In the build step, you upload your document(s) or kick off a predefined template, add signers to the experience and then drag and drop the signer signature blocks to the right location on the document(s). It’s that easy.

Now, what about the value? Check out the following:

What are you waiting on? Give us a call at 877-377-6452 so that we can show you how to quickly start enjoying the benefits of eSignExpress.

The experience is dynamically driven using reflexive questioning, video, audio and static imaginary to give a customer a 2 to 3 minute impactful experience that drives them to a successful sign-up process. The following digital brochure screen shots and steps illustrate how this is accomplished.

Give us a call at 877-377-6452 and we can show you how to leverage technology for capturing new customers and eliminate the option of them being dropped by the wayside because of broken education and sales processes.

If you’re already a JavaScript expert you’ll likely not find anything new in this article and you’ll have to forgive my naivety. With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s look at some code.

if (true && "also true") { "it's true!"; }

If you throw that nugget in your console and press enter, not surprisingly you’ll get the output "it's true!" We could simply conclude that true && "also true" evaluates to, you guessed it, true and call it a day; however, we’d be wrong. Here’s what we’re missing.

true && "also true"; //=> "also true"

As you can see, it does not evaluate to the boolean primitive true like one might expect, but rather to the string "also true". In other words, the “AND” operator in JavaScript behaves much like a switch. It will give you the first expression when it is false, and the second expression otherwise. Hopefully the following examples clear up any confusion.

false && true; //=> false
0 && true; //=> 0
"" && true; //=> ""
null && true; //=> null
true && false; //=> false
true && null; //=> null
true && {"neat":"o"}; //=> {"neat": "o"}
true && "this could be anything"; //=> "this could be anything"

Hopefully you see that whenever the first expression is true or evaluates to true (meaning anything other than "", 0, -0, null, undefined or NaN) the second expression is returned. We can expand this definition a little to encompass chaining as well.

expression1 && expression2 && expression3 && expression4

In this case, the “AND” operator returns the first expression that evaluates to false or the last expression. “How is that useful,” you ask? For making toast of course!

alert(
     haveALittleJelly()
  && haveALittleJam()
  && takeAPieceOfBread().putItInTheSlot(toaster)
  && toaster.pushDownTheLever()
  && assert(toaster.wiresGettingHot())
  && me.getToast(toaster)
  && "Yeah toast!"
  || "No toast.";
);


If we make it through all the steps we get a message saying “Yeah toast!”, otherwise we’ll get a message of “No toast.” If you’re confused by that “OR” operator (||) here’s the explanation: it works just the opposite of the “AND” operator. It will return the first expression that evaluates to true or the last expression. Here we take advantage of the operator precedence of JavaScript. The result of all those “AND” (&&) operators are calculated and sent as the first expression to the “OR” (||) operator. If we make it to all the way to “Yeah toast!”, we get “Yeah toast!” back, otherwise we get “No toast.”

Here’s a real world example taken from experimentation I am doing to integrate CouchDB into the ContractPal platform. For those familiar with CouchDB, this is from my validate_doc_update function. In the context the following code runs, newDoc is always defined, and oldDoc is defined if a version of the document already exists.

Before
var action;

if (newDoc._deleted) {
  action = "delete";
} else if (oldDoc) {
  action = "update";
} else {
  action = "create";
}

After
var action = newDoc._deleted && "delete" || oldDoc && "update" || "create";

There are obvious pros and cons to both methods. I’d encourage you to do some of your own experimentation with the behavior of JavaScript’s logic operators and draw your own conclusions.

New Customer Features

Pal Email Accounts – provides the ability to associate a profile with a pal and a domain.  Pals using this functionality permit users to email content to the Pal.  The content is then handled by Console System workflow in context of the user.

Multiple Enterprise Email Settings- provides the ability for a Pal to use more than just the default SMTP settings when sending email.  This allows enterprises to construct entire email campaigns with the email coming from different SMTP servers or accounts.

Developer Features

Workflow attribute on navigation tags (c:a, c:button)- this makes it easy to break up workflow into different files and navigate to a specific workflow without the complexity of doing an API driven workflow switch.

