Electronic Signature and Digital Agreements

Analysis: Electronic Signature and Digital Agreements

Adobe Acrobat Sign (formerly EchoSign) for Salesforce

SOLUTION AT A GLANCE:

  1. Salesforce Integration: Provides a comprehensive 'Developer Guide' to assist Salesforce developers in integrating the service with Salesforce packages. This includes topics such as Apex services, API services, template batch, and REST services.

  2. Artificial Intelligence: Currently does not prominently feature artificial intelligence capabilities within its e-signature services.​

  3. Customizations: The platform offers extensive customization options to tailor the document signature process within Salesforce. Administrators can configure settings related to agreement recipients, updates, environment, toolbar, merge mappings, Chatter integration, and lead conversion.

  4. Use Case: It is utilized across various industries for purposes such as sales contracts, employee onboarding, and service agreements. Its integration with Salesforce allows for automated workflows, enabling users to create, send, sign, track, and file agreements quickly and securely.

  5. Reviews: Adobe Acrobat Sign offers a user-friendly process for uploading PDFs, assigning signature fields, and managing internal approvals, with features like reminders and expirations to track pending signatures. However, some users report backend errors, disappearing form data, accessibility issues, document upload problems, and slow customer support.

OVERVIEW:

  • This enterprise solution is a cloud-based electronic signature service developed by Adobe Inc. It enables users to send, sign, track, and manage signature processes using a browser or mobile device, and is integrated within the Adobe Document Cloud suite of services. Adobe Acrobat Sign is a comprehensive e-signature solution that integrates seamlessly with various platforms, offering robust document management and workflow automation capabilities as well. While it is a strong contender in the e-signature market, potential users may want to compare its features and usability with other solutions to determine the best fit for their needs. Among many other offerings, Adobe also has Experience Manager - which would fall under the workflow automation category analysis, but we have prioritized the Electronic Signature category for the purposes of this overview because they are a leader in the eSignature space (as Adobe EchoSign has evolved into Adobe Acrobat Sign).

Adobe offers integrations with services like Dropbox, Salesforce, Workday, Box, and Microsoft OneDrive, enhancing its versatility within various business ecosystems. Adobe Acrobat Sign is recognized as a leading e-signature solution, offering features like document management and real-time notifications. The key capabilities for Electronic Signatures allow users to sign forms with electronic or digital signatures, facilitating paperless transactions, along with Document Management enabling users to create branded forms, track responses, receive email notifications, and send reminders for e-signatures. Additionally, its Workflow Automation solution provides tools to create workflows for gathering signatures from multiple users, streamlining business processes.

Adobe Acrobat Sign is reviewed on every major review platform, and it has thousands of reviews on the Salesforce App Exchange. Adobe Acrobat Sign is recognized as a leading e-signature solution, offering features like document management and real-time notifications. It offers a free 30-day trials for Salesforce.

  • Reference Customers: here Reference customers for Adobe Acrobat Sign include: Tesla, Microsoft, HSBC, GroupOn, and other large enterprise companies. Its integration with major platforms like Salesforce and Microsoft OneDrive indicates a broad user base across various industries.

  • Potential Issues: Some reviews suggest that while it is a robust solution, other platforms may offer better usability and more features. For example, it has been reported that there are intermittent backend errors, form data disappearing, accessibility problems with screen readers, and document upload errors. 

  • Demo: Tutorials library on YouTube here.

  • Pricing: Here Pricing for Salesforce starts at $34/user/month and Adobe Acrobat Sign offers tiered pricing plans for individual users ranging from $12.99 to $19.99 per month. Also it offers a Teams plan that starts at $14.99 per month per license, with higher-tier plans requiring custom quotes.

Docusign for Salesforce

SOLUTION AT A GLANCE:

  1. Salesforce Integration: The DocuSign ‘Developer Center’ provides and in-depth overview of choices related to a no-code solutions within Salesforce or the option to use the Salesforce Apex Toolkit for more customization. Docusign eSignature for Salesforce works with Salesforce workflows to expedite agreement transactions.

  2. Artificial Intelligence: DocuSign incorporates AI through its Intelligent Insights feature, which leverages AI to analyze agreements and extract key terms, aiding in risk assessment and compliance.​

  3. Customizations: The platform offers customizable templates and workflows, allowing businesses to tailor the signing process to their specific needs. However, some users have noted limitations in offline access and a learning curve due to its extensive features. ​

  4. Use Case: DocuSign is utilized across various sectors for purposes such as contract management, approval processes, and compliance documentation. Its integration with platforms like Salesforce enhances its applicability in sales and customer relationship management.​

  5. Reviews: DocuSign feedback is mixed. While many users commend DocuSign for its security and efficiency, some express concerns about customer service responsiveness and pricing. Although some users have reported interface limitations, ​DocuSign is generally praised for its user-friendly interface and users appreciate the ease of electronically signing documents and tracking their progress.

