents”. This allows all recipients to access the markup tool.

To enable field markup, open the properties dialogue box for the appropriate secure field and select the “allow all to edit”. By default, “require initial” is selected when the field is enabled for markup. This requires the signers that have already completed signing to review any changes to the field and initial the changes to complete the envelope.  For any signers who have already completed signing, you can clear the “require initial” checkbox, as they do not have to review and initial any changes.

Making Changes Using DocuSign’s Collaboration Tools

Finish sending your document and when the recipient gets the document they can make changes using the active tools.

For field markup changes, when a change is made through a field made for editing, a small tab appears adjacent to the field and an initial tab appears in the margin of the page.

For document markup changes, the recipient clicks markup document to activate the markup tool. The recipient confirms they want to make a change and the markup tool appears on the left side of the document. To add a change, drag the mark box onto the document and drop it where you want to cover or add text. Use your cursor to resize the mark up box as needed.

Add the change and initial the margin. When the document is completed, the signing request is sent via email to the next recipient. An email is also sent to the recipients that previously completed the document. All of these recipients have a chance to review the document and make their own changes. These changes and counter changes can go back and forth until all recipients agree to the changes or someone declines to sign the document. All the changes are recorded in the document history.

Take a look at the video below, which will take you through a step-by-step of using these electronic signature collaboration tools. What features would you like to see highlighted in Feature Friday?

Electronic Signatures in Real Estate: Doing Real Estate Deals Anywhere, With Mobile
Inman News: DocuSign beefs up mobile capabilities: Users can digitize documents with iPhone camera

…The latest version of DocuSign’s electronic signature management platform offers the ability to markup documents during negotiations, and also includes “designed for mobile” functionality for Apple’s iPhone and iPad and Android mobile devices, the company said today.

DocuSign for iPhone and iPad allows users to access documents from Google Docs, Box.net, and other cloud-based services. Apple iPhone users can digitize paper documents by snapping pictures of them with their phone, allowing them to add “sign here” tabs and collect electronic signatures from their clients.

“E-mail to signature” capabilities allow users to forward documents they receive as e-mail attachments to an e-mail address for conversion into DocuSign “electronic envelopes” that can be signed from anywhere in the world….

Florida Realtor: How To Go Paperless

…”With the introduction of digital signatures, you can now sit at your desk and send out contracts for signature anywhere in the world,” [Kevin] Gallagher notes that with digital signatures – he uses DocuSign – you don’t have to “print documents, make arrangements to meet clients, obtain signatures and forward the documents to the buyer or seller. …

Close it in the Cloud: Electronic Signatures Enables You To Close Deals Entirely in the Cloud
Cloud Computing Journal: DocuSign and Salesforce.com Create Cloud Transactions for Customers

…“Our work with DocuSign is moving the last mile of business transactions, contract signatures, to Cloud 2,” said Kendall Collins, chief marketing officer, salesforce.com. “Bringing together Salesforce CRM and Salesforce Chatter with DocuSign’s e-signature technology will deliver real-time collaboration around contract workflow processes, helping customers close deals entirely in the cloud.”

As demonstrated last week at Cloudforce 2010 in San Jose by salesforce.com’s Marc Benioff and DocuSign’s Tom Gonser, the DocuSign eSignature service offers users the ability to leverage data within Salesforce CRM and is enabled with Salesforce Chatter for real-time visibility and updates. Users can follow others and follow deals as the information is pushed in real-time. Whether it is a contract, acknowledgement or approval requiring one or more signatures, virtually everyone within an organization needs to get a document signed. With DocuSign being Salesforce Chatter-enabled, employees across the entire organization can collaborate during the e-signing process, delivering cost and workflow efficiencies. …

Cloud Computing.Info: DocuSign partners with Salesforce and Box.net

…The whole process is completely web-based, and customers can access the DocuSign platform for document and signatures management through a PC, a tablet or a smartphone.

Last week the company announced an OEM partnership with Salesforce, to integrate the eSignature technology in CRM and the new Chatter service.
The integration with DocuSign will be also available for those customers that will create custom applications on the Salesforce Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) cloud: Force.com

Also last week DocuSign secured a similar partnership with Box.net, a popular storage-as-a-service cloud computing provider in the consumer market.
Box.net goes beyond file sharing and synchronization, offering project collaboration and workflow management for business customers. Box.net customers can now sign all their documents through the eSignature process. …

Electronic Signature: A Technology Trend
VentureBeat: DocuSign adds more tools to make printed contracts obsolete

…Seattle-based DocuSign today announced of the latest update to its electronic signature tools. The big vision, according to founder and chief strategy officer Tom Gonser, is to treat electronic signatures as a platform (yes, tech companies love that word) rather than “just a single e-sign product.”