We made several API changes that resulted in API consolidation as well as deprecated methods.  For example, we moved the transaction packet/role API methods off of TransactionController and on to Packet so that all controllers that can access the Packet now have access to the full role management APIs.

We made improvements to web service logging– making sure the error was getting to the client and quieting errors in our log files.  In conjunction with this, we have exposed a developer tool that was created for the purpose of testing REST services.

Let me show you how that is accomplished using ContractPal’s PaaS (Platform as a Service) solution by using a use case scenario. Let’s assume that you are automating your customer (let’s say a merchant) onboarding process on the ContractPal platform as follows:

Step 1 – Your customer is brought into the digital experience by a secure authentication login step.

Step 2 – Your customer is guided through the application process by gathering data via wizards or data calls to other systems with the end result being a properly completed application or form.

Step 3 – Workflow is incorporated into the process with one of the steps automatically checking 3rd party data bureaus for underwriting purposes.

Step 4 – 3rd party data bureau sends back information for additional workflow / underwriting purposes.

Step 5 – Additional support information is required and therefore the user is presented with numerous options to incorporate the information into the electronic experience, one being eFaxing information (e.g., driver’s license, financials, tax information, etc.) into the transaction. A unique bar-coded eFax cover page is generated and sent to the applicant.

Step 6 – The cover page is received by the applicant.

Step 7 – Supporting / required documentation (e.g., driver’s license, financials, tax information, etc.) is attached to the cover page and the entire package sent back to a prescribed eFax number.

Step 8 – The information package is received and automatically associated with the correct transaction. The completed application and supporting artifacts are now ready for the electronic signing process. Any time in the future, users that have rights and privileges can access all this information within 10 seconds by logging into ContractPal and bringing up the transaction.

To learn more about how this process can help you with compliance and process efficiency, contact us at 877-377-6452.

SaaS – Software-as-a-Service. This is where software (typically applications) is deployed so that customers can use it as a service on demand. You are basically “renting” software from a SaaS provider. All you do is register, login, import data and you are ready to use the service. This solution is very effective in lowering the cost of doing business. No worries about any local software installation or upgrade hassles. A good example of a SaaS application is Salesforce.com

IaaS – Infrastructure-as-a-Service (sometimes referred to as HaaS or Hardware-as-a-Service). This is where a computer infrastructure (usually a platform virtualization environment) is offered as a service. Customers don’t have to purchase servers, operating software, data center space, or network equipment. Rather, customers purchase those resources as a fully outsourced service. IaaS becomes valuable when you need to keep capital expenditures under control when you have large swings in need. A good example of a IaaS application is Amazon web services.

PaaS – Platform-as-a-Service. PaaS offers a development platform for developers and end users. PaaS incorporates both SaaS and IaaS into a single offering model. PaaS provides services to develop, test, deploy, host and maintain applications in the same integrated development environment. It is instantly scalable. You only pay for what you use. The PaaS solution provider takes care of everything behind the scenes. A good example of PaaS is GoogleApps.

The figure below shows how the service responsibilities are typically divided up.

ContractPal is a PaaS solution provider with a twist. We have found that most customers want an expert to help them with gathering requirements, scoping out a project, building the solution and giving it back to the them so that it can be deployed into their enterprise environment on the ContractPal platform. In essence, we provide the best of IaaS, PaaS and Saas into a single delivery solution. To learn more about how we do this, call 877-377-6452.

One way of levering technology to “Know Your Customer” is using a two-factor authentication solution. It’s quite simple. To validate someone using this technique you must do any two of the following:

1) Require someone to enter something they know such as a password or PIN

2) Provide information that can’t easily be copied such as a credit card or token

3) Supply something that you are such as a fingerprint or other type of biometric

In addition, the authentication solution should be deployed across two different channels or what is known as out-of-band authentication. For example a person can start the authentication experience by providing the initial information via a computer log in experience and then finalizing the experience by authenticating via their cell phone.

These automated authentication methods of knowing your customer have a significant impact on knowing your customer and can be deployed very economically. Call us today to see how KYC is implemented at ContractPal at 877-377-6452.

