The concept of a paperless office is not new. The concept of digitizing documents for easy transport via the Internet through email, or other electronic and magnetic means, is also not new. And electronic signatures have been around for more than 20 years. What is new is that a digital document solution creates a completely new set of problems, such as security for confidential documents, certified signatures, secure transport, and the legality of such digital transactions.

Digital Transaction Management (DTM) has a lot of focus because currently it is a $500 million market and analysts predict it will top $30 billion by 2020. It's estimated that nearly three-quarters of large enterprises have DTM initiatives underway and most will have it fully implemented by 2016. Small and medium-sized businesses that wish to do carry out transactions with DTM-enabled companies need to join the electronic signature technology shift.

Among the early adopters of DTM are real estate companies, banks, publishers, and payroll firms. But there are also functions within companies that have converted as well, such as inventory management, sales, legal, change management, and human resources.

Businesses that have a global or geographically diverse footprint find it increasingly difficult to carry out paper-based transactions. Traditional delivery services are too slow to respond to business conditions and the needs of rapidly changing markets.

There are also new opportunities available for entrepreneurs who want to support the DTM industry. Opportunities such as electronic signature consulting, training, electronic vaulting, disaster recovery, application development, and digital document management are emerging and growing for every industry and business.