Contract360 Workflow

Workflow

18min

Introduction

Let’s take an example of building a complete digital journey for opening a bank account. To create a complete digital process for opening a bank account, your mobile/web application will guide the customer through several steps/pages/screens. These include verifying their identity and address, providing basic and employment details, declaring FATCA information, performing a liveness check and face match, and collecting nomination details.

Once the application gathers all the required data from the customer, it will populate a predefined bank account opening form specifically tailored for each customer. This form, known as the "contract/agreement," will be generated. Subsequently, the customer will be guided through a digital signing process to obtain their digital signature on the bank account opening form (contract/agreement).

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To incorporate the digital signing journey into your mobile/web application using Signzy services, follow the steps outlined below.

Step 1: PDF Document Creation

The purpose of this step is to generate a contract or agreement for digital signing by utilizing a pre-designed template and incorporating customer-specific details. To create a contract/agreement PDF for digital signing, there are 2 options:

Using Signzy’s Template Engine

Here is a step-by-step process to use Signzy’s template engine to create a contract/agreement PDF for digital signing.

  • Upload a template: Upload a premade template in the 3 supported template formats (HTML, DOCX, Editable PDF). For example, a template of current account opening form or a demat account opening form. Here is a sample editable PDF - https://persist.signzy.tech/api/files/570712949/download/1348caafc56444acba86a65b3ac73533540ce5bc95d3479cb9a66fd4831c7e2a.pdf.
  • Gather customer data: Collect specific information for each customer, such as their name, date of birth, gender, photo, etc.
  • Prepare for signing: The final PDF will serve as a contract or agreement. It needs to be digitally signed. The Create Contract API will give you an ouptut PDF file which would be sent to the signers over the email to start the signing process.

By following these steps, you can upload a template, gather customer data, merge the data with the template, and create a final PDF document that can be digitally signed.

Create your own PDF document

Here is a step-by-step process to create your own contract/agreement PDF document for digital signing.

  • Create your own document: Create your own contract or agreement in a PDF format or PDFBase64.
  • Provide the final PDF: Give the final PDF, which will serve as the contract or agreement to digitally sign.

In short, you can design your own contract PDF, request digital signatures from the customer, and provide them with the final PDF to sign digitally.

Step 2: eStamping (Optional)

eStamping is applicable only in India.

eStamping is a digital alternative to traditional paper-based stamping. It validates legal and financial documents electronically by using virtual stamps or seals instead of physical ones. eStamping saves time, reduces costs, and enhances document security by eliminating the need for physical stamps. We provide eStamping services for a large number of states of India. We provide 2 ways of doing eStamping.

Stamping

In eStamping, we obtain the stamp papers from authorized vendors. Prior to procuring the stamp papers, it is necessary to determine the quantity, denomination, and state of the stamp papers. In this scenario, only the acquired stamp papers can be utilized, and the denomination cannot be altered during the process.

Franking

The eGRAS (Government Receipt Accounting System)/Franking is an online platform that allows users to make payments to the government for various services, including the purchase of stamp papers. Upon completing the payment, a challan is generated, serving as evidence of payment for the stamp papers. Subsequently, any amount from the challan can be used from a virtual wallet, enhancing the convenience of acquiring and utilizing stamp papers.

Step 3: Types Of Signatures

In our digital journey, we provide support for five distinct types of signatures:

Clickwrap Signature

The clickwrap signature method simplifies the acquisition of digital signatures for agreements or contracts. This process involves displaying the terms and conditions of the agreement on a website or application and prompting users to indicate their acceptance by clicking an "Agree" or "Accept" button. This widely used method is efficient and legally binding, enabling smooth and secure electronic signing.

Secure Clickwrap Signature

The secure clickwrap signature method enhances the clickwrap process by integrating mobile or email OTP (One-Time Password) authentication. Users not only need to click the "Agree" button but also authenticate themselves using a One-Time Password sent to their mobile or email. This dual-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to verify the signer's identity and bolster the credibility of the digital signature.