In other words, DocuSign wants to do more than provide the technology to replace handwritten signatures with electronic ones. Today, for example, it’s revealing new collaborative features. Previously, DocuSign users would send out a document for signature, and the recipient could either sign it or refuse. That doesn’t reflect what is often a more complicated process filled with last-minute changes, and it creates a risk where, in Gonser’s words, customers will say, “Let’s put on the brakes, let’s print it out,” and therefore “fall out of the electronic process.” …

ZDNet: DocuSign launches new tools to entice greater e-signature adoption

…If you’ve ever had to sign your life away to buy or sell a house, take out a loan or finalize a sales agreement, you know what a tedious process it can be to actually sit and sign your name over and over and over again.

What makes it really unfortunate is that there is a better way. And it’s been around for exactly 10 years. It was on June 30, 2000 that then-President Bill Clinton signed the Electronic Signatures in Global National Commerce (ESIGN) Act.

To commemorate the occasion, Docusign, a provider of an e-signature platform, is releasing of Docusign Spring 10, a major upgrade to its service. It’s adding things like voice biometrics as another method of identity confirmation and Agent role, a tool that allows a real estate agent, for example, to manage and review documents for a client and then submit them. …

PC Magazine: DocuSign Releases Updated Version of E-Signature Software

…DocuSign announced the new software as part of its ESIGN customer summit here. The company asked President Bill Clinton to speak about his work with electronic signatures in conjunction with his foundation’s charity work, while Salesforce.com also announced that it had made a strategic investment into DocuSign alongside an existing investment by the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

We’ve come a long way from my parents’ generation, where a fax would have been welcome technology for them, said Gary Thomas, the 2011 vice-president elect of the NAR. …

While sun and sailing are hot this summer, so are eSignatures – you can sign with the fast, complete and trusted electronic signature platform provider.

Last week, CBS produced a news segment as part of the 50th anniversary of the copy machine (Happy Anniversary, Copier!) and discussed the security risks of using a copy machine. The hard drives of digital copiers built since 2002 contains a hard drive that stores an image of every document that has been scanned, copied, printed or faxed by the machine, including any sensitive data contained on the documents.

What if you didn’t need to fax, copy, scan documents? What if you could get documents to the right people in a fast, complete and trusted way? With DocuSign, the leading electronic signature platform, you CAN get your documents to those who need them without faxing, copying and scanning! Senders upload the documents to DocuSign’s secure platform in the cloud, where authenticated signers are invited to come view and sign the designated documents. Once the documents are signed, they can then be downloaded – there are never any email attachments!

Sending for eSignature With DocuSign

Signing a Document Using Electronic Signature From DocuSign

Committed to Availability of Our Electronic Signature Platform

We understand the importance of reliability for business critical services as a Software-as-a-Service platform provider. We have a commitment of 99.8% uptime and DocuSign provides electronic signature 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, exclusive of system upgrades and maintenance.

Ready to ditch the copier and try DocuSign? Register for a eSign demo or sign up for a free electronic signature trial today!

We’re excited to announce today that Technology Credit Union has selected electronic signature from DocuSign to securely expedite the establishment of new member accounts and accelerate the loan signing process online. By using DocuSign to securely automate the establishment of new accounts and finalize consumer and real estate loans, Tech CU will increase member satisfaction, streamline workflows and reduce the time to activate member accounts and fund loans.

Michael Luckin, senior vice president of enterprise risk management at Technology Credit Union, said:

Paperless transactions are the future. Using electronic documentation makes our processes more efficient and Tech CU saves money on storage and paper costs. It’s also better for the environment and helps us to meet our green business goals. We chose to partner with DocuSign because they’re a leader in eSignature technology in terms of security, product quality and functionality.

DocuSign offers Technology Credit Union members the ability to open new accounts and complete loan documents online from anywhere, anytime safely and securely. Using a PC, laptop or mobile device, Tech CU members can electronically sign and return documents in minutes—not days, thereby significantly reducing the time, environmental impact and cost of traditional paper-based processing.

Credit unions across the country are quickly adopting the DocuSign eSignature service to streamline processes and to ensure compliance with Regulation Z requirements, more commonly known as “Truth in Lending.” Financial leaders such as BECU, Alliant, Idaho Central, TTCU, Bellco, University of Illinois and hundreds of other credit unions have migrated to DocuSign to enhance compliance and ensure member satisfaction. To learn more about how the DocuSign eSignature service can positively impact credit unions, take a look at information about electronic signature for credit unions.

