1. AWARDS
  2. System Management
  3. Administration Module
  4. System Setup

Global Electronic Signature Rules

Updated

The System Setup module Business Rules feature is used to configure global and program-level system rules for specific types of data entry, and for use of the system as a whole.  Rules set using this feature are as follows:

Used to configure which signature input methods can be used; for example, signature pads or touch-screen devices.

 

Required Permissions

Use of the Business Rules feature requires placement in the "Executive Officer" or "System Administrator" user groups - OR - ONE of the following permissions:

  • Display Executive Administration Buttons
  • Permissions Data Entry
  • Permissions Data Entry for All Staff and Layers

- AND -

  • Program Chart Access (required to configure program-level business rules such as e-signature and note/contact editing rules)
  • Business Rules Data Entry (required to open or configure agency-level business rules such as the application timeout value and two-factor authentication)

In addition, if you are working in a divisional database, you must be configured as "Continuum Staff" in the Human Resources module Staff Information feature (using the Payroll Group "Agency" selection list) in order to access and configure global business rules.

Permissions are assigned using thePermissions Maintenance feature.  If you do not have access to that feature and need a permission listed here, please contact your supervisor or your local Help Desk for assistance.

 

To specify whether programs using electronic signatures in AWARDS (for progress notes, service plans, or standalone FormBuilder forms) can take advantage of the advanced signature input options available to them (signature pads or touch-screen devices), complete the following steps from the AWARDS Home screen:

  1. Click Administration from the left-hand menu, and then click System Setup.  The System Setup fly-out menu is displayed.

  2. Click Business Rules.  The Business Rules Menu page is displayed.

  1. In the "Global Settings for All Programs" portion of the page, click Electronic Signatures Rules.  The Electronic Signature Rules - Global Settings page is displayed.

  1. From this page, check off one or both of the advanced signing method options; checked options are enabled, unchecked are disabled.

    IMPORTANT!  The signature pad component of the Electronic Signatures functionality is only compatible with Topaz Model T-S460-HSB SigLite 1x5 HSB.  As of 2015, however, we no longer support use of this signature pad hardware, and instead direct agencies to use touch-screen devices.

  • Signature Pad: Topaz 1x5 USB - To allow for signature collection using a Topaz signature pad, check off this checkbox.  When this option is checked, confirm that the correct signature pad plug-in option is also selected:

IMPORTANT!  Whenever you switch plug-in selections in AWARDS using the options detailed here, your users must uninstall the previous plug-in from their computers and install the correct software for the new plug-in.  Those configuration steps happen outside of AWARDS, and you should switch your AWARDS plug-in option once they are complete.

  • SigWeb Plub-In (default) - The latest plug-in from Topaz (available here).  Currently recommended for agencies using Internet Explorer (no longer supported for use with AWARDS) or Chrome.  This plug-in will allow compatibility for Topaz signature pads once support for the current NPAPI plug-in is dropped in the upcoming version of Firefox and Chrome.

IMPORTANT!  Once you have downloaded and installed this plug-in on each user's computer, please visit Topaz's demo site to ensure that it's working on those machines.  If not, please contact Topaz for support before selecting the SigWeb Plug-In option here.

  • NPAPI Plug-In - This was previously the default plug-in (available here) and was used in almost all cases.  It allowed for cross-browser compatibility when using the Topaz signature pad; however, it is being phased out for browsers other than Internet Explorer (which is no longer supported for use with AWARDS), and may prevent you from effectively using signature pads with AWARDS.  When possible, use of the SigWeb Plug-in is recommended instead.
  • ActiveX Plug-In - This is a legacy option that limits use of Topaz signature pads to Internet Explorer (which is no longer supported for use with AWARDS).  It should only be used with configurations that do not work with the default NPAPI plug-in, or the most recent plug-in from Topaz (SigWeb).  If you suspect that you may need to use this option, please contact the Foothold Help Desk for confirmation.

 

  • Touch - By default, signature collection is allowed using touch-screen devices.  Using this feature signatures can be captured using a finger or stylus on touch-screen devices such as tablets, using a touchpad, or even using a mouse on devices that are not directly touch-capable.  To disable this feature, uncheck this checkbox.

Electronic signatures functionality is available for use regardless of whether either of these advanced options have been selected. In all cases, signature images may be manually uploaded and can then be used to sign records within with use of a PIN.

  1. The Allow signer to remove date and time stamp checkbox on this page is selected by default.  When checked, each user has the option to de-select the default Date and/or Time stamp options during the signing process in order to prevent the signing date and/or time from being included as part of his/her electronic signature.  When unchecked, users do not have the option to control whether the date/time stamp is a part of their e-signatures; instead, a date and time stamp is automatically applied each time a record of any kind is e-signed by any user in any program.  Check or uncheck this option as appropriate.

  2. Click CONTINUE.  The global electronic signature rules are saved and displayed on a read-only confirmation page.

The process of setting global rules for electronic signatures is now complete.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Business Rule Basics

  • Is there a report on which I can see all business rule settings?

No, at present business rule settings can only be reviewed from within the data entry interface and/or the corresponding confirmation pages.

  • Who can access global business rule settings in a divisional database?

Because global business rules impact every program in every agency in the database, their configuration in divisional databases is limited to individuals specified as "Continuum Staff" in the Human Resources module Staff Information feature (using the Payroll Group "Agency" selection list).

 

Related Documents

 

FootholdConnect Event Recordings

A quick look at commonly used hardware solutions for agencies implementing (or upgrading) electronic signatures functionality.  (November 2018)

 

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