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Going Paperless is easy - Or is it?

Today's world is trying to ‘Go Paperless', but it's a lot harder to do than it might seem. When planning to go "paperless" it's important to do your research. There are many companies out there that offer paperless solutions but are they realistic for your business? That is the true question.

As I mentioned, do your research. Look for a company that provides a complete solution and not just one piece to the puzzle. A big paper generator for real estate, we all know, are the sales contracts and offers floating back and forth. And depending on which state you live in, your disclosures can put your paper count well over one hundred pages, easy. So what are savvy real estate professionals to do? Look for the complete solution.

What you need is a solution that is:

Web-based/online so it can be accessed from anywhere
Designed for mobile - not an afterthought but usable on a mobile phone!
Integrated with your online forms
Works for your process, not the other way around
Fast and efficient
Customers love it and are impressed!

One solution that is all of these things and more is the DocuSign Electronic Signature Service. DocuSign is more than just an e-signature. It's the missing component to complete your Go Paperless initiative. Many people who do not use DocuSign only know it for e-signing. But DocuSign acts more like your virtual assistant; it's all in how you set it up to work for you. Here's how you can get started:

Upload your documents for esign
Input the names and email addresses for your signers
Now you can decide, do I want all my signers to electronically sign all at once, in real-time or would I prefer to create a signing order by determining who signs first, second, third and so on? This is particularly helpful if you are using DocuSign to manage the signing process for both sides of the transaction.
Next you can determine who will need a signed copy of these documents. Does the agent working the other side need a copy? What about the lender? Put them in as a "CC:" - Carbon Copy - more about how this works later.
Add your sign here and initial here tags for each signer
Now set your reminders. Yes, you can set DocuSign to "remind" your customers that they have documents to sign or if they did not complete their signing.
Send your Documents for e-signature and be prepared for how fast they come back!

No paper, no faxing, no driving around, no begging people to sign - just results.

So that is the set-up process but how is DocuSign like your virtual assistant. Based on how you set-up your documents to sign, DocuSign will allow each signer to sign in real-time or will route to signer one, then signer two, etc. if you used the signing sequence feature. Which means you do not have to make phone calls, send emails and faxes yourself to get the signing done. DocuSign, your virtual assistant, is doing it for you.

But that's not the only way DocuSign is acting as your virtual assistant. Do you remember the "CC:" to the agent working the other side of the deal? DocuSign will take care of that too. When all of your signer's have completed signing the documents, DocuSign will send you a copy of the completed documents and send another copy to the agent working the other side of the deal, which means that you don't have too. The perfect virtual assistant and much more than just e-signatures, DocuSign is the paperless solution for real estate agents who have done their research.

Now go get DocuSign!

DocuSign has a 30-Day Free Trial, so you can "try before you buy". Plans starting as low as $19.95 on a month-to-month plan. Looking to save some cash? Get the Annual Prepaid Plan and save 20% over the monthly rate.

Posted by Suzanne Alberti on 10/14/2009 12:51 AM

Comments (61)

docusign, electronic contract execution, electronic signature, electronic signatures, esign, esignature, esignatures, electronice signature for real estate

61 Comments on Going Paperless is easy - Or is it?

OCT

I am reminded of one Seattle area company that in the last few years went through an intensive FDA audit and was required to go back to paper documents. The company and switched over entirely to paperless. Some times government agencies will require paper documents to support design changes and other regulated activities.

I've been 95% paperless since around April 2003. I'd love to get the other 5% paperless, but until my home inspection Cliients give me more than 24 hours notice, it ain't gonna happen.

I have said this before, our state government doesn't get this. I can go paperless at the Lexus shop, but not in real estate. I also hope that Apple can reinvent the Tablet. I thought that Tablets would lead the paperless charge but they have not advanced. If Apple does a Tablet like an Iphone we are in business.

I would love to have less paperwork also, paper can be extremely heavy and bulky when you are carrying around a bunch of files.

While we are on the subject, we need to also put a stop to plastic bags. They are harmful to the environment, they are made using petroleum products and they can harm infants and animals by strangulation.

I am a BIG Docusign Supporter! The ease of this tool makes me ask myself why I never did this sooner! I have only run into a few REO properties that would not accept the digital signatures, but in comparison to those that will, there is no reason not to utilize this tool for everything you are working on!

