Approving (PDF) Estimates requiring an actual 'signature'

[Mike_Crabtree]

Hi, I wonder how other agencies obtain client approval of production estimates?

Contractually we cannot commence work without a 'signed' estimate - our current process expects the clients to print out a PDF & sign in ink, then scan and email back! - dark ages i know, we've proposed using document approvals in Workfront, but they (the finance team) are adamant the PDF has to have an actual signature - other than using a separate solution such as Docusign, or Adobe sign i wondered if any others have found solutions that might pacify our finance team? thanks in advance....

[Heather_Kulbacki]

If document approvals don't satisfy your finance team, our method probably won't either. But we use task approvals for vendor estimates such as printing costs. We have a custom form on the task that our print specialist uses to enter all the details of the printing: vendor, cost, quantity, specs, etc. Then we have a task approval that goes to the project sponsor to approve or reject.

[Mike_Crabtree]

Thanks Heather - as we have a seperate finance/accounting system we have to have the estimate from that system approved unfortunately, all in line with SBOX!... appreciate the feedback tho :)

[AnthonyIm]

We use Adobe Sign for client estimates. We route internally for approvals by each department head, Account, and Finance, but the actual client approval has to be done by Adobe Sign so there is a signature.

[Mike_Crabtree]

Hey Anthony - hope you're well - i've discovered overnight we also have access to Adobe Sign, have you taken any steps to integrate Adobe Sign with WF? - estimate approvals is a task/milestone in most of our Workfront projects....

[AnthonyIm]

No, we haven't. We have thought about it, but finance owns that process and they are fine with the way it is.

[MatthewBr5]

Sorry to resurrect an old thread, but I just happened to come across this one in a search.

If you're still looking for a solution, Workfront Proof has a proof-level setting to require electronic signatures. I've not used it, but in theory, it could be as valid as Adobe Sign for compliance, especially if your organization uses SSO.

Here's the Documentation page about it:

Understanding electronic signatures in Workfront Proof