If you’re still wrangling piles of PDFs, chasing signatures, or trying to keep track of contracts in your inbox, this guide’s for you. B2B contracts are a pain—full stop. But digital signing tools like Adobesign promise to make the whole process less painful. Let’s get into how it actually stacks up against the old way of doing things, where it shines, where it falls short, and what you should watch out for.
Why Bother Changing Your Contract Workflow?
Before diving in, let’s be honest: Most businesses stick with what works, even if it’s clunky. Faxing (yes, still happens), printing, scanning, emailing, and waiting—these are all relics of “traditional” B2B contracts. The result? Slow turnarounds, lost documents, and a lot of “Did you sign that yet?” emails.
Digital signing isn’t just about going paperless. It’s about getting contracts handled faster, with less hassle, and fewer mistakes. But it’s not magic. Let’s break down where Adobesign fits into this.
Traditional B2B Contract Workflows: The Reality
Here’s how contracts usually get handled without a digital tool:
- Drafting: The contract starts as a Word doc or PDF.
- Review: It’s emailed around, sometimes printed for markups.
- Revisions: More emailing, more versions, more confusion.
- Signatures: Print. Sign. Scan. Email. Sometimes even fax.
- Tracking: Someone tries to remember who’s signed and who hasn’t.
- Storage: Contracts get buried in email chains, desktops, or, if you’re lucky, a shared drive.
Pain Points: - Time: Days or weeks lost waiting on signatures. - Errors: Wrong versions, missed signatures, or incomplete docs. - Security: Sensitive info floating around in emails. - Audit Trails: Good luck proving who signed what, when.
What Does Adobesign Actually Do?
Adobesign is a digital signature platform. You upload your document, pick who needs to sign, and it handles the rest—reminding people, tracking progress, and storing the final versions.
The basics: - Send contracts for signature with a few clicks. - Recipients sign from anywhere, on any device. - Get notified as soon as someone signs. - Store all signed contracts in one place, with a searchable audit trail.
Sounds good, but let’s look at how this changes real-world contract workflows.
Step-by-Step: How Adobesign Streamlines B2B Contracts
1. Draft Once, Share Instantly
Old Way:
You email attachments, chase down “the latest version,” and hope nobody prints and signs the wrong draft.
With Adobesign:
- Upload your contract once.
- Set roles: who signs, who just views.
- Everyone’s looking at the same document—no confusion over versions.
Pro Tip:
Set up templates for recurring contracts (like NDAs or MSAs). You’ll save time and reduce errors.
2. No More Printing or Scanning
Old Way:
Each signer prints, signs, scans, and emails. If someone’s traveling? Good luck.
With Adobesign:
- Signers get a secure link.
- They sign with a few clicks—no matter where they are.
- No special software needed.
What to Watch Out For:
Some old-school clients might still insist on “wet” signatures. If that’s your reality, Adobesign won’t fix it. But for most B2B work, digital signatures are now legally recognized and widely accepted.
3. Real-Time Tracking and Reminders
Old Way:
You send reminder emails. You call. You wait. You guess if someone’s seen the document.
With Adobesign:
- See who’s viewed and who’s signed—instantly.
- Automated reminders nudge slow signers (so you don’t have to).
- You can download a full audit trail for compliance.
Honest Take:
Automated reminders are only as good as the recipient’s inbox discipline. If someone ignores emails, you’ll still have to chase them down the old-fashioned way.
4. Fewer Errors, Less Back-and-Forth
Old Way:
Missed signature fields, unsigned pages, or changes made after signing. Fixing these errors eats up time.
With Adobesign:
- You define exactly where signatures, initials, or dates go.
- It won’t let people skip required fields.
- Changes after signing? Not possible—documents are locked.
Pro Tip:
Use “required fields” for initials and dates. It’s simple, but it saves a lot of headaches later.
5. Centralized Storage and Easy Retrieval
Old Way:
Signed contracts are scattered—maybe in your inbox, maybe on your desktop, maybe in a filing cabinet.
With Adobesign:
- All signed contracts are stored in a searchable dashboard.
- Download any contract, anytime.
- Full audit logs show who signed, when, and from where.
What’s Not Perfect:
If your team relies on other tools (like Salesforce or SharePoint), integration can be smooth—or a pain, depending on your IT setup. Don’t assume it’s plug-and-play for every system out there.
The Good, the Bad, and What to Skip
Where Adobesign Delivers
- Speed: Contracts get done days faster, especially with remote teams or multiple signers.
- Clarity: No more “which version is this?” confusion.
- Accountability: Audit trails make compliance easier, and you know exactly who did what.
- Convenience: Sign from anywhere, on any device.
Where It Can Fall Short
- Adoption: Some clients (especially in regulated industries) resist digital signatures.
- Learning Curve: Not steep, but expect some pushback from folks set in their ways.
- Cost: There’s a subscription fee. For a small business with few contracts, it might not be worth it.
- Integration: Depends on your existing tech stack. Sometimes it just works; sometimes it’s fiddly.
What’s Mostly Hype
- “One-click contract workflows”: Realistically, you’ll still need to check documents, follow up, and sometimes step in manually.
- “Eliminates all errors”: No tool can fix a poorly written contract or user mistakes.
- “Seamless integrations everywhere”: Not every system plays nice. Test before you commit.
Practical Tips for Rolling Out Adobesign
- Start Small: Pilot with a few contracts and users. Don’t overhaul everything at once.
- Train Your Team: A 20-minute walkthrough saves hours of confusion later.
- Update Your Templates: Build reusable templates for standard contracts.
- Communicate with Clients: Let partners know you’re switching to digital signatures—especially if they’re used to old methods.
- Set Realistic Expectations: It’ll speed things up, but some bottlenecks (like legal reviews or indecisive execs) are outside any tool’s control.
Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple, Iterate Fast
Switching to digital contract workflows is more about reducing friction than chasing the latest tech. Adobesign does make B2B contracts simpler and faster—most of the time. But don’t expect miracles, and don’t get distracted by shiny features you’ll never use.
Start with your biggest pain points. Fix what slows you down the most. And remember: The best contract workflow is the one your team actually uses—consistently. Test, tweak, and don’t be afraid to keep it simple.