Easy eSign

Easy eSign involves using digital versions of physical signatures for electronic agreements. There are three ways to use easy eSign:

  1. Draw Your Signature:
    Users can use their finger to create a digital version of their handwritten signature on a mobile or web screen.
  2. Auto-Generated Signature:
    The system generates various signature options using the user's name, allowing them to select one to sign the document.
  3. Upload Your Signature:
    Users sign their name on paper with an ink pen, capture an image of the signature, and upload it to digitally sign documents.

Aadhaar eSign

Aadhaar eSign is a digital signature service provided by the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI). This service enables individuals in India to digitally sign documents using their Aadhaar credentials. Aadhaar eSign employs biometric and demographic information from the Aadhaar database to authenticate the signer's identity, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of digitally signed documents. Two methods are available for Aadhaar eSign:

  1. OTP-Based e-Sign:
    Individuals provide their Aadhaar number and registered mobile number, receiving a unique OTP on their mobile for verification.
  2. Biometric-Based e-Sign:
    Biometric data, such as fingerprints, face, or iris scans, is used to confirm the signer's identity.

It's important to note that the first three methods are non-DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) based, while the last method (Aadhaar eSign) is DSC based. Non-DSC based signatures can be combined with DSC based signatures within the workflow. These signature methods offer versatile options to cater to different signing preferences and security requirements.

Step 4: Sequential & Parallel Signing

In the realm of obtaining multiple signatures, two distinct approaches are employed: Sequential Signing and Parallel Signing. These methods differ in their execution, accommodating various signing requirements.

Sequential Signing

Sequential signing entails the acquisition of signatures in a specific order, following a step-by-step progression. The process begins with the presentation of the document to the first signer, who signs it before passing it along to the subsequent signer. This sequence continues until all required signatures are obtained. Signers receive the document in the order their contact details were entered, and when the final signer completes their signature, an email is dispatched to all parties containing the signed PDFs.

Parallel Signing

Parallel signing facilitates the simultaneous signing of a document by multiple signers. Each participant can independently review and sign the document without waiting for others to complete their signatures. This approach is particularly advantageous when time constraints exist, and signers do not need to review each other's inputs. All signers receive the document concurrently and are free to sign in any order. Upon the conclusion of the final signer's process, an email is dispatched to all involved parties with the signed PDFs attached.

Additionally, in a parallel e-Sign workflow, signers can be designated as optional or mandatory. An optional signer can be defined by setting "isOptional" to true. If not specified or set to false, signers are mandatory by default. Once all mandatory signers have signed the document, the contract is considered executed, regardless of the optional signers' signatures. Optional signers have the flexibility to sign the contract before all mandatory signers.

By default, the workflow is set to sequential signing.

Step 5: Displaying Agreement Documents To Signers

Two approaches exist for digitally presenting or sending agreement documents to all signatories in the digital signing workflow:

Load On The Fly

The "load on the fly" workflow displays the agreement document to signers through the mobile or web apps of the parent integrator. Signers access the preview and signing process by using the mobile/web apps of the parent aggregator.

Send Via Email/SMS/WhatsApp

In this workflow, the agreement document link is shared with signatories via communication channels like email, SMS, and WhatsApp. The message contains the document signing URL along with a clickable button. By clicking the link, signers can initiate the signing process on either mobile or web platforms based on their preference. The process is designed to be adaptable and responsive for both mobile and web environments.

Step 6 - Audit Trail Certificate Generation

After all signers have finalized the agreement, generating an audit trail certificate becomes a pivotal step. This certificate comprehensively records the complete signing process, encompassing vital particulars and actions taken. Its purpose is to provide substantial evidence of the agreement's integrity, ensuring transparency, responsibility, and compliance with legal commitments. Signzy's DSC digitally signs the audit trail certificate, affirming its credibility and accountability.

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