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Electronic signatures are the computer-generated, legally-binding equivalents of handwritten signatures. They uniquely identify the person(s) responsible for an action.
An electronic record is generated each time an action is signed for. Electronic records consist of the name of the person(s) involved in the signing process, and other details, such as the type of action performed. Electronic records are written to a relational database, and retained as a permanent record of a signed action.
Due to high demand, most main stream SCADA software offering this feature.
Depending on your HMI Software and the way it is configured, a typical signed action may require a supervisor or another operator to verify or validate the action performed by the operator. The concept of "performed by" and "verified by" provides the foundation of understanding how electronic signatures work. The person who performs an action cannot be the same person who verifies that action.