Sign on the dotted line: Telstra invests in digital signature platform for businesses

Telstra has made a strategic investment in eSignature and digital transaction management provider DocuSign.

The San Francisco-based company provides electronic signature technology through its cloud-based platform to facilitate electronic exchanges of contracts and signed documents.

In a statement, Telstra said the simple process involves uploading a document, adding the names and email addresses of the signers, placing tags in the document where the signature, initial and dates are required, and then hitting send – all within a secure online environment.

Telstra will first introduce the platform internally, but says it will offer the technology as a product to Telstra business and enterprise customers later this year.

The telco claims the technology will transform the way organisations of all sizes manage traditional paper-based processes.

“Telstra’s investment in DocuSign demonstrates our commitment to giving customers best-in-class technologies that can help them find new efficiencies, improve productivity, reduce costs and enhance customer service,” said Mark Sherman, Telstra ventures managing director.

“The workforce is becoming increasingly mobile and the combination of Telstra and DocuSign gives businesses the agility to carry out day-to-day tasks quickly and efficiently on-the-go.”

DocuSign chief executive officer Keith Krach said: “Companies have automated processes leading up to and following the actual signature, but many still needlessly rely on pen and paper to transact business. It shouldn’t be this way and it doesn’t have to be this way for Australian businesses.”