Call us at 877-377-6452 or Have us Call You

ContractPal Blog

Archive for March, 2009

Don’t Use a Pickup when a Dump Truck is Needed

Friday, March 27th, 2009

The other day I saw a guy driving a pickup so loaded with dirt that sparks flew from the back bumper every time he went through a small dip in the road. I followed him for a while until he was forced to pull over. His back axle broke.

Seeing this, I immediately saw the analog to our business, electronic contract processing. The guy in the pickup should have hired someone with dump truck to carry his load.

I see people attempting to build contract applications using the equivalent of  a pickup when they need a dump truck.

Take I9 forms for example. I have heard of several employers building their own  electronic systems. Hopefully, they won’t find out that they’re driving a pickup that breaks down. Successfully implementing an electronic I9 form requires compliance with 27 different, and frequently onerous governmental requirements, many dealing with auditing, electronic signatures and their application, system availability and workflow.

To those doing this, I can only shout–your pickup is likely to break. And when it does, you’re likely to get fined and could even end up in jail. Why do that when you can use ContractPal to deliver what you need in record time and for less money than you would have spent, and without the endless worries.

Avoid the traffic jams! Go green!

Tuesday, March 24th, 2009

I have a friend that works as an attorney for the Washington DC court system. He lives north of town near the beltway and works at an office near his home. Unfortunately, a significant amount of his work involves submitting paperwork at the courthouse in downtown DC. He ends up taking the documents himself because of signature requirements while at the court.

We were talking at dinner one night about what I do for a living and he became quite interested in how ContractPal’s service could eliminate the pain and frustration of driving to the court. He asked if ContractPal’s solution was legal and if it would stand up in a court of law? I answered yes. ContractPal’s platform was built with ESIGN and UETA in mind. Using the solution is green, it saves on time, it reduces travel frustration, it saves on cost and it is available to all parties of the transaction indefinitely.

I’m interested to see where this goes from here.

Be your own boss!

Monday, March 16th, 2009

ContractPal’s platform allows you to build, host and deploy applications for free. If you have built web applications before, know Javascript and can write HTML/CSS, you have the perfect skills to build applications on the ContractPal platform.

With this platform you can start a business with no up-front costs, build applications that solve business problems and then sell these applications to others or you can host and maintain the solutions and charge a usage (transaction) fee.

Be your own boss and build your own business!

Paper is “easier and safer” than electronic signatures…. NOT!

Monday, March 16th, 2009

HRTechNews.com has a post on their blog today that reminded me that I have lots of work to do in converting the masses to the better life of electronic signatures and online agreements.

The blog recounts the case of Kerr vs. Dillard Store Services, Inc.   In this case the company argued that the employee had signed an agreement to arbitrate discrimination claims.  The company used their own email and intranet system to post the agreement and capture the employee’s electronic signature.

But the employee successfully argued that she had not signed the agreement.  She said that her manager, who had reset her password, signed it.  The company admitted that was possible and the judge agreed with the employee.

So, what is the lesson learned from this?  HRTechNews stated that “In most cases, it’s easier and safer to have legal documents signed on physical paper.”

What???!

Using online forms and electronic signatures is not only easier and safer than paper but it typically costs 50% less AND provides a better user experience!

The lesson that should be learned here is that if you are taking your forms and agreements online, and you should be, make sure that you are tapping into expertise that will ensure your electronic signatures are enforceable.

ContractPal named as a finalist of the 2009 IQ Awards.

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

The IQ Awards celebrate innovative products, processes and procedures. We were named as a finalist in the IT Security category. That is a good fit with our secure, ESIGN compliant electronic signatures. But since our platform is so flexible we just as easily fit in Software, Business Services, Online and Green Business. It all depends on what problem you want solved! Here is the press release…

Utah Business and Wasatch Digital iQ are pleased to announce the finalists of the 2009 IQ Awards, the second annual innovation recognition program that highlights some of the most exciting and innovative products, processes and procedures coming out of Utah’s bright minds.

This year, 30 exceptional companies were selected as finalists in nine categories, recognizing the most innovative as well as creative ideas and solutions in technology. These tech-savvy businesses are pioneering a space in their industries – or creating a whole new one. Join us in saluting the innovations that will change the way the world lives, thinks and works.

The finalists will be featured in the February 2009 issue of the magazine and the winners will be announced at a luncheon sponsored by Utah Business on January 28.

Thirty companies in ten categories have been recognized as finalists for the 2008 Awards. Ten awards recipients, one in each category, will be announced at the awards luncheon and ceremony on January 28, 2009.

2009 IQ Award Nominees

IT Security: ContractPal, Sendside Networks, Spearstone

Software: Omniture, AtTask, InsideSales.com

Hardware: Inthinc, ATK, Celio Corporation

Business Services: Twelve Horses , ProPay, U.S. Translation Company

Data Management: eFileCabinet, Cemaphore Systems , Digital Gateway

Human Resources/Business Training: VitalSmart, EnticeLabs, Wi5Connect

Online: Interbank FX, MediConnect Global, Overstock.com

Green Business: Orbit Irrigation, AquaTrack, I-O Corporation

Consumer Products & Gadgets: Control4, Amber Alert , Provo Craft

Marketing: OrangeSoda, mediaRAIN, Blendtec