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Procurement teams are no strangers to delays, and one of the most common culprits is the sign-off process. Even with a finalized contract or purchase order ready to go, many teams find themselves stuck in limbo, chasing down signatories through emails, calls, or even printouts.

These delays not only slow down operations. They cost time, resources, and opportunities. But it doesn’t have to be this way. By adopting digital workflows with built-in e-signature capabilities, procurement teams can eliminate the bottlenecks and move faster with confidence.

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The Hidden Costs of Manual Sign-Offs

At first glance, manually collecting signatures may seem like a minor inconvenience. But the accumulated effort of follow-ups, rework, and missed windows adds up quickly:

• Hours spent chasing signatures across teams
• Delayed approvals impacting vendor timelines
• Increased workload during audits or compliance checks
• Risk of missing discounts or delivery schedules
  
  

In fast-paced procurement environments, even a one or two-day delay can have ripple effects across the supply chain.

Why Traditional Approval Processes Don’t Scale

Manual signing processes, whether via printed documents or emailed PDFs, rely heavily on individual availability and consistent follow-through. These processes break down especially in:

• Remote or hybrid work setups
• Multi-level approval chains
• Time-sensitive purchases or emergency procurement
  
  

When a process depends on someone being in the office to sign or checking their inbox at the right moment, delays are inevitable.

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Digital Workflows Built for Speed and Visibility

Digital workflows replace this uncertainty with automation, transparency, and control.

Procurement teams using e-signature-enabled platforms can:

• Set up automatic routing to the right approvers
• Monitor signature status in real time
• Send reminders without manual follow-ups
• Sign and approve on any device, anytime, anywhere
  
  

This removes the guesswork and the back-and-forth. Teams know exactly where documents are, what’s been signed, and what’s still pending.

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More Than Just Convenience, It’s Control

With digital workflows, procurement doesn’t just move faster. It becomes more accountable. Every action in the process can be tracked and audited, from the moment a document is created to the final signature.

Benefits include:

• Reduced turnaround times on POs, contracts, and approvals
• Fewer errors and missing information
• Clear audit trails for compliance and internal reviews
• A smoother experience for both internal teams and external vendors

Sign-off delays should not be the reason procurement slows down. With the right digital tools in place, teams can focus on value creation, supplier relationships, and strategic sourcing, not chasing paperwork.

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Ready to reduce delays and improve sign-off efficiency? Try Twala to explore how e-signature workflows can transform your procurement process.

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Learn the legal basis of e-signatures in the Philippines.

Download our complete legal guide here.

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