Catégorie : Digital Signature

From now on it is possible for professionals to have different documents signed in electronic form. Although this procedure may seem simple, the signature in question must first be valid. In which case can a digital signature be defined as valid?

The principle of the digital signature

The digital signature or electronic signature is a technical process used by individuals to give their approval and consent through their signature on various digital documents. Although an electronic signature is often perceived as an image, it is an important digital tool that must comply with standards set by European authorities. Having documents signed in digital form can be very advantageous for professionals. It is a time-saver that allows approval to be given in the form of an electronic signature, whatever its field and use. Secondly, there is no longer any need to make copies of documents for verification, as the documents in question will be available on different types of media. Various criteria must be met for a digital signature to be valid. Firstly, the person signing must be identified, then the integrity of the document must be guaranteed and proof of the signatory’s consent must be provided.

How digital signature software works

An electronic signature must first and foremost go through processing software that will be used to put the contacts and documents on which the professionals will give their consent in order. The software will make it possible to guarantee the integrity of the document and will provide evidence that will stipulate the date of its creation as well as the date of the signature. Obtaining the services of a software program is also a guarantee of document protection and compliance with security standards. It should be noted that digital signature software will host data on signatories, documents and their contacts and provide secure access to users.

When is a digital signature valid?

Agreements signed on paper and the associated signatures often lead to back and forth and some processing delays and can generate a considerable amount of paperwork. The secure digital signature makes it possible to harmonise and simplify all of these flows. It is used to validate agreements online using frequently used digital formats such as PDF documents. A digital signature is valid if it complies with the security standards defined by the European authorities.

From now on, you no longer have to print out your Word documents because you can sign them digitally. This saves you time and paper. We have noticed that contracts and business agreements are often made by e-mail, so this Word digital signature remains very practical and economical. But as it is a very recent concept, many people are a little hesitant to use it for fear that it will not have the same legal value as a handwritten signature. This belief is entirely false because an electronic document has the same legal status as a paper document. However, for your digital signature to be valid, a few criteria must be met.

Have an electronic signature certificate

An electronic signature certificate remains the essential element to have a word digital signature. Indeed, it is a reference of your signature allowing you to make your documents official. It, therefore, confirms your identity. This is why you must obtain it. To do this, you must call on companies called « trusted third parties » who issue this electronic signature certificate. But before choosing one, make sure that it has obtained certifications recognized in France or Europe. For more information on these trusted third parties, go to yousign.com/.

Choose the right electronic signature software

On the internet, several electronic signature software packages are available. We, therefore, recommend that you find well-secured electronic signature software. This not only allows you to keep your data confidential, but also prevents identity theft. This software must be updated to comply with the decrees and regulations in force. Also, choose software that is compatible with your devices, as this will help you avoid a lot of problems. Once the software is installed, simply follow the instructions.

Choose the PDF/A format

You can digitally sign all types of files. However, Excel calculation files or word processing documents containing macros can be edited automatically. In this case, the signature is invalid. In this case, we advise you to use the PDF/A format, which not only stabilizes the document but also allows for multiple electronic signatures. And since the word digital signature requires the identity of the signatory, it requires several documents as identity papers, Kbis extract from the company, and the agreement of the company director for signature.

How to make a signature on Adobe Reader?

Converting a file to PDF is a task that anyone can do offline. however, being able to sign it and then share it is no easy task when you don’t know all the options of Adobe Reader. How do you proceed to put your signature on an Adobe Reader document? Here’s an overview of the question.

General offline steps

To be able to sign a document without printing it, when you open your PDF in Adobe Reader, there is an option in the toolbar called « fill and sign ». Otherwise, you have to click on « File » and then go to « add text or signature ». To digitally sign a PDF document, simply click on the « Applying a signature » pane.