Here at ContractPal we have practice Agile planning, development, deployment and operating methodologies for more than a decade. We know firsthand the need for speed by shortening the distance between the killer app idea and the end result. There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t come head-to-head with a project team that does it the old fashion way. I can’t wait until the customer gets to compare between our way of doing business and theirs. I always win.

If you want to see a killer IDE and an environment where you can take your cool business ideas from concept-to-use, give me a call at 877-377-6452. This one call will change your entire outlook on how software can be the servant rather than making you the slave.

ContractPal offers piece-of-mind by offering a web-based compliance management application that ensures that these best practices and requirements are adhered to. Utilizing secure authentication and user management, the system delivers compliance content online anywhere in the world where there’s Internet access through various levels of merchant acquiring (card brands, merchant acquirer, ISO, merchant, and merchant’s employees). Compliance content delivered and certified by the system can be anything digital. Legally binding and enforceable electronic signatures replace paper-based processes and cumbersome, expensive workflows and document filing.

Compliance content examples include:

• Contracts that require legally binding electronic signature such as background check authorizations, employee handbooks, Non-disclosure and Code of Conduct Agreements
• Employee Security and Ethical Practices Training Materials
• Testing and Certification of Completion
• Access to Hotlines for Reporting of Suspicious Activity
• Compliance video and audit trails that prove viewing
• Various PCI compliance guidelines for system security, data encryption and storage

The system ensures that established compliance workflow is strictly enforced and the exceptions are quickly reported, via alerts and web-based dashboards. Auditors can access the system to verify that established compliance workflow requirements have been met with full audit trails. The system can be customized to fit a client’s unique requirements. If you are interested in “white labeling”, that also is available. You get all this power, convenience and piece-of-mind without having to install any software. All you need is a browser.

Give us a call at 877-377-6452 to see first-hand how close you are to moving your PCI compliance processes to a low cost and efficient cloud solution to help you focus on your business while you can sleep well knowing your critical compliance requirements are being managed properly.

Cow Path (author unknown)

One day thru the primeval wood
A calf walked home, as good calves should,
But made a trail all bent askew,
A crooked trail, as all calves do.
Since then three hundred years have fled,
And I infer, the calf is dead;
But still behind he left his trail,
And thereon hangs my mortal tale.

The trail was taken up next day
By a lone dog that passed that way,
And then a wise bell-weather sheep
Sliding into a rut now deep,
Pursued that trail over hill and glade
Thru those old woods a path was made.

And many men wound in and out,
And dodged and turned and bent about,
and uttered words of righteous wrath
Because “twas such a crooked path”
But still they follow-do not laugh-
The first migrations of that calf.

The forest became a lane
That bent and turned and turned again;
This crooked lane became a road
where many a poor horse with his load
Toiled on beneath the burning sun,
And traveled some three miles in one.

The years passed on in swiftness fleet,
The village road became a street,
And this, before the men were aware,
A city’s crowded thoroughfare.

And soon a central street was this
In a renowned metropolis;
And men two centuries and a half
Followed the wanderings of this calf.

Each day a hundred thousand strong
Followed this zigzag calf along;
And over his crooked journey went
The traffic of a continent.

A hundred thousand men were led
By one poor calf, three centuries dead.
For just such reverence is lent
To well established precedent.

A moral lesson this might teach
Were I ordained and called to preach.

For men are prone to go it blind
Along the calf paths of the mind;
And work away from sun to sun
To do what other men have done.

Thirty years have passed since I first heard that story and I am amazed at how true this story’s lesson is today. My job is to teach people about a new and improved way of getting business done. I am reminded daily how they struggle with “moving from the poor calf’s rut” when it comes to converting paper-based processes over to completely legal, secure web-based experiences. The technology to do this has been available for decades. The laws for making this possible have been around for more than a decade. However, I still see the majority of people and businesses blindly following the poor calf’s path. Simply stated – it’s mind boggling.

If you are interested in seeing how easy, productive and rewarding it can be to get out of your paper-based rut, give us a call at 877-377-6452.