Signing documents is such an age-old part of our workday that we hardly give it a second thought. And that’s the problem. It’s an age-old process. One that’s hard to manage, verify, secure, and update.
How widespread is it? Studies show that a staggering 80% of all business processes rely on forms, and many of these forms have to be signed. That can result in a costly cascade of follow-ons that includes everything from printing paper documents to delays in delivery that cost time and money.
These and many other reasons are why the digital signature can be a far better option for everyday business operations.
Digital signatures beat handwritten signatures, hands down
Digital signatures in PDF documents and PDF forms capture your John Hancock just like traditional handwritten signatures, only better.
Digital signatures let you use any signature you like—including graphics such as your handwritten signature and company logo, and text like your name, organization, country, and location. But unlike their inky counterparts, they come with an authentication process built right in. That’s because digital signatures store information about who signed the PDF document along with the date, time, and status of the document when they signed it.
What’s more, from a business perspective, by standardizing on digital signatures in your PDF software, your company maintains control over the signing process and the kinds of applications used to sign documents. And you preserve the ability to keep signed documents up-to-date even as technology changes.
Foxit PhantomPDF provides you with three different ways to sign PDF:
- Using an image of your own signature.
- Using a digital signature, however, you first need to obtain a digital certificate from a reputable third-party certificate authority.
- Using an electronic signature, also known as an eSignature, where you can utilize PhantomPDF’s built in integration with DocuSign – a leading eSignature provider.
Not surprisingly, PhantomPDF for Business goes beyond the basics, letting you indicate the level of content approval viewers of your PDF have. It also allows you to specify the types of changes that are permitted for the PDF to remain certified. And it enables you to validate the status of a digital signature in a PDF document you receive so you can determine if the document has been modified since it was signed.
Want even more security? Use digital certification
A digital certificate offers an even tighter level of verification and security. It’s used to bind public keys to persons or other entities and is actually signed by a trusted third party.
PhantomPDF for Business lets you certify your PDF documents and specify what changes can be made to the file after you do so. Whenever approved changes are made, the certificate remains valid and intact.
If someone tries to make changes you haven’t allowed, however, the certificate is invalidated. Anyone that views your PDF document afterwards will be notified that the document was tampered with.
So the next time you need to sign documents, consider putting down the pen and cracking open Foxit Reader or PhantomPDF instead. Your carpal tunnel and your business will be the better for it.
SANJIV MAHAGAONKAR
/ October 28, 2013how much it cost? how to do it ?
Foxit
/ November 1, 2013To learn about PhantomPDF pricing, please visit our online store: http://www.foxitsoftware.com/shopping/
To learn more on how to sign PDF documents and forms, check out or PhantomPDF tutorial page: http://www.foxitsoftware.com/products/tutorial/
SANJIV MAHAGAONKAR
/ October 28, 2013How to create Digital Signature?
Foxit
/ November 1, 2013Here is some good info on obtaining a digital signature: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/obtain-a-digital-certificate-to-create-a-digital-signature-HA010354319.aspx
Sakhile Phungula
/ October 28, 2013Foxit PDF Reader is one of the best products on the market right now. A standard package allows you the abilith to sign documents digitally. Now that makes great business sense.
David Allie
/ October 28, 2013Thanks for this info. Would you describe the process for how one obtains a digital certificate and uses it within Foxit.Reader or PhantomPDF?
Foxit
/ November 1, 2013Here is some good info on how to obtain a digital signature: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/obtain-a-digital-certificate-to-create-a-digital-signature-HA010354319.aspx
For help in learning how to sign PDF documents and forms, check out the tutorial on the PhantomPDF tutorial webpage: http://www.foxitsoftware.com/products/tutorial/
Lisa
/ October 28, 2013This looks great! How do I do it?
Foxit
/ November 1, 2013For help in learning how to sign PDF documents and forms, check out the tutorial on the PhantomPDF tutorial webpage: http://www.foxitsoftware.com/products/tutorial/
Yuri Maddison
/ October 28, 2013where do I start
Foxit
/ November 1, 2013For help in learning how to sign PDF documents and forms, check out the tutorial on the PhantomPDF tutorial webpage: http://www.foxitsoftware.com/products/tutorial/
Doug Telfer
/ October 28, 2013Most interested but how do I follow up to apply it with Foxit or buy the extra software?
Foxit
/ November 1, 2013For help in learning how to sign PDF documents and forms, check out the tutorial on the PhantomPDF tutorial webpage: http://www.foxitsoftware.com/products/tutorial/
Tamme Hansma
/ December 17, 2013Today I wanted to fill in a PDF-with formfields in it with Foxitreader. It was impossable to do so. So I had to use Adobe Acrobat to do the job. I can use typewriter but that is not wat I want to do. Perhaps I”m doing something wrong but… what?
Foxit
/ December 20, 2013Hmm, not really sure why that would not work. Please make sure your in hand mode (click the big hand icon on the top left hand side). Then, you should see the fillable PDF fields highlighted. If you still have trouble, please contact our support center at support@foxitsoftware.com or +1-866-693-6948.