Electronic Signature general and application FAQ

Electronic signature capture is a technology for signing electronic document files with a handwritten signature.  The use of this technology allows for the complete elimination of the mailing, storage, filing, copying, and retrieval of paper documents.  This will save your business time and money.

In companies and organizations which process a lot of signed paper contracts and forms, digital signature capture will save literally millions of dollars per year in overhead costs. The savings in an Insurance company with 1000 field agents can be on the order of $25 million dollars per year compared with the cost of using paper documents.  The return on investment in your Topaz tablets is in the thousands of percent return.  Payback on the investment is measured in days.

Many companies have begun to use digital signature capture technology. These include:

• Insurance and Worksite Marketing for automation of contracts, forms, and enrollment. Either on a one-on-one basis, or as part of a Worksite enrollment.

• Government agencies such as motor vehicles, for automating ID cards, badges, etc.

• Loan escrow and leasing services, such as the simultaneous completion of paper contracts (paper taken by the customer) and their electronic counterpart for instant paperless storage, transmittal, retrieval, and browsing.

• Banks and credit union signature cards. Capture an original signature in the new accounts department, and verify it at the teller window instantly.  Visual or automatic verification.  Capture of signatures at the teller window for cash-back receipt storage.

• Medical facilities, for automating check-in, consent, and charting.

• Pharmacies, which can now automate the prescription process end-to-end including fraud detection, customer pick-up and consultation acceptance or denial.

• Application Service Providers, to provide e-access to standard signature-ready contracts and forms.

• Pharmaceutical companies, to speed-up and streamline the process of application for drug approval to the FDA.

• Human resource applications, kiosks for capturing paperless employment applications:

In addition to savings in overhead costs, digital signature technology speeds business processes and improves productivity. When used with the internet or an intranet, all of the documents and contracts that an organization uses, including customer and vendor contracts, service contracts, and human resource documents can be made available anywhere, anytime, electronically. Today's business world revolves around instant access to information. Electronic digital signature capture allows that same instant access to legal, robust signed documents, contracts, and receipts.

SigPlus software is available in a variety of forms for major development environments and application types, allowing for great versatility.  The same building block control works just as well on a desktop, notebook or over the Internet, and can be downloaded from the electronic signature software section of this site.

Each Topaz tablet was developed with a specific set of customer requirements in mind.  When it comes to automating signatures, different applications have different needs in terms of size, cost, paper trail or LCD ink, etc.

Basic signature pad families include the Gem-series, Lite-series, LCD display option, or standard non-LCD products.   These are used real time in conjunction with a software application or the Internet to capture signatures and bind them to documents, data, files, and transactions.  The availability of such a wide range of tablet products from a single vendor, all utilizing a common set of software tools is a powerful combination for the automation of a wide range of needs within your organization.

SignatureGem LCD 4X3: Shows "electronic ink" on an LCD display under the tip of the pen when signing.  Large 4.25 x 2.5 inch signing area. Can load and display graphics using SigPlus software.  Useful in countertop applications requiring text to be displayed to the customer, or interactive pen-touch programming. Standard product comes authorized for with Topaz SigPlus software.

SignatureGem LCD 1X5: Shows "electronic ink" on an LCD display under the tip of the pen when signing. Used in highly portable signature applications like insurance or delivery. Useful as a counter-top device where space is at a premium. Can display interactive text and graphics.  Standard product comes authorized for with Topaz SigPlus software.

SignatureGem 4x5: Useful in desktop or counter-top applications where a large writing area is desired, or where vertical or horizontal pen storage is needed.   Pen uses plastic or Ink tip interchangeably.  Standard product comes authorized for with Topaz SigPlus software.   RS-232, USB, or wireless IR interface.

SignatureGem 1X5: The industry standard for signature capture.  Used in highly portable signature applications like insurance or delivery.  Pen uses plastic or ink tip interchangeably.   Useful as a counter-top device where space is at a premium. Standard product comes authorized for with Topaz SigPlus^® eSignature software.

SigLite LCD 1X5: Used where cost is the most important issue and LCD ink and interactive features are needed, this touchpad-type pad may be suitable for the application. A touchpad is not recommended for high-volume signature use. Can display interactive text and graphics.  Standard product comes authorized for with Topaz SigPlus software.  Supplied with replaceable signing surface.

SigLite 1X5: Used where cost is the most important issue and a touchpad-type pad is acceptable for the application. A touchpad is not recommended for high-volume or ink-on paper use. Standard product comes authorized for with Topaz SigPlus software.  Supplied with an optional replaceable overlay for longer life.

ClipGem: Useful in desktop or counter-top, applications where a full sheet of paper form is to be marked up or signed.   Pen uses Ink tip for simultaneous electronic copy.  Standard product comes authorized for with Topaz SigPlus software.

ClipGem LGL: Legal-paper size version of the ClipGem. Useful in desktop or counter-top, applications where a full sheet of paper form is to be marked up or signed.   Pen uses Ink tip for simultaneous electronic copy.  Standard product comes authorized for with Topaz SigPlus software.

The simultaneous inking pen allows regular ink to appear on paper at the exact same instant that the signature is captured electronically.  There are two primary reasons to use ink:

1. Your customer wants a paper receipt - so the customer gets the paper, and you don't have to file, staple, copy, and mail it.
2. The signer does not use e-signatures frequently, and will need to sign on a piece of paper just to keep from getting disoriented and also to ensure that the signature taken is "true".  If a signer is used to signing on paper (like all of us) and is asked to sign with a plastic tip on a piece of plastic, the captured signature may not represent the true signature because of the disorientation, or even the texture of the plastic signing surface. Instead of using an ink-tipped pen, the "electronic ink" of an LCD signature pad will also help inexperienced users. NOTE: ink-tipped pens should not be used with LCD products under any circumstances.

Topaz technology enables several options when dealing with signatures and documents over the Internet. SigPlus is available as ActiveX, Java, and XML SMART source code, with ASP and .NET examples and demos available for download.

The SigLite tablet is based on touch-sensitive technology, while all of the Gem-Series products are based on high-performance high-speed electromagnetic pen and sensor technology. The differences between rugged E/M technology and the less durable touchpad type technology will determine which one you should use, as their signature capture performance is identical. If the price were the same, the electromagnetic Gem-Series tablets would always be the tablet of choice. However, because SigLite's technology is less expensive, it allows for cost savings in an environment where extreme ruggedness is not a major requirement. This is because the number of signatures it can collect is limited by eventual incremental wear to the sensor surface. Lifetime for SigLite is typically about 100,000 signatures. Also, if the SigLite touchpad were to be unpacked and packed frequently in the field, you will run the risk of accidentally scratching or cutting the thin touchpad surface. The SigLite SL model features a special protective hinged cover for field use and is an exception to this risk.

The Gem-series tablets are best used in applications where the volume of signatures is very high or the pad is exposed to the public, where it might be misused. Gem-series products are also exceptional at recording signatures through paper without any loss of accuracy, making them a great choice where simultaneous inking is desired

Gem-Series Tablets - A must for frequent field use

SigLite1X5 Tablet - Personal-use tablet - not recommended for frequent field use

For application and technical support, please refer to the Contact Us page.