There you have three choices. You can choose to :

• Upload an image of your signature. To do this, simply go to « Browse » and select the JPG, BMP, TIFF, PNG, GIF, or PDF file with your handwritten signature on it and upload it by clicking on « Accept ». Normally, Adobe Reader only takes into account the signature and not the other writings next to the image.
• Draw your signature in the pre-established field: the words « draw your signature » must appear on your screen. With the help of a stylus, the drawing can be easier to do via your touchpad.
• Click on « Enter your name » and « Change signature style » to change the font to match your signature style.

Securing your digital signature

In order to request a digital signature from a manager, supplier, or any other person via their computer, smartphone, or tablet, it is now possible to send the document to be signed using a simple password and to reissue the document to the recipient once digitally signed. This avoids a lengthy process. This is done online, so you need to be logged in to sign.

Use of the digital signature

By using YouSign, which is an example of a secure interface specifically dedicated to online signatures, it saves time in terms of administrative procedures. For better security of your documents, a password is required when registering a digital signature online. This procedure is there to dissuade hackers from appropriating your digital signature.

A digital signature is a paper-saving and time-saving process. Since the entry into force of regulation n°2000-230 of 13 March 2000, it can have an authentic value. This law confirms the legal value of the digital signature. The latter can bind the author’s consent in the same way as a manual signature.

Characteristics of the digital signature

The digital signature refers to a mechanism that guarantees the integrity of a dematerialized document and authenticates the signatory, by analogy with the manual signature on physical paper. Indeed, subject to the use of a valid identification process that guarantees its link with the document to which it is attached, it constitutes literal and authentic proof in the same way as a handwritten signature under Article 1316-4 of the Civil Code. However, the legal value of a digital signature is valid when a digital signature certificate guarantees the identity of the signatory. In electronic communications, it is a solution to identity theft and falsification. It constitutes an additional element demonstrating the informed consent of the author. The electronic signature is the digital equivalent of the handwritten signature. For more information, click on yousign.com.

Criteria determining the legal value of the digital signature

Some criteria must be met for a digital signature to have legal value according to the European eIDAS regulation. Firstly, the signatory must use the digital certificate to authenticate his identity. He must not challenge his signature as it cannot be revoked. This mechanism must be certified as compliant.  It must meet high-security standards. Signed dematerialized paper cannot be altered. It cannot be altered. Its total integrity must be respected. The author must comply with the obligation to ensure that signed digital papers are kept in a secure digital safe for ten years.

How can the reliability of a digital signature be demonstrated?

The digital signature must be admissible in a court of law. However, depending on the technical process used, it is important to differentiate the reliability of the digital signature. The author of the signature must demonstrate that the signing process is reliable as far as the simple signature is concerned. The signature may benefit from the presumption of legality and reliability for an advanced signature made by a digital certification service provider. However, the advanced digital signature must meet certain criteria. For the qualified signature, until proof to the contrary is demonstrated, it is presumed to be reliable in law.

Satellite television offers many advantages over traditional television. Thanks to this technology, users can watch all kinds of programs from other countries. Nowadays, it is easier to access satellite TV from home. All you need to do is get in touch with a provider.

What is satellite television?

Satellite television is a real innovation for broadcast media. This technology allows a television channel o considerably increase its audience. Indeed, satellite television allows its users to view programs from other countries and they are no longer obliged to limit themselves to local channels.

For television channels, satellite broadcasting is a real godsend. It is an effective means of maintaining a more or less large number of viewers. Indeed, many people consider television to be largely outdated. Nowadays, the Internet is gradually taking over the task of disseminating information to the general public. Nevertheless, television is not in danger of disappearing as it is a reliable communication tool. Information disseminated on the Internet and on social networks can easily be controversial, which is never the case with television.

In order to enjoy satellite TV, a subscription is required. Indeed, access to this service is usually paid for. Once you have found a provider, you have to install it. You will finally be able to access satellite TV from your home.

