We are looking for signature software for our scientific research organization that supports electronic signatures (at least advanced electronic signatures) using biometric methods with a workflow.
We have the following requirements for the solution:
- Authorized signers or assistants upload documents (PDFs) to a web platform and assign signature fields to one or more people; “signers” receive the information and sign electronically, and the document is forwarded to the next signer
- The signing process should enable company executives and other key personnel on business trips (external access to the corporate network via VPN) to generate legally compliant document signatures, thereby accelerating the workflow
- Signed documents are securely stored on the company’s own server; signatures are encrypted within the PDF and cannot be extracted retroactively
- The process must be legally secure enough to allow for legal opinions in case of external doubts regarding the signatures; at a minimum, the requirements for an advanced electronic signature must be met
- Workflow management (workflow control)
- The entire software must be web-based and function without requiring installation on the signer’s device
- Support for common, well-known web browsers
- Signers should be able to sign on an iPad (iOS) using an Apple Pencil, and if necessary, also on a client (MS Windows) with a touchscreen
- Certificates, documents, and signatures must be stored only on the company’s own server - no cloud, no external servers
- Optional support services during implementation are desired
Plans call for 5–20 authorized signers at software workstations and approximately 5 workstations that control the workflow.