Switch Sign: a white label solution customized for the needs of 25+ universities

Privacy-first eSigning Solution for higher education institutions

White Label and API-integration for one-in-all solution
Close partnership with joint product roadmap development
Efficient, secure and easy-to-use eSigning

Four students with backpacks and books walking and talking

Get to know the customer

Switch is the digitalisation partner of Swiss universities. Together with the educational institutions, the foundation develops digital solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of the education and research community. The focus is on strengthening cyber security, the universal use of digital identities and the trustworthy handling of sensitive data in the cloud. Since the early days of the internet, the foundation has also been responsible for the operation and protection of domain names ending in .ch and .li. The non-profit organisation employs around 180 people in Zurich and Lausanne.

At a glance

At the end of 2022, Switch entered into a partnership with Certifaction and the project was launched shortly afterwards. After working mainly with pilot customers in 2023, usage increased in 2024 and Switch took on more customers.

Highest data security

Thanks to Zero Document Knowledge

Close collaboration

Joint product roadmap development

Solution-driven

White Label instance with edu-ID integration

The challenge:

Switch wanted to offer a white-labelled eSigning solution that would enable universities to eliminate time-consuming paper-based document processes such as manually signing purchase orders, enrolment confirmations, sales contracts, official documents and research agreements.

Switch initially conducted a POC with a digital signature provider from French-speaking Switzerland, which was acquired by Swiss Post shortly afterwards. Switch doubted that it would be able to influence the vendor’s roadmap after it became part of a larger corporate environment.

They were looking for a new provider that was able to work in an agile way, according to the needs of the Switch community, and deliver a solution that could be integrated with edu-ID.

Customer requirements at a glance

A secure eSigning solution that guarantees the protection of data and documents
Integration of the edu-ID into the signature solution
An open, trustworthy partner with modern technology
A flexible partner offering joint product roadmap development

"Our White Label instance gives Switch customers the impression of being in a “Switch” ecosystem rather than a supplier-based ecosystem."

Davide Ravasi, Product Owner, Switch

The solution

Switch found Certifaction and was confident that they were living up to expectations. A white-labelled version of Certifaction was created under the Switch branding as Switch Sign. Switch also utilises API integration.

The white label instance allows Switch customers to customise their logo when signing a document. “The edu-ID integration is probably the best feature we could ask for, as our IDP was developed for our community,” says Davide Ravasi.

Using Switch Sign speeds up document processes, ensures maximum flexibility and control and avoids contract delays due to late signatures.

From developers, for developers

The simplest API for signing and identifying

The results

Switch is very satisfied with the result. Several universities had other signature providers and switched to Switch Sign for the following reasons:

Cost savings and increased efficiency

Easy user management thanks to Switch edu-ID

Zero Document Knowledge as USP

There have been challenges along the way, which Certifaction has consistently addressed to Switch’s satisfaction. For this reason, both sides really appreciate the way we work together – Switch provides great ideas to improve the eSigning product and Certifaction listens and implements them to develop a better product.

The result in figures

Universities use Switch Sign

0 +

Growth in signature volume in 2024

0 % +

All advantages at a glance

Maximum data and document security

Simple integration via API

Modern white-label solution

Development of custom features

All Signature levels covered

Integration of edu-ID

Partnership-based product development

Local and agile eSigning provider

Innovative features

Easy-to-use signing

Use via web app or integration

Custom branding for clients

Your path to the future

Join leading organizations

Contact us now to find out how we can help your company make your signing, certification and verification processes digital, intuitive and future-proof.

FAQs

Our answers to the most frequently asked questions

Are Certifaction's eSignatures legally valid?

Yes. Our eSignatures are legally valid and support all major global standards (incl. eIDAS, ZertES, UETA, ESIGN).

In addition, you can choose the signature type that suits you best: from the cost-effective simple eSignature to the qualified eSignature (QES).

What is the Zero Document Knowledge technology and what are the advantages?

Unlike most competing providers, Certifaction offers the option of signing documents without ever seeing their content. The documents are processed locally on the customer side and encrypted when using the web app.

In the case of API integration, a local gateway takes over the encryption. In the event of a hack, the file would therefore be encrypted and unreadable. We also ensure that the documents are stored on ISO 27001-certified servers in Switzerland or an EU country.

Is there a white-labeled version of Certifaction?

Yes, Certifaction offers a customised white label option for partners. This enables the seamless integration of own products such as eIDs and certificates. The white label solution gives partners complete control over the platform. As an integration partner, we help open up new revenue streams and maximise business potential by providing tailored solutions for individual needs.

How much integration work is involved?

The Certifaction WebApp can be used immediately in the browser. The eSignature solution can also be integrated quickly via an API connection. Alternatively, the solution can be used as a white label product with full personalisation. Depending on the requirements, this is ready within a few weeks.

Why should I choose Certification over an on-premises solution?

Certifaction is a hybrid solution without a complex infrastructure. The connection is established via API or by installing the CLI client. This makes our eSignature solution more flexible and cost-effective than a solution that is operated in your own data centre.

What makes Certification stand out from the competition?

Certifaction is characterised by its innovative technology and clear focus on partnerships. Our customers value us as a trustworthy European partner that not only offers close cooperation and the highest security standards, but also enables the integration of its own products through white label solutions. This opens up new business opportunities and additional revenue streams for our partners. Our solution offers:

maximum security through Zero Document Knowledge
innovative features such as the Digital Twin (making digitally signed documents verifiable even when printed out), bulk signing, Teamspaces (rooms with shared signature processes) and guest signatures without registration
Signature requests in under a minute and smooth onboarding in just 15 minutes thanks to intuitive operation
smooth identifications without app download within a very short time
a recommendation score (NPS) of +90

Do you have any further questions?