April 14, 2005

DocuSign Named "Cool Vendor" by Leading Analyst Firm

Seattle, WA – April 14, 2005 - DocuSign, the leading online signing service, has been included in the list of "Cool Vendors" in the “Cool Vendors in Security and Privacy, 2005” report by Gartner, Inc. published March 28, 2005. The section on DocuSign was authored by senior analyst Kristen Noakes-Fry.

DocuSign features a new approach to electronic signatures that is simple and intuitive, and requires only an Internet connection Web browser – no special software. To sign a document, users drag and drop unique representations of a signature to appropriate locations as indicated by graphical tabs.

Behind the easily understood user interface, DocuSign provides a far greater level of security and authentication than possible with paper-based signing processes, helping to guard against such growing problems as identity theft. For example, DocuSign ensures that every transaction is secure and tracks signer actions in a way that can be admitted in court if required. A permanent document summary shows who signed, what they signed and when.

"We saw an opportunity with DocuSign to make online signing as easy and intuitive as lifting a pen, while dramatically improving speed, convenience and security," said Tom Gonser, DocuSign founder and vice-president of product strategy. “We are thrilled that Gartner’s research has recognized DocuSign as a “Cool Vendor”. We believe the DocuSign service will have real business impact for companies of any size by helping to reduce dependency on printing, faxing and overnight mail.”

New Features Enhance User Experience
In response to user requests and other feedback, DocuSign recently released numerous new features that further enhance convenience for both document senders and signers. These features include:

Custom Data Collection Tabs – In addition to requiring signatures or initials, document senders can now define custom data tabs to collect information from signers such as address or bank routing number at the point of signing. This enables document signers to also ‘fill in the form’ adding such things as addresses, phone numbers or account information.

In-Person Signing – Enables an electronic signing process using a PC without the need for specialized hardware. Using only a web browser, multiple signers can securely sign a document electronically with drag and drop simplicity. This is a ‘witnessed signing’ managed by the document sender and is ideal for walk-in sales situations since they no longer need to print out paper documents at a customer site in order to finalize a deal.

Expanded Brower Support - DocuSign has expanded the supported browsers for the signing process to the following browsers for computers using Windows XP or Windows 2000: Internet Explorer 6 or higher, Netscape 7 or higher, FireFox 1.0 or AOL 9.0. A signer can also use MacOS X with either FireFox 1.0 or Netscape 7 or higher.

A complete listing of the new features can be found on the DocuSign web site at www.docusign.com.

Fast, Secure Signing
Using DocuSign, any document can be sent for secure electronic signature using simple and familiar metaphors, but instantly with no printing, copying, faxing or overnight delivery. Signers are notified by e-mail when there is a document to sign, and authenticate to the DocuSign web service to sign online. For new users DocuSign creates and secures a unique DocuSign electronic signature free of charge. This signature is a legally binding alternative to traditional pen-and-ink signature. Document senders can determine how much proof of identification is required from each person before they sign.

As an online service, DocuSign is used by small offices and Fortune 500 companies in many industries to lower costs and speed the signing process. By moving away from paper documents, companies are also able to reduce the opportunity for identity theft and fraud, 88 percent of which comes from paper-based sources, according to recent studies. DocuSign complies with all Federal ESIGN and UETA requirements for electronic signatures and security.

About Gartner's Cool Vendors Selection Process
Gartner's listing does not constitute an exhaustive list of vendors in any given technology area, but rather is designed to highlight interesting, new and innovative vendors, products and services. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness of a particular purpose.

Gartner defines a cool vendor as a company that offers technologies or solutions that are: Innovative, enable users to do things they couldn't do before; Impactful, have, or will have, business impact (not just technology for the sake of technology); Intriguing, have caught Gartner's interest or curiosity in approximately the past six months.

About DocuSign
DocuSign offers a web-based electronic signature service that provides the simplicity, speed and security required to deliver, sign and store documents. Designed from the ground up for business-class usage, this service integrates the technical infrastructure and legal compliance needed to operate an end-to-end electronic signing service that replaces the old pen and paper process. DocuSign customers span a variety of industries and range from the largest corporations to the smallest branch offices. These customers are enjoying quantifiable benefits with DocuSign, including removal of costs, increases in revenue, and acceleration in business velocity. DocuSign also offers a direct positive impact on our global environment by reducing paper consumption and transportation emissions. For more information please visit www.docusign.com. DocuSign and the DocuSign logo are registered trademarks of DocuSign, Inc.