OVERVIEW:

  • This enterprise solution specializes in electronic signature and digital transaction management services. Founded in 2003, the company operates across 15 locations worldwide. As of December 2024, DocuSign employs approximately 6,705 individuals and serves over 1.5 million customers in 180 countries. DocuSign is a well-established company, particularly known for its electronic signature solutions but it also offers Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) solutions – Its Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) business is a significant part of its overall growth and expansion. However, we have included them in the eSignature category for the purposes of this article as their primary category.

DocuSign stands as a prominent figure in the digital transaction management industry, offering a comprehensive suite of services that cater to a global clientele. Its consistent financial growth and expansive customer base reflect its commitment to innovation and excellence in the digital age. It’s key capabilities and solutions include Electronic Signatures, with core service which enable users to sign documents electronically, ensuring compliance with regulations such as the U.S. ESIGN Act and the European Union's eIDAS. From Salesforce, users can create and send standard agreements for signature, as well as trigger actions and track status from the Opportunity or Account. Beyond e-signatures, DocuSign offers a suite of digital tools for managing digital transactions, including authentication services, user identity management, and process automation. The company also provides mobile applications, allowing users to manage and sign documents on-the-go, enhancing flexibility and efficiency.

DocuSign is reviewed on every major review platform, and it has thousands of reviews on the Salesforce App Exchange. It has demonstrated strong financial performance in recent years. In the fiscal year ending 2024, the company reported revenues of $2.97 billion. It offers a free 30-day trials for Salesforce.

  • Reference Customers: here DocuSign serves a diverse clientele of over 1.5 Million customers across various industries, including financial services, healthcare, government, real estate, and manufacturing. The company's extensive customer base underscores its versatility and reliability in the digital transaction management sector.

  • Potential Issues: DocuSign does have feedback on Reddit related to the interface having minor formatting limitations, such as the inability to adjust text size or lack of recognition systems for duplicating text or numbers. Also, per Capterra some users find its’ pricing model to be somewhat expensive, noting that it doesn't offer month-to-month payment options, which can be a drawback for small businesses or individuals. Additionally, there have been concerns about poor customer service, with reports of unresponsive or unhelpful support experiences.

  • Demo: Get Started with DocuSign eSignature Video Series here

  • Pricing: Here The starting price for Salesforce is $30/user/month, billed annually, however they offer other packages starting at just $10/user/month on their website for individuals and sole proprietors, going all the way up to enterprise solutions which are custom quoted. DocuSign's services are offered on a subscription basis, with pricing tiers designed to accommodate different business needs, and the company offers various plans tailored to individual, small business, and enterprise requirements.

Dropbox Sign (formerly HelloSign)

SOLUTION AT A GLANCE:

  1. Salesforce Integration: The eSignature solution

OVERVIEW:

  • This App enables

Dropbox acquired HelloSign, an eSignature and document workflow platform, in January 2019 for $230 million, and HelloSign is now known as Dropbox Sign.

PandaDoc for Salesforce

SOLUTION AT A GLANCE:

  1. Salesforce Integration: The PandaDoc ‘Help Center’ provides an overview of how to install and configure PandaDoc in Salesforce Lightning, with steps to connect, configure, and customize integration for Salesforce objects.

  2. Artificial Intelligence: PandaDoc utilizes AI to detect and place signature fields automatically, streamlining the document preparation process.

  3. Customizations: It offers dynamic templates with custom branding and conditional formatting and provides a content library to store layouts and branded assets for efficient document creation.

  4. Use Case: It features a drag-and-drop editor for intuitive document creation. and integrates seamlessly with CRMs like Salesforce, ERPs, payment gateways, and cloud storage services. It is ideal for sales proposals, contracts, agreements, and other business documents requiring eSignatures. and serves industries such as technology, healthcare, finance, and real estate.​

  5. Reviews: PandaDoc users have reported challenges with onboarding and customer support responsiveness., and it has advanced features may require a learning curve for new users. ​Generally positive reviews across platforms like the Salesforce App Exchange, G2 and Gartner.​ Users praise its ease of use, comprehensive feature set, and robust security protocols. ​Althugh there are some concerns about feature limitations and editing capabilities have been noted.

OVERVIEW:

  • PandaDoc is a comprehensive document automation platform specializing in electronic signature (eSignature) solutions. Founded in 2013, the company has grown to employ approximately 700 people globally, and has achieved a significant milestone in 2021, reaching a $1 billion valuation and attaining "unicorn" status.

PandaDoc offers a comprehensive suite of tools designed to streamline document workflows beyond eSignature, including document creation and editing, workflow automation and integrations with Salesforce and other CRMs, ERPs, and payment gateways, as well as cloud storage services for a unified business process. For eSignature, PandaDoc supports secure and legally binding electronic signatures, ensuring compliance with E-SIGN, UETA, HIPAA, and SOC 2 standards. PandaDoc stands out as a leading document automation platform, offering a robust set of features tailored to enhance business workflows. Its commitment to innovation, security, and customer satisfaction has solidified its position in the market, making it a valuable tool for organizations aiming to streamline their document processes.

