Softsign

It’s odd that the act of signing documents exists at all in the digital age…

It’s odd that the act of signing documents exists at all in the digital age, but it’s one old-world habit that refuses, seemingly, to die. Signing digitally is more polar-bear friendly and the rest of it, but the only system I had tried (Agreement Express by Recombo; www.recombo.com) was a bit clunky and Windows-esque for my liking – until this new iPad and iPhone app came along.

Softsign, which, amazingly, is free at the moment, allows you to sign PDF documents on screen with a finger or stylus, and then email them directly from the app – eliminating the need to print, sign and scan documents. The signatures are legally binding, and it’s a remarkably elegant, simple process. When being environmentally correct coincides with convenience and low costs (currently, no cost, but this won’t be forever), you just know a product is going to be a hit. Softsign also offers the option to back-up documents to Evernote (note-taking software). It’s currently for Apple devices only, but an Android tablet version is promised for 2012.

Fact Box:

Free at the iTunes Store, and see www.softsignltd.com.