The cc: function is fantastic, once all of your signatures are received, off it goes! No need to worry about forwarding, as you said, this virtual assistant takes care of it! It could be 2 in the morning and the diligent assistant is right on top of it!

GO DOCUSIGN! GO PAPERLESS!

GREAT post!

From an organization point of view I feel I am more organized when my stuff is electronically on the computer in neat folders rather than have papers in drawers with folders.

Great post.

Suzanne,

We've been having a few problems lately with lenders not accepting digital signatures.

And the bad part is we don't find out about it until they go to prepare loan docs, and then give us 8 hours basically to produce a wet signature doc.

Stephanie and Roch - thanks for the kudos! I love DocuSign, too, and not just because Iwork there but I see the value the product provides to me. I don't use it to get real estate forms signed but I do use it to route invoices for approval in my office and to submit credit card payments to vendors. It's handy is so many ways. You can even use to DocuSign something to the person sitting next to you.

Ralph - What I have heard other agent who use DocuSign say they do, is they always prep their clients that this may happen but they use DocuSign anyway to facilitate the offer/acceptance process. I also advise you speak to the lender in the beginning to find out their policy. It is important to remember that DocuSign is 100% compliant with ESIGN guidelines for a valid electronic signature and companies such as Comcast, American Airlines and Microsoft use DocuSign. The policy is strictly related to individual lenders who have made internal policies and you will usually find it is driven by asset managers with concerns regarding reselling loans in a portfolio.

I try to minimize what I print but I just can't get around to not printing that contract I need to see and read and feel that hard copy but I do recycle. ;-)

Trying to go paperless myself. But, you can't entirely. It's a slow process to change.

I use and LOVE DocuSign. I keep my transactions as paperless as possible. Our office uses SureClose as well which really helps to streamline things.

Alison - thanks for your comment. It's amazing what technologies are available and what they can help us achieve.

Karen - I agree change takes time. However, the benefits are enormous - can you imagine life without a cell phone or email? :)

Suzanne, thanks for starting this conversation. Paperless processes and electronic document management will only get more common, especially as our ability to retrieve electronic documents quickly becomes more evident.

I have been using DocuSign for about two years. I love it! It's easy to use, it a very "green" thing to do, it eliminates storage hassles. I work in real estate and occasionally have a problem with lenders not accepting electronic signatures on the purchase agreement itself but the other (many) documents are fine.

Try it, you won't go back!

This is awesome and the future way to do real estate! I am going to check it out now!!

Good stuff here! I plan on doing this!

OCT

Going paperless was the best decision of my career 5 years ago! I am a HUGE supporter of this - not only for the environment - but the time savings and efficiency it delivers back!

Great post!

I have been using DocuSign for over a year now. It is so useful especially when I have out of area customers, and with their new interface changes it looks like a low-tech customers won't have problems using it anymore.

I didn't think about the carbon copy feature as a way to send information directly to other parties in the transaction -- I will definitely start using it for that, what a time saver!

I just checked out CTMEcontracts website and it looks interesting, I really like the feature scheduling & tracking milestones in the contract as part of the document process. It would be nice if DocuSign added this in.

In Florida we have a free tool (Transaction desk) that does E-signatures and workflow tracking, but not as nicely as DocuSign for signatures and I don't want to enter a transaction in several locations so I don't use it.

It would be nice, but I deal with a suprising large number of agents who will call ma and ask for paperwork. I respond its was emailed you days ago only to hear, "I don't do email, I only have an address because the MLS requires it" ?? Or I will email over an offer and it bounces back. I know that free gmail acount allows over a gig of storage. So I call only to be told, I don't ever check email? My Grandma is in her 90s and is considering a computer to email people with, these agents I speak of are at least 50 years younger than her.

Great Post, Love Docusign and we are running Relay side by side to hopefully do away with most the paper by next year. I wish that the MLS would address the wasted paper every time we print one of the listings for our clients, often printing 3 papers when we just need 1. I think I will put in a request for then to go a little greener and eliminate the excess wasted.

I can certainly see the advantage of electronic signatures at times, like when the snow is already 4" deep and still falling fast! But e signatures look so bad - nothing like the 'real' signature - I'm quite surprised they're accepted, and I wonder if they will continue to be accepted as they become more common. Besides, I still think that sitting down with my clients and going over the document with them, giving them time to absorb and ask questions, is an important service.

