Electronic Signatures

[susans]

Does your office use electronic signatures?  If you do, how often and if you don't, do you think you will in the future?  What are your thoughts on electronic signatures?

[gee4]

No is the short answer.  My company is a little behind the times as regards some of their processes and procedures.

I think this technology works well if it is used regularly.  My take on this is that some companies don't invest in technology if its not required.

[peaches2160]

Yes.  We use electronic signatures and it is great!  Saves a ton of time waiting on approvals when the team is traveling.  Approve the document on line and it is done.  Our benefit enrollment is now handled that way as well.

[gee4]

Peaches do you have approval to use the signature in absence of others as you mentioned?

How do you decide when something can be approved, or when it actually needs to be personally read/approved by a Manager/CEO?

[JessW]

Always, if I am sending things out for other people, however I do not have the full service which means I end up putting at the top of emails "sent for and on behalf of so-and-so", then add my signature with the relevant "secretary to whomever".  

Well, half is better than none I suppose.

Jess

[peaches2160]

We have an approval matrix, usually chain of command.  Depending on the item to be approved, approval authority can be delegated to another.  Example, travel requested within the 14 day window.  We must book travel 14 + days prior to the trip.  However, sometimes this is not always possible.  Therefore, my boss has given me authority to approve travel that comes to his inbox for approval.  In toher cases, we use an online reco system,  The approvers required are entered into the system and routed automaticaly.  Once the final has approved, (from wherever they are if they have access to e-mail) the initiater receives notification of the approved once final.

[gee4]

Sounds like a similar system in the company I worked for 2 jobs ago.  Currently it's all manual and paperwork.

[peaches2160]

What used to take 3 - 4 days of routing around for signatures takes as little as 3 hours.  It is great.

[bristolmary]

We do and it's set up that if we email internally the first time only  it will just give our name, job title and phone numbers. If we email externally,the first time only it gives name, job title, our company name, and contact details - phone, fax and address. If we reply to an email the first time only it will give all the above but any further replies don't get our signature added.

I think it's great as I hate having to trawl through emails forwarded to me as the CEOs PA  to find most of the rubbish is email signatures.

[rose.winter1980]

The company I am working for at the moment uses electronic signatures for certain things.  The use of these signatures is strictly on an authorized-to-use basis.  I certainly use them all the time where appropriate.  

Winter Rose

Laugh long, sing loud and dance when you get the chance