The comparison between electronic contracts and paper contracts can be divided into vertical and horizontal perspectives:

1. Horizontal comparison of contract life cycle management:

1) Signing process comparison:

What steps does a contract go through from initiation to final filing? What actions do the initiator and signatory need to take? From the table below, we can see that the overall operation process of electronic contracts and paper contracts is the same from initiation to final filing, but there are obvious differences in many key links:

2) Analysis of advantages and disadvantages:

In terms of operation process alone, compared with the paper contract sealing process, the process of using electronic contracts has the following changes:

Simplified process: no need for printing and round-trip mailing Delivery and other links, the overall contract management cycle is shortened;

Ensure consistency: the entire process is online, data transmission leaves traces, and the consistency of file content is ensured;

Cost savings: electronic document transmission, Stamping and storage eliminate energy consumption such as paper and storage;

Based on the above characteristics, electronic contracts have another hidden advantage, that is, they have universal applicability. With the application of the Internet and mobile Internet, the form of online signing and sealing can be used by traditional enterprises. However, in the Internet industry, such as e-commerce platforms, it is obviously difficult to continue to use the traditional paper contract and sealing form for online operations.

2. Vertical process control:

In addition to the comparison of the entire process from contract signing to filing, there are also certain differences in process control between electronic contracts and paper contracts:

1) Comparison of operational convenience:

Contract template management: Compared with paper contracts, users have greater control over contract templates under the electronic contract model. In addition to being able to draft or maintain contract content locally, it is more inclusive of electronic contracts. For example: supporting more version formats, specifying contract seal permissions, etc.;

Signing method management: paper contracts must be signed offline or signed by mail in other places based on the trust of both parties; electronic contracts are fully online. Improve operation speed and timeliness through a variety of mobile signing methods;

2) Authenticity appraisal comparison:

Contract authenticity appraisal mainly includes whether the contract content is consistent, signature or Whether the seal is authentic.

A. Content consistency guarantee: Paper contracts are approved online and stamped offline. Content consistency mainly relies on manual inspection, which is time-consuming, labor-intensive and error-prone; electronic contracts ensure content consistency through all links throughout the entire process online. sex.

B. Authenticity identification of signatures: Paper contracts are often authenticated by the public security organs in order to limit liability after disputes arise and losses occur. However, the identification lags behind and it is difficult to prevent hidden dangers; electronic contracts are It uses digital signature technology to ensure that the identity of the contract content is identifiable and the content cannot be tampered with. The authenticity can be quickly identified through online signature verification. According to actual needs, an authoritative notary certificate or judicial appraisal certificate can also be issued to prove its authenticity and validity.

3) Comparison of cost control capabilities:

The traditional paper contract management model consumes huge costs. In addition to the round-trip shipping costs and occupied storage space, as the term increases, the contract’s Storage, retrieval, and archiving will become increasingly difficult. Electronic contracts eliminate the consumption of paper, freight, storage space and other links; through online transmission and storage, speed up, cost reduction and risk control are achieved.

Summary: Based on the above-mentioned analysis of the entire contract use process and process control capabilities, electronic contracts have more obvious advantages in terms of flexibility and scalability.

However, as the saying goes, one is like honey and another is like arsenic. For companies at different stages of development and with different usage scenarios, whether electronic contracts have more advantages or paper contracts are more appropriate cannot just be Make a judgment based on what one family says.

I believe that based on the comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of the two, enterprises will be able to choose a suitable contract management model based on their actual needs and phased deployment needs.