I get a lot of people like Chad. It's very frustrating, so many people still don't use email at all or very poorly. My favorite response that I've gotten more than once "oh, I never check that email". The WTF did you give it to me in the first place!

I've been using Docusign so long, when I recently called for support the CSR was surprised :)

The only forms that must be ink signed are for some REOs and HUD and there is a movement to change that.

Xerox took away my copier for service this week--asked me are you sure you'll be OK without it for a few days. Yup. :)

I love using electronic signatures and the are 100% as legal as a written signature. Unfortunately, there are some folks that for some reason believe they are not secure. Even the FHA does not allow them.

I use them for listing agreements and all the ancillary paperwork but do not use them on contracts as most Realtors know nothing about them, their brokers are often ignorant of electronic signatures and do not even know they are legal. Also some lenders and Title Companies have an issue with them which is too bad.

Imagine I fax paperwork to someones office or email them. Do I know that the husband and wife both signed, could it be another family member doing the signing, or one spouse signing both names? Sure it could.

Many times I also have one person signing in New York and one in California or maybe even overseas, so one person signs for the other, or it gets faxed or emailed to the other and by the time it gets back to me I can hardly read it. Some people do not know how to scan and email and I have received contracts as 1" x 2" photos that will not enlarge clearly. They then have to FedEx them to me. This can ocassionaly delay the process for awhile.

With electronic signatures I can email the file to the husband who is in New York. He clicks on the link and sees the documents, but they are actually on the e-signature companies server. He enters his password, accepts the terms, then tabs through and clicks each signature and initial spot. They cannot finish until all the signatures, initials and dates are completed. Imagine no more missed signatures or initials. When done the husband clicks complete.

Automatically, the documents are now emailed to the wife, who happens to be on a mission in a remote area of some foreign country. A fax machine is nowhere to be found, but she gets her email on her blackberry or iPhone. She opens the email on her phone and sees that the contract has been sent to her. She clicks on the link and enters her password and goes through the signing process. She clicks on complete.

The documents now come to me so I can sign. I click on all signature and intials and click complete. Now the final documents with all signatures are automatically email to both of my clients, myself and to my office.

When you see the final documents they are not missing any signatures or initials and everything is as clear as the original documents. No smears or reduction of quality from faxing or scanning and emailing.

How about security? There is a blue box around the document or signatures on the final document with a verified by stamp and a code number. If someone says they did not sign it and goes to court, on the electronic signature companies server the files are kept there under the document code number. Recorded is the email address the file was sent to, the password the client used, the accepted statement that they are that specific person, the IP address of the computer and more. This can be tracked back to the computer the person was using, so for example if you work for ABC Company and the IP address is for a computer there and the email address was yours it can be assumed you likely signed the document. Same with the spouse.

Can the same be said about sending a document to a fax machine in the middle of someones company? No. With the old way it could even be an office worker that signed. A person could even say that is not my signature and with the poor quality of many of the faxed documents you may not even be able to prove whether the signature is theirs or not.

Most people do not think about electronic signatures but we use them everyday. For example, the IRS accepts them. If you do your taxes online you fill out some information, swear it is you, accept the terms and click OK. When you order a service or product online, you accept the terms, fill in your credit card number and click on process. That is an electronic signature.

It really is kind of sad that the Government wants us to be green, and they passed the law saying they are legally equivalent as a written signature yet they do not require people to take them, and in fact the FHA will not accept them. Our Government is very hypocritical saying be green, but on the other hand saying the law that we enacted that makes you green we may not even accept ourselves.

Even though I do not use them on contracts due to many groups not accepting them, they still save me tons of time on listing agreements and ancillary paperwork. Where a conventional method can take hours or even days to get all the signatures on, or resend if they forget to sign something, even when people are in different locations, I can often have all signatures and the final paperwork done all within a half hour to one hour, and the office even has the paperwork without me doing any more that the original upload of the files and me entering who should receive them. The best thing to ever come to real estate paperwork.

[I wish that the MLS would address the wasted paper every time we print one of the listings for our clients, often printing 3 papers when we just need 1. I think I will put in a request for then to go a little greener and eliminate the excess wasted.]

Dianne, I'm on our Regional MLS Board and that is a problem we are working on right now. I will let you know what we come up with and perhaps you can forward to your MLS peeps! :)

I use Docusign. Sometimes the system gives me some problems, but overall it is a great company and saves me lots of time and money.