Steve King, president and CEO of DocuSign, shares his thoughts:

We are pleased to be partnering with this outstanding financial institution. We look forward to continuing our work with Tech CU to reduce costs and accelerate the loan signing process, while continuing to provide superior member satisfaction.

The Inman News review team of the 2010 Inman Innovator Awards recognized DocuSign’s ESIGN iPhone® app in the category of New Technology. The ESIGN iPhone eSignature application provides real estate agents the freedom to send and receive contracts for signature to buyers and sellers conveniently from their Apple® iPhones, anytime from anywhere in the world. Since 1997, the Inman Innovator Awards have recognized companies representing the best in real estate innovation and technology. Winners will be announced during the conference.

Aside from exhibiting at booth 114 and participating as a Silver sponsor, we’re sponsoring SCVNGR@Real Estate Connect, an online game to support the event. After registering online, attendees can participate in the Real Estate Connect Trek by traveling virtually, engaging in challenges, winning badges and earning points. Conference gamers that complete all twelve challenges are automatically entered to win an Apple iPad.

What: Real Estate Connect San Francisco

When: July 13-15, 2010

Where: Hilton San Francisco, Union Square

Visit the DocuSign Booth #114

We’re demonstrating our Spring ’10 release of our electronic signature offering, including DocuSign for iPad and DocuSign for iPhone. These two Designed for Mobile offerings provide busy real estate professionals with a fast, complete and trusted method to transact business while on the move. Attendees will learn how DocuSign’s new:

• iPhone feature that allows agents to snap a photo of paper contracts and send for e-signing when an electronic copy of the document is unavailable.
• Collaboration tools can simplify and streamline last minute document changes so buyers and sellers can come to terms faster.
• Agent Role allows senders to specify recipients as “agents” who can then enter client contact information during the e-signature process. This feature lets real estate professionals better manage transactions for their clients.
• Enhanced Designed for Mobile expedites the signing process by affording anywhere, anytime e-signing. DocuSign for iPhone and DocuSign for iPad offer ultimate convenience and control, coupled with maximum mobility.

Attendees participating in a brief demonstration of DocuSign for iPad are automatically entered into a drawing for an Apple iPad at the close of the event.
Media and analysts interested in speaking with DocuSign or interested in viewing a live demonstration of the DocuSign eSignature management service, can email docusign@schwartz-pr.com or call (415) 512-0770.

About the Real Estate Connect Conference

For more than 14 years, Brad Inman, publisher and founder of Inman News, has gathered the best minds in real estate and technology for three informative and inspiring days. The Inman Real Estate Connect SF 2010 unites cutting-edge companies, start-ups, sponsors and speakers focused on the future of technology in real estate. The conference offers over 150 speakers for more than 2,000 attending real estate professionals.

Event Registration

Real estate professionals, media and analysts interested in attending should register at the Real Estate Connect Web site by clicking the link.

Pricing and Availability

Click to find additional DocuSign product information on DocuSign’s real estate Web page.

Wow – we’re excited to announce our selection as a finalist for the Inman Innovator Awards for our ESIGN iPhone App under the category of New Technology!

To get to the next level, we need your vote! This reader’s choice award is open to all, and no subscription is necessary. Please click to vote and share the Inman Innovator Awards with your network as soon as possible. Inman Connect San Francisco is right around the corner, so we’d love your vote now!

We’ll be at Inman Real Estate Connect, so stop by and visit us in booth 114 to discuss electronic signature for real estate and enter to win an iPad!

Mike Pressnall, real estate partner manager, Nader Nasseri, real estate program manager, Sean Jones, account executive, and An Bui, senior manager, social media can discuss with you what DocuSign is doing with electronic signature for real estate and for mobile!

So we are…

Mike Pressnall, Real Estate Partner Manager

Mike is responsible for developing and cultivating relationships in the real estate space. Mike’s deep background in real estate means that he can understand how to help you take your business to that next level.

Nader Nasseri, Real Estate Programs Manager
Nader Nasseri manages DocuSign’s real estate marketing programs, providing special programs and offers, such as the referral program, testimonials and monthly newsletter, to the real estate community.

The monthly newsletter includes Tips & Tricks and success stories. Nader also provides “Did you know?” and Virtual Classroom emails to the real estate community.

Sean Jones, Account Executive
Sean Jones specializes in helping real estate brokerages and their clients transact quicker and easier with DocuSign’s electronic signatures. Hundreds of real estate offices work with Sean on seamlessly integrating DocuSign into their current form creation and contract management systems, while eliminating the costly and time consuming process of signing documents on paper.

