A recent report shows that 84% of respondents experience pressure for contract simplification. It’s no surprise to anyone who keeps a close eye on the market, as doing things the old-fashioned way – printing, signing, scanning and emailing documents back and forth – consumes valuable time, leading to frustration and potential lost opportunities. Nowadays, you need secure and automated signing processes. An integrated solution is another key aspect, allowing you to create or access your contracts via any of the systems you use.
In this article, we’ll highlight the importance of e-signature integration, its top use cases and how a platform like Oneflow can transform your contract workflows. We’ll also explore various e-signature integration options and provide a detailed comparison to help you choose the best solution for your needs.
What is esignature integration?
E-signature integration means embedding an e-signature tool directly into your existing software. Instead of using a standalone e-signature application, you can initiate, send and sign documents online, and manage them seamlessly within your system, whether it’s a CRM, an HR platform, a document management system or even a communication tool. It enables you to create a unified and efficient workflow, eliminating the need to switch between different applications and manually enter data.
See also: Advanced electronic signatures and qualified electronic signatures
Why do you need an esignature integration?
Integrating electronic signature tools has numerous benefits that significantly enhance your business:
- Reduced friction: Electronic signatures eliminate manual steps such as printing, scanning and mailing, reducing friction in the signing process, enhancing turnaround times and the overall user experience (UX).
- Legal compliance: Adhering to global regulations like the Electronic Signatures and Global National Commerce Act (ESIGN), Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) and Electronic Identification, Authentication and Trust Services (eIDAS) ensures that your digitally signed documents are legally binding and admissible in court.
- Operational efficiency: Automated signing workflows free up time for employees, allowing them to focus on more strategic tasks, boost efficiency and reduce costs.
- Enhanced security: Security features such as encryption, audit trails and multi-factor authentication safeguard your sensitive documents from unauthorized access and tampering.
- Improved accuracy: Automated data transfer between systems minimizes manual data entry errors, resulting in greater accuracy in your documents and contracts.
Top use cases for esignature integrations
Electronic signature software integrations can benefit various departments. Here are some examples:
- Sales and CRM (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot): Automate the entire sales cycle, from generating proposals and quotes to sending and signing contracts directly within your CRM. Accelerate deal closures and the customer onboarding process.
- HR and recruitment platforms (e.g., BambooHR, Workday): Efficiently manage new hire paperwork by sending offer letters, legal contracts, NDAs and onboarding documents for e-signature. Simplify the recruitment process and ensure compliance with relevant regulations.
- Document management (e.g., Google Drive, SharePoint): Manage and sign documents directly from your document management system, ensuring all versions are securely stored and easily accessible.
- Communication tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams): Get signatures without switching tabs or applications, enabling quicker responses and approvals within your daily communication channels.
Benefits of esignature integration with Oneflow
Oneflow is an end-to-end contract lifecycle management (CLM) solution that simplifies electronic signatures and integrates easily with popular CRM systems (HubSpot, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics) and multiple other tools. Our platform is built with security and compliance at its core, offering a range of legally binding e-signature options, including SMS verification, electronic identification and standard e-signatures. It ensures reliability similar to in-person signing.
The solution empowers users to automate and customize signing workflows. It also provides powerful post-signing functionalities, such as data extraction and document linking, which are crucial for effective CLM. Moreover, Oneflow enhances the contract lifecycle with AI capabilities for accelerated contract creation and review and improves collaboration with comments, customizable triggers and more.
Here are some of its key features:
- True digital contracts, not just PDFs: Edit documents and work on them securely and collaboratively before signing. Use reusable templates to easily create contracts for various purposes and access collaboration tools, such as comments, customizable triggers, comprehensive audit trails and secure, branded workspaces to optimize work and prevent confusion or unauthorized edits.
- Native integrations and API access: Use a selection of native connectors to integrate Oneflow with other systems and solutions, such as Salesforce, HubSpot, Microsoft Dynamics and Google Drive (see our guides on Electronic signatures for Hubspot and Contract management software in Salesforce for more details). With Oneflow, you can synchronize document data between systems to optimize processes and significantly speed up contract work. Oneflow also offers a flexible public API and a SCIM API, which you can use to set up other integrations you need.
- Oneflow AI in contract work: Access contract automation to send and archive documents with a single mouse click and improve workflows through automated reviews that help you identify errors and compliance problems. AI can also assist you in drafting, editing, summarizing and translating contracts.
