E-Signature For Procurement: How to Speed Up Procurement Approvals

Quick Summary 

This guide explains how to speed up procurement approvals using SignWell’s e-signatures so your team can reduce admin time, stay compliant, and focus on vendor agreements and purchase orders.

Are Manual Approvals Slowing Down Your Procurement Team?

Procurement teams are expected to move fast, cut costs, and stay compliant, but paper-based approvals slow everything down. Documents get delayed, signatures are missed, and urgent purchases stall. 

E-signatures remove those roadblocks by digitizing contracts, purchase orders, and approvals. This results in faster turnaround times, stronger vendor relationships, and less time spent chasing paperwork.

In this SignWell guide, we will explore how e-signatures can transform every stage of the procurement process and why choosing the right platform makes all the difference.

But first…

Why Listen to Us

SignWell is a trusted e-signature platform built for procurement and vendor management teams. Serving over 65,000 businesses with 10M+ documents signed and a 98% customer support satisfaction rate, we streamline contracts, purchase orders, and vendor agreement approvals, helping teams to cut down time on paperwork and keep business moving.

What Is Procurement and Where Do E-Signatures Fit In?

Procurement is how businesses buy what they need, whether that’s equipment, services, or supplies. It involves different teams like finance, legal, and leadership, all working together to choose vendors, sign contracts, and get approvals.

Because these deals are important, there’s usually a lot of paperwork involved. That often means printing, signing, scanning, and emailing documents back and forth. This often causes delays, adds costs, and increases the risk of mistakes.

E-signatures make this process much easier. Instead of chasing paperwork, teams can review and sign documents online in just a few clicks. That means faster approvals and less stress for everyone involved.

Benefits of Using E-Signatures in Procurement 

• Faster Approvals: With e-signatures, contracts and purchase orders can be reviewed and signed in minutes instead of days. No more waiting on paperwork to be physically signed.
• Lower Operational Costs: E-signatures eliminate the need for printing, courier services, and manual handling. Over time, this cuts thousands in hidden costs for teams that handle lots of documents.
• Stronger Compliance and Security: Every signed document includes an audit trail with timestamps, signer information, and verification. 
• Work Anywhere: Procurement doesn’t stop when people travel. Executives can sign contracts on the go, and vendors can sign from their phones, keeping work moving no matter where they are.
• Better Collaboration: Teams can review, comment, and approve in one shared space. Everyone stays on the same page, and nothing gets lost in email chains or folders.

What to Look For in an E-Signature Tool for Procurement

Ease of Use for Everyone Involved

The tool should be easy for all parties involved in the procurement process: your team, executives, and vendors. Look for a clean interface, simple workflows, and a signing process that takes just a few clicks. If it’s too complicated, it’ll be slow to adopt.

Support for Multi-Step Workflows

Procurement processes often require multiple signers across departments. Select a tool that supports multi-step approvals, customizable signer roles, and clear routing logic, allowing documents to flow smoothly through each stage without manual intervention. 

Mobile Accessibility

Approvals shouldn’t have to wait until someone’s back at their desk. Ensure the e-signature tool functions smoothly on mobile devices, allowing decision-makers to review and sign documents from anywhere, including while traveling.

Built-In Security and Audit Trails

Procurement documents are sensitive; choose a platform that meets regulations like the ESIGN, UETA, and eIDAS. The tool should also include features like secure authentication, encryption, and automatic audit trails to meet compliance needs and reduce risk during audits or disputes.

Integration With Existing Systems

Your e-signature solution should fit into your current workflow. Look for tools that integrate with your procurement software, document management system, or cloud storage platforms like Google Drive, Dropbox, or SharePoint.

Meet SignWell: A Tool For Speeding Up Procurement Approvals

Fast procurement approvals start with having the right e-signature tool. When important documents are stuck in manual workflows, delays affect your entire process. SignWell helps remove those roadblocks so your team can move faster and reduce errors.

With features like multi-step approvals, real-time tracking, reusable templates, and built-in audit trails, SignWell makes it easy to manage procurement documents from start to finish, without printing a single page. 

Why Procurement Teams Choose SignWell 

Truly Free and Functional Plan

SignWell offers a free plan that actually works, with no limited trials or hidden catches. You can send legally binding e-signature requests, set up templates, and manage documents without paying upfront. It’s perfect for small teams or those just getting started with digital approvals.

Custom Workflows for Any Use Case

Every procurement process is different. SignWell lets you build custom workflows to match your exact approval steps, whether it’s a single signer or a multi-level review process. Set roles, signing order, and logic that fits the way your team works.

Track Document Status in Real Time

With SignWell, you don’t have to guess a document’s status. You can see exactly when a contract is sent, viewed, or signed. This visibility helps you follow up at the right time and avoid approval bottlenecks.

Save Time with Reusable Templates

Templates in SignWell help you streamline repetitive procurement tasks. Whether it’s purchase orders, vendor agreements, or internal approval forms, you can create them once and reuse them anytime.

Integration With Your Existing Tools

SignWell works seamlessly with the tools your team already uses. Whether it’s cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox, platforms like Slack and Zapier, or ERPs and procurement platforms, SignWell fits right into your existing structure.

Simplify Procurement Process With SignWell

Procurement doesn’t have to be slow, manual, or stressful. With SignWell, you can speed up approvals, reduce paperwork, and keep your vendor relationships running smoothly, all in just a few clicks. From purchase orders to contract sign-offs, SignWell helps your team move faster and stay compliant. 

Ready to make your procurement seamless? Get started with SignWell today.