Sean is excited about the new wave of technology that is shaping the way real estate is bought and sold and looks forward to speaking with you about how DocuSign will be an essential part of your brokerage’s technology arsenal.

An Bui, DocuSign Social Media and ESIGN Evangelist
An listens to the online conversations and provides information that real estate professionals are looking for.

In addition to writing and moderating the DocuSign blog, An also tweets from @DocuSign, monitors the DocuSign Facebook page, responds to comments on blog posts about electronic signature, and participates on RealTown, ActiveRain, and Trulia.

DocuSign also hosts electronic signature videos on YouTube, participates on discussions on LinkedIn, posts e-sign whitepapers and other materials on Scribd, and she’ll be at RE Bar Camp to learn more about what’s important to the real estate community!

Come by the DocuSign Inman Real Estate Connect booth #114, to meet Mike Pressnall, Nader Nasseri, Sean Jones and An Bui to discuss electronic signature, real estate, and the DocuSign REALTOR® Edition as the official and exclusive ESIGN provider under the REALTOR Benefits® program. We’re also participating in SCVNGR, the Real Estate Connect Mobile Challenge at Inman, so you should definitely stop by!

We’re looking forward to seeing you in San Francisco!

PS – If you haven’t voted for the Inman Innovator Awards, please take a minute to cast your vote for DocuSign’s ESIGNControl iPhone app. Thanks!

Ten years ago, President Bill Clinton signed the ESIGN Act, establishing the validity of electronic signatures for interstate and international commerce. Last week, we celebrated the 10th Anniversary of ESIGN, hosting the 2010 ESIGN Summit in San Francisco. The 2010 ESIGN Summit turned out to be the largest eSignature event in history – later that day, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution to designate June 30th “National ESIGN Day.”

The next day, the House of Representatives passed the resolution, designating June 30th “National ESIGN Day.”

To commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the ESIGN Act and National ESIGN Day, we’ve set a goal of collecting 1,000,000 electronic signatures – we need your help to reach this goal.

Click to eSign the “ESIGN Support Pledge.” You’ll be able to download the document after signing to share via scribd or slideshare – be a part of this historical event and ESIGN today!

As of today, the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives both passed resolutions at the request of DocuSign® and industry leaders designating June 30 – the date of the historic 10th anniversary of the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act (ESIGN) – as “National ESIGN Day.” The resolutions were the result of an effort spearheaded by us, as the leading provider of the most trusted cloud computing electronic signature platform, as a means to acknowledge the vital role of e-signatures in the development and continued growth of interstate and foreign commerce, and commemorate the ESIGN Act, which was signed by President Bill Clinton on June 30, 2000.

Led by U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) with support from U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) in the Senate and by U.S. Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA) in the House, the resolutions recognize the previous contribution made by the Congress to the adoption of modern solutions that keep our nation on the leading technological edge, and reaffirms the Congress’s commitment to facilitating interstate and foreign commerce in an increasingly digital world and encouraging more efficient and environmentally-conscious business practices.

In support of the measure, McDermott stated,

ESIGN has greatly improved the ability of companies in my district to be more effective and competitive in the global marketplace. I would especially like to acknowledge Seattle-based electronic signature platform provider, DocuSign, for being a leader in the electronic signatures and records industry, and for helping spearhead the coalition to recognize June 30 as National ESIGN Day. DocuSign recognizes that the benefits of e-commerce extend beyond the dollar values that are placed on business activity; with over 30,000 current customers, and having served over 4.5 million people to date, DocuSign provides its customers with confidence in the integrity and credibility of emerging electronic capabilities. They have been a leader in removing obstacles and barriers to business transactions online, allowing their customers to work faster, more reliably, and more securely.

In honor of the 10th Anniversary of ESIGN, DocuSign hosted the 2010 ESIGN Summit in San Francisco on June 30, 2010, with a live keynote address by President Bill Clinton (via satellite) and presentations from industry visionaries from salesforce.com, the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), Box.net and DocuSign.

Ken Moyle, chief legal officer at DocuSign, commented:

Electronic signatures have created boundless opportunities to transact business in more efficient and environmentally friendly ways, and we appreciate that the United States Senate has renewed its support for the advancement of e-commerce. DocuSign supported this resolution to celebrate the advancements that have been made in the past 10 years, and more importantly, to encourage even more rapid adoption of electronic signatures in order to eliminate the time, expense and environmental impact of printing and signing paper documents.

Video of Representative McDermott’s Remarks