Progress adds eIDAS signatures to ShareFile in UK, EU

Progress has added eIDAS-supported electronic signatures to ShareFile, targeting customers in the UK and EU.

The update adds support for Advanced Electronic Signatures and Qualified Electronic Signatures within the document collaboration product. Both fall under the EU's eIDAS framework, with QES carrying the same legal status as a handwritten signature when backed by identity verification through a Qualified Trust Service Provider.

Organisations can now prepare documents, verify signer identity, complete signatures and store records within a single workflow. Progress says this is intended to reduce reliance on separate signing products and manual workarounds that can add compliance steps for regulated businesses.

The launch comes as companies in financial services and other regulated sectors face tighter scrutiny over digital compliance, identity verification and audit records. Progress is positioning the new signing functions as part of ShareFile's existing workflow rather than as a standalone product.

Until now, many firms that needed eIDAS-compliant signing have relied on a patchwork of tools for document preparation, signature collection and storage. That can create fragmented audit trails and add operational complexity when handling contracts, onboarding paperwork and internal approvals.

Under the new arrangement, ShareFile integrates with Qualified Trust Service Providers for identity verification and maintains auditable records from document preparation through to storage. That is likely to matter to businesses that need to demonstrate clear governance over signed records.

Single Workflow

Documents can now be prepared, signed and automatically returned to their original folders. Keeping those stages in one environment is designed to reduce the risks and costs associated with disconnected workflows and multiple suppliers.

This is particularly relevant for organisations handling high volumes of client and employee documents, where onboarding and agreement processing often involve sensitive personal and commercial information. Bringing those steps together could also simplify internal controls over where records are stored and who can access them.

"For years, organizations across Europe have been forced to juggle multiple tools to meet eIDAS signing requirements," said Loren Jarrett, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Digital Experience, Progress. "With this launch, ShareFile becomes a single secure end‐to‐end collaboration solution that helps customers share, collect, approve and sign critical documents, with confidence in their compliance posture."

Progress also linked the update to broader use of artificial intelligence in document handling. Its argument is that centralising sensitive files and signed records in one system gives businesses a more controlled foundation for automation, particularly when regulated data is involved.

Customer Use

One early user cited by Progress was Allington Investors Group, which said compliant digital signing is important when signatories are not physically present. That is a practical issue for firms operating across borders or dealing with clients who cannot attend in person to complete paperwork.

"Digital signatures aren't optional for us-they're essential," said York Irmer, Partner and Head of Digital Management, Allington Investors Group. "When customers can't be onsite in Germany, eIDAS‐compliant signing allows us to move contracts forward securely and compliantly, without delays or location constraints."

Progress, which is listed on Nasdaq, sells software across digital experience and infrastructure markets. With the latest ShareFile update, it is seeking to strengthen its position in document workflow software for organisations that must meet UK and EU signing and record-keeping rules.

The new AES and QES signing functions are now available in ShareFile.