- Powerful security: Manage user roles, assign permissions (viewing, editing, etc.) and secure contracts with strong encryption (TLS 1.2 and AES 256). Verify the identities of signees using two-factor authentication (if it fails, the document won’t be signed). Track contract changes with audit trails and seal your document electronically after it’s signed.
- Compliance and reliability: Achieve full GDPR compliance and use Oneflow’s redundant infrastructure for continuous operation. Information Security (ISO 27001), Quality (ISO 9001) and Environment (ISO 14001) certifications ensure you meet the most rigorous standards.
- Centralized repository with electronic records: Store documents in one platform, with excellent organization tools (tags, filters, folders, search feature, document roles, plus a calendar view with lifecycle milestones) for smoother contract lifecycle management.
- Signing order: Customize the signing order according to the scenario, taking into account various roles, document types and other relevant factors.
- Lifecycle management: Use a built-in calendar and customized notifications for contract openings to track and meet key deadlines.
- Post-sign processes: After you send documents and sign them, store files within Oneflow and extract metadata to generate insights and for tracking purposes. Add external URLs and links to internal files.
- Analysis: Track key indicators and engagement data (document open rates, visitor numbers, etc.).
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Popular tools that Oneflow is seamlessly integrated to
Here are some examples of solutions that Oneflow contract management software integrates with:
- Salesforce Sales Cloud And Revenue Cloud: A leading cloud-based CRM (Customer Relationship Management) platform that helps businesses manage sales, service, marketing and more. Integrating with Salesforce enables streamlined generation and signing of sales contracts and financial documents directly from your CRM.
- HubSpot: A comprehensive platform offering CRM, marketing, sales and customer service software. Oneflow’s integration with HubSpot automates contract workflows (like sending signature requests) within your sales and marketing efforts.
- Teamtailor: A recruitment and applicant tracking system (ATS) that helps attract, nurture, and hire talent. Integration with Teamtailor simplifies document signing and sending (offer letters, onboarding information, confidential documents, legal documents, etc.).
- Microsoft Teams: A communication and collaboration platform that combines workplace chat, video meetings, file storage and application integration. With a Oneflow integration, recipients sign documents and manage them within their daily communication channels.
- Microsoft Office 365: A very popular office suite that lets you create unlimited documents, request signatures and sign contracts via a Oneflow add-on directly within Microsoft Word.
- Google Workspace: A suite of cloud computing, productivity and collaboration tools, including Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs, Sheets and Slides. The current Oneflow integration works in Google Docs and Slides, enabling you to work with electronic documents and contracts stored in Google Workspace more efficiently.
- Zapier (for custom workflows): An online automation tool that connects apps and services. Zapier enables users to create automated workflows (Zaps) between Oneflow and thousands of other applications, allowing for highly customized and complex integrations without requiring code.
How to set up an esignature integration with Oneflow (Step-by-step)
Setting up a native integration in Oneflow is similar for every solution and requires just a few simple steps. Below, we’ll illustrate it using HubSpot as an example (you can find comprehensive guides for various third-party tools in our Help Center).
- Log in to Oneflow as an administrator and navigate to the Marketplace tab, located in the menu on the left side of the screen.
- Select the solution you’re interested in and click Enable.
- Authenticate in the third-party solution by clicking the appropriate button (in this case, Authenticate to HubSpot) and logging in with your account for that software.
- Choose the account you want to integrate with and confirm by clicking the Choose Account button.
The integration is active, but to get everything ready, you also need to add a Oneflow card to the layout in HubSpot:
- Navigate to Settings > Integrations > Connected Apps in HubSpot, and then select Oneflow.
- Select the object you want to add the card to and click Add to Deal.
- Click on the view you want to use Oneflow in (for example, Sales view).
- Click the Add cards button, App and choose Oneflow.
- Set up the preferred position by using your mouse (drag & drop) and click Save.
And that’s it, your integration is configured! However, there are a couple of additional things to keep in mind:
- Use the same email for both solutions’ accounts
- Ensure you have admin or super admin privileges
- There may be additional rules and stipulations—for example, with HubSpot, you can only connect one HubSpot account to one Oneflow account, and you must have the Sales Professional paid plan (the free version will not suffice).