I've been using Docusign for a few years now and it's great for my business. Only drawback is with Wells Fargo. They only accept "ink" signatures.

Once we all start using it, FHA, Wells and all of the others will wake up. It is the present and will be the future! Great response Jeff.

I love DocuSign. You can pair it with a Interactive Contract provider to first type out the terms of the contract before sending it into Docusign to get signatures. It works great for investors who don't need to be walked through the contract each time.

I can still write offers up with clients at the house I am showing. Because nearly everyone has an online email account, I just write out the offer and drop the "sign here" tabs then email it to their account. They take turns logging on to my computer to e-sign and I copy is kept in their mailbox for their record.

The only negative I hear about this service is whether it results in us providing a lesser service to our clients by not walking them through every term of the contract. Like a closing, they sign the documents based out of trust with us and rarely do they fully understand what they are signing.

Could a court find an agent negligent as a result of this reduced level of service, when compared with the industry standard?

Having just come out of a lawsuit against one of my agents and my company I can tell you that in court the opposing attorneys will want to see original signed contracts, addendums and ammendments. We had them fortunately, but the court would not accept copies but demanded that we produce the originals signed documents. Since we could produce the documents, along with the facts of the case, we prevailed. If we had not had the originals the judgement would have probably gone against us. I realize that it might have been an erroneous decision by the judge or that some of our Texas statuetes are antiquated, BUT, as broker and owner of a company how do I go entirely paperless knowing that my agents and my company will be more at risk? What reaction will your E & O carrier have to a paperless office, I don't know, but from last months experience it's a risk my agents and I can't afford to take.

There are still a lot of folks out here that are not tech savvy. A few clients do not have Internet access at home and trying to use the system at work; near impossible. That and good luck selling a HUD home paperless. They are truly in the dark ages--use blue ink rules to make sure it is not a copy. I am almost ready to go paperless; it is those dang clients and the government holding me back.

I think another big plus for DocuSign is the reduction in gasoline usage and carbon waste. Rather than getting in the car for the round trip it's just a few clicks of the keyboard. So it's more than just paper - carbon footprint reduction as well! I know the cost of DocuSign is more than offset in my books by the gas savings alone.

One thing that I'm planning on doing with my clients is a laminated, reusable guidebook for the standard purchase contracts that we use. I agree that the electronic signing takes away from the experience in making sure the client is fully aware of the components of the contract. By having a laminated version that I go through with them in person early in the process and then leave with them for reference during the 'signing' event I think will help them really understand what's going on. Once we're in contract I'll ask for the laminated copies back so that I can use them for the next client. I've just been too busy to do this but I think it will solve the missing pieces and let me get to the next level in paperfree.

What about use of the template function? i haven't seen anyone else comment on that but it is a huge time saver because if you're clever about your template setups you don't really have to do any flagging and hardly any typing after the contract is written. Just open up, apply the template and place a few comments in a saved standardized email and off it goes.

On the legal side, I always make sure to keep the signature 'certification' for each document as this will show all the information (time, place, account, etc.) for the signer. I'm not a lawyer but it seems to me that having this information is just as likely to result in a proper defense as something scrawled in ink.

And hopefully we can get the bureaucrats in REO and FHA to understand that electronic signing was implemented as law many years ago and it's time to get on board.

Yes, I have tried to minimize the paper. Have not succeeded entirely. Still working on this. it would sure de-clutter things a bit, if I could go paperless.

I have been trying to use DocuSign for the past couple months. To me it should be an awesome tool to speed up contract signatures, since the majority of my buyers are from out of state. However, I am having difficulty with those of retirement age. It seems they just don't quite trust electronics and computers yet, and are afraid of others seeing what they are buying. Still, I'm planning to keep trying as I believe someday it will catch on with my clients.

OCT

This is the wave of the future.

It's a great tool but I am not sure some of the buyers and sellers in my area are ready for that kind of technology!

I'm all for going paperless, since it means cleaner copies to all parties involved in a transaction. Now, to just make myself do it...

Call me and we can talk about the paperless process. I have my own system but need to get some help.

I'm with Ralph, damn lenders just want to keep killing trees left and right. Remember when no one would accept a fax? Well here's another time to jump on board and join the Jetsons in 2009.

