[pottertheotter]

> The way our product works, we need to have access to the raw signature specimen at various stages of the signing process because we have a document generation feature that dynamically inserts the specimens into the appropriate fields. Put differently, we don't show the documents until we first have a signature (and initials) specimen collected from the e-sign participant. This is basically the exact opposite of how most vendors work, but our customers really like it this way.

Can you elaborate on this? Why people would want to have the signature first before showing the document?

[bob1029]

In our solution, providing the up-front signature does not construe immediate consent to terms of whatever hypothetical documents. We have a subsequent review phase where the customer is expected to confirm each document meets their expectations (i.e. with their actual signature on it). Only after confirming all of the documents is the transaction considered to be completed and the signed copies taken as official.

The more complicated answer is that we are serving e-signatures for business accounts wherein there might be 10+ authorized signers involved. In these cases, we want to permit parallel sign completion. To allow this, each signer gets to view an isolated scope of documents with just their signature affixed. This also helps to conceal the signature specimens of other parties until the entire transaction is considered finalized. If a required party to an account does not want to participate, then no one gets to see anyone else's ink.

At the very end, all participants of the signing ceremony receive emailed copy of documents that combine signatures from all participants.