PandaDoc has been acknowledged for its innovative approach and significant contributions to the SaaS industry, receiving awards in 2017, Aragon Research recognized PandaDoc as a Hot Vendor in Modern Content Management. Additionally, in 2020, the company received the Best Overall SaaS Award from APPEALIE, highlighting its excellence in the software-as-a-service sector. It has a significant number of reviews on the Salesforce App Exchange, which are generally positive with some minor concerns about on boarding and support. It is also rated on G2 and Gartner, and overall reviews are positive. G2 Users bamed PandaDoc #1 in multiple categories, including eSignature. The platform's intuitive design and functionality have contributed to its positive reputation among businesses. PandaDoc offers free trials for Salesforce.

  • Reference Customers: AoL, PepsiCo, Hp, Nomad. Boeing, Bosch and others. PandaDoc serves over 50,000 companies across various industries and it has a diverse clientele which reflects its’ adaptability and effectiveness in meeting different business needs.

  • Potential Issues: Features and Editing were brought up as ‘Cons’ on G2, however users have praised PandaDoc for its ease of use, comprehensive feature set, and robust security protocols.

  • Demo: Youtube channel here.

  • Pricing: Here $19/user/month for the Starter Plan for creating and signing forms and agreements. It includes unlimited document uploads and e-signatures, a rich media drag-and-drop document editor, real-time tracking and notifications, and 24/7 email and chat support. It also offers a Business Plan that’s aimed at larger teams needing CRM integration; this plan costs $49 per user per month for the Business edition when billed annually. It offers advanced features such as custom templates, analytics, and integrations with various CRM systems.

Sign Butler (CloudCrossing)

SOLUTION AT A GLANCE:

  1. Salesforce Integration: The eSignature solution (SIGN Butler) is built natively for Salesforce and there are no external platforms that store your contracts nor contacts. But the Document Generation system itself is stored externally. It is embedded within Salesforce using an iframe, resulting in a UI experience that feels different from the native Salesforce interface. This setup raises the most security concerns, as potentially sensitive data is stored on external servers, making it the least secure option.

  2. Artificial Intelligence: There are no AI-powered features within the eSignature solution, nor the Document Generation solution.

  3. Customizations: SIGN Butler brings an intuitive experience for eSignature. Also, there are dynamic templates with custom branding and conditional formatting; integration with Salesforce Flows for data automation with the Document Generation solution.

  4. Use Case: eSignature and Document Generation for sales, contracts, and agreements. Native to Salesforce CRM, it integrates with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Google Drive for the Document Generation solution.

  5. Reviews: SIGN Butler is only available for Salesforce CRM. Because it is a smaller company with limited brand recognition there are minimal user reviews outside of the Salesforce AppExchange. It is highly rated on Salesforce AppExchange, although there are a limited number of reviews.

OVERVIEW:

  • This App enables Sales, Marketing Ops teams to generate, customize, and send documents for Electronic Signature (via SIGN Butler from CloudCrossing), and as an extension of that, to generate documents (PDF Butler). SIGN Butler is their Salesforce eSignature solution for Quotes, Contract and Agreements - that streamlines your signing process, with an emphasis on security. While the company, PDF Butler is small with around 20 employees, we wanted to feature them because they are based in Europe, thus exceeding the data privacy restrictions of Europe (which are more stringent than in the US). Although they are a smaller company in this space, they make your data security a top priority specifically with their SIGN Butler product, adhering to the highest industry security standards. SIGN Butler has state-of-the-art data encryption technologies. Also, they provide complete transparency with a detailed audit trail of your signer's actions.

    Both of CloudCrossing’s products, PDF Butler and SIGN Butler are only available for Salesforce CRM. The SIGN solution is free-standing as its own product, and with it a PhotoID can be included as an option for signing. And PDF Butler is a complementary solution that creates dynamic templates, with custom branding and conditional formatting for contacts, reports and price lists. Also, CloudCrossing offers other products and solutions for Contracts, Forms and Collaboration.  Using Salesforce Flows, users can pull CRM data into Word, Excel, PowerPoint and generate PDFs. Files can then be integrated into SharePoint or GoogleDrive.

    SIGN Butler has great (but only a handful) of reviews on the Salesforce App Exchange, and it is not discussed and rated a lot across other different ratings platforms. They offer free trials of their App to teams, within Salesforce CRM.

  • Reference Customers: Amnesty International, BMW Group, CAT, GE Healthcare, Sodexo and Vizio. Customer stories (here)

  • Potential Issues: Being a smaller company based in Europe there are a very small number of reviews to consider as compared to the other larger companies in the eSignature space.

  • Demo: Youtube page with all videos here, Use Case studies are on LinkedIn here, PDF Academy here

  • Published Price: here Pricing for SIGN Butler is $17/user/month which equates to $204/user/year, with no minimum users published. The PDF Butler product and SIGN Butler product are priced separately. PDF Butler is $14/user/month, which equates to $1,68 per user/year. Also, gradual or discounted pricing can be provided based on the number of users.