Jeff - If I didn't know better I would think you worked for DocuSign! I'm thrilled with your knowledge of the product. I would like to clarify the comment regarding the FHA. The issue is lender related. There are some lenders who are not accepting eSignatures. The FHA has not stated either way, so certain lenders are erring on the side of caution. We have heard from our customers that there are FHA lenders that do accept eSignatures. We have also found that acceptance varies from branch to branch. Because our customers have reached out to us with their frustrations on this matter, we are working with the FHA to resolve this issue. You can find out more about this on the DocuSign blog. I would also like to add that Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Sally Mae all accept eSignatures with no problems.

Joe - I'm happy to hear that you are giving DocuSign a try. When you have customers who are concerned about others seeing their documents, you can assure them that they are the only ones who see those documents. They are held on a secure server that only you and your client's have access to. In fact, only you can really access the documents and take them out of DocuSign. Your clients can only view them for signing, they cannot modify them in anyway. Also, you can use our authentication tools for customers who are really unsure. You can give them a PIN# that you assign or you can use ID Check. Please note that ID check does come with an additional cost of $2.50 per usage but would be worth it so your clients have piece of mind.

Gary - DocuSign is 100% compliant with ESIGN law and will hold up in a court of law. This is something we warrant as a company. We use an electronic audit trail to track who, where and when the documents were signed. In fact, it is more efficient than wet signatures that could have been written by anybody and there is no way to track the ink in the pen to the person.

OCT

I have been contemplating something like this Suzanne. How is it working for you?

OCT

I started using Docusign a few months ago and love it. So far I have not had any problems with lenders not accepting e-signatures. Thanks to Docusign for helping my business and making it easier for me and my clients.

OCT

Great ideas. We are 90% paperless, but would love to go further. I think the hardest thing for me is scanning everything into the computer. Once it's there, its easy for me.

Thank for the post. I bought a tablet a couple of years ago with the intention of going paperless but I could never fully implement the solution. I am going to give Docusign a try!

Thanks for your blog, Suzanne. I have embrased blogging, Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. but have been reluctant to embrase DocuSign. You've convinced me to give it a try!

DeeDee Riley

Alex and Dee-Dee, I'm happy I was able to motivate you to try DocuSign. I would love to hear back from you on how you like it. And don't forget to sign-up for our weekly live training webinar - Jumpstart. We also have on-demand training videos on the suport tab of our website. There is a lot assistance available in getting you started so be sure to take advantage of it!

Marisa - yes, our lives are changing to be more focused on technology and as that happens adoption will occur naturally. Remember when no one would take a fax? Those days are long gone and soon eSignatures will be just as common.

I really enjoy reading your post. I am a title attorney based in New England and we have made the same switch to paperless. I have heard of your provider but I have not personally use it. Our biggest problem has been full integration between realtor, title company and bank. We have been trying to provide a single source communication point (web-based) along with a storage depot for ALL paper that is created with every transaction. We can also close with our electronic signature capture technology. Unfortunately, either lender or agent does not want this but we are steadfast in our campaign. Best of luck to you.

Does your product work with an in house product that RE/MAX 100 uses called Contrac Express? Does this have a list of action items to check off? How long do you hold the case on file? Can you store old contracts and how long? Size limit?

Suzanne, I signed up with DocuSign a couple of weeks ago, due to reading your blogs about the service. So far, it is working smoothly and I am very happy with the service. Great product.

My clients have enjoyed docusign. Sometimes they are worried at first and then find it easier then running to a fax machine. I need to learn more about going paperless and excited to take some classes on it in the near future in Arizona.

NOV

Suzanne, Does this product work in Maryland yet? I don't think we can do it here yet or I would have seen this concept. Sounds neat!

I've been happily using Docusign for ~4 years. It's absolutely fantastic & economical. Docusign allows me to be so much more efficient with my time as well as allowing clients to sign documents at their convenience. It is a fantastic tool not just in quickly getting time sensitive docs signed but in getting disclosures signed (in particular hefty 300+ page condo disclosures).

I either meet with clients in person and we talk through the docs or more typically, it'll be a phone conference as we go through docs. I bring this up since there are some naysayers who feel clients don’t know what they’re signing; well that can happen even with wet sigs; that’s where a Realtor comes in to explain docs, process, etc.

