Documents can be sent for legally-binding signatures using the DocuSign or EchoSign services, each of which is fully integrated with Pulpstream. Documents can be sent via email, or they can be sent in such a way that the recipient signs the document directly in the application--even if the recipient is not a registered user in the system. (They are given Guest-user access for the duration of the signing step.) It is even possible to send the same documents to multiple recipients, to get signatures from all concerned parties.

 

Note:
Sometimes, you don't really need a legally-binding signature, but you  just need to capture some form of
acknowledgement--for example, to indicate that a package has been received. In such cases, you can use
an Image field to get an acknowledgement signature. 

 

​How it Works

Let's say you have 3 documents that need signatures. You prepare the documents for signing, as described below, upload them to the stream, and configure the process to get signatures, in either a User Task step  or a Send Documents for Signature process step. (It is also possible to store documents to be signed in a data component field, but the more usual practice is to upload them to the stream.)

 

When that process step is reached, Pulpstream sends the documents to the DocuSign or EchoSign service configured in your Company Information settings. The service packages them into a single PDF and gets signatures from the person the were intended for. Once signed, the signing provider returns the documents to Pulpstream. They are then stored in the field identified for the purpose in the process step, and processing continues with the next step in the process flow.

 

Preparing a Document for Signing

​To be processed by the eSign provider, documents need special signature fields that act as placeholders for the locations to sign.

1. For DocuSign, insert the text _pulpSigner1
2. For EchoSign, insert the text {{_es_:signer1:signature}}
3. Make the inserted text white to match the background color, so it is not visible when the document is displayed.
   (To view it when editing the document, select the area with the cursor. The text will be highlighted.)
4. As a general rule, put the signature on a line by itself.
   On the line below that, use underscores to create a "signature line" and,
   below that, indicate who is to do the signing.
   For example:
   
    ...signatureField here...
   _______________________________________
   Employee Signature

Getting Signatures

Use these mechanisms to get the documents signed:

• User Task step
  This procedure uses In-App signing to get document signatures.
  1. In the User Task configuration, go to the Signing tab.
  2. Specify the document(s) to sign and the electronic signing provider.
  3. Choose an email field defined in one of the stream's data components.
     • An email is sent to the specified recipient.
     • When the link in the email is clicked, the recipient is taken to the eSign provider.
     • Once the document is signed, the recipient is taken to the application.
     • That way, they can fill out any forms that are required to complete the task.
     • If they are not already a registered user of the system, they are given Guest-user access to do so.
     • If they are already authorized users, they can take other steps pertaining to the stream record.

• Document Signing step
  This procedure lets you get signatures from multiple recipients, and gives you multiple ways to designate them.
  It also gives the recipient the option of declining to sign--a fact which is then stored in the stream record.
  
  1. In the process definition, add a step to Send Documents for Signing. 
  2. Specify the document(s) to sign and the electronic signing provider.
  3. Send the documents to specific users, to users connected with the record, to specific email addresses, or to addresses stored in email fields.
  4. Specify additional recipients, as needed, to get multiple signatures on the same document.
  5. Recipients click the link in the email to go to the eSign provider and sign the documents.
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