How to select an electronic signature provider in Mexico: 7 criteria to compare

To select an electronic signature provider in Mexico, she compares seven aspects: the documents you need to sign, the signage's identification, evidence and maintenance, the use experience, implementation, support and total cost.

The decision starts with your operation. A company that sends some service agreements a month may require a different flow from an organisation that incorporates customers from its own platform.

Before hiring, ask each supplier to prove the same case of use and give an example file. That way you can compare concrete ranges and detect what includes each proposal.

1. Define what documents you need to sign

Prepare an inventory before applying for quotations. It includes:

• Type and purpose of document.
• Number and profile of signatories.
• Monthly and more demand periods.
• A warrant of participation and internal approvals.
• The need for annexes, versions or representatives.
• Maintenance and consultation requirements.

For instance, a confidential agreement between known companies may require a different assessment from remote recruitment of a client with whom you have never had contact.

Check document formalities

Electronic procurement should be analysed accordingly. Article 93 of the Trade Code lays down terms and conditions of integrity, consultation and attribution, as well as those situations that require intervention by a party.

Question for the supplier: "Can you prove the flow with a sample document equivalent to that used by my company and point to its boundaries?"

3. Requests an evidence file and review maintenance

A demonstration should allow you to review what remains after signing. Requests an example file with evidence.

as a purchase criterion, check if you can recover:

• The final document and its annexes.
• The history of events of the process.
• The authentication or identification logs contracted.
• The relationship between participants, actions and document.
• The constancy and other elements included in the service.

Not all processes require the same data. Define what's necessary for your operation and avoid collecting information without a clear aim.

Check what includes maintenance according to NOM-151

If the provider offers this service, request the name of the Certification Service Provider -PSC- involved, the constancy you will get and the procedure to check them.

NOM-151 includes a maintenance record issued by a PSCHe requested that these constancy be distinguished from the time stamp and from the rental.

Consultation official directory PSC of the Secretariat of Economics. Check the related accredited service: issue of certificates, maintenance and time seal appear as different services.

Check how you'll get information back

He asked how long you will be able to consult the file, what you can download, what formats and what happens after the contract expires.

Question for the supplier: "Can I export the document and its evidence and how will I consult them after I stop using the platform?"

5. Decides between self-service and integration by API

The modality should respond to how your company works and its implementation resources.

When to evaluate autoservice

Consider a direct-use platform if a computer can prepare, send and track them from an interface.

Check permissions, templates, boundaries and download options.

When to evaluate an API

Consider an integration if the signature should be activated from your system, be part of an existing flow or return states and documents to another application.

Solicita:

• Technical documentation and testing environment.
• authentication methods.
• News of events.
• Management of mistakes and reattempts.
• Limits of use and policy of versions.
• Implementation and maintenance responsibilities.

Question for the supplier: "What should my equipment develop and what will yours give to put this flow into operation?"

7. Compare the total cost of the same scenario

Before comparing prices, select the collection unit: document, sign, send, transaction or package.

He then requested that each proposal be broken down:

Confirm currency, VAT, minimum consumption and validity of packages.

Using a comparable scenario

For example: 300 monthly agreements, two signed by document and defined identification and maintenance requirements.

It's a hypothetical scenario for applying for equivalent prices. It doesn't represent a fee or a universal recommendation.

Question for the supplier: "What would be the full cost of this scenario and what situations would generate additional charges?"

Preguntas frecuentes

Do all signatories require .sign of SAT?

The need should be determined by the document, the act and the applicable provisions and article 17-D of the fiscal code lays down specific fiscal considerations and should not be extrapolated to all private contracts.

A print-drawn signature shows who signed?

To compare providers, she asked what other elements related that action to the person and document. Do not evaluate the process only by the appearance of the signature.

¿NOM-151 Replace the sign's identification?

No. Maintenance and identification have different functions and requests that the supplier explain how they are connected into the file.

Do you have more self-service or API?

It depends on whether your computer will operate from a platform or needs to get the signature into its own system. Compare implementation, monitoring and maintenance resources.

How to compare prices between providers?

It uses the same number of documents and signatories, with equivalent identification, evidence, maintenance and support requirements.