Paired with Winforms online, I run a 99% paperless transaction (the exception is the TDS which I do have clients fill out by hand). As a result of not having to print, scan or fax, my docs are legible!! What a concept! That detail does diminish when working with another agent who is not on Docusign.

For any agents who are thinking about giving Docusign a try, this is a friendly plea to try it out. Your clients and the agent you’re working with on the other side will love you for it!

The only time that Docusign could be problematic is if you have a client who does not have an email account.

For the record, I made the switch to a Mac laptop after being a heavy Windows user and no problems with either Docusign or Winforms! Working with a Mac in a Windows dominated world is possible.

Suzanne, keep up the great work!

Cutting Edge... I have yet to see one in our area..We must be archaic! I have seen it advertised.

Sounds like a timesaver!

Once the documents are set up, it is easy.

Getting the company COMMITTED to keeping up with changes is difficult.

I recently LEFT a company that had some of their docs paperless and some not.... simply because no one would go in and set up the documents correctly.

Tom - with DocuSign it is easy. There is a feature where you can create a "signing" template for commonly used forms. You or an admin can create these templates and what you do is add the initial and signture tabs in place and save as a template. Next you use the document just add the template and the initial and signature tabs will be automatically added for you. It is a HUGE timesaver and will guarantee usage in your office.

Cheryl B - thank you for the kudos for DocuSign. I shared your great testimony internally and everyone is thrilled to see happy customers.

Cheryl R. - Yes, DocuSign is available in all 50 states and I checked our database, we have customers in Maryland.

I actually started looking into DocuSign a couple weeks ago and I'll most likely sign up. Even if I can't use it with every client, I can use it with most. If it works as claimed, it will save me a ton of time.

I specialize in short sales, and many of my seller clients are going through divorce (not living together), relocated out of the area, or otherwise difficult to pin down. Passing paperwork around by email or fax often times results in someone missing a signature or initial somewhere, which delays the whole process.

Also, with short sales, it's not uncommon to go through two or three buyers or to accept one or more back-up offers. Going through the signing process so many times can wear out a seller. I think DocuSign could help simplify this process and keep the sellers motivated. If the lender ends up needing a hand-signed copy, I suppose it's not that big of a deal to go back and get signatures for a deal that's actually expected to close.

As for legibility, I've received illegible documents by fax many times. I would think an e-signature would hold up in court better than a contract that you can't even read.

In this high-tech age, more and more people prefer to do the majority of their communications by email or over the phone. It may be good customer service to meet your clients in person to walk them through paperwork, but many clients would rather have their agent walk them through the paperwork over the phone while in their pajamas without feeling like they have to make themselves or their surroundings "presentable". It really depends on the particular client.

Jeff (#24) - Maybe you can cut and paste your comment into a letter and send it to the legal departments of banks that don't accept e-signatures. It's pretty convincing.

Chad (#19) and Peter (#22) - I'm amazed that you still run into agents that don't use email. How do they survive? Do they still use printed MLS books too?

I think e-signatures are the wave of the future. It's just a matter of time before the rest of the lenders and government agencies catch on.

DocuSign saves so much time in those pesky multiple counter offers that just need a quick initial. I was reluctant at first but have full embraced it. Occasionally I have a client who is uncomfortable with it and that's okay. I can be old school and drive to their house, no problem! Thanks for the post. I hope it gets more agents using it!

A paperless society sounds good. On paper. :-)

I love DocuSign it has changed my life, however I run across agents all the time that are completely perplexed by the concept of electronic transactions. Hopefully some day everyone will use this technology.

Suzanne: I have to try this program. I am now 50% free of paper..have to work on the other 50%..thanks for the great post.

after my blackberry crashed today with all my contacts my contracts and my phone numbers I get really nervous about paperless. Plus I agree when it comes to documentation for government and proof if needed for litigation paper is the only thing they will accept. Lets send this one to the government and see if they sign up. along with our "holiday tree" at the white house!

NOV

If you're concerned about going paperless and having everything stored digitally, consider that you could lose paper copies to fire or flood. However, it's fairly easy to get digital information off-site securely. I haven't had an unrecoverable data loss since 1989, even though I've had my share of hardware and software problems over the years. My Blackberry gets backed up every week, and my desktop and laptop computers get backed up daily--both on-site and off-site. I believe storing important contracts, documents, etc. digitally is actually safer, since it's easier to have multiple copies stored in multiple locations.

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