Many of today's companies are not aware of the great advantages that digital signatures offer over handwritten ones. When organizations begin their digital transformation process , there are many documents, such as invoices and contracts , that go digital . The ideal in these cases is to be able to sign them with a digital signature. Otherwise, you have to generate a paper document, print it, sign it by hand and finally store it.
The first article to
keep in mind is that electronic and digital signatures are not the same. The
electronic signature is a allowed concept that refers to the identification of
a handwritten signature and is used on different electronic media. This is the
signature we make when we sign with an electronic pencil, verifying the act and
recording the date and time.
Meanwhile, the digital signature is one that is added to the
end of a document or text to prove its validity . It certifies that it has not
been tampered with and identifies the person who performs it. There are
different types of digital signature. The most basic is one that simply
confirms the authenticity of the document by identifying the issuer. Meanwhile,
the advanced also guarantees that the text has not been modified in any way by
third parties.
The main difference amongst both types of signatures is that the digital one is validated and certified , so that it has legal validity. In contrast, an electronic form does not have to be legally valid.
What are the
advantages of the digital signature?
The implementation of the electronic signature in the
business field has been taking place for some years, and everything indicates
that it will be this 2021 when it will finish settling, especially in small and
medium-sized companies. It is an innovative solution that offers a large
selection of benefits that translate into a better customer experience .
One of the main advantages of digitizing the signature is
that security increases considerably. Unlike what happens with paper documents,
those that have an electronic signature cannot be manipulated or altered. The
protection systems that exist today are very reliable and effective, and are
available to all organizations, including SMEs. In the age of information,
confidentiality is key .
Increasing security may seem to lead to higher costs at the
operational level. But in reality, the implementation of an electronic
signature solution in a company means a cost saving by substituting paper for
the digital medium.
In a market where everything changes at breakneck speed,
agility and flexibility are two very important aspects. Thanks to the digital
signature, companies can respond more quickly to processes and information
flows . Both the signing and the management of documents are automated.
Caring for and respecting the environment is everyone's job,
so one of the most outstanding advantages of digitizing the signature is to
reduce the impact on the natural environment that the use of paper has.
Although it is true that today many organizations use recycled paper, it is
best to avoid its consumption.
All these advantages translate into an improvement in the
customer experience. Marketing of the 21st century is not based solely on
making a sale, but on creating a long-term relationship of trust with consumers
. In some sectors such as banking or insurance, giving them the opportunity to
do everything digitally gives them great security and comfort.