The necessary equipment

Satellite broadcasting requires the use of more sophisticated equipment, and it is for this reason that access to satellite TV is paid for. Television channels that wish to have the possibility of broadcasting their program by satellite must collaborate with a broadcasting center. Such establishments are the only ones that have the necessary facilities to be able to send signals to the satellites orbiting the earth. This requires, for example, the use of large dishes that can be more than 10 meters in diameter. Once the satellite has successfully received the signals sent, it can then redistribute them to the whole planet.

In order to be able to receive the signals sent by the satellites, users must use a small satellite dish and a decoder. Usually, the supplier is responsible for making this equipment available to the customer, but it can be purchased separately. The main function of the satellite dish is to collect the signals from the satellites and send them to the decoder. The decoder transforms the signals into sound and image so that the video monitor can recognize them. In contrast to traditional television, satellite television offers a better picture. This is because it offers very good picture quality and constant signal distribution.

Call a technician

For the installation of satellite TV, it is always preferable to call in a qualified technician. Indeed, the installation of all the equipment could prove to be more or less complex. To avoid false manipulations, it is best to entrust this task to a qualified person.

In general, it is the supplier who is responsible for installing the equipment, as he has a technical service for this purpose. In the event of a breakdown, the customer can call on this service to request assistance. The first time the decoder is switched on, you may have to make a few configurations. If the operation seems to be too complicated, it is better to ask for the assistance of a technician right away.

When it comes to marketing, there are many strategies you can choose to generate interactions or to stimulate sales. But you need to establish your goals, targets, ideal customers, followers, and business partners from the outset. However, you also need to focus on the communication channels you need to exploit to get the most out of your campaign. Emailing solutions enable mass mailings to convey important information about your products and services.

The implementation of the emailing project

The word-of-mouth strategy can work for a small local business, to pass on its values. But when it comes to large-scale business planning, you need to reach a wider target. With an adapted program, all you have to do is click on the « create » button in the dedicated section and develop your campaign style on the emailing platform. Email Insights, for example, provides email marketers with powerful tools to track their email campaigns with a clear and detailed history. You can be tempted to use the automatic system to reach as many people as possible. In this case, a predefined message is sent directly to the interested parties after they have carried out a particular action such as purchasing a product or registering for an event.

You can also set up a list of individuals concerned by the distribution. However, whatever your choice, you can modify, duplicate or delete your project at any time. Also, the Insights email helps the user to navigate very quickly through their email inbox by highlighting all relevant keywords in its content. Email automation is, therefore, a means of creating emails that reach the right targets with the right message at the right time – without having to do the job every time.

Not all your potential customers are on social networks but are not necessarily avid readers of blogs. But virtually everyone uses e-mail regularly. For business-to-business commerce, e-mail remains the fastest and most convenient communication channel for receiving and transmitting data. Therefore, creating personalized email can still be cost-effective and efficient if you know what you are doing and how to tailor your strategy to your audience. Start with free demos before you start the paid version to see how this method impacts your work, and how much return it generates.

Some practical tips

Don’t neglect business-to-business or B2B marketing in email automation. Customers in this sector are more rational, more sensitive, and more cautious when purchasing items. They are therefore more difficult to convince and require a lot more work. However, they do have a considerable position in the consumer market. Therefore, take care of your presentations and take the time to fine-tune your campaign.

In your messages, pay attention to the e-mail header. This is the most important visual aspect of your e-mail campaign. If you want to sell products, you need content tailored to your audience, but first, you need to attract their interest in some way. This is what your banner must achieve. Keep in mind that a person can receive an average of a hundred hits online, especially if he or she is an office worker. So you only have a few seconds to grab their attention. You need to convey a clear message, directly in the header section, the first remarkable thing in your email.

An electronic signature is considered to be a symbol. It groups a set of data available in digital form. Its purpose is to highlight a signature on an electronic document. In most cases, it is a perfect substitute for a physical signature and has many advantages.

The electronic signature in a few words

An electronic signature retains the same principle as a simple handwritten signature. It enables a document to be certified. It is an encryption method (a sequence of numbers and letters) used for documents, for electronic messages, or which can be integrated into certain applications. Signing on a pdf without having to print it does not mean that you only need to put a visual identity on it. In the beginning, the digital signature was different from the electronic version. Now they are two completely identical concepts.

This practice has been recognized in Europe since the beginning of the 20th century. Its introduction was approved by Directive 199/93/EC. Subsequently, multiple bodies have been set up to introduce certificates that guarantee the authenticity of digital signatures. To establish an international standard, the European regulation of 1st July 2016 was created. Previously, these rules were specific to each country. To find out how to sign a pdf without printing it, click here.

Practical tools for signing PDF files electronically

To add pdf electronic signature, there is a multitude of tools and programs available online. Most of them are easy to use to digitally sign a PDF. On some computers, dedicated software is already pre-installed. Simply open the file in question via these programs and then fill in the corresponding signature fields.

It is also possible to make a pdf electronic signature online via specialized sites. On the internet, some platforms offer to make a digital signature through their system. To do this, the file must be imported from the computer and then inserted on the site. This technique also makes it possible to add electronic signatures to a document in PDF format. In all cases, it is important to guarantee the security of each platform, especially for highly confidential information.

The advantages of signing a PDF document digitally without printing it

The pdf electronic signature offers many advantages over a handwritten PDF signature. With only a computer and a good internet connection, the document is signed in a few seconds. Although other options use more developed technology, generally it is not necessary to go through these systems.

There is no need to waste time and ink to print the file on paper before signing it. This digital signature process can involve the interchanging of several parties. The owner of the PDF document is identified. There is no risk of damage or loss of the PDF once it has been properly saved.

It is now simpler to electronically sign a file on the Internet without having to print it out first. However, this most revolutionary solution still appeals to very few individuals. It is, in fact, companies and large organizations that find it of practical interest to validate their digital documents. Soon everyone will know how to sign a PDF without having to print it out each time.

Signatures play a crucial role for all companies. They ratify sales and employment contracts, formalize partnerships and authenticate administrative documents. However, the handwritten signature has its share of disadvantages: it often requires a signatory to travel or to send a paper document. What if you complete your company’s digital transformation process by adopting the digital signature process?

Digital signature: what are we talking about?

Contrary to popular belief, the digital signature process is particularly easy to understand. Indeed, it requires the use of a dedicated (and certified) tool that allows you to send a document to the signatory of your choice. The signatory must then authenticate himself, by SMS or e-mail, before being able to access the document. He then uses his authentication code to validate the contract or quote concerned, which is then signed electronically by you. It is therefore a technological process designed to simplify all your professional interactions while complying with the legal obligations governing document authentication.

Digital signature: many advantages for your organization

The electronic signature process has several advantages, starting with its compliance with the French and European legal frameworks. Indeed, a digital signature has the same degree of validity as a handwritten signature, provided that a certified tool is used. Beyond its legal value, the digital signature also has many practical advantages. It will save you a lot of travel and the need to send your contracts by post. In the same way, the signatories of all your company documents will no longer need to travel to conclude a sale, validate an estimate or authenticate an employment contract. Finally, you will be able to use your dedicated tool beyond national borders: the digital signature process is valid throughout Europe, making it easy for you to manage your international activities. What if the dematerialization of your interactions allowed you to improve the productivity and performance of your company?

Digital signature: step-by-step instructions for use

To take full advantage of all the benefits of electronic signatures, you must first and foremost equip yourself with a high-performance tool. But how do you choose it? Start by checking the certifications it has: for the validity of your signatures to be recognized in France and Europe, you will need to opt for software that has the approvals issued by the relevant authorities. You will also need to consider the functionalities of the tool you are considering adopting. What types of documents does it allow you to sign online? Your software will need to be easily integrated into your existing IT tools, without you having to change your administrative or accounting processes. Finally, the budget will be an important selection criterion: how much money do you have available to complete the digital transformation of your organization and optimize its productivity?