Is your enterprise looking to implement a document automation software? There are many competing document automation software titles out there, how do you know which one is best? We here at Document Automation Experts took a look at the Big Three document automation software providers in the field with an eye towards the needs of the legal department and the actual contract makers.
Document Automation Software #1: ContractExpress
Recently acquired by Thomson Reuters, ContractExpress is our favorite document automation software and which we exclusively use for our services. But why? Here is the breakdown:
- No programming knowledge required – meaning attorneys themselves easily create and manage automated templates in Microsoft Word
- Flexible hosting options – the system can be housed on an internal server, a dedicated external server, or even in the Cloud
- Integrates with DocuSign – so the entire process from creating a contract to signing it is paperless
- Works in SharePoint too for even more add-on features
- Connects to SSO systems that control employee access, such as PingFederate and SAML
Document Automation Software #2: Exari
Exari is similar to ContractExpress in a few ways, including that it can be housed in various hosting locations and that it works in SharePoint too. However, the process of creating the automated templates is very different. Exari uses a special editor program and programming language that has quite a learning curve to get used to. Typically attorneys do not have the time nor programming skills to learn the Exari editor tool. This causes attorneys to effectively “lose control” over the management of their automated documents. Legal departments using Exari often times have to reach out to outsourced Exari specialists whenever their templates need updated.
Document Automation Software #3: HotDocs
In a distant third is HotDocs. HotDocs requires specially trained inhouse experts to use. Therefore, the legal department is dependent on third parties (such as the IT department) to manage updates to automated templates. An interesting new offering recently released by HotDocs, is the HotDocs Marketplace. In the Marketplace, individuals can purchase pre-built automated templates from a community of creators. While the Marketplace has yet to gain real interest from purchasers, it is possible this could be a feature users in the future might be excited to use.
