Signature Pad Independent Solution – More Pros than Cons

When evaluating electronic signature solutions, companies are confronted with the question whether to use neutral software or software bundled with signature devices which is typically provided by the pad manufacturer itself.

Device independent solutions hold many benefits in comparison to signature solutions which are bounded to a specific device. A device independent solution enables the use of a broad range of signature capturing devices from various manufacturers. As some companies require basic signature pads, while others require more advanced devices, a signature pad independent solution offers the needed flexibility and leads to an improved satisfaction rates due to the fact that each customer integrating this solution can choose the signature pad that most fits its needs.

To make the argument that a signature pad independent solution is beneficial more concrete, let’s examine some examples illustrating its main benefits. This kind of solution enables a mix of tablets for different applications. As each tablet was developed with a specific set of customer requirements in mind, different applications have different needs in terms of tablet size, cost, paper trail or LCD features. In addition, the implementation isn’t bounded to a specific pad or pad manufacturer. It is only with neutral software that the pad can easily be replaced without the need to change the software integration itself.  Furthermore at the end of the signature pad’s lifecycle, the company can choose the best pad available on the market at a certain time and not be limited to only one manufacturer. This enables companies to avoid being on the hook of signature pad manufactures and lets them make an informed desiccation each time the need to replace the existing pad infrastructure arises.

Another practical issue that definitely makes an independent solution valuable is that companies have the possibility to distribute parts of their software also to business partners that might wish to use different signature pads than the company uses for its purposes. It is a basic fact that the typical core competence and focus of pad manufacturers is hardware and not software, meaning pad manufacturers typically provide only an SDK or not much above it; therefore it cannot be compared to a total solution like the SIGNificant Suite.

Last but not least if you are looking for an enterprise platform that is capable of other forms of digitally signing a document like smartcards, tokens, Click2Sign and software certificates for different needs in various business processes, a pure pad based software is anyhow not what you are looking for.

Bottom line is that being obligated to only one manufacturer or one device in your business will usually engage more disadvantages than advantages, therefore being at this position is never really recommended. To make the right strategic decision for your company you should think outside the box.