Oneflow public API and SCIM API
Oneflow also offers a public API, webhook API and a SCIM API, allowing you to configure integrations and automate your contract management and digital signature processes by:
- Sending contracts
- Creating contracts
- Reading data from documents
- Triggering flows on contract events
- Managing users
- Managing user groups
Our platform provides comprehensive developer documentation, making any integration setup effortless.
See also: Digital signature API and Digital signature certificate
How to choose the best esignature integration?
To select the right e-signature integration, you need to consider several key factors to ensure the app you choose meets your specific business needs:
- Security, compliance and ease of use: Prioritize solutions that offer powerful security measures, adhere to relevant legal compliance standards (e.g., eIDAS, UETA, ESIGN, GDPR), and have an intuitive user experience.
- Features: Look for features that optimize your signature workflows and speed up document creation, such as custom branding, templates, bulk sending capabilities and comprehensive audit trails.
- Research: Read reviews and compare features of different platforms to learn about user experiences and the specific functionalities the solutions offer.
- Integrations: Consider your integration needs and choose a platform that meets them, either through native connections (for easy configuration) or APIs (for customization and flexibility).
- API flexibility: If your business requires custom workflows or advanced automation, prioritize platforms with strong and well-documented API support.
- Compliance: Verify that the solution meets all your legal and security requirements, including industry-specific regulations and international standards.
- Ease of Use: Opt for platforms with user-friendly dashboards, minimal onboarding requirements, and excellent customer support to ensure smooth adoption.
Esignature integration options
While Oneflow is one of the best electronic signature apps, several other prominent digital signature solutions offer solid integration capabilities:
- DocuSign: DocuSign offers integrations with hundreds of applications. It has a solid feature set for signing, good security, and broad adoption across industries.
- Adobe Sign: As part of the Adobe Document Cloud, it offers seamless integration with Adobe products and other business applications. It’s reliable and has enterprise-grade security features.
- PandaDoc: PandaDoc is a document workflow automation platform that offers numerous integrations to streamline document generation and signing.
- SignNow: SignNow prioritizes ease of use and offers seamless integrations with popular business applications.
- Scrive: A European e-signature provider, Scrive specializes in legally binding e-signatures with a strong emphasis on security and compliance within the European market. It offers integrations with various business systems.
Esignature integration tools comparison table
Feature | Oneflow | Docusign | Adobe Sign | PandaDoc | SignNow | Scrive |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Native CRM integrations | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Cloud storage integrations | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Custom workflows via Zapier | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Public API access for developers | ✅ Full-featured API | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Embedded signing option | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
GDPR & eIDAS compliant | ✅ Fully Compliant (EU-based) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes (EU-based) |
Live contract editing in the browser | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | ❌ No |
Automatic contract archiving | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Sign safely with Oneflow esignature integration
With e-signature integrations, you can sign documents electronically, reducing friction, accelerating deal closures, and enhancing operations across departments—from sales and HR to document management and communication.
While there are many e-signature platforms, Oneflow stands out as a comprehensive Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) solution that offers true digital contracts, enabling pre-signing collaboration and dynamic content. With its powerful native integrations, flexible APIs and unwavering commitment to security and compliance, Oneflow is a great way to automate your contracts.
Ready to transform your contract workflow and empower your team with smart, secure e-signature integration? Try Oneflow for free with our 14-day trial!
FAQs
Which e-signature API offers the easiest integration for onboarding?
The ease of integration for onboarding largely depends on your existing tech stack and your team’s technical expertise. Oneflow offers a comprehensive list of native integrations and a very functional public API. The platform also provides detailed documentation to support them.
What security features do top e-signature APIs provide for compliance?
Top e-signature APIs provide a comprehensive suite of security features to ensure compliance with global regulations, including eIDAS, ESIGN Act, UETA and GDPR. These typically include: encryption, audit trails, various signer authentication methods, tamper-evident seals, cloud security and compliance certifications.
Are there any free or trial options among these e-signature integrations?
Yes, most leading e-signature integration providers offer free trials, allowing you to test their features and integration capabilities before committing to a paid plan—for example, Oneflow has a 14-day trial period and a free forever option for basic needs.
What’s the difference between native esignature integrations and API-based ones?
The difference between native and API-based e-signature integrations lies in their implementation and flexibility. Native integrations typically require minimal setup, are designed in a specific way, and provide a seamless flow of data between the two systems. API-based integrations involve custom coding to build a connection between the e-signature platform and your software, and therefore require time and resources to set up. However, they also offer greater flexibility and customization.