Reference story EP New Energies

EP New Energies has completed around 2,000 digital signatures using d.velop sign over the past 12 months, thereby eliminating high costs and significant time losses associated with traditional signature processes.

• A 30-minute training session is sufficient
• Prevention of errors typical in analogue processes
• Automatic filing of contracts in SharePoint

550% Increase in Digital Signatures Within 12 Months at EP New Energies

Berlin-based project developer signs international contracts quickly and sustainably using d.velop sign

EP New Energies GmbH (EPNE) is a Berlin-based company specialising in the realisation of renewable energy projects. Its range of services spans from project identification and development to full-scale construction. Since 2019, EPNE has been part of the EPH Group as a centre of excellence for renewable energy, developing sites for onshore wind farms, ground-mounted photovoltaic systems, rooftop PV installations, and floating solar parks (Floating PV). The company employs 32 staff across its two locations in Berlin and Cottbus.

Signing Contracts Across Multiple Locations

The management team at EP New Energies operates from three different locations. There are four managing directors: two based in Prague, one in Berlin, and one in Cottbus. The key challenge, as described by Maxi Krüger, Team Assistant and Administrator at EPNE GmbH, is as follows: “There are many contracts that need to be signed quickly,” she explains. “To avoid constantly sending paper documents back and forth, we needed a fast, digital signature solution.”

Sending Contracts Cost EPNE Time and Money

Previously, the process of signing contracts at EPNE was far from efficient. “Stacks of paper—sometimes quite substantial—were sent from Berlin to Prague. Then the documents came back to Berlin, travelled on to Cottbus, and finally returned to Berlin again,” explains Maxi Krüger, Team Assistant and Administrator at EPNE GmbH. This procedure involved a great deal of effort: making copies, printing, manually signing, and posting documents. It also incurred high costs and significant time delays—not to mention the consumption of resources such as paper, transport, and ink.

Electronic Signatures Initially for Managing Directors

To enable all four managing directors to sign documents digitally and independently of location, the first step was to identify suitable e-signature solutions. The electronic signature had to meet a few essential requirements. “We quickly came across d.velop sign,” recalls Maxi Krüger. What immediately convinced EPNE was the product’s ease of use—one of the core requirements. “It was very intuitive to understand how it works.”

Digital Signatures with Key Requirements

Two EPNE employees from the admin and communications departments jointly recognised the need to introduce an electronic signature solution. “They both agreed that a digital signature was necessary and needed to be implemented quickly,” says Maxi Krüger. The primary goal was that the managing directors should be able to use the signature internationally without requiring extensive training. “We all know how little time they have—everything needs to happen very quickly,” she emphasises.

Legally Binding and Court-Admissible Digital Signatures

Another requirement was compatibility with email programmes. “The software had to be integrable. Receive the contract by email, click ‘Sign’, and done,” explains Maxi Krüger. It was important that no separate app was needed to view and sign the PDF contracts. Finally, the signature tool had to meet one last, but most crucial, requirement: “It had to be legally binding and court-admissible,” says Maxi Krüger. This meant only one option was viable: the qualified electronic signature (QES). d.velop sign met all these criteria and was ultimately selected.

EPNE Values Structured Collaboration with d.velop

Maxi Krüger describes the collaboration with d.velop as follows: “Everything is incredibly well-structured—it’s been a truly excellent partnership. Everything runs quickly and smoothly, without long communication paths or misunderstandings.” From the very beginning, the cooperation was harmonious. “Even the introductory seminars and the video conferences we held were very clear, and they really took the time for us. It was genuinely great,” adds Alexandra Ehrenberg, also a Team Assistant at EPNE.

Transparency and Flexibility of d.velop sign Highly Appreciated

EPNE also greatly appreciated the transparency with which d.velop operates. “Of course, d.velop sign offers different packages to choose from,” explains Maxi Krüger. “But they can also be tailored to specific needs. Especially in the beginning, when you’re unsure how things will develop or how many colleagues will use the system, flexibility is a huge advantage.” d.velop provided this flexibility at all times. “You’re not locked into a rigid three-year contract right away. We found that adaptability extremely positive.”

d.velop sign Prevents Errors in Analogue Processes

What has improved since the introduction of the QES? “We definitely have less manual work and save a lot of time,” says Maxi Krüger, highlighting a key benefit. “Previously, we had to send a lot of letters and signature lists by post to colleagues—just to ensure everything got signed.” But documents were sometimes lost in the mail, and the process had to start over. “That meant deadlines were sometimes missed.” Now, things are much simpler and more reliable.

Every EPNE Employee Gets a d.velop sign Account

Today, it’s not just the managing directors who use d.velop sign—every EPNE employee does. Feedback since the rollout has been consistently positive. “The system is well received. New employees are given their d.velop sign account as soon as they join,” says Maxi Krüger. Accordingly, the number of digital signatures has grown significantly. “We started with the smallest package, have already moved up a level, and will soon need to adjust the volume again.” What began with 360 signatures per year has grown to around 2,000—a 550% increase in just one year. d.velop sign has become the standard—internally and externally.

External Partners Can Also Use the Electronic Signature

EPNE employees can also use d.velop sign with external partners. “Documents that need to be signed can also be signed by external parties who aren’t registered with d.velop sign, which is a huge advantage,” says Maxi Krüger. “You just send them via email.” Each partner can then use the electronic signature—whether simple, advanced, or qualified. All options are included in the d.velop sign package. “It’s become so much easier.”

6 steps to the introduction of an electronic signature

In this webinar, you’ll learn how we can successfully introduce the electronic signature in the organisation using six steps – from understanding the benefits to getting started with d.velop sign.

Agenda

• Why should I introduce a digital signature?
• d.velop sign as e-signature of the d.velop platform
• 6 Steps to introducing an e-signature
• Next Steps: How we get started digitally together

Start with just one click.

d.velop sign Drives the Shift to Digital Processes

One of the greatest benefits of d.velop sign is the flexibility it offers. “All of our colleagues benefit from it—not just the managing directors,” explains Maxi Krüger. Time savings are another major advantage. “Saving time is always a top priority,” she notes. Alexandra Ehrenberg adds: “We’ve also been able to digitise many processes with d.velop sign that previously couldn’t be handled digitally. That has made a big difference for us.”

30-Minute Training Is Sufficient for Digital Signatures

Extensive onboarding for the signature solution wasn’t necessary. “When it became clear that not only the managing directors but all employees would be using the software, we asked d.velop to provide a 30-minute training session for everyone,” recalls Maxi Krüger. “We did that so everyone would know exactly where to click—and to avoid a flood of questions.” In addition, d.velop provides a dedicated contact person and a free training portal with eLearning and step-by-step click guides.

Automatic Filing of Contracts in SharePoint

So far, the electronic signature project is the only one EPNE and d.velop have implemented together. However, the use of d.velop sign continues to grow, and an expansion of its capabilities is already being planned. There are also ideas for further collaboration. Currently, EPNE is exploring whether integrating digital signatures directly from SharePoint would be a meaningful next step. “We’re actively looking into that,” says Maxi Krüger.
“It would simplify things even more—no more downloading documents to the desktop just to sign them and upload them back to SharePoint.”