Onboarding should not begin with a search for the latest PDF
A new customer may need to sign a service agreement, approve a scope, acknowledge terms, complete an intake form, or provide consent before delivery begins. When each document is sent manually, the handoff between sales and operations becomes dependent on memory.
An UnderSign workflow can send the right document to a known customer and make the completion result available to the CRM process. This gives the onboarding team a clear checkpoint without requiring staff to check multiple inboxes.
A sample onboarding path
Sales approves the customer. Required details and commercial terms are validated.
The agreement is sent. A standard signature request goes to the named contact.
The status is monitored. The CRM or workflow records the request reference and available status.
The customer completes the next step. Once required documents are signed, the onboarding task can be opened or moved forward.
Exceptions are routed. Missing data, declines, or expired requests return to the owner for review.
The process should not assume that every customer needs exactly the same paperwork. Use document rules based on the approved service, customer type, and actual requirements.
When the other signing modes make sense
Bulk Signing: An existing customer base may need to acknowledge revised terms or complete a recurring declaration. Send each person a separate request and reconcile each result.
Public Signing Links: A customer can open a link from a welcome page or scan a QR code at a branch or onboarding session to complete a general intake or consent form. This is useful when the person initiates the process; it is not the best default for a negotiated contract addressed to a named legal entity.
What operations should decide in advance
Choose the exact documents required before activation, the role that owns incomplete paperwork, and what constitutes permission to begin service. Decide whether the signed file belongs in the CRM or an approved document repository. If the document includes sensitive personal information, minimize collection and limit access.
For businesses that want to avoid another recurring e-signature subscription, UnderSign provides a forever-free SaaS option with API-based integration possibilities. Confirm the relevant plan entitlements and test the workflow before relying on it operationally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a CRM trigger onboarding agreements automatically?
A configured integration can start a signing workflow after an approved CRM event and required-field checks. **Can new customers complete intake forms before they are CRM contacts?** A public Signing Link can allow self-initiated signing. Configure a separate step if the submission should create or match a CRM record.
Can existing customers sign updated onboarding terms in bulk?
Yes, where each recipient needs an independent